05/02/2014

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. In fact, authority claims the measures are needed to modernise systems and save £50m a year.

Hoards of commuters have been forced to use alternative transport. The streets of London were unusually packed with people walking to work during rush hour and the roads were thronged with traffic.

About 100 extra buses have been put on normal services.

According to Transport for London (TfL) it was operating train services in eight out of 11 lines and unions said 70% of the service was at standstill. However, the government said it was looking at plans to declare London Underground an essential service to curb the threat of future strikes.

(CVS/CD)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

11 February 2014
London Tube Strike Suspended
TSSA union has suspended new industrial action which was due to start at 21:00 GTM on the London Underground (LU). The RMT and TSSA unions said they had agreed to suspend the action over London Underground's planned ticket office closures. The TSSA confirmed it reached a last-minute deal with the Acas mediation body over the ticket office closures.
04 October 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.
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.
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.
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.