Tube Strikes

[D306]

Here we go again, another tube strike
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6974841.stm

Tube strike travel chaos expected

The first 72-hour strike will start on Monday
Tube passengers face travel chaos despite two out of three maintenance unions calling off planned strikes.
The RMT union said 2,300 members would walk out for 72 hours from 1800 BST. Services will be reduced from 1630 BST in advance of the strike.

Unite and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) called off their planned strikes after talks.

The RMT action follows fears over jobs and pensions after the collapse of maintenance firm Metronet.

Passengers are being urged to complete their journeys by 1700 BST on Monday.

London Underground (LU) warned it would have to start reducing services from about 1630 BST.

LU said in a statement: "To ensure the safe operation of the network, it will be necessary to get trains back to depots before strike action commences."

It said the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, which are maintained by Tube Lines, would be running.

'No guarantees'

The unions have been seeking guarantees there will be no job losses, forced transfers or cuts in pensions as a result of Metronet's collapse in July, when it went into administration.

Unite said on Monday its 500 members would not be going on strike.

Regional officer Brian Harris said: "After days of intense negotiations we're pleased to announce that Unite is calling off its industrial action at Metronet."

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) said its 360 members would not be going ahead with a strike planned for Tuesday.

However, it said its members would take part in the second 72-hour strike next Monday if a matter concerning pensions was not resolved later this week.

Affected underground lines
Bakerloo
Central
Victoria
Circle
District
East London
Hammersmith & City
Metropolitan
Waterloo & City

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "There has been no contact over the weekend from Metronet or the administrator so as far as we are concerned the strike will definitely go ahead."

He said the union had not received the "copper-bottomed guarantees" it had been seeking.

The only assurances received so far were related to jobs and transfers and covered only the period of administration, he added.

He warned of a second 72-hour strike on 10 September if the issue was not resolved.

The RMT predicts the Tube network will "grind to a halt" as a result of the industrial action.

It would be incomprehensible to disrupt the lives of millions of Londoners

London mayor Ken Livingstone

A spokesman said services would still run, but any problems with maintenance of trains, tracks or signalling would not be repaired.

"If anything goes wrong, it will stay wrong," he said.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone has said all Metronet employees were given written assurances there would be no reduction in jobs or transfers of employees from Metronet.

Mr Livingstone also said staff had been assured their pensions would be fully protected.

He said: "It would be incomprehensible to disrupt the lives of millions of Londoners and lose their members significant amounts of pay when all of the assurances they have asked for have been given."

Dan Hodges, Director of TfL, said: "We have been asking RMT to tell us what further guarantees they require to avert this dispute.

"We have been waiting since Sunday afternoon and have still received no communications from them."

 

[westcoaster]

i for one am behind these guy's, i see tssa are first to fall to the might ( no suprise there then)

 

[Richard]

Stupid London Underground always on strike :@

 

[Dave A]

i for one am behind these guy's, i see tssa are first to fall to the might ( no suprise there then)

Do you have a reason for being behind them, or are you just saying that?

There is no reason for the main strike what so ever. TfL have done all they can. Letters have been sent to all Metrodebt staff assuring them that they wont lose their jobs, and apart from taking the Metrodebt staff and works back in-house, there is nothing more they can do.

The sub-strikes, as it were, are a knock on effect caused by the Metrodebt staff striking in the first place. I agree with drivers. If the staff aren't ready to be there in-case of work needing to be done, then under the ground of health and safety, the drivers have the right to refuse to work.

Essentially, even though they are striking to support Metrodebt staff, in-fact the strike is caused by them as The Tube can't be safely run without them!

In my opinion, the real reason for this strike is that the RMT don't need to be seen as soft, as they've already suspended 3 or 4 strikes this year, imagine how another one looks...

 

[westcoaster]

these guys could be out of a job because a private company has gone to the wall, there needs to be security for the staff, if they had not of started the ppp or whatever it was we would not be here today, and also why should we pay more on the pension just because of the deficit, my pension contribution have doubled, and when things like this happen you want to know your money and future are secure.

 

[Dave A]

What more can TfL/LU do until the administrators have done what they need to? The RMT as usual have rushed into a strike decision which benefits no-one. Staff lose pay and customers suffer. The time TfL/LU say there will be job losses is the time to strike, not when nothing can be done because of the chance of job cuts!

 

[Tom]

They won't be out of a job - they are critical to the safe running of the railway. TfL have provided as many protections for the workers as they can feasibly do. Hell, they've even applied to operate Metronet themselves for the moment while it gets out of the trouble it's in...

IMHO, RMT just want to be seen as being "strong". It reminds me about New Year when TfL were trying to resolve discussions with the RMT when Bob Crow was sunning it away in somewhere like the Caribbean. It doesn't do anything for his case.

 

[Mojo]

I agree with what others have said - staff will still be needed and job losses are unlikely if the upgrades are to continue.

Also, why should former Metronet staff be special, any company could collapse at any time and nobody else has any special protection.

Despite Maggie's "reforms," many unions in different sectors are still *way* too powerful.

 

[tubenutter]

All Metronet lines have now been suspended, and are not expected to operate again until the end of the strike.

 

[paulo]

As an employee of the company I dont think we are being unreasonable they have had several weeks notice but have stood firm on their decision, though I must mention we as staff are dealing with the administrators and not actually Metronet anymore.

 

[Bonemaster]

There is little that can be done by either side to move, and TFL are stuck between a rock and a hard place, in the real world outside of railways, if a firm goes into administration the workers have no guarantees of any job, the only difference with the railways is that the trains will still run after a firm goes under.

I am all for having a strike where there is a clear obtainable goal, such as the Royal Mail strike or the prison officers strike last week, but when a company goes into administration it is simply because it spends too much money and sadly people are the first thing to go.

The RMT will get little sympathy outside of the industry in this particular case

 

[Tom C]

[quote[these guys could be out of a job because a private company has gone to the wall, there needs to be security for the staff, if they had not of started the ppp or whatever it was we would not be here today, and also why should we pay more on the pension just because of the deficit, my pension contribution have doubled, and when things like this happen you want to know your money and future are secure[/quote]

100% correct!!!!!

Why should former LUL staff face job cuts because of a governments short sighted policy. The RMT are doing what a trade union is there to do and thats look after the best interests of its members so its absolutely right that they should be looking to secure the future of the Metronet employees.

Despite Maggie's "reforms," many unions in different sectors are still *way* too powerful.

If you worked in the rail industry you wouldn't come out with a comment like that!

The private companies couldn't give a flying s**t about its employees and in the current climate of ludricrous franchise bids companies are looking to cut costs wherever possible. First Capital Connect are right now trying to lose 25 booking office clerks, SWT are trying to introduce single man working for revenue staff and South Eastern have been trying to close booking offices for the past two years but have so far been stopped by the unions actions.

Satan will secure the hottest place in hell for Maggie!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

[quote[these guys could be out of a job because a private company has gone to the wall, there needs to be security for the staff, if they had not of started the ppp or whatever it was we would not be here today, and also why should we pay more on the pension just because of the deficit, my pension contribution have doubled, and when things like this happen you want to know your money and future are secure

100% correct!!!!!

Why should former LUL staff face job cuts because of a governments short sighted policy. The RMT are doing what a trade union is there to do and thats look after the best interests of its members so its absolutely right that they should be looking to secure the future of the Metronet employees.

Despite Maggie's "reforms," many unions in different sectors are still *way* too powerful

If you worked in the rail industry you wouldn't come out with a comment like that!

The private companies couldn't give a flying s**t about its employees and in the current climate of ludricrous franchise bids companies are looking to cut costs wherever possible. First Capital Connect are right now trying to lose 25 booking office clerks, SWT are trying to introduce single man working for revenue staff and South Eastern have been trying to close booking offices for the past two years but have so far been stopped by the unions actions.

Satan will secure the hottest place in hell for Maggie!!

 

[Mojo]

Why should former LUL staff face job cuts because of a governments short sighted policy. The RMT are doing what a trade union is there to do and thats look after the best interests of its members so its absolutely right that they should be looking to secure the future of the Metronet employees.

They won't face job cuts, that has been made clear. Anyone in any industry far less regulated than the railways could lose their jobs at any time because of governmental policies.

 

[paulo]

My concern was a Bombardier takeover (can I say that?) how can you reward a company by giving it sole ownership for crippling a business! the main problem was metronet's shareholders were awarding themselves contracts and now things have gone horribly wrong and it's us that have to suffer, the only hope we have is TFL will take over, but that would mean Mr Brown doing a U-Turn on his PPP scheme.

 

[Tom C]

They won't face job cuts, that has been made clear. Anyone in any industry far less regulated than the railways could lose their jobs at any time because of governmental policies.

The only thing that has been agreed to is the pensions.

TFL have committed to keep staff during the period of administration but after that its shrugs all around. Thats the whole point of the strike.

If other industries are being walked all over then its down the unions. You cannot blame railwayman simply because we have a strong union.

 

[DavyCrocket]

They won't face job cuts, that has been made clear. Anyone in any industry far less regulated than the railways could lose their jobs at any time because of governmental policies.

And I wouldn't believe a word that that nasty, lying, racist mayor says. He and London Underground aren't even the employers! TfL merely provide additional finance during the PPP Administration.

 

[Tom C]

And I wouldn't believe a word that that nasty racist mayor says. He and London Underground aren't even the employers! TfL merely provide additional finance during the PPP Administration.

Good point!

He said the same thing about bus conductors and looked what happened there.

 

[class 313]

And I wouldn't believe a word that that nasty, lying, racist mayor says.

Woah you cant just be spouting that kind of stuff out! He has done well. I don't think he is racist tbh and he has kept to the things he has said before..

 

[Mojo]

The things he's backed down on are barmy things he's said such as making jaywalking illegal and keeping Routemasters on everyday services.

 

[Coxster]

The RMT have brought their strike to a halt, however some suspensions remain in place. The BBC report can be found at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6979216.stm. It's not yet been confirmed whether or not next week's 72 hour strike will go ahead though. A meeting will take place on Friday.

 

[RJ]

Selfish scumbags. They caused chaos to commuters, on the roads, and costing people who are paid on an hourly basis wages because of the extra time it takes to get places. And for what? They were already given assurances before Monday afternoon, yet still went ahead with it, and called it off today under the same terms stipulated before the strike commenced :roll:. What about people who live in places like Epping who need to get into Central London

I suspect the people who back these idiots were not affected by the strikes. Living in South London and commuting to the City, there isn't any tube near me so its not a problem personally, but why are these people causing upset to millions of people? Just because they can. And as proved by themselves today by accepting the deal which was offered to them on MONDAY, it was utterly pointless and an abuse of the power they have to cause misery.

 

[paulo]

There was nothing selfish about it at all, we believe (as employees) we are fighting a just cause, only the issue seems to have be corrupted somewhere along the way and is now being used to get back at the "fat cats" of Londons Transport system, the real victims are as you say the general public but staff that serve the network suffer the same fate. To summerise neither side wants to back down and its the people in the middle that get hit hardest.

 

[RJ]

Not giving a sh*t if millions of people are negatively affected comes across as being selfish to me.

 

[Mojo]

The Times was pretty scathing of those involved today, and the London Lite described it as the first strike ever carried out by a union whose demands had already been met.

Bakerloo was nice and quiet at 0840 this morning

 

[paulo]

Like every arguement there are two sides to the coin, im not condoning what happened as I saw it it was completely worthless in the end and nothing really was achieved except for utter chaos, its all well and good saying pensions and jobs are secure but at the end of the days they are only words and in business that means nothing.

 

[Tom C]

Selfish scumbags. They caused chaos to commuters, on the roads, and costing people who are paid on an hourly basis wages because of the extra time it takes to get places. And for what? They were already given assurances before Monday afternoon, yet still went ahead with it, and called it off today under the same terms stipulated before the strike commenced . What about people who live in places like Epping who need to get into Central London

It is certainly not the same deal that was on the table before hand.............

Firstly, the deal on pensions is on paper and means that Metronet members now have their pensions restored to them rather than just having a promise. A full pension scheme rescue plan will now go to TfL trustees and should be in place by Thursday.

Secondly, the agreement from TFL for no transfers or job cuts during administration has been extended so the threat of nearly 700 jobs that was proposed by Metronet before it went into administation and was POSTPONED by the administrators has been entirely withdrawn.

Lastly, there are now written commitments that any subsequent proposals will be subject to proper discussions through the existing negotiating machinery and the code of practice agreed at the time the PPP was introduced.

This is a big difference to what was on the table beforehand.

I suspect the people who back these idiots were not affected by the strikes. Living in South London and commuting to the City, there isn't any tube near me so its not a problem personally, but why are these people causing upset to millions of people? Just because they can. And as proved by themselves today by accepting the deal which was offered to them on MONDAY, it was utterly pointless and an abuse of the power they have to cause misery.

These people would have suffered not because of their performance but because of a government led failure. They have done nothing wrong other than doing their job day in day out but because Metronet have gone tits up these people deserve to be made redundant?

I don't know where you got your information but its certainly incorrect and your harsh criticism of these people is totally unjustified especially seeing as you are not in possession of the facts.

I would suggest you check your facts before you start your next tirade!

 

[RJ]

So nothing was on the table before the strike commenced then. The government just sat by and watched this happen?

Either way, millions of people were majorly inconvenienced. Would you have thought the same if you had to use any of the affected lines with no feasible substitute to get into work? Think about all those people who lost wages etc.

 

[Tom C]

So nothing was on the table before the strike commenced then. The government just sat by and watched this happen?

Either way, millions of people were majorly inconvenienced. Would you have thought the same if you had to use any of the affected lines with no feasible substitute to get into work? Think about all those people who lost wages etc.

Something was on the table but what was on the table wasn't satisfactory.

I was affected by tube strike, I got to Earls Court just as the Piccadilly Line was suspended from Hyde Park Corner and just as the last Eastbound train pulled out. It ment I had to catch several buses and was two hours late for work so I was majorly inconvenienced and I did lose wages.

It was also very busy at work and I spent all day helping passengers how to get around using what little there was available so I'm afraid you cannot try the guilt trip on me!

 

[Coxster]

On the lines that were suspended, obviously drivers were not needed in work. Did they go to work to help customers at stations or did they get told to stay at home? If the letter, did they get paid? I'm guessing station staff were still required at stations to help passengers get to their destinations via alternative means?

 

[DavyCrocket]

On the lines that were suspended, obviously drivers were not needed in work. Did they go to work to help customers at stations or did they get told to stay at home? If the letter, did they get paid? I'm guessing station staff were still required at stations to help passengers get to their destinations via alternative means?

Most Train Operators stayed in the Crew Depots. And Signal Operators in the Signal Boxes.
They were still paid.

Station staff were indeed providing information.