Tucker: Pity the shivering pickets

Greg Tucker, the RMT activist at the centre of the South West Trains strike, further infuriated passengers by suggesting they support the rail workers whose four-day action is inflicting mass disruption and overcrowding.

As only one in 10 trains ran today, RMT ringleader Mr Tucker said: "It is cold on the picket line today and we would urge passengers to be sympathetic towards us. If the travelling public want to see an end to rail disruption they should bear with us as we attempt to negotiate fairer pay for our workers." His comments on the picket line at Waterloo came as up to 150,000 commuters into the station were left stranded on platforms throughout southern England.

Today's action over pay and disciplinary measures against Mr Tucker will add some three hours on to passengers' journeys, according to the London Chamber of Commerce. Talks due to be held today between the two parties were given even greater urgency amid reports that action over pay may lead to nationwide disruption. An RMT source said "feelings are running very high and the issue could spread".

SWT says the real motive behind the failure to reach agreement over pay is the demotion of Mr Tucker from driver to ticket collector after a series of "safety-related incidents" - the latest of which is believed to have been speeding, a claim he denies.

The union is insisting he is reinstated, a move SWT refuses. An SWT spokeswoman said: "The union wants us to reinstate a driver who we don't believe is safe to be let back in a cab." The union says the action reflects legitimate anger among non-driving members that some 600 SWT drivers have been offered a different deal. Both sides have been offered a 7.6 per cent rise over 18 months but the 2,000 guards, station staff and ticket collectors will see pay pegged to inflation in October while drivers will not.

SWT says it has offered the RMT the equivalent of a 15 per cent pay deal over three years. The company says this reflects the difficulties in recruiting drivers and agreements reached on productivity.

Industry sources suggest the real reason for the strike could be a power struggle within the union following the death of long-time leader Jimmy Knapp last year. Hard-Left assistant general secretary Bob Crow, who is backed by Mr Tucker, is up against the more moderate Phil Bialyk.

Business and passenger groups said it was vital the dispute was resolved to prevent it continuing on Monday. The delays seen over the past 24 hours will be far more severe next week when thousands return to work after an extended break.

London Chamber of Commerce puts the cost to the capital's economy in lost working hours at more than £10 million a day. The RMT, the country's biggest rail union, has called on SWT to return to the negotiation table. SWT says it will do so "when the union has something new to say" - and wants the union to agree to suspend its action while talks are held.

An SWT spokesman said only a handful of rush-hour trains were able to run today.