Tube strike is a success, says Bob Crow

The RMT leader said his members could launch fresh industrial action as early as two weeks' time - despite signs of the strike crumbling.

Many picket lines were deserted today and London Underground managed to run trains on nine out of 11 lines.

But millions of commuters were caught up in gridlock as central London took the brunt of the disruption.

Mr Crow turned up for a picket line at Queen's Park on the Bakerloo line, which was running a limited service.

He boasted about the industrial action. "I'm really pleased. It was a solid success," he said. "The whole city ground to a halt and the disruption it caused was all over the papers."

Despite apparent progress towards more talks, which could prevent further strikes, Mr Crow said: "If we don't make progress and come to an agreement with Transport for London, then we will definitely strike again.

"It won't be next week as you have to give seven days' [legal] notice but it could be as soon as the week after."

Some of his own members defied the strike today and rival union Aslef members ignored the picket lines, leading to LU being able to put 160 out of the normal 420 trains into service.

"I'm not surprised the other unions crossed the picket lines," added Mr Crow. "They've never supported us in the past and we never expected it."

Both the RMT and TfL say they are ready for face-to-face talks to try to settle the dispute, despite no meetings yet being scheduled. They are at loggerheads over a deal on compulsory redundancies and pay.

Mr Crow continued: "We've spent the night in talks, emailing, and I'm going to spend the rest of the day in meetings trying to resolve this.

"Things were going okay with talks at the start of the week and I think we were making progress until management pulled the plug."

A TfL spokesman said: "We are prepared to meet the union anywhere, anytime. We continue to urge the RMT leadership to call off this strike, to avoid further unnecessary disruption to London."

The RMT appeared to have been significantly weakened by its failure to bring the network to a complete standstill - the first time it has not had such an impact from an all-out strike.

Even a planned picket of TfL offices in Smith Square, Westminster, failed to happen. One woman, a member of trade union Unite, turned up to find she was alone.

Mayor Boris Johnson today said: "Massive numbers of people are on the move who have defied the strike. This is a testament to the weakness and fragility of the strike.

"The RMT have greatly undermined themselves by this action. They have caused a backlash of hostility from not only the public but also their members."

Commons leader Harriet Harman said in Parliament today: "Londoners cannot be held to ransom and their lives made a misery in relation to a dispute on the Tube, which is the backbone of London's transport structure."