Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Tube strike set for the day after Jubilee weekend
TFL HITS OUT AT RMT FOR THE TIMING OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION
A TRADE union is planning a strike on the London Underground on June 6 – the day after the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.
It is predicted that thousands of staff will strike, causing chaos for Londoners returning to work after a weekend of celebrations in recognition of The Queen’s 70 years on the throne.
The RMT has also introduced an overtime ban on workers over the same weekend.
Planned strike action will begin at midnight and last for a full 24 hours.
It comes as the union continues to clash with Transport for London (TfL) over an ongoing pension dispute, as well as concerns over up to 600 jobs being lost within the organisation, which could lead to a strain on the remaining workers.
Back in March, two 24-hour strikes wreaked havoc on the city’s public transport network, losing TfL more than
£13 million, while around 200 stations were forced to close.
It is predicted that most stations in Zone 1 will close as a result of the upcoming strike on June 6.
Andy Lord, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: “We are extremely disappointed that the RMT has announced unnecessary strike action on June 6 and share Londoners’ frustrations that this, and the linked action short of strike, has been designed to disrupt the Jubilee weekend.
“It is particularly surprising the RMT has threatened to spoil this moment when the nation is coming together as nobody has or will lose their jobs as a result of the proposals we have set out and there have been no proposals on pension changes.
“If the RMT chooses to go ahead with this unnecessary action, we will do everything we can to minimise any disruption and ensure everyone can still make the most of the capital throughout the Jubilee weekend.
“The devastating impact of the pandemic on TfL finances has made a programme of change urgently necessary, but this change is being delivered in a way that ensures nobody loses their jobs, so we’re calling on the RMT to work with us, rather than disrupting London’s recovery and our customers, who deserve better.
“We’ve been in regular talks with the RMT and are hoping to find an urgent resolution to this dispute to ensure they can call off this unnecessary action.”
The RMT was due to hold a demonstration recently at Tottenham Court Road Tube station to coincide with the official opening of the new Crossrail line.
Amid an ongoing cost of living crisis, Tube staff are currently receiving an 8.4% pay rise, which is below inflation, currently at 9%. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said last week that any strike action over the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend would “send the wrong message”.
The RMT Union’s general secretary Mick Lynch said: “TfL is trying to bulldoze through 600 job losses on London Underground and our members are not prepared to accept that.
“Station staff play a crucial role in serving the travelling public and were heroes during the 7/7 terrorist attacks.
“Instead of seeking to cut jobs, TfL and Mayor Sadiq Khan need to put further pressure on the Government to secure increased funding for the network so we can have a properly staffed modern 21st century tube.”
It is particularly surprising the RMT has threatened to spoil this moment when the nation is coming together.