Morning:
8°c
Defiant commuters beat the Tube strike to get to work
Dick Murray and Mark Prigg7 Sep 2010
Londoners this afternoon used every means of transport available to try to beat the Tube strike.
Hundreds of thousands of commuters took to their bikes, buses, cars and even scooters. One man said he would catch three taxis costing £60 just to do his job.
The 24-hour strike which ends at 9pm caused major disruption with knock-on delays expected to last into tomorrow.
In pictures: Commuters attempt to beat Tube strike
Many roads across London were gridlocked by the increased number of buses, cabs and cars.
The number of journeys on hire bikes increased by 60 per cent in one hour. There were arguments at docking stations as cycles ran out.
As commuters began the slog home this afternoon, anyone making it into the West End for the first night of play Deathtrap was offered champagne and oysters. Other theatres said they would hold the curtain to allow audiences more time.
Boris Johnson accused RMT union chief Bob Crow of playing “political games”. Labour leadership contenders expressed sympathy for passengers but refused to condemn the strike. Unions said support for the action was “rock solid”.
Transport for London insisted 40 per cent of trains ran this morning. Up to 100 out of 275 stations were closed by the strike.
Howard Collins, London Underground chief operating officer, said he was “heartened” to see the number of staff who had turned up. Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said: “These Tube strikes are bad for passengers, bad for business and bad for London. At a time when public finances are under pressure any strike by Tube workers will be seriously damaging — undermining the case we are making within the spending review for continued investment in the Tube.”
Maintenance staff walked out at 5pm yesterday and drivers, signallers and station staff stopped work four hours later in a row over job cuts. Three more are threatened before Christmas.
Many Londoners were disappointed at a lack of hire bikes. At Waterloo Station there was huge demand for the Boris bikes and replacements had to be delivered as the queue grew. Police were stationed at the docking station in Sutton Walk in case of trouble.
Naomi Jackson, 38, lives in Brixton and works in sales at Great Portland Street. She said: “I'm so glad I've got a bicycle. It's an efficient way to get around, and I don't have to wait for the overcrowded buses, which look especially bad this morning.”
On the South Bank hundreds of City workers queued for up to an hour-and-a-half to get a Thames riverboat to work at Canary Wharf.
Banker George White, 28, from Kennington said: “I got the ferry last time there was a strike, I should have been in work hours ago though.
“It's incredibly annoying to have to go through all of this again and I've already missed a lot of the day. There should be a way to keep London running regardless of a strike.”
Adelle Collyer, 23, a teacher from Crouch End, was trying to get to her primary school in South Kensington. She said: “People are confused and angry about the strike, no matter what the unions say. I'm preparing that today could cost me more than £40 if I can't get to King's Cross and have to pay for a cab. Hopefully the school will contribute something, but it's a lot of money to have to shell out for us.”
Karley Weir, 23, was among a group of hairdressers struggling to get from King's Cross to Battersea to prepare for a conference. She said: “I think TfL has enough money to keep open the stations, and certainly enough to pay for 800 staff to stay employed. It's left us at least an hour late. We've been forced to keep laughing so we don't get too angry.”
Stephen Ray, 37, a company director from Cobham in Kent, said he would have to get three taxis today in order to do his job. He added: “It's going to cost me £15-£20 per trip, I'm not hugely impressed.”
Labour leadership frontrunner David Miliband said: “It's crucial that the two sides get round the table because Londoners and businesses are suffering.”
His brother Ed urged both sides to talk and avoid a further strike that would “inconvenience commuters”. Shadow education secretary Ed Balls said: “The Mayor must get a grip, get the unions and employers round the table to resolve this dispute and get London moving again.”
Diane Abbott said it was a “real shame” it had come to a strike. “As a regular commuter myself I know how traumatic this is for people trying to get to work,” she said.
Six Labour MPs — four of them for London seats— praised the unions in a Commons motion paying “tribute” to union members for “sacrificing pay and taking industrial action to put safety first”.
As the full extent of the strike action unfolded, union and Tube bosses clashed over how effective the action was. Senior Tube sources put the number of strikers in their hundreds — not the thousands being claimed by union bosses.
Members of Aslef, representing the majority of Tube train drivers, are not involved in the dispute, defied the pickets, and turned up for work. A senior Tube manager said a number of RMT drivers had also reported for work but were “keeping a low profile”. A major surprise was the Northern line which employs a large number of RMT members. The line remained open though some stations were closed.
ALTERNATIVE JOURNEYS
Road and buses
London's 700 bus routes were described as “very crowded” despite an extra 100 buses on key routes.
Thousands of extra cars hit the roads, with motorists warned the congestion charge remained in force.
Bikes
Thousands of cyclists hit the capital's streets this morning, with TfL running guided rides into the centre of town. Between 8am and 9am this morning, there were an additional 2,000 completed cycle hire journeys compared to yesterday.
Tube
The majority of Tube lines were operating some sort of service with the exception of the Circle which was suspended. By mid-morning London Underground claimed 194 trains were running out of the usual 500, and Tube bosses said 40 per cent of trains were running. Trains were running on the Northern line, although some stations were closed. The Bakerloo, Victoria, District, Central, Piccadilly, Hammersmith and City, Jubilee and Metropolitan lines were part-suspended.
Boats
Around 10,000 extra seats were available on river services. Additional boats will operate at peak times, including an extra shuttle between Tower, Westminster and London Eye piers. A single journey is £3 or £1.50 with a travelcard Oyster, but not pay-as-you go. On the South Bank hundreds of City workers queued for up to an hour-and-a-half to get a Thames riverboat to work at Canary Wharf.
Rail
DLR ran normally while London Overground services were running with severe delays. National Rail is unaffected by the strike.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW
The strike is due to end at nine this evening but severe disruption is expected to continue into tomorrow morning's rush hour.
Much of the chaos will be due to many of the trains being out of position after today's walkout. The disruption is compounded by staff continuing with an indefinite overtime ban, which could lead to longer queues at ticket offices and fewer windows open at busy times.
Passengers also face the prospect of three more
24-hour strikes before Christmas. Staff will walk out between 5pm and 9pm on Sunday October 3 until the same time the next day; then again at the same times on Tuesday November 2 and Sunday November 28.
Howard Collins, London Underground's chief operating officer, is today contacting both Bob Crow, the RMT leader, and Gerry Doherty, TSSA general secretary, asking them to return to the negotiating table.
The union bosses say they are willing to talk but that LU must have “something meaningful” to say and not just repeat what has gone before.
Reader views (100)
I think some people on here and out there in the general populus need to reflect on this and take away some points:
1. Dont demonise Crow. He's just representing his members - who voted for strikes
2. If they feel striking is right then perhaps try to understand that they are protecting what they feel is their right to a certain working condition.
3. Denegrating striking in such a way when many are too daft/lazy/cowardly to challenge poor or unreasonable working conditions is rediculous. You have to remember that people have often fought to make your job what it is well before you were employed there, dont lose your rights through complacency.
4. To those who say they should just leave their jobs - this has been done in certain Police forces and NHS sectors with devasting results. It could cripple a service, and that may not be the right thing to do, and sometimes it can be the worst thing to do.
Personally I feel the whole underground system needs rapid improvement, yet the top people (why is it always those at the top) seem to think they can skim off as much money as they greedily want at the detriment to service and staff.
- DJC, Hampshire, 11/09/2010 08:28
Report abuse
Rob Cole - I’m sure cycling into the West End or the City or where ever you work is okay from Camden but the vast majority of people using the Tube come from a lot further out so a bike isn’t always practical. "Also if loads of people took up your suggestion then the bike racks would quickly fill up, we’d have bikes locked up to anything and everything, the council would come round removing bikes from places they shouldn’t be and then you’ve lost your means of transport.-ASLEF shrugged, Leyton, UK, 08/09/2010"
I ride from Camden to Waterloo 6 days a week, and catch a train to a small station in Surrey - this costs me £2,000 a year for my railcard
on the many occasions when the train does not work (or sadly, someone has jumped in front of a train..), I have ridden home to Camden, from my workplace in Surrey in 1.5 hours
the bicycle is complete freedom to move under your own power, on your own timetable, regardless of what is happening with public transport
once you cycle regularly, doing a 25 mile ride is no big deal...
- rob cole, camden town, London, 08/09/2010 20:43
Report abuse
I LOVED the front page of The Evening Standard yesterday evening. I thought it was absolutely BRILLIANT!! Well done Jeremy Selwyn, brilliant picture!
- Misha, London, 08/09/2010 10:52
Report abuse
John David - to explain, anyone going on strike would not start a shift between 9pm Monday and 9pm Tuesday, so if they starting at 5pm then on Monday they worked until the end of their shift but Tuesday they stayed at home for the whole of their shift, thus the late shift didn’t all appear at 9pm Tuesday. Plus there weren’t any trains to get them into work. The disruption Monday night was down to the night shifts not turning up as they book on between 9 and midnight.
Rob Cole - I’m sure cycling into the West End or the City or where ever you work is okay from Camden but the vast majority of people using the Tube come from a lot further out so a bike isn’t always practical. Also if loads of people took up your suggestion then the bike racks would quickly fill up, we’d have bikes locked up to anything and everything, the council would come round removing bikes from places they shouldn’t be and then you’ve lost your means of transport.
- ASLEF shrugged, Leyton, UK, 08/09/2010 09:41
Report abuse
The strike came and went and nothing has changed, the 800 jobs will go. There’s another strike planned for next month but hopefully by then the RMT and TSSA members will realise that there is no point losing another day’s pay for nothing. Walking out once a month is not going to have any effect on management decisions, the only people this has any effect on is the passengers and they won’t understand the implications of the changes until something goes really horribly wrong.
Paul H, I am and have never been a communist but from your comments in the past you seem to apply this description to anyone remotely left of your viewpoint. If you disagree with anything you read here then offer an intelligent argument against, it is called debate and is the basis of any civilised society; throwing insults is for the school playground. Excluding anyone from the forum, no matter how offensive or idiotic their words may seem to you is the act of totalitarianism, to stifle free speech is the act of cowards and crooks.
As for SWP, why on earth would I want to waste time on those sad wannabe revolutionaries, nicely spoken middle class boys and girls dreaming of the days when the proletariat will rise up to overthrow Capitalism, the workers will seize the means of production, the establishment of the people’s dictatorship and, come the glorious day, Tristram and Jessica can stop living off mummy and daddy!
Ok yes, I know that was insulting but it was fun.
- ASLEF shrugged, Leyton, UK, 08/09/2010 09:25
Report abuse
Again and again the comments I have read slating the tube staff. If the unions actually relayed what the paying customer is going to face if LUL get away with the job cuts you may change your minds. There may well be more staff visible at some stations at certain times of the day but they will not be selling you tickets or be able to quickly sort out your oystercard problems. This can only be performed at a ticket office that is open. Then there are the old inadequate unreliable machines ( where no new parts are available to repair them!) where customers are being forced to queue due to LUL policy of forcing customers away from the ticket offices and starting with the £5 minimum top up.
If you believe LUL saying this is really about saving money and keeping jobs this is not going to happen because the underground are going to need more machines and better machines to cope with the forced demand.Where is this money going to come from?
So when you are queing up at a machine, and your pound coins keep being rejected or you have an unresolved journey on your oystercard just remember you have accepted this 'monster'.
- GBrown, Middx,Herts, 08/09/2010 05:41
Report abuse
@Aslef Tube Driver.
Yes I understand your point re-drivers but what about the station staff? They should be back at work - the strike was 24 hours and if for no other reason than to be on site to assist the public.
As you said, unions need to decided what battles they can win or at least come away with some concessions. This dispute is pointless and the will end in tears for the RMT.
- John David, London, 07/09/2010 23:20
Report abuse
over 2 years ago my boss gave me a ultimatum "you have to work 6 days a week (instead of 5) and I cannot give you a pay-rise?" - this was to keep our small business running...
I accepted, and 2 years later I still have a job, where many have lost theirs
I have not had a pay-rise in 3 years, and am working harder than ever, but still drawing a salary, for which I am grateful, many people are out of work...
I have no sympathy for strikers as these people have not experienced the same problems as the private sectors during the recession, they are only starting to feel the "cuts" 2-3 years after the private sector!
if you want to beat these public transport strikes?
its really simple - buy yourself a quality entry-level bicycle (£250-300), a good quality lock (£40-50) and helmet (£30) and if not confident, get some cycle safety training
you will move easily across the city, covering large distances with little effort, and you will save money otherwise spent on travelcards or gym memberships!
once you have your bike, no matter what is happening, you have the freedom to travel wherever you like, whenever you like, without waiting for the bus / tube / taxi, etc.
- rob cole, camden Town, London, 07/09/2010 21:47
Report abuse
I had to come up to London today to see a specialist at a hospital near Kings Cross because I've just recovered from a week's suffering in bed with extreme vertigo. Getting to Paddington from Cheltenham - easy. Getting to the hospital - nightmare. Taxis all full, buses all full. I walked some of the way - but not much fun when you have to hang on to various bits of street furniture to keep yourself from falling over.
To the people who went on strike: I hope you all get struck down with a similar virus and have to endure what I had to endure today, you horrible, shameless, selfish people.
- Mark Harmer, Cheltenham UK, 07/09/2010 21:33
Report abuse
Sorry Bob Crow, was too busy navigating the commuting nightmare to feel sympathetic to your insanity. Shame for adding to the economic burden we ALL have to bear these days!
- Whitney, London, 07/09/2010 20:33
Report abuse
Isn't that the idea? A 24 hour strike so unions lose one day of pay while we suffer what is effectively two days of disruptions. Maximum pain for us and minimum pain for them.
You need to be efficient when you have a strike to oppose efficiecy!
- Pepik, London, 07/09/2010 19:05
Report abuse
The French get away with pensions at 60 because through the common agricultural policy we pay for them.
- alan, England., 07/09/2010 19:02
Report abuse
- John David, London, 07/09/2010 18:38
Unfortunately you are right. The chaos will continue to some degree.
The only drivers to book on after the strike ends are night drivers (x3 on my line) and they will be tied up moving trains to depots to get them tested by maintenance staff for the service tomorrow. Because all the trains have to be tested by licensed persons and because of knock on effects of the strike it is entirely possible the strike action may have a slight impact on the very early service tomorrow but by the time the peak kicks in all the trains will be tested and signed off fit for service.
Regardless of which union they belong to no driver on the Underground would compromise their train and it's passengers, it's not only professional but personal so you can bet that as soon as it's safe to do so a full service will operate.
- Aslef Tube Driver, London, 07/09/2010 19:00
Report abuse
It will be interesting to see what happens at 9PM tonight when the 24 hour strike finishes for drivers with several more hours of travel time. I suspect it will still be chaos and many lines will remain suspended until tomorrow morning.
- John David, London, 07/09/2010 18:38
Report abuse
What would happen if everyone decided to use the transport system to go to work?
..Isn't that what our leaders want?
Considering they have added 'green taxes' to petrol and diesel and with a congestion charge, is it working?
- Max, London, 07/09/2010 18:09
Report abuse
Sylvester - on your bike mate.....
- scooby doo, london, 07/09/2010 17:25
Report abuse
Sylvester - on your bike mate......
- scooby doo, london, 07/09/2010 17:21
Report abuse
Well the strikes almost over been great commenting today be safe stay lucky the sun is shining and im off to join the miserable peasents on the cattle express home. Remember Aslef shrugged unions increasing in numbers you wait till they have a grievance...........?
- Sylvester, Cornhill, London, 07/09/2010 16:58
Report abuse
Bob "Jabba the Hut" Crow has my thanks for one thing - showing how utterly shameless and cowardly the Labour party is in the face of a militant public sector union.
"Nice to see a fellow trade union worker sticking up for another union in a dispute...Assuming of course you really are an ASLEF member..??"
Yes, its time union members learn to shut up and follow the party line. Bob Crow may not be a member of the Communist Party any more, but he still expects the workers to be obedient.
- Pepik, London, 07/09/2010 16:58
Report abuse
Funny how I didn't see a single picket line at any of the six or so Tube stations I walked past? Scared of what your customers might do or say were you guys?
I finally got on a tube and got from Oxford Street to Marylebone where some really helpful tube station staff were really helpful. Made a lovely change from the sullen cretinous morons I normally see between Charring Cross and Edgware Rd.
- Chris, Eltham UK, 07/09/2010 16:48
Report abuse
Aslef Tube Driver, ASLEF shrugged, Aslef Tube Driver et all ..... you seem to have logged onto the wrong website. This is for non communists, who have a brain. Try ... http://www.socialistworker.co.uk
- Paul H, London, 07/09/2010 16:41
Report abuse
Enjoy your summer holiday ASLEF shrugged not disappointed at all. ASLEF were old school from back in the day and earn more than the others due to past actions. Im at work and dont have to use the tube but do have sympathy for others less fortunate.
- Sylvester, Cornhill, London, 07/09/2010 16:39
Report abuse
- Anon, London, 07/09/2010 15:56
Trust me I don't despise RMT members for striking, far from it.
I think it is wholly wrong for their union to call for strike action and lose it's members money in a battle that they will not win. A union has a responsability to choose it's battles carefully on behalf of it's members, choose battles it can either win or at least win concesions - this will not happen in this dispute.
As for sounding bitter, there have been many RMT members on my line join Aslef in the past week and the more strike days there are the more our (Aslef) strength grows so i'm definately not bitter.
- Aslef Tube Driver, London, 07/09/2010 16:32
Report abuse
I think London needs major change when it comes to Public Service.
Strike or not strike.
Tube should be running like 24/7 at least at weekends,during summer noone should be dying on tube just is hot,there should be no zones like 1-6..where people are penalised just for going in central london so need to pay more..no more signal failures,,if u need to run trains mannualy so be it...
Also,if train late more than 10 min..there should be like money back for travellers..
Some ideas ..i am sure some of them can work
- Daniel Rasic, London, 07/09/2010 16:31
Report abuse
Sorry to disappoint you Sylvester but the hint is in the name; ASLEF shrugged, not RMT shrugged or TSSA shrugged, that's ASLEF, the train drivers' union, the one that isn't on strike.
Actually I'm on my "summer" holiday, got given these two weeks off back at the beginning of the year so wouldn't be on strike even if I wanted to.
- ASLEF shrugged, Leyton, UK, 07/09/2010 16:19
Report abuse
Is it true that Livingstone shares an office with one of the striking unions?
- ST, London, 07/09/2010 16:18
Report abuse
ASLEF Tube driver, had to laugh at your comments, reminded me of the PPP strike '98.
Dead early at Paddington, 13:15 book off, turned down the overtime I was offered, changed in the staff toliet, rushed to the Pride of Paddington to watch England v Tunisia (ko at half one) and there were all the RMT pickets. We won 2-0, everyone was happy and we all turned up for work the next day.
If England had beaten Romania and won their group the next strike was timed to coincide with their quarter final game but we blew it and got knocked out by Argentina on penalties so not many bothered going on strike.
Wonder if that is why LUL didn't announce the job cuts till after the World Cup........
- ASLEF shrugged, Leyton, UK, 07/09/2010 16:07
Report abuse
The Guy on the Scooter must be a plant. I mean for Gods sake he's far too tall to get on the tube in the first place! What is this? Pravda?
- Theodore Tugboat, Plumstead, London, 07/09/2010 16:06
Report abuse
"Could it be that members of RMT only wanted to try (but failed) to destroy the morning service then get plastered
- Aslef Tube Driver, London, 07/09/2010 14:59"
Why does your tone suggest you despise your striking colleagues?
Socialism is Socialism, when the tories decide to start pushing for driverless tubes, you'll be out striking.
Yes the RMT strike over stupid things, but there is no need to sound so bitter when it is the station staff that put up with public abuse, whilst you have the comfort of your cab!
It takes 2 to tango buddy, and sounding so bitter will not make you popular with your colleagues.
- Anon, London, 07/09/2010 15:56
Report abuse
Aslef Tube Driver, London wrote: "Could it be that members of RMT only wanted to try (but failed) to destroy the morning service then get plastered"
Nice to see a fellow trade union worker sticking up for another union in a dispute...Assuming of course you really are an ASLEF member..??
- Mark H, London England, 07/09/2010 15:49
Report abuse
Melvyn Whinebank of Canvey Island displays his ignorance again. The French Economy is easier to run than ours as many eminent Economists have noted.
Sure they are striking in France over a raise to 62 of the State Pension, but, the French Economy is in far better shape than ours partly because they have a strong agri-sector propped up by British and German money. They are in better shape than we are so they can better afford a lower retirement age. They also have a manufacturing sector subsidised by government money of barely disguised legality - they can afford it since they get a lot more out of the EU than we do. Their Politicians have been smarter than ours.
But, it is catching up with them because despite their economic advantages and massive EU-subsidies they are running out of money.
They do n't like it either, but, it is a relative matter and they will be compelled to accept reality eventually.
There's none so blind as those who will not see.
- Anglo, Sussex England, 07/09/2010 15:43
Report abuse
Thank you ASLEF shrugged you know whats really going on! Remi in Essex spot on! I have no intention of cycling down the A127, A12 or A13 those barclays bikes have no docking stations in our part of the world and its cost a fortune on the trains at the best of times. Dave in Durham the only thing im whinging about is the fact that 800 staff will lose thier jobs and fares will not come down to compensate. Anyway Aslef shrugged keep striking the public deserve this treatment for the way they despise you and your colleagues for disrupting the days, they think the same about BA staff but do nothing about the transport bosses.
- Sylvester, Cornhill, London, 07/09/2010 15:41
Report abuse
On your bikes!
- Jimmy, London, 07/09/2010 15:32
Report abuse
"And the downing street cabal wants ours to go to 68". Melvyn, there is a solution to this - stop living longer and having fewer kids. How does this sit with you?
- Legal Immigrant, City of London, 07/09/2010 15:19
Report abuse
I like many of my colleagues were at work this morning driving trains trying to get as many people as possible to work etc.
I watched the news on the BBC breakfast show this morning in which the RMT claimed that less than 15% of services would run today on the network.
Guess what? As of 11:30 we as a network managed to run 39% of all services and the prospects as the day goes on looks much better.
Before the predicted Aslef anti union yada yada yada bashing starts let me make this clear:
Firstly if I thought safety would be impacted as a result of LUL's plans I would have respected and not crossed the picket
Aslef members do not operate stations or Service Control, regardless of what is said many RMT and TSSA members definitely reported for work as those who know the job knows that the level of service provided would be impossible without licensed staff proving not only is the strike not supported by Aslef members but also not well support by those union members in RMT and TSSA.
Nice to see the picket line members in full force this morning until 11am on the dot, exactly pub opening time.
Having 15 to 20 members on a picket line to intimidate early turn book ons and then nothing for the rest of the duration of the action is a disgusting way to operate a picket, there were sufficient members to operate a properly conducted picket line throughout the action.
Could it be that members of RMT only wanted to try (but failed) to destroy the morning service then get plastered
- Aslef Tube Driver, London, 07/09/2010 14:59
Report abuse
And the downing street cabal wants ours to go to 68 but I suppose all these tory supporters will just lie down and let Cameron and his millionaires walk all over them while they jet set to their retirement homes built with money via tax avodence!!
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 07/09/2010 14:39
Totally agree Melvyn - Managers and people who sit in ivory towers are seldom right (think Fred Goodwin). TFL says this is about saving money - but how can they save money when most of the gatleines in zones 2-9 will be open (no staff) creating a fare dodgers and hoodlums paradise.
- M C, London, UK, 07/09/2010 14:59
Report abuse
Just saw the news and if you think things are bad here you should see Paris where they are going on strike over government plans to raise the retirement age to 62 thats right 62!!!
And the downing street cabal wants ours to go to 68 but I suppose all these tory supporters will just lie down and let Cameron and his millionaires walk all over them while they jet set to their retirement homes built with money via tax avodence!!
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 07/09/2010 14:39
Report abuse
Sylvester, I'm sure there is much room for improvement in the London public transport system but it is much better and very much cheaper than other parts of the country and so it should be as investment in public transport in the South East is much higher per capita than it is in other regions. Try using public transport to get around the North East of England then you would have something to whinge about.
- Dave, Durham, 07/09/2010 14:27
Report abuse
I completely agree with Sylvester. We moan about the strike but when they put their price up, we do not do anything about it. I believe us commuters also have a voice that will need to be heard.
Think about it, how much more can these prices continue to increase? Are we going to end up paying £10 for a one way ticket?
It is time for us, Londoners to start acting. Is there any sense of solidarity or is it everyone for themselves? If one small portion of the city can make our lives hell, we can too.
Finally, I would like to highlight how pathethic Boris's Johnson message (written yesterday in the Evening standard) sounded. He is telling us to be strong and cycle to work. Sorry Boris, but I live in Essex and work in London, shall I cycle to work?
I doubt he had to go anywhere today, and even if he had to, it probably did not take him 2 hours and a half to get there.
What London needs is a massive protest. If the RMT can, so can we!
- Remi, Essex, 07/09/2010 14:15
Report abuse
Quite enjoyed my walk from Farringdon to the City this am. Yet no sympathy for RMT workers. Your are not happy with a 2% pay rise when many take cuts or lose jobs? Not happy with TfL redeploying 800 middle managers and ticket sales clerks (only voluntary redundancies)? Fine - only stop pretending that you are doing it in commuters' best interests. I also position that by striking you will not help even your own. The only person who stands to benefit from this is Mr Crow - for purposes of horse trading Labour leadership votes. But what does that have to do with transportation?
- Legal Immigrant, City of London, 07/09/2010 14:14
Report abuse
Sylvester –I think you’ve raised a very important point.
Could it be that successive governments have avoided investing in upgrading the Tube because there is no realistic competition? Are they content to let things go on, merely doing just enough to keep the system going because so many people rely on it and have no alternative method of getting into London.
If that were so then I’m afraid we are condemned to the same slow rate of improvements to the network we have had for decades. Do not expect your journey to improve any time soon.
- ASLEF shrugged, Leyton, UK, 07/09/2010 14:07
Report abuse
I rode in to work on my scooter as usual. The number of cyclists on the road was amazing. Sadly, it was clear many weren't used to cycling to work. One woman on a bike blasphemed repeatedly at me for following her patiently from behind - yet I was unable to pass due to her boyfriend/husband riding alongside her all the way in, blocking all traffic from behind. Further on the journey, other cyclists cut in front of me at speed, causing to me either brake hard, and/or swerve. Yet if they had crashed into me, I am sure it would have been 'my fault'. I nearly took out some other cyclists when I had to swerve one time - and got swore at again. Oh the joys or scootering up Brixton and Kennington Road! Tube-strike cyclists, if you're not used to cycling on busy London roads, slower is safer, and so is single file!
- Mike O, London, 07/09/2010 14:06
Report abuse
It's time to automate the trains and get rid of all the train drivers. Station staff are unhelpful and sullen. It's time to replace them with staff who actually wants to do a good job.
- Daily Commuter, London, 07/09/2010 13:57
Report abuse
The paying customers are king.
Why should the paying customers suffer strikes caused by left wing fat twit called Bob Crow.
Do the RMT union members have any intelligence?
No, time to get rid of them. Plenty of unemployed people who will jump at the chance of employment.
Sack all the lazy strikers, they can join the dole under the new government rules. Teach them for blindly following that w a n k e r called Bob Crow.
- Michael, London, 07/09/2010 13:53
Report abuse
Every year Bus and Rail prices go up but Tube staff go on strike. Do any of us stop using these services in protest when price increases are announced? No, we just moan about how expensive it is to use this rubbish service and continue to do so because we the paying public have no choice. If the last government spent 13 years going on about under investment under the previous Tory govt then as there is a new coalition in place they should sort out the Tubes asap! Funny that I haven't noticed the PM or his Deputy getting involved but yet we've all had to get into work one way or another today with more strikes threatened lets hear how they are going to sort out this miserable service once and for all and improve things for everyone including the much aligned staff.
- Sylvester, Cornhill, London, 07/09/2010 13:39
Report abuse
Dc, London, 07/09/2010 12:36
Because mate a number of them, but by no means all, were trying to cycle through pedestrians, both on the pavement annd on crossings. My argument is with those who show a lack of consideration to pedestrians not cyclists in general. Perhaps I made you feel guilty?
- Michael De Ferrari, London, 07/09/2010 13:23
Report abuse
Jason
Last I heard the Army was struggling to meet its commitments and was calling up Territorials to fight in Afghanistan so that’s a non-starter plus driving a tank ain’t quite the same as a 1992 ABB.
As for people who want to go to work every morning, well that’s the early shifts dealt with, now all we need are people who want to go to work in the afternoon to cover the late shifts and even a few who want to go to work in the evening and go to sleep when they get home in the morning to cover the nights
Not everybody works 9-5 M-F.
- ASLEF shrugged, Leyton, UK, 07/09/2010 13:19
Report abuse
What do you mean not a good service on the Northern Line? Of course it is working normally, i mean when i checked the TFL website for the departure boards for Morden at 13:15:29.
1. Kennington via CX At Platform
2. Morden via Bank At Clapham South Platform 2 15 mins
3. Morden via Bank Between Kennington and Elephant & Castle 26 mins
- Tubeman, London, 07/09/2010 13:19
Report abuse
"Rosa Luxemburg" I hope your know your German history. My guess is that the original Rosa would have considered you to be fortunate in the extreme.
Incidentally, you might like to check out what her political successors did for workers' rights in Berlin on 17th June 1953, before building the Berlin Wall eight years later.
- Jayceeyoukay, Surrey, UK, 07/09/2010 13:16
Report abuse
If I recall correctly (and I do) station staff are advised not intervene in unsafe altercations. Now I think this is right, as they are not security staff or trained to provide such services. Therefore I am perfectly OK with them not stepping in to prevent a mugging assault etc.
HOWEVER are they now proposing to do so, because otherwise how is someone in the ticket office meant to make the station safer?
its this level of hypocrisy that so upsets ordinary londonders and why they have suhc widespread public scorn. as if they cared of course.
- scotty, london, 07/09/2010 13:13
Report abuse
Paul IoD – Bank/Monument probably was closed, due to it’s size and complexity it must be at least a 1+3 station (1 Supervisor or above, 3 other licensed station staff).
What probably happened was that some member of the public opened bostwick gate and whoever was down there just hadn’t had a chance to close it again. I was working at Paddington during the anti-PPP strikes in 1988 and spent the first five hours of my shift chasing passengers around the station, telling them we were closed due to lack of staff while the Supervisor sat in the control room keeping an eye for “intruders” on the CCTV.
You wouldn’t believe how many people asked me why I was on strike that day. Er, hello, I’m here in front of you, very much working, in uniform, not on strike, oh why bother ………….
- ASLEF shrugged, Leyton, UK, 07/09/2010 13:06
Report abuse
The Northern line is NOT running a good service - even though TFL states it is. Since when is a train every 10 mins at best classed as good service?
Plus stations closed include Colliers Wood, South Wimbledon, Tooting Bec, Clapham South, Common and North, Oval, Borough, Hampstead, Charing Cross, Moorgate etc.... so why should we believe anything TFL say!
- Simon James, London, 07/09/2010 13:04
Report abuse
The Northern line is NOT running a good service - even though TFL states it is. Since when is a train every 10 mins at best classed as good service?
Plus stations closed include Colliers Wood, South Wimbledon, Tooting Bec, Clapham South, Common and North, Oval, Borough, Hampstead, Charing Cross, Moorgate etc.... So another lie by TFL then.
- Simon James, London, 07/09/2010 13:02
Report abuse
Just goes to show that having your own bike and cycling is the best way to commute
- James Johnson (Going Going Bike), London, 07/09/2010 13:00
Report abuse
Sack these idiots now! Bring in the army to man the stations (All they have to do is pick their noses and ignore the commuters) and re-hire people who actually want to go to work every morning.
- Jason, London, 07/09/2010 12:54
Report abuse
Can we please stop all these ridiculous “sack ‘em all” calls. Once more I find myself having to point out that most of the training is done by existing staff on the stations and the trains so if you sacked everyone who is on strike there would be nobody to train the replacements. Maybe you imagine there are thousands of unemployed people out there who hold the necessary licences to work on a railway just waiting for a job to open up but somehow I don’t think so. Every day for the next year would be like today and that would damage London far more than anything RMT could ever do.
This strike will fail, the jobs were going to go the moment Oyster was first installed and the strikers will get tired of losing a days pay for no reason. This could all have been avoided had LUL done this in stages rather than just announcing the cuts all in one go but subtlety is not their strong point. As for compulsory redundancies they said there wouldn’t be any staff cuts, why should anybody believe them now?
- ASLEF shrugged, Leyton, UK, 07/09/2010 12:51
Report abuse
Station staff don't and can't do anything to make stations safer. They don't want to face the feral youths that hang about stations. There's something deeper wrong if we need ticket staff to make stations safer.
- Trevor, Wapping, 07/09/2010 12:48
Report abuse
I actually heard some drunk TFL workers the other day talking(sorry, pretty much shouting) about this in a bar. The said, and I quote 'anyone who doesn't join in the strikes should be sacked'. They were also calling each other 'comrade'.
For a moment I thought I'd got off at the wrong bus stop and ended up back in 1970's Russia. You can only weep.
- jame, London, 07/09/2010 12:41
Report abuse
- Michael De Ferrari, London, 07/09/2010 10:36
You say it was a jogger so why the hell do you have to bring cyclists into it. Get a life mate
- Dc, London, 07/09/2010 12:36
Report abuse
Rosa Luxemburg, London, said "Absolutely brilliant! Taking a stand, showing the way - the Tories announced the class war with cuts. The fight back starts. Fabulous.
Rosa,
Can you explain while LU rail unions have had 53 (yes that's firty-three!) strike ballots since the beginning of 2009.
Can you then further explain that as Labour were spending far more than their revenues, before some of the banks (mostly in Labour heartlands) went down the pan, how the ever increasing deficit should have been paid for?
- Mark, Gerrymandered African Republic of Southwark, 07/09/2010 12:27
Report abuse
Mark H, London
Correct we can not. What right do they have to interfere with the public, who incidentally pay their wages. If they do not like the way things are then leave and get a job some where else. Oh funny that, they want a job for life and the hell with everyone else.
Every one of them should be sacked, witout exception.
If they want to protest, then get a banner and walk through Westminster, in their own time!
- Paul H, London, 07/09/2010 12:20
Report abuse
Reading the vapid comments of the Labour leader "hopefuls", you can see that another period of pandering to the unions and spending of money we don't have is on the cards if New New Labour ever get in again.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 07/09/2010 12:14
Report abuse
I cruised in on a Boris Bike! yeeehaaaa, put that in your pipe and smoke it Bob Crow!
- Claudio, London, 07/09/2010 12:12
Report abuse
I notice that the list above only shows the full complement for the NORTHERN Line so what is the true picture on the other lines or would giving this information prove how successful the strike is!!
This action is also being taken by the TSSA who will be most affected by this de-staffing of stations so why is a picture of the TSSA boss not shown? - (anyone know he he is as for them to strike things must be really bad at TFL!!).
This strike is of Boris Johnsons making for it is he who is cutting station staff even though he fought the mayoral election on retaining station staff following the death of a passenger on Silverlink railways (which is now part of the Overground!).
Boris has been Mayor for over 2 years and has still not met the tube or bus union leaders so what is he affraid of??
While he even has the cheek to ask the new CON-DEM cabal to ban strikes I suppose he expects all workers to doth their caps when he enters the room.
As for fighting tube strikes well the Bendy bus is the best way of doing this but he is emoving them and that is why the buses cant cope!! So those who squeezed onto the 73 and 149 bendy buses should remember by next year you will also have to walk!!
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 07/09/2010 12:10
Report abuse
Bank station this morning had one entrance/exit open. I went down expecting to dodge the crowds and use the underpass network to get to the other side. Every exit was closed and there were no staff around. If there was a fire there would have only been one exit out of the whole of the Bank complex. I wasn't the only one wandering around trying to find an exit. I guess that's what you mean about safety Mr Crow, I think that might constitute a basic fire risk.
- Paul, IoD, 07/09/2010 12:06
Report abuse
We can't have workers doing something and standing up for their rights now...Can we?
- Mark H, London England, 07/09/2010 12:04
Report abuse
Crow and his like belive that public services are run entirely for the benefit of their members. Perhaps someone should tell him that Comrade Stalin is dead.
- MikeS, London, 07/09/2010 12:03
Report abuse
I live in social housing,
i no work,
or i can't spell,
my biggest achievement is,
walking to social security,
to collect my benifits,
i have a half million house,
by council for my brothers and me,
then i have idea,
why don't each of brothers have,
one house each,
i disco all weekend,
my only regret,
i cannot strike,
because i no work,
by the way,
can i strike for more benifits,
yeah that's an idea?
worth thinking about.
- danny boy, london, 07/09/2010 12:00
Report abuse
Success? What about me and thousands of other workers who have there work completely disrupted. Who is going to pay for the money I have lost?
If you don't like your job, your pay or your benefits go and get another job that suits you better.
- Mark Myword, London, 07/09/2010 11:41
Report abuse
Most of us respect the right of people to withdraw their labour if being exploited etc... but this RMT/TSSA strike is totally politically motivated BS ... as you can see from what the RMT told Reuters "The RMT said the job cuts were just "the tip of the iceberg" as the center-right coalition government prepares 25 percent cuts in spending to tackle a record budget deficit." So you can see, from their own words, this has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with passenger safety. As I understand it, there are going to be no compulsory redundancies and ticket staff not needed in stations where no-one really buys tickets any more are to be re-assigned to other station manning duties with some natural wastage and voluntary redundancies. Everyone is suffering pain from this recession, why should underground workers be any different - particularly as they are relatively well paid. They do this every year, normally over Christmas (wonder why, fancy a longer holiday?). Is it time for public sector unions who can hold the nation to ransom have their right to strike reviewed if they continue to strike under totally spurious "safety" issues? Bob, one question for you, you parody of an "angry white man" (disclaimer i'm white so none of you so called "working class" racist types need get your panties in a twist), just why precisely do you think you and your crew are so damn special compared to the rest of us? Every time I see your big fat, snarling, smug, nasty face on TV i really want to smack it.
- oli, london, 07/09/2010 11:34
Report abuse
Frank, Home Counties: Didn't take you long to start ranting against Socialism did it? Wake up and smell the coffee "mate". If you think that one of the few unions remaining in this country with what is really just a small level of muscle left is "Socialism", then you really are deluded.
What's so grand about Capitalism anyway Frank? "Capitalism turns everything into a commodity and thus people into objects": Karl Marx. Proof of that is in the fall out of the financial crisis Frank, with the poorest paying for the mistakes of the rich (and no, I'm not saying tube workers are poor, I'm talking about the effect of the public sector spending cuts, which even the ConDem Govt' admits will hit the poorest hardest). Though I guess you in your downtrodden apathy and acceptance of the system are more than happy with that state of affairs
- Oliver, London, 07/09/2010 11:28
Report abuse
whatever the rights and wrongs of this (an i am lucky i drove in to work), why does the sight of Bob Crowe's face always annoy me? i think it is not just the fact that he is ugly, but he is so self rightious and obviously does not give a fig for the 'ordinary working person', just his highly paid tube workers
- sarah hussey, london uk, 07/09/2010 11:27
Report abuse
"Solid"? Bang on. As solid as two short planks.
Unions need to get up to date and learn to collaborate in order to survive, because one way or another they will go down unless they do. In this case they could bring down many others with them.
Repeat ... in the 1970's I used the Honk-Kong Tube system every day. It was more up-to-date in 1978 than the London system is in 2010.
Foreign competition will eat those union suckers for lunch eventually.
- Anglo, Sussex England, 07/09/2010 11:20
Report abuse
@ Rosa. I take it that your kids dont do clothes and toys as that may distract them from the class struggle. But as I only get to see my son once a year I tend to go overboard. The rest of my time is taken up with work to ensure that his school fees are paid and that his socialist mother can sit on her bum all day whinging that she hasn't got enough cash to keep my ex 6 bed detatched in the style which she would like. Obviously, like all good socialists she hasn't considered the fact that she couldn't afford to keep such a property, she just wanted it and someone else would have to pay. You see rosa I understand the socialist mentality and I go out of my way to upset the greedy parasites at every oportunity as I seem to be funding a disproportionate amount of them. If that makes me vile then so be it.
- jimbob, kensington, 07/09/2010 11:10
Report abuse
No station will be left unstaffed after the changes are made. Staff will have to be out helping passengers instead of sitting behind bullet proof glass ... Wonder why the slackers are striking?
- Chris, Melbourne, Australia, 07/09/2010 10:39
Report abuse
RMT has to be broken. The few unions left after Maggie crushed them in the 80s need to be finished off so that the country can repair itself. We cannot work if we cannot get to work, geddit ?
- Kevin Bollox, London, 07/09/2010 10:38
Report abuse
Considering how crowded the roads and pavements are it would be pleasant if a few more cyclists and joggers engaged their brains! I saw a woman nearly fall this morning when a jogger elbowed her out the way when he ran up behind her. Courtesy is free.
- Michael De Ferrari, London, 07/09/2010 10:36
Report abuse
why work just give me the money. not enough money, then BooMBooMBang another country with a lot of oil and get a pipeline sorted straight into the country. Then sit back, strike all day, more money and disco all weekend.
- bobjim, london, 07/09/2010 10:12
Report abuse
Where I am completely confused is TfL have said there will be no redundancies and so former ticket staff will be relocated. How does this comprimise safety? The RMT have been quick to use that line but do not under the new system confirm where safety will be put at risk. Can anyone confirm?
- Andrew, London, 07/09/2010 10:07
Report abuse
Simply make unions liable for the economic losses of individuals - a very liberal approach and watch them all argue they stand by the working man and woman as they loose cash as they can't get to the cleaning job - BoB Crow and is bully boys think that by destroying the UK economy they will somehow make it better and more likely that the country will be able to afford the cushy salaries of RMT ,members - of course he has to encourage strikers as his 100k and more a year salary and uncapped expense account would not be funded without as many members as possible - fire them and bring in the grateful unemployed to do the job instead.
- christian Ball, London, UK, 07/09/2010 10:00
Report abuse
Oh well done jimbob. You find shopping so satisfying and hope to buy your son's love. Vile!
- Rosa Luxemburg, London, 07/09/2010 09:56
Report abuse
Thanks Bob Crow. I had to walk along the Embankment in the sunshine accompanied by gorgeous women.
Lifted my spirits no end.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants, 07/09/2010 09:52
Report abuse
My feelings go out to those plighted by travel problems.
If station security is the issue then I support this strike. We do not need ghost (unstaffed) stations. We complain about there not being enough bobbies on the beat so the same applies to stations, or are bobbies expected to address such issues?
Back to the drawing board for those making the cuts.
- Tony, Herts, 07/09/2010 09:49
Report abuse
If the unions really wanted to hurt their bosses then perhaps they should continue to run services but refuse to take our money - finally the impact would stop being on the commuters!
- Teresa, London, 07/09/2010 09:45
Report abuse
ee i miss the 70's of strikes and mayhem, where everybody is looking for his rights. Free health care, free legal aid, free housing, free benefits money to sit at home watching TV all day and still the right to strike for more. wonderful equal rights for more and more. a treasury flatlining from demands and its still christmas everyday. I think when there is still not a penny left in government and the people will still want more. too much of a good thing for too long and you can't see the sky for the woods, or something like that.
- telfords change, london, 07/09/2010 09:43
Report abuse
We don't need as many staff at tube stations, for example in Oval they all sit in the office ignoring all the people that tailgate passengers through the barriers, and in King's Cross they're too busy burning toast to supervise the morning rush hour. Useless!
- Bob, Oval, 07/09/2010 09:42
Report abuse
My boss (me) has confirmed that there is no need for me to in today. So i'm off to the shops to spend a tube workers wages on clothes and toys for my son. Who's laughing now RMT?
- jimbob, kensington, 07/09/2010 09:35
Report abuse
Un unionised pay = £5.80 per hour. TFL workers pay with unions £40,000. Station staff roster Saturday work -17.00 - 01.00, get home at 02.00. (Sunday morning), have Sunday as day off, thanks! Monday book on at 04.50,after getting up at 03.30, work until 13.00. The only reason people do this job is the pay, otherwise we will be back to the 1970's when the tube was disrupted EVERYDAY because no one wanted the job. Oh I forgot, burn toast, but then we have all done that haven't we?
- David, Isle of Wight, 07/09/2010 09:31
Report abuse
At a time when we have so many socilal problems due to the high level of unemployment and poverty it is encouraging that people like Bob Crow are actuallly making a stand to keep people in work.The man should be given a knighthood for keeping people in employment , paying taxes and making a contribution to society. Instead we reward people for putting people on the dole and subjecting them and their families to a lifetime of poverty. The city bankers caused this chaos let them lose their jobs and take the cuts. I just wish we had more union leaders of Bob Crows stature.
- Stephen, Glasgow UK., 07/09/2010 09:30
Report abuse
The union is not responsible for safety, the bosses are. How the absence of a ticket seller affects safety in any case has not been explained. Who still uses ticket windows?
The strike is directly affecting the lowest paid workers in the city, those who do not have the luxury of working from home or taking a day off or even of arriving an hour late. If your job is to serve coffee starting at 6.30am for 5.80 an hour, and you cannot be there on time, guess who loses out? Not Bob Crow and not the 30k a year train driver! So much for the RMT's concern for the common worker.
- EuroLND, London, 07/09/2010 09:28
Report abuse
This is about putting up with second best.Urgh!
Why do Londoners continually tolerate this rubbish every six months or so?
Quite frankly--why not either walk when you can, take the bus when you see one, work from home as much as possible or just refuse to travel till it is sorted?
- William Grierson, Kimpton UK, 07/09/2010 09:22
Report abuse
Absolutely brilliant! Taking a stand, showing the way - the Tories announced the class war with cuts. The fight back starts. Fabulous.
- Rosa Luxemburg, London, 07/09/2010 09:14
Report abuse
There is nothing positive about socialism.
Union filth are merely social leaches.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 07/09/2010 09:01
Report abuse
Londoners should applaud and congratulate those tube staff that are working.
- alan, England., 07/09/2010 09:00
Report abuse
It cannot be beyond the ability of some of our top lawyers to launch a class action suit against RMT and perhaps Bob Crow personally for hindering a persons ability to earn a living.
Public sector strikes, must be made illegal. Disputes like this must be resolved by legally binding arbitration with severe financial penalties for either side that breaks them.
As for the view that union members will simply fail to turn up for work if they disagree with the dispute resolution the answer to that is simple: Sack them.
- Adam, Harrow, uk, 07/09/2010 08:57
Report abuse
I got into and across London by Tube without any problems. Not many bosses in today though!!!!
- Trevor, Wapping, 07/09/2010 08:54
Report abuse
There is to be no compulsory redundancies. This is a political strike. The public should let strikers know what they think of them. Why not sack the lot as Regan did with the airlines. Has Boris scrapped the congestion charge or allowed parking in all the parks ? What action other than words is he taking. Once again striking by public sector workers should be made illegal. What a fuss they would make if the army went on strike.
- alan, England., 07/09/2010 08:54
Report abuse
so they're proud of their success in bring the capital to a stand still?
says it all really.
- scotty, london, 07/09/2010 08:51
Report abuse
I lost sympathy for tube staff long ago. People are going to lose money today through no fault of their own. No doubt some will lose their jobs because they can't turn up for work. In the meantime the RMT thinks it has a responsibility for safety. They strike because there will be fewer staff, they strike when one of their members drives through a red light. It's all about milking it and inconveniencing people as much as possible.
- Paul, IoD, 07/09/2010 08:32
Report abuse
This country is on the bones of its backside, yet Crowe and his cronies seek to play politics by disrupting the life of our capital city.
The solution is simple. With two million people currently unemployed, there would be plenty of takers for the jobs of those who seek to disrupt the lives of others. It's time to end the submissive acceptance of the anarchistic tactics of Crowe and his gang.
Sack the strikers. Come on Boris, grow some!
- Jayceeyoukay, Surrey, UK, 07/09/2010 08:26
Report abuse
