This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-london-16330372

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Boxing Day Tube strike: Shoppers face delays Boxing Day Tube strike: Shoppers face delays
(about 1 hour later)
  
Travellers on London's Underground network face disruption as drivers from the union Aslef stage a 24-hour strike. Travellers on London's Underground have been disrupted by a 24-hour strike staged by drivers.
The dispute is over the union's demand for extra pay for its members working on the Boxing Day public holiday. The dispute is over the Aslef union demand for extra pay for staff working on the Boxing Day public holiday.
All Tube lines have experienced some level of disruption since the strike began at midnight, according to Transport for London's website.All Tube lines have experienced some level of disruption since the strike began at midnight, according to Transport for London's website.
London Underground boss Howard Collins described the demand for "triple pay" as "outrageous".
The strike is affecting shoppers heading for the start of the new year sales, and football fans.The strike is affecting shoppers heading for the start of the new year sales, and football fans.
Transport for London has warned of "severe disruption" and urged travellers to check href="http://www.tfl.gov.uk/" >its website before starting their journeys. Transport for London (TfL) had warned of "severe disruption" and urged travellers to check its website before starting their journeys.
It says it will lay on extra buses in busy shopping areas, with millions of shoppers expected to hit the High Street. At 14:30 GMT the website showed all lines suffering some level of disruption.
The Bakerloo Line was running only between Queen's Park and Elephant and Castle, while there were no Central Line trains west of White City.
The entire Circle Line was suspended, and the only District Line trains in operation were between High Street Kensington and Ealing Broadway, plus West Ham to Upminster.
The Hammersmith and City Line was not running east of Baker Street, and there were no Jubilee Line trains between Finchley Road and North Greenwich.
There were Metropolitan Line trains from Harrow-on-the-Hill to Baker Street, while the Northern Line was running only between Morden and Charing Cross, and Edgware and Euston.
The only Piccadilly Line services were between Heathrow Airport and Hammersmith, and Arnos Grove to Cockfosters.
No trains were operating between Seven Sisters and Walthamstow Central on the Victoria Line.
TfL says it will lay on extra buses in busy shopping areas, with millions of shoppers expected to hit the High Street.
'Long-standing agreement'
Arsenal have already moved their Premier League game with Wolves to 27 December because of the strike, but Chelsea's game with Fulham goes ahead at Stamford Bridge.Arsenal have already moved their Premier League game with Wolves to 27 December because of the strike, but Chelsea's game with Fulham goes ahead at Stamford Bridge.
The BBC's Daniel Boettcher says Aslef has argued that choosing to work on Boxing Day should be voluntary and drivers who agree to do so should be paid extra as well as getting a day off in lieu. The BBC's Daniel Boettcher said Aslef had argued choosing to work on Boxing Day should be voluntary and drivers who agree to do so should be paid extra as well as getting a day off in lieu.
But Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan told the BBC News Channel that triple pay was "not quite what we've asked for", although it had been a negotiating point. But Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan told the BBC News Channel triple pay was "not quite what we've asked for", although it had been a negotiating point.
"What we're asking for is a guaranteed level of service where people can be guaranteed at least every other year, every third year, a day off, and - for those who do come in - an incentive." He said the nature of the incentive was still being negotiated."What we're asking for is a guaranteed level of service where people can be guaranteed at least every other year, every third year, a day off, and - for those who do come in - an incentive." He said the nature of the incentive was still being negotiated.
"[London Underground] have picked on the worst aspect of a comment that was made and have used it continually throughout this process.""[London Underground] have picked on the worst aspect of a comment that was made and have used it continually throughout this process."
Mr Whelan said the original dispute focused on "quality time off". He said the union had realised an agreement it made in the mid-90s, when virtually no trains ran on Boxing Day, had "become devalued" as the number of trains running on Boxing Day had increased to be the same as any other day of the week. Mr Whelan said the original dispute focused on "quality time off".
Referring to the strike's potential impact on London retailers opening for the Boxing Day sales, Mr Whelan said: "It's unfortunate that it happens at a time when we are in recession and possibly going into a double-dip. Truly, we'd like to see and help London business grow." He said the union had realised an agreement it made in the mid-90s, when virtually no trains ran on Boxing Day, had "become devalued" as the number of trains running on Boxing Day had increased to be the same as any other day of the week.
"It's unfortunate that it happens at a time when we are in recession and possibly going into a double-dip. Truly, we'd like to see and help London business grow," said Mr Whelan.
Salaries 'inclusive'
London Underground says it has a long-standing agreement with all of its trade unions covering bank holidays. It has described the demand for additional payment as outrageous.London Underground says it has a long-standing agreement with all of its trade unions covering bank holidays. It has described the demand for additional payment as outrageous.
Chief operating officer Howard Collins told BBC Radio 4 that London Underground had already met some of Aslef's concerns.Chief operating officer Howard Collins told BBC Radio 4 that London Underground had already met some of Aslef's concerns.
"We have reduced the number of train drivers working this year, giving people more quality time off - down to 880 drivers from 1,100 last year." "We have reduced the number of train drivers working this year, giving people more quality time off - down to 880 drivers from 1,100 last year," he said.
But Mr Collins said he could not "pay people twice" and that train drivers' salaries were all-inclusive and covered Boxing Day and Christmas Day.But Mr Collins said he could not "pay people twice" and that train drivers' salaries were all-inclusive and covered Boxing Day and Christmas Day.
"If I did this for this trade union, then 18,000 other workers who've agreed the '92 agreement would have to be paid as well." "If I did this for this trade union, then 18,000 other workers who've agreed the '92 agreement would have to be paid as well," he added.
Millions on road
London Underground last week challenged Aslef's strike ballot in the High Court, saying it was unlawful as the vote included drivers who were not rostered to work on Boxing Day.
But a High Court judge, Mr Justice Eder, said the disruption caused because of the strike was "regrettable" but the strike was "inevitable".
If there there is no resolution to this dispute in the New Year, the union plans three more 24-hour strikes in January and February.
The strikes come as stores across the UK start their new year sales.
The BBC's business correspondent Emma Simpson says it has been a difficult year for many retailers, who have been discounting since November.
The breakdown service Green Flag estimated 5.6 million motorists would be on the road, with the shops one of the main destinations.
'Heaving out here'
The New West End company, which represents retailers on London's Oxford Street, said shoppers had been "undeterred by the strike".
Director of communications Jace Tyrrell said: "It's absolutely heaving out here - we've got numbers that are better than 2009."
He said figures could not be compared to 2010, as shopping hours had then been restricted because the public holiday fell on a Sunday.
Mr Tyrrell said some Tube stops near Oxford Street were still operating and many shoppers were travelling by bus. Tourists staying in the area had also been attending the sales, with "a huge mix of international shoppers", he said.
E-retail association Interactive Media in Retail Group predicted on Christmas Eve that online consumers would spend £186.4m on Christmas Day and £367.8m on Boxing Day. Debenhams said it saw a 75% spike in Christmas Day online traffic compared with last year.
Argos, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer were among stores who started their sales online as early as Christmas Eve, and many shoppers are predicted to spend Boxing Day online rather than in shops.