Tube union RMT confirmed this morning that support for strike action amongst both TSSA and RMT members’ remains rock solid as the two unions continue their fight for tube safety and safe staffing levels.
RMT are also filing reports this morning with the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) detailing clear breaches of safety regulations:
TUBE UNION RMT will be leafleting members of the public at Euston station tomorrow (September 7) morning at 8am, in the middle of 24 hours of strike action, to explain the core safety issues at the heart of the current dispute.
RMT will be making the case that the current 800 job losses, amongst station and platform based staff, are the thin end of the wedge as Mayor Boris Johnson and his officials look to slash billions from transport spending in the Capital to pay off the costs of the failed tube privatisation experiment and to meet ConDem government spending targets.
Tube union RMT said this morning that a strike of Alstom tube maintenance staff on the Jubilee and Northern Line's that began at 19.00 last night is rock solid. Pickets have been out in force at all three Alstom tube maintenance depots.
RMT has received reports this morning of disruption and delays to south bound Northern Line services on the northern section of the Edgware branch during rush hour.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:
TUBE UNION RMT today accused London Underground of “playing fast and loose” with safety in the run up to strike action starting later today as the union revealed that tube management have issued a call volunteers to try and run services regardless of whether they have the necessary Operational Licences.
The article below appears in the financial pages of the Guardian.
RMT Executive member Olly New said, "Just sometimes - you get a bit of truth from the media. This article from the financial pages of the Guardian makes it clear that the 800 LUL job cuts are only the beginning of a drive to re-structure LUL, cut more jobs and attack trade unionism. This is about investment funding and planned Government cuts to transport and the rest of public services. LUL’s statements about Oyster cards being the reason for the cuts is so much rubbish.
East London Rail Branch RMT sends solidarity greetings and fraternal greetings to all our comrades, brothers and sisters striking to defend safety and jobs on London Underground.
Once again those who stand to lose the most, we find, lead us in our struggles.
We note that those paid telephone-number salaries are set on ripping the heart out of London’s transport network.
LBC is running an online poll about the Tube strikes. Click here to express your view.
When I voted a couple of minutes ago, it was running at a 2:1 majority to the unions!
The Tube strikes will no doubt be a hot topic of conversation on London's radio stations. If you would like to air your views, here are some phone and text numbers.
BBC LONDON Tel: 020 7224 2000 Text: 81333 and start message with word London
LBC Tel: 0845 6060 973 Text: 84850
TALKSPORT Tel: 08717 223344 Text: 81089
CAPITAL FM Tel: 0207 484 8958 Text: 83958
CHOICE FM Tel: 08700 702 969 Text: 61236
SMOOTH FM Tel: 0845 345 1022 Text: 65588
Download the latest issue of 'RMT London Calling' for full details of the strike action, messages of support, and a reminder of the issues!
Click '1 attachment' / file name to download it. Please distribute widely to your workmates.
Talks at conciliation service ACAS broke up today following a failure on the part of London Underground to remove the threat of cuts to safety and safe staffing levels that would have allowed meaningful discussions to take place.