Tonight:
4°c
Tube strikers back at work and union ready for talks
Dick Murray12 Jun 2009
A full Tube service ran today for the first time in four days.
The 48-hour strike ended at 7pm yesterday. "We have a full service on all lines," said a London Underground spokeswoman this morning.
Peace talks between Tube bosses and the RMT union, which ordered the strike in protest over jobs, pay and working conditions, are to take place in the next two weeks at Acas, the conciliation service.
They will take place against the backdrop of further strikes if negotiations fail.
Bob Crow, the RMT leader, said: "If we don't make progress and come to an agreement with Transport for London then we will definitely strike again."
Despite thousands of staff defying the picket lines and turning up for work, Mr Crow said: "I'm really pleased, it was a solid success."
The strike caused massive disruption, costing the capital's businesses more than £100 million in lost production.
The union wants a deal to stop compulsory redundancies. The Mayor has ordered 1,000 Tube jobs to go.
Reader views (13)
Neil from London - if you are getting pay drops of 30% - 50% maybe you should think about joining a good union.
Alun from Twickenham - Don't worry about the 2012 Olympics, that's 3 weeks of total twaddle, prices will be sky high for food, souvenirs, tickets etc and Bus drivers and Tube workers should be paid double to put up with all the extra work involved.
Sukh from London - Demand a no strike clause, you have to be joking. In Britain it is within a worker's rights to withdraw their labour except for a few types of job. If it wasn't for strikes over the years you would be on less than half your current wages and working conditions in England would be like those of a Third World country.
The sooner BOJO is replaced by someone, who can be bothered to get off their backside and meet the Unions and TFL, the better for London.
- Frank, London, UK, 13/06/2009 04:02
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Why do you refuse to mention the rest of TfL where there is a possible 3000 job cuts and no pay offer whatsoever. The 5% that keeps being mentioned was submitted back in November when inflation was that high. Management have stalled and refused to talk on anything. The RMT have been trying to talk to them since that claim was submitted but to no avail.
- Paul Rutland, Rochford/Essex, 12/06/2009 17:51
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I'd rather put up with the inconvenience of lack of tube trains, than line Mr Crows cronies pockets - its summer after all and we could all do with a bit more exercise. If its government policy never to deal with 'hostage takers' why do we deal with strikers whose objectives are the same - money by extortion.
And as to Red Ken, he would have caved in by now and given the money to the RMT and made a rod for the next Mayors back.
- Graham, Fleet, 12/06/2009 14:07
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The current dispute over pay and job losses (in a recession)paints the picture of the RMT as unrealistic, greedy and out of touch. This week was chaotic, but it wasn't a disaster. Let them strike.
- Ryan, London, 12/06/2009 13:51
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Why did so many Evening Standard readers fall for Boris Johnson's spin? Boris promised a 'no strike' deal: he very clearly hasn't even started to plan its implementation and has no intention of doing so as it's way beyond his pay grade. The man is a waste of space, full of hot air and no substantial policies.
- Ian, Chesham, UK, 12/06/2009 13:41
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Businesses that lost money due to RMT's strike action should sue them.
- Steve, london, 12/06/2009 11:16
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MEANWHILE NOT A WORD FROM THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT BANNING STRIKES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES. COME TO THAT NOT A WORD ON THE STRIKE AT ALL, EXCEPT FROM BORIS.
- Alan Green, Woodford Green, 12/06/2009 11:13
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Let them strike. I think 95%+ of people are against the RMT's actions, many people are realising the tube is not "essential". Tube bosses now have a golden opportunity to prevent them trying to hold us to ransom year on year with inflation busting pay - they should demand a no strike clause now whilst they have public backing.
- Sukh, london, 12/06/2009 10:55
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Transport for London should tell these people they are lucky to have jobs and if they strike again they will have terminated their employment. Bob Crowe likes holding London to ransom. he thinks he is a character in Ashes to Ashes because he is still living in the 1970/80's. If something is not done you can bet it will happen during the Olympics
- Alun Baxter, Twickenham, 12/06/2009 10:52
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Many of us have suffered a drop in pay of 30% - 50%; the tube workers should share the pain and stop holding us to ransom for a pay rise. Bob Crow is guilty of economic terrorism.
- Neil, London, London UK, 12/06/2009 10:02
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The management of LU, and the Mayor of London, should now press home their advantage by not capitulating to Crow and his militants. The recent 48 hour strike has shown that there is little support for the RMTs position from within it's own membership, other Trade Unions or the general public. Until, and unless, Crow clearly demonstrates a genuine willingness to recognise the economic realities of the world we live in then no further face to face meetings should be held at ACAS, or anywhere else. If Crow and his bully boys threaten to call another series of strikes let them do so, but as each strike is called it's impact on the travelling public will become less and less effective as a bargaining tool. As shown during the 48 hour stoppage significant numbers of reliable and reasonable LU staff will still continue to report for work in order to keep the underground system operating, whilst travellers will always find alternative ways of getting to or from work. Since the demise of Ken Livingstone, and his 8 years of total capitulation to the RMT, LU management now has the opportunity to enter into meaningful negotiations with the RMT over a long term pay and conditions agreement whereby the travelling public and Londons ratepayers are at the front of the queue for consideration. Stick to the plan Boris.
- Pete, South London, 12/06/2009 09:51
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I'll miss the No.11! I'd get it every day if it wasn't so slow. The view is so much better from a bus!
- Paul, London, 12/06/2009 09:51
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Looked pretty bad out there to me !
- Brian, Wiltshire, 12/06/2009 08:06
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