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04/10/2010
Tube Strike 'Irresponsible', Says Johnson
As the latest tube strike against job cuts gets underway, the London Mayor has lashed out against unions.
The 24-hour strike, which kicked off at 7pm Sunday night, caused chaos during this mornings rush-hour.
The Rail Maritime and Transport union and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association have now come under fire, with Mayor Boris Johnson describing the move as "irresponsible politically motivated nonsense".
Mr Johnson is due to make a speech today at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, were he will address the unions and explain why Transport for London was planning to cut 800 mainly ticket office jobs.
Following calls from business leaders, he will also discuss how the laws on industrial action should be made tougher.
In today's Daily Telegraph, Mr Johnson said: "We need to take account of the fact that some ticket offices are now selling fewer than 10 tickets an hour. We need to liberate staff to get out on to the platforms and concourses where they can be of most use to the travelling public.
"We have come up with a way of doing this that keeps a ticket office at every station that currently possesses one, and, remarkably, given the colossal budgetary pressures we face, we are able to do this with no compulsory redundancies.
"There will be no loss of earnings, and I cannot stress enough that all stations will remain staffed at all times. This is the package which the RMT leadership now demands is taken off the table before talks can resume, while their political lackeys now pretend that I should invite Bob Crow in for beer and sandwiches in City Hall.
"That is absurd, outrageous and wrong. We cannot reward the bad behaviour of militants whose objectives are plainly nothing to do with the terms and conditions of their members, and everything to do with a political attack on the coalition government and, to a lesser extent, on City Hall."
General Secretary of the RMT, Bob Crow, called on the Mayor to stop his "posturing" and resume negotiations over the job cuts.
Two further strikes are planned for November if the dispute remains unresolved.
(BMcN)
The 24-hour strike, which kicked off at 7pm Sunday night, caused chaos during this mornings rush-hour.
The Rail Maritime and Transport union and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association have now come under fire, with Mayor Boris Johnson describing the move as "irresponsible politically motivated nonsense".
Mr Johnson is due to make a speech today at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, were he will address the unions and explain why Transport for London was planning to cut 800 mainly ticket office jobs.
Following calls from business leaders, he will also discuss how the laws on industrial action should be made tougher.
In today's Daily Telegraph, Mr Johnson said: "We need to take account of the fact that some ticket offices are now selling fewer than 10 tickets an hour. We need to liberate staff to get out on to the platforms and concourses where they can be of most use to the travelling public.
"We have come up with a way of doing this that keeps a ticket office at every station that currently possesses one, and, remarkably, given the colossal budgetary pressures we face, we are able to do this with no compulsory redundancies.
"There will be no loss of earnings, and I cannot stress enough that all stations will remain staffed at all times. This is the package which the RMT leadership now demands is taken off the table before talks can resume, while their political lackeys now pretend that I should invite Bob Crow in for beer and sandwiches in City Hall.
"That is absurd, outrageous and wrong. We cannot reward the bad behaviour of militants whose objectives are plainly nothing to do with the terms and conditions of their members, and everything to do with a political attack on the coalition government and, to a lesser extent, on City Hall."
General Secretary of the RMT, Bob Crow, called on the Mayor to stop his "posturing" and resume negotiations over the job cuts.
Two further strikes are planned for November if the dispute remains unresolved.
(BMcN)
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05 February 2014
London Tube Staff On 48-Hour Strike
Underground customers are enduring chaos as Tube workers strike over proposed job cuts and ticket office closures. RTM and TSSA unions began the 48-hour walkout at 21:00 GMT on Tuesday. The Government announced plans to close all ticket offices and cut 950 jobs.
London Tube Staff On 48-Hour Strike
Underground customers are enduring chaos as Tube workers strike over proposed job cuts and ticket office closures. RTM and TSSA unions began the 48-hour walkout at 21:00 GMT on Tuesday. The Government announced plans to close all ticket offices and cut 950 jobs.
06 September 2010
Tube Strike Expected To Cause Travel Chaos
Tube passengers are preparing to face travel chaos as the first in a series of strikes begins today. Thousands of London Underground employees are set to strike from 5pm this evening over plans to axe 800 jobs.
Tube Strike Expected To Cause Travel Chaos
Tube passengers are preparing to face travel chaos as the first in a series of strikes begins today. Thousands of London Underground employees are set to strike from 5pm this evening over plans to axe 800 jobs.
13 January 2009
Ministers Protect Ticket Office Hours
Plans by South West Trains to reduce the opening hours of ticket offices have in large part been rejected by Ministers following public consultation. The rail company had wanted to make radical cuts in its ticket office opening hours at 114 stations.
Ministers Protect Ticket Office Hours
Plans by South West Trains to reduce the opening hours of ticket offices have in large part been rejected by Ministers following public consultation. The rail company had wanted to make radical cuts in its ticket office opening hours at 114 stations.
02 February 2015
First Tube Ticket Offices Close
Tube ticket offices in South Wimbledon and Queensway are to close today, the first of Transport for London's (TfL) controversial plan to shut all of its ticket offices. Staff at the two stations will be moved into ticket halls and on to platforms as TfL begin the closures.
First Tube Ticket Offices Close
Tube ticket offices in South Wimbledon and Queensway are to close today, the first of Transport for London's (TfL) controversial plan to shut all of its ticket offices. Staff at the two stations will be moved into ticket halls and on to platforms as TfL begin the closures.
24 February 2014
Tube Staff Who Worked During Strikes Given Gift Vouchers
Vouchers worth £25 have been given to Tube staff who worked during this month's strike. Staff had walked out earlier this months in protest at London Underground (LU) plans to close all of its networks ticket offices, with the lose of 950 jobs.
Tube Staff Who Worked During Strikes Given Gift Vouchers
Vouchers worth £25 have been given to Tube staff who worked during this month's strike. Staff had walked out earlier this months in protest at London Underground (LU) plans to close all of its networks ticket offices, with the lose of 950 jobs.
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