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Tube strike begins as talks fail | Tube strike begins as talks fail |
(30 minutes later) | |
A 48-hour Tube strike has begun after talks broke down between London Underground (LU) bosses and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union. | A 48-hour Tube strike has begun after talks broke down between London Underground (LU) bosses and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union. |
Millions of passengers face travel disruption during the strike, which began at 1859 BST. | Millions of passengers face travel disruption during the strike, which began at 1859 BST. |
Normal Tube services are not expected to resume until Friday morning. Extra buses, free river shuttle services and taxi-sharing will be in place. | |
The RMT wants a 5% pay rise and a promise of no compulsory redundancies. | |
'Solidly supported' | |
Last minute talks between LU and RMT leader Bob Crow at Acas failed to avert the strike. | |
Mr Crow said: "There was a deal to be done there today then for some reason either the solicitors or City Hall took the rug out from beneath us." | Mr Crow said: "There was a deal to be done there today then for some reason either the solicitors or City Hall took the rug out from beneath us." |
He added: "As far as we are concerned we made every effort here today. | |
"The strike goes ahead and we expect it to be solidly supported." | |
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) urged people to check before they travel, to stagger their journeys and to consider alternative ways of getting to work such as walking and cycling. | |
We regret the disruption the strike will cause to passengers as the impact on Tube services is likely to be significant Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy | |
Docklands Light Railway and London Overground services will operate as normal during the strike. | |
A free river shuttle service will be in place in addition to 100 extra buses. | |
There will be escorts to lead cyclists across the capital and extra parking will be in place for bicycles. TfL will also bring in a taxi-sharing scheme at all major rail stations. | |
Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy said: "We regret the disruption the strike will cause to passengers as the impact on Tube services is likely to be significant. | |
"However, the mayor and TfL have prepared plans to keep London moving and thousands of TfL staff will be on hand across the city to help our passengers." | |
'Small minority' | |
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said the strike was damaging for business, would cause widespread inconvenience and hurt London's reputation. | |
Deputy director general John Cridland said: "It is regrettable that a small minority of people are prepared to inflict this kind of disruption on others at such a difficult time." | |
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. |
However, the RMT wants a 5% pay rise and a promise of no compulsory redundancies. About 3,000 RMT members voted in favour of the strike. | |
England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra at Wembley Stadium will go ahead on Wednesday evening despite concerns for the safety of fans travelling to the game. | |
As Wembley Park Tube station will be closed, the 70,000 supporters will be forced to either use overground services or to go by car, even though there is a lack of parking in the area. Last week, the FA stopped ticket sales for the game. |