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02/06/2004
RMT tube strike to start June 10
Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) members working on the London Underground have today "voted overwhelmingly" to strike action on June 10 - a date which coincides with the European and London mayoral elections.
The union said that action had been taken following the employers’ "failure to negotiate seriously on pay and conditions". The total of votes cast in favour of strike action was 2,614, with 643 against.
"This result will send a clear message to LUL, Tubelines and Metronet that our members are not prepared to be strung along or messed around, and will not stand attempts to impose a settlement," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.
"This pay round should have been signed and sealed on April 1, yet here we are, two months later, having to announce the result of a strike ballot."
Mr Crow said that if employers were sincere in wanting to avoid strike action, they should "negotiate seriously".
RMT said that its pay claim for London Underground includes: a "substantial pay rise"; a 32-hour, four-day week; restoration of paid meal breaks (taken away in 1996), and a minimum starting salary of £22,000 (from the current level of £19,000 for station assistants).
Following the decision by RMT workers on London Underground to strike, Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate, Simon Hughes, today renewed his calls for Bob Crow to be removed from the Transport for London Board.
The Lib Dems' mayoral candidate Simon Hughes reacted angrily to the news, saying that, if elected, he would remove the RMT union representative from the Transport for London Board. Mr Hughes said that he would replace the RMT candidate with a representative from the TGWU, the union which represents London’s bus drivers.
In so doing, people who owe their allegiance to Londoners rather than the unions would be represented - therefore stopping Londoners from "yet again being held to ransom".
"This sort of industrial action does nobody in London any good. It is no good for passengers, no good for London Underground and no good for the unions," he said.
"Of course employees are justified in raising concerns over any number of issues with their employers, but to threaten strike action every time they are dissatisfied with negotiations is bad for business, bad for the traveling public and bad for London. The right to strike is a sound principle when used correctly, but the RMT threat to strike at the drop of a hat abuses this right."
(gmcg)
The union said that action had been taken following the employers’ "failure to negotiate seriously on pay and conditions". The total of votes cast in favour of strike action was 2,614, with 643 against.
"This result will send a clear message to LUL, Tubelines and Metronet that our members are not prepared to be strung along or messed around, and will not stand attempts to impose a settlement," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.
"This pay round should have been signed and sealed on April 1, yet here we are, two months later, having to announce the result of a strike ballot."
Mr Crow said that if employers were sincere in wanting to avoid strike action, they should "negotiate seriously".
RMT said that its pay claim for London Underground includes: a "substantial pay rise"; a 32-hour, four-day week; restoration of paid meal breaks (taken away in 1996), and a minimum starting salary of £22,000 (from the current level of £19,000 for station assistants).
Following the decision by RMT workers on London Underground to strike, Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate, Simon Hughes, today renewed his calls for Bob Crow to be removed from the Transport for London Board.
The Lib Dems' mayoral candidate Simon Hughes reacted angrily to the news, saying that, if elected, he would remove the RMT union representative from the Transport for London Board. Mr Hughes said that he would replace the RMT candidate with a representative from the TGWU, the union which represents London’s bus drivers.
In so doing, people who owe their allegiance to Londoners rather than the unions would be represented - therefore stopping Londoners from "yet again being held to ransom".
"This sort of industrial action does nobody in London any good. It is no good for passengers, no good for London Underground and no good for the unions," he said.
"Of course employees are justified in raising concerns over any number of issues with their employers, but to threaten strike action every time they are dissatisfied with negotiations is bad for business, bad for the traveling public and bad for London. The right to strike is a sound principle when used correctly, but the RMT threat to strike at the drop of a hat abuses this right."
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
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10 May 2013
London Tube Staff Vote For Strike Action
Tube services in London could be affected after transport union RMT voted in favour of industrial action. The action is being taken over a series of disputes including working conditions.
London Tube Staff Vote For Strike Action
Tube services in London could be affected after transport union RMT voted in favour of industrial action. The action is being taken over a series of disputes including working conditions.
14 November 2003
Two Tube lines disrupted by strike action
There has been serious disruption to commuter travel in parts of London today as staff at two Tube lines walked out on a 24-hour strike. There was no service on the Circle line and the Hammersmith & City line was reduced to a shuttle service between Edgware Road and Hammersmith. Staff walked out at 9.
Two Tube lines disrupted by strike action
There has been serious disruption to commuter travel in parts of London today as staff at two Tube lines walked out on a 24-hour strike. There was no service on the Circle line and the Hammersmith & City line was reduced to a shuttle service between Edgware Road and Hammersmith. Staff walked out at 9.
05 September 2007
Commuters Face Further Tube Delays
Commuters in London are still facing travel misery on the Tube, despite the fact that a 72-hour strike by maintenance workers has been called off. The RMT union called off the strike action, which began at 6pm on Monday and involved around 2,300 employees, following talks with London Underground officials.
Commuters Face Further Tube Delays
Commuters in London are still facing travel misery on the Tube, despite the fact that a 72-hour strike by maintenance workers has been called off. The RMT union called off the strike action, which began at 6pm on Monday and involved around 2,300 employees, following talks with London Underground officials.
30 April 2014
52% Of Tube Services Continue Despite Strike
London Underground (LU) is operating 52% of Tube services today despite the strike called by the leadership of the RMT union. LU carried 56% of its usual passenger numbers this morning, which is a record for a strike day. Around 80% of stations are open and services are running on 10 of the 11 lines.
52% Of Tube Services Continue Despite Strike
London Underground (LU) is operating 52% of Tube services today despite the strike called by the leadership of the RMT union. LU carried 56% of its usual passenger numbers this morning, which is a record for a strike day. Around 80% of stations are open and services are running on 10 of the 11 lines.
28 April 2014
Tube Strike Set To Commence
A 48-hour tube strike is set to begin later. Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union members are due to stage a walk-out from 9pm, and not return to their positions until 8.59pm on Wednesday (30 April). The London Underground workers are protesting over plans to close ticket offices.
Tube Strike Set To Commence
A 48-hour tube strike is set to begin later. Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union members are due to stage a walk-out from 9pm, and not return to their positions until 8.59pm on Wednesday (30 April). The London Underground workers are protesting over plans to close ticket offices.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
