72-hour tube strike - except for viewers in Camden, Stanmore & Oakwood

[suzyscottdotcom]

It's been a while since I mentioned our friends at Transport for London. Needless to say, Ken refused to give Metronet money (quite rightly so), and both it's track infraco's have gone t**s up - sorry, into administration.

Now, quite rightly, staff are concerned if they've only been promised their jobs (definatly) for a few days, which does sort of go back on an earlier promise that was made back when PPP started.

As a result, there is a 72 hour tube strike - but, not for the Jubilee, Northern & Piccadlly lines, where there is another infraco (still solvent AFAIK) in place. The Picc is not currently running Uxbridge/Rayners Lane - Acton Town, as that uses Met line tracks most of the way. It is worth noting that the TSSA union is also considering strike action in this case - which must be one of the first times for a while (this union is a little bit lighter in terms of strike action and complaining).


Tube network crippled by strike

A "massive" strike by maintenance workers on London Underground (LU) has stopped all services on nine lines.

The RMT union started a 72-hour walkout at 1800 BST in a row over pensions and jobs after the collapse of Metronet.

LU said trains were being kept in depots during the industrial action and services might not return to normal until Friday morning.

Only the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines are operating, because they are maintained by another firm.

Picket lines were mounted outside LU depots and large queues have started to build up at bus stops as workers tried to get home.

LU's managing director Tim O'Toole told BBC News 24: "The strike is quite significant.

"It's massive because we're talking about the withdrawal of service on two-thirds of the network."

Another 72-hour stoppage is planned for next Monday.

On Monday, Unite and the TSSA said they would not go on strike after being given assurances.

But the TSSA said its 360 members would take part in the second planned 72-hour strike, if a matter concerning pensions was not resolved.

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.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "The efforts the mayor and Transport for London have put in to try to broker a deal have been welcome.

"But the problem for all of us remains that Metronet and its administrator are the employer and the qualified assurances they have given cover only the period of administration."

Transport for London (TfL) said all three Tube unions had received all the assurances they were seeking and has released a letter it sent to Mr Crow which outlines those promises...

Comments

[thebustocrookes.livejournal.com]

Totally agree about Metronet. If they were making mega profits, they wouldn't have handed them over to Ken, yet when they make mega losses, they expect to be bailed out. Typical private sector!

[suzyscottdotcom.livejournal.com]

Hmm... did you know EDF Energy (formerly London Electricity) is one of the partners in Metronet? They were a partner in London's Olympics bid. As an anglo-French company, they were also supporting the Paris Olympics bid... so they like having a cap in both hands...