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Tube unions say no to a no-strike deal
Dick Murray, Transport Editor06.05.08
London's new Mayor today had a baptism of fire over the Tube as union leaders told him a no-strike deal was not an option.
The warning puts Boris Johnson on a collision course with the leaders of the Underground's three most powerful unions.
He now faces backing down on one of his main manifesto pledges or risk a Tube strike.
Bob Crow, leader of the RMT, the largest of the Tube unions, said it would be "insane for us to surrender our democratic rights - our human right - to withdraw our labour to defend our interests".
He said: "The RMT wants good industrial relations [with the Mayor] but it will never enter into a no-strike agreement." Keith Norman, boss of train drivers' union Aslef, warned that Mr Johnson would be heading for "mass confrontation" if he didn't back down.
The TSSA, the second largest rail union, said it could not imagine what Mr Johnson would offer for it to agree such a deal.
"We don't know where he is coming from," said general secretary Gerry Doherty.
Mr Johnson had declared in his election manifesto: "I will look to reduce the disruption caused by strikes on the Tube by negotiating a no-strike deal with the unions."
In return for agreeing not to strike the unions will get "the security provided by having the pay negotiations conducted by an independent arbiter", whose final decision will be binding.
Mr Doherty said: "He is saying that we will have to give up our right (to strike.) I cannot conceive what on earth he could put on the table (to agree a no-strike deal.)"
He said strike action was the last and sometimes only weapon to use. "It is not just about pay, it is also about conditions."
Mr Norman said: "If Johnson tries to force a no-strike deal then London will have to get ready for mass confrontation. Boris has shown that he is not interested in negotiation or compromise."
The unions also said binding arbitration will not be accepted.
The warning came as Mr Johnson was preparing to scrap London's 350 bendy buses amid fears they double the risk of accidents and pose a danger to cyclists.
The 60ft vehicles will be replaced by a new "hybrid" Routemaster, and a competition to design the new vehicle is to begin this week.
However, Mr Johnson ran into trouble over the costing of the policy as the bill to replace the fleet rose from £8 million to £100 million. The new Mayor also faces fresh trouble over Metronet, the Tube maintenance giant which went bust last year with debts of £2billion.
Transport for London will take over its responsibilities in a "few weeks", but the unions say they will not allow more privatisation.
Reader views (23)
When is there going to be a debate about the fact that 95% of strikes are in the public sector despite eleven years of pay rises under NuLabour?
They are never happy. Behave like this in the private sector and you get fired.
Get off your derrières and get to work like the rest of us.
- Robin, London
I am always really worried by people who reject organised labour, and who see Unionised activity as a negative and as a denial of democratic society. Big business gets its representation through funding political parties, employing MPs and Lords as consultants and through the CBI being a voice the government has to listen to. Oh and the employer gets the power of hire and fire. If a worker cannot withdraw their labour in protest at an employers unjust treatment or decisions then that is little better than indentured servitude. Corporate profits should never come at the cost of the rights of the working person whose labour actually achieves the corporate objectives.
- David M Kinnen, Coventry, United Kingdom
I know the answer to the following, but for the record, could Bob and the comrades remind us of:
The 'working-class' salary that Bob Crow receives but doesn't shout about?
The actual hours worked, inordinate salaries and remarkably flexible shift patterns his members enjoy at our expense.
Go public with the above Bob and see how much support and sympathy your 1980's macho preening receives.
This union deserves the same treatment the miners got in the 80's. Start training new staff now Boris.
- Ged, London
The Union's democratic mandate comes purely from its members that have a right to vote yes or no in any ballot for strike action. Boris is missing the point, most issues on LUL have revolved around safety and not pay. These are the same people that work hard, do a good job and when times are bad and disaster strikes are there on the front line, why do people try to demonize them.
At the end of the day a union's role is narrow, it is there to support its members. I think London should be proud to have workers that are willing to fight to make sure it is safe for us all to get to work.
Boris would be better off actually listening to these people and their concerns rather than attempting daft vote grabbing ideas that can never be accepted.
- Paul, Essex
Bob Crow loves his (regular) days in the sun so no surprise really. Just pop up at local elections and hold the public and local officials to ransom citing H&S cobblers and get even more dosh for overpaid train (how hard is that!) drivers.
- Steve, Hereford
Please please please..... Can we have computers driving the trains, its perfectly possible, safer than a human driver, no strikes, and less cost.
Lets move the tube into this century and away from control of the Union idiots.
- Scott Hastie, London
The government has no qualms about passing legislation that erodes basic rights in return for incremental or non-existent increases in security, or crime reduction or safety. What about a party that was willing to legislate to stop these greedy blackmailers from inconveniencing millions of Londoners whenever they want something? I would vote for them. But then that would require a political party that was actually willing to change something. Not going to happen...
- Anton, Abroad
This set up is basically what happened with the Met Police. An agreement to never take industrial action was agreed in return for index linked pay increases in an agreement with the government.
Until this year when Jacqui Smith ripped up the 30 year old agreement and then stuck two fingers up an an independent arbitration panel to deliver a paltry 1.9% pay increase (less than inflation - a pay cut). And the teachers are going on strike for 2.5%!
Much as I despise Bob Crowe and the other Tube unions, who seem to me to only go on strike to extend their bank holidays or when its sunny, I can't blame them for not wanting to give up their right to strike when governments and politicians seem to treat such agreements with utter contempt.
Especially when they vote for their own pay rises (undoubtedly well above inflation).
- Gene Hunt, London, UK
Every worker should have the right to withdraw their labour to protect and defend their interests, the same way a company will go to any lengths to protect and defend its interests. With a return to an older style of government (A Tory Style) maybe more people should consider unionising as a way to protect themselves from an increasingly smug, Tory Cooperate world.
- Tb, London
If the all new cuddly Tories believe in human rights then Boris has not a leg to stand on. This must have been known to him when he made the comments. Day1 Defeat 1 O No.
- Kevin, Romford
What about the people of London's democratic rights Bob? No one is asking you to surrender your right to strike for nothing but surely even you are willing to enter into negotiations or is it as we always suspected - you just like flexing your industrial muscles. The mayor has a democratic mandate, the RMT doesn't!
- Simon, London
Boris has not been in power a week and already the national socialists that voted for him are coming out of the woodwork on this thread.
- Colin, Barking Essex
This should be a surprise to no-one. We all know Ken tried for a no-strike deal and got nowhere. It was wrong for Boris to say this was one of his promises when it was impossible in the first place. This is just one of the cons which Boris has deceived the people who voted for him. He hasn't even been in office for a week! We have an interesting four-years ahead!
- John, London, UK
Billy, firstly where has he "failed"?
Next, you are apparently in Sydney, so what it has got to do with you is the question?
To say "everyone votes and has a choice" is utopian and never happens in the real world of the Unions.
- Jason, London
When you read the comments about unions with to much power especially the rail unions people forget that union members lose tremendous amounts of wages when they strike and risk just as much as inconvenienced members of the public. Negotiations are always a two sided venture and the right to defend terms and conditions of service and not see the value of wages plummet with poor pay awards is a right no one should be expected to agree to give up. Management have a responsibility in this as well that is always missed in any dispute. People who complain should ask themselves would they be prepared to have no say in the fairness attached to their working conditions and pay, if the answer is no then why should rail workers of any sort be expected to accept such a deal.
- Stephen Mead, Newcastle
We are now being dictated to by thugs?
- Kl, London UK
The cost of the "new Routemasters", which I very much doubt will ever see the light of day did not "[rise] from £8 million to £100 million": Boris made a huge cock-up and had to be corrected. Well done Londoners for electing this idiot.
- Roy Stilling, Gillingham, Kent
Withdrawal of labour is breach of contract. There should be no such right. LU employees don't have to work for LU, they can always try and get a job somewhere else if they don't like it. Crow is a mere mouthpiece attempting to justify his (unnecessary) existence.
- Annabelle, London
Perhaps Boris should set up a secret tube-training academy somewhere near Katowice and create a stock-pile of ready, willing and able replacements for anyone who thinks they can hold the public to ransom. Boris' offer of agreeing to a binding, independent, arbitration solution seems comprehensively fair. Why are the unions saying no? Could it be that they are not interesting in being fair [to the taxpayers, and to the people who pay to use the tube]?
- St, London
Fire them all and hire freelancers.
- Dr Nick Ashley, Huntingdon, England
Simple. Promote Bob Crowe an executive of the Council for Industrial Relation making him an offer he cannot refuse.
- Raymond, Elstree
So a union says, "insane for us to surrender our democratic rights - our human right - to withdraw our labour to defend our interests". Someone had better remind them that, while this is undeniably a right, their current legal right to hang onto their jobs after refusing labour is no such human right.
For public services that are fundamental to to the daily lives of millions, there should be no such rights. They are in a position of unfettered power, to make the wider public suffer every time their members demand pay rises. Its about time they were crushed and, as suggested by BJ, an independent arbiter is installed to protect both the public from the effects of union greed, and its members from possible employer abuse. Currently the only people that are afforded protection are the members of the unions.
"the unions say they will not allow more privatisation" sums it up. Narrow self-interest of the unions taking precedence over the rights of the public to elect those who can decide on how best to run their services.
- Arn, Bromley
So day two and already Boris has failed to deliver on one pledge. I await developments, in particular re the new Routemaster with interest.
- Billy Blighty, Sydney Australia
