Khan refuses to use anti-strike laws to keep the Tube running

SADIQ KHAN has refused to use new minimum service powers to prevent the Tube network from being shut down as a result of strikes that will go ahead next week.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, representing about 10,000 Transport for London (TfL) staff, will walk out for several days next week after talks aimed at resolving a pay dispute failed.

TfL has warned that there will be “severe disruption” across London Underground services from tomorrow evening through to the morning of Friday Jan 12.

Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, last month urged the Mayor of London to use the new Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act to reduce the impact of next week’s industrial action. Under the law, which came into effect last month, transport operators can order unions and staff to ensure that at least 40 per cent of timetabled services run normally. But Mr Khan, who is also chairman of TfL, has refused to enact the legislation, with sources close to the Mayor saying that it wouldn’t “avert” the industrial action.

Susan Hall, the Conservative London mayoral candidate, criticised Mr Khan for not using the new laws.

“He is refusing to use his minimum service levels powers because he is

‘He is refusing to use his powers because he is scared of his party’s trade union paymasters’

scared of his party’s trade union paymasters.

“Londoners deserve so much better than yet another week of chaos caused by Sadiq Khan’s strikes.”

A source close to Mr Khan said: “It’s laughable that the Tories are trying to lecture the Mayor on strikes. Whether on national rail services or in education and the NHS, the Tories have a woeful record on industrial action. The Tories’ economic mismanagement and cost-ofliving crisis has put pressure on workers across all sectors of the economy.”

They added: “Minimum service levels legislation wouldn’t avert these strikes. For example, it doesn’t cover station staff who TfL need to open stations and run services, and who are part of the strike action.”

Station staff are not within the scope of the new laws, but guidance from the Department of Transport says such services “could be managed during a strike period as they would be managed now, for example using contingent staff.” Mr Harper previously told the

that the act was a “tool” for Mr Khan to use during industrial action, adding: “I hope he uses them to keep public transport moving.”

In December, Mr Khan said the legislation “isn’t fit for purpose for TfL in relation to safety requirements”.

It comes as new research found that more than 20 per cent of Londoners are planning on working from home because of the strikes.