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Tube could halt at Christmas as unions ballot for five strikes
Dick Murray, Transport Correspondent19 Nov 2009
Tube union bosses today ordered four ballots calling for strike action — and are set to announce a fifth.
Each of the four localised disputes could cause disruption to commuters in the run-up to Christmas. The fifth ballot, over pay, is more serious and could halt the entire network, used by more than three million passengers a day. RMT leader Bob Crow said the union was “determined to fight for decent pay and conditions”. The disputes are:
A re-ballot of a small, but key, number of workers at EDF Energy Powerlink, which supplies much of London Underground's power. Previous action, over pay, was stopped by a legal challenge.
Train drivers at Hammersmith depot are to be asked to support strike action in a long-running row over working arrangements. It would affect the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines.
Staff at Stratford Market depot to be balloted in a dispute over working conditions. Action would cause major disruption to the Jubilee line.
Willesden Green station staff (Jubilee and Metropolitan lines) are to be asked to support claims of unfair dismissal brought by station supervisor Colleen Johnston and demands for her reinstatement.
The RMT is also finalising arrangements for a ballot of thousands of its Tube members over the annual pay award. LU is refusing to increase a two-year deal of a 1.5 per cent rise this year, and RPI plus O.5 per cent next year.
Unite, which represents engineering staff, intends to go ahead with a strike ballot in the dispute. The ballots would take about three weeks, and legal notice another two. It means walkouts across the entire network could occur during the Christmas and New Year period.
Mr Crow said: “Despite the use of the courts and anti-trade union laws to try and shackle the RMT, members continue to show determination to fight.”
Tube users suffered disruption in June when RMT members walked out partly over the same pay row. Tube bosses today called on the RMT to end its threat of “unnecessary” action, with talks due on or before 24 November.
Richard Parry, LU managing director, said: “It is inexcusable that the RMT leadership raises the threat of strike action... when discussions are planned. They are again intent on threatening inconvenience for Londoners, many of whom will have had their pay cut or will have lost their jobs in the toughest economic conditions in decades.”
Reader views (8)
if this person was "unfairly" dismissed, why are they not going to the employment tribunal. have they got something to hide and now trying to blackmail their company by going on strike? RMT = bad news = Rabid Mad Thugs
- Dan, UK, 03/12/2009 22:47
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Come on now don't be hard on the RMT they have not called a strike for at least 5 weeks and they must get in training for 2012
- Michou, Essex, 19/11/2009 23:22
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"Willesden Green station staff (Jubilee and Metropolitan lines) are to be asked to support claims of unfair dismissal brought by station supervisor Colleen Johnston and demands for her reinstatement."
Have the RMT not heard of the normal legal process? if someone is unfairly dismissed, then they will have a right to a hearing and appeal. What, can I ask has it got to do with the other RMT members and what makes them think they can overide the law by using blackmail tactics? They should be given a warning that if they strike over issues like this they will all be on diciplinary action...or are LUL to weak to show a bit of force themselves.
And as for pay. Don't make us laught Bob, you agreed this pay deal last year. Did i miss something, has the economy started booming again? How is this justified.
Can we strike against the RMT?!
- Mr Opinion, London, 19/11/2009 13:08
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Why strike when you could really screw the transport operators by letting on everyone on for free by releasing the gates to open.
And as Geoff says:"Nothing new"- more echoes of 1979?
- Chris Richards, Chelmsford Essex, 19/11/2009 12:17
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If it is good enough for Banker's,it is good enough for other's.
- Sebastin Smyth, St Johns Wood, 19/11/2009 12:08
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I think the Tube management may be getting the last laugh here at the tube users expense. They know that there will be a number of days industrial action, therefore they never need to budget for additional salary costs as the Tube workers elect via their strikes never to receive them. Do tube workers ever calculate wages lost due to days lost vs what you would have recieved if you worked a full year?. Bet Bob Crow has never told you.
- Paul B, the original in London, 19/11/2009 12:07
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Another Christmas, another strike... so what's new?
- Geoff, London, England, 19/11/2009 11:20
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So how's that no-strike agreement going Boris?
- Roy, England, 19/11/2009 10:40
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