Holiday walkout threat on Tube could spoil festivities

THE Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is being held to ransom over “bullying” management as Tube workers announce a Bank Holiday walkout aimed at disrupting Buckingham Palace visitors.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Green Park and Euston stations will walk out on the second day of the celebrations.

Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary, said: “Our strike on June 3 will cause significant disruption to people wishing to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee.”

The action, targeting a station close to Buckingham Palace and another major hub for those arriving in the capital by train, was called over management creating a “toxic environment”.

Nine of 16 rail co mpanies running into London have also advised passengers to “check before travel” due to engineering work over the four-day break.

Downing Street criticised the RMT action for targeting festivities to mark the Queen’s 70 years of service.

A No 10 spokesman said: “I don’t think we want to see any disruption to London’s transport system when people are trying to come together to honour this Jubilee year.”

Mr Lynch added: “The union has tried in vain to reason with management, but they now will not let local representatives be part of a review into dismissals at the stations.”

He said if “Tube bosses deal appropriately” with the problem “a just resolution” could be found to avoid a strike. Transport for London expects to keep both stations open during action although visitors can also use stations at St James’s Park, Victoria, Westminster, Hyde Park Corner and Charing Cross.