BBC News: RMT Organiser Leach On 'Clear Mandate' For Strike Action On Overground

RMT Regional Organiser for London Transport John Leach has been interviewed on BBC London News following reports of a 9 to 1 ballot for strike action on London Overground.

London Overground guards have voted overwhelmingly for strike action and action short of a strike in a ballot following the announcement by Transport for London of their plans to introduce 'Driver Only Operation' on the whole of the London Overground network.

Following the release of the ballot result, Tory London Assembly members have renewed their call for strikes to be replaced with a 50%+1 ‘yes vote’ to initiate ‘binding pendulum arbitration’.

In the interview for BBC London News John Leach says the union has 'a clear mandate and democratic legitimacy' to call strike action; the union having already conformed to strict legislation. Tory London Assembly Member, and transport spokesperson, Richard Tracey who was interviewed alongside John Leach is asked why he feels unions should have to have 50% +1 of members take part in a ballot in order for the union to take action, when less than that voted for him to be a London Assembly Member. Tracey described this as a different issue as there were multiple candidates. He also said that "nobody among my colleagues and I has a problem with people going on strike" which appears to contradict his report calling for a ban on industrial action on London underground.

You can watch the interview here - it begins at around 10 minutes into the programme