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Tube strike will affect millions Tube strike will affect millions
(about 1 hour later)
Travel chaos is expected to hit millions of passengers later as London's Underground network grinds to a halt for a 48-hour strike.Travel chaos is expected to hit millions of passengers later as London's Underground network grinds to a halt for a 48-hour strike.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union will walk out at 1859 BST after last-minute talks to resolve a row over pay and jobs failed.Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union will walk out at 1859 BST after last-minute talks to resolve a row over pay and jobs failed.
Mayor Boris Johnson said the strike was "ludicrous and unnecessary disruption".Mayor Boris Johnson said the strike was "ludicrous and unnecessary disruption".
The RMT said it was open to more talks at the conciliation service Acas with the mayor or transport commissioner.The RMT said it was open to more talks at the conciliation service Acas with the mayor or transport commissioner.
About three million people use the Tube network daily and the strike has been estimated to cost the London economy about £100m, business group, London First said.About three million people use the Tube network daily and the strike has been estimated to cost the London economy about £100m, business group, London First said.
Transport for London (TfL) will also bring in a taxi-sharing scheme at all major rail stations, escorts to lead cyclists across the capital and additional parking for cycles as part of its contingency plans.Transport for London (TfL) will also bring in a taxi-sharing scheme at all major rail stations, escorts to lead cyclists across the capital and additional parking for cycles as part of its contingency plans.
We will do our utmost to keep Londoners moving while the implacable RMT continue to posture Mayor Boris JohnsonWe will do our utmost to keep Londoners moving while the implacable RMT continue to posture Mayor Boris Johnson
Oyster cards will be accepted on all trains, 100 extra buses and a free River shuttle service will be in place.Oyster cards will be accepted on all trains, 100 extra buses and a free River shuttle service will be in place.
Docklands Light Railway and London Overground services will operate as normal.Docklands Light Railway and London Overground services will operate as normal.
Normal services were expected to resume by Friday morning.Normal services were expected to resume by Friday morning.
Mr Johnson said: "It is quite simply outrageous for the leadership of the RMT to ask their members, the majority of whom did not vote for this strike, to take part in this ludicrous and unnecessary disruption to our city.Mr Johnson said: "It is quite simply outrageous for the leadership of the RMT to ask their members, the majority of whom did not vote for this strike, to take part in this ludicrous and unnecessary disruption to our city.
"We will do our utmost to keep Londoners moving while the implacable RMT continue to posture."We will do our utmost to keep Londoners moving while the implacable RMT continue to posture.
"My message to the RMT is that strike action will not move the prospect of a deal an inch closer.""My message to the RMT is that strike action will not move the prospect of a deal an inch closer."
Transport 'unreliable'Transport 'unreliable'
On Monday last-minute talks between the RMT and London Underground (LU), which lasted for 10 hours, broke down.On Monday last-minute talks between the RMT and London Underground (LU), which lasted for 10 hours, broke down.
LU had offered staff a four-year deal of 1.5% this year and then the inflation rate plus 0.5%; or a two-year deal of 1% now and inflation plus 0.5% in year two.LU had offered staff a four-year deal of 1.5% this year and then the inflation rate plus 0.5%; or a two-year deal of 1% now and inflation plus 0.5% in year two.
But the RMT wants a 5% pay rise and a promise of no compulsory redundancies.But the RMT wants a 5% pay rise and a promise of no compulsory redundancies.
About 3,000 RMT members balloted in favour of the strike.About 3,000 RMT members balloted in favour of the strike.
General secretary of the RMT, Bob Crow, said: "We expect it to be solidly supported."General secretary of the RMT, Bob Crow, said: "We expect it to be solidly supported."
But he added: "We would not be opposed to going to Acas, but on the day of the strike we need to move quickly and the transport commissioner or the mayor should meet with us directly this morning to try to resolve the dispute."But he added: "We would not be opposed to going to Acas, but on the day of the strike we need to move quickly and the transport commissioner or the mayor should meet with us directly this morning to try to resolve the dispute."
LU's negotiating team went to the offices of Acas on Tuesday morning and urged the RMT to join them for talks.
Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy said the union's attitude was "a slap in the face to all hardworking Londoners".Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy said the union's attitude was "a slap in the face to all hardworking Londoners".
A spokesman for London First said: "These strikes will cost London's economy around £50m per day and risk sending an unfortunate message to visitors and investors: that London's transport systems are unreliable."A spokesman for London First said: "These strikes will cost London's economy around £50m per day and risk sending an unfortunate message to visitors and investors: that London's transport systems are unreliable."