Union hits out at Mayor’s response to Tube strikers
UNITE TELLS SADIQ KHAN TO ‘STOP ATTACKING’ UNDERGROUND WORKERS
ONE of Labour’s biggest backers has told Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to stop “attacking workers” after he slammed striking Tube drivers at the weekend.
The Mayor accused the RMT union of causing “widespread disruption” to millions of Londoners as it opposed changes to Night Tube working patterns.
Mr Khan said: “[The strike] will hit London’s retail, culture and hospitality at the worst possible time.”
However, the leader of Unite the union – Labour’s biggest donor – backed Friday’s RMT walkout, which caused delays on five London Underground lines.
She also hit out at the Mayor, saying he should “stand up for workers”.
She said: “This comment is precisely why workers are turning away from the Labour Party when a Labour mayor attacks workers.
“It’s about time Sadiq Khan did the right thing and stood up for workers, not just at election time but when it matters.”
One Unite source called Mr Khan’s comments “ridiculous” and “unbelievable” given Labour’s historic links to unions.
“I don’t think Sadiq should have done that,” the source said. “Some Labour people appear to be quite happy to bash unions.”
Mr Khan accused the RMT of “refusing to attend talks” with TfL on Thursday, but the union accused the mayor of “deliberately distorting the truth”.
“The Mayor should be putting pressure on tube bosses to get back round the table with RMT officials for serious talks,” RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “We would urge the RMT to call off the upcoming strikes and get back round the table as TfL remain open to discussions.”
Strike action took place among drivers in the RMT union on Friday and Saturday, on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines.
It threatened to scupper Mr Khan’s plans to partially reintroduce Night Tube services, following strong pressure from women’s groups and nightlife representatives. More strikes are planned in the run-up to Christmas, including December 3 to 4, December 10 to 11 and December 17.