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Tube services badly hit by strike Tube services badly hit by strike
(about 3 hours later)
Services on the Bakerloo Tube line have been severely disrupted after staff went on strike in a row over safety. Services on the Bakerloo Tube line have been disrupted after staff went on a strike in a row over safety.
The Rail Maritime and Transport union said 150 members were on a 24-hour walk out, starting at 2200 BST on Thursday. The Rail Maritime and Transport union claim 150 workers were on a 24-hour walk out which began on Thursday night.
Transport for London (TfL) said services have been suspended between Queen's Park and Harrow and Wealdstone. London Underground (LU) said only 25 staff were on strike and that a good service was running between Queen's Park and Elephant and Castle.
But "very reduced services" were operating between Queen's Park and Elephant and Castle. Passengers have been advised to use alternative routes. But services between Queen's Park and Harrow and Wealdstone, in north-west London, have been suspended.
The union is protesting at changes it claims will leave staff working alone as they move passengers from trains at stations north of Queen's Park. Passengers have been advised to use alternative routes.
It insists two station staff and the driver should empty trains, but London Underground (LU) said one worker and the driver can do it safely. Describing it as a "completely unnecessary strike", a LU spokesman said: "Service was only suspended on the least used part of the line between Queen's Park and Harrow and Wealdstone where Silverlink provides a practical alternative."
'Completely unnecessary' Safety concerns
RMT members returned a 94.5% vote for strike action. The union said reducing staffing levels at Queen's Park, Willesden Junction and Harrow and Wealdstone stations would expose workers to the risk of assault.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said reducing staffing levels at Queen's Park, Willesden Junction and Harrow and Wealdstone stations would expose workers to the risk of assault. It insists two station staff and the driver should empty trains, but LU said one worker and the driver can do it safely.
He said: "At talks earlier this week we reminded LU that having a minimum of two station staff on duty at stations where detraining takes place is essential, not least at stations with high crime levels, but the company has refused to budge." RMT said its members returned a 94.5% vote for strike action.
Describing the strike as "completely unnecessary", an LU spokesman said: "This change merely means that, in the exceptional circumstances that two staff are not available, the procedure can be carried out by one member of station staff with the assistance of the train operator." Earlier RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "At talks earlier this week we reminded LU that having a minimum of two station staff on duty at stations where detraining takes place is essential, not least at stations with high crime levels, but the company has refused to budge."
He added there was no compromise on safety and the change would mean less inconvenience for passengers.
Severe delays were also reported on the Victoria line after a signalling problem led to a suspension of services between Seven Sisters and King's Cross.Severe delays were also reported on the Victoria line after a signalling problem led to a suspension of services between Seven Sisters and King's Cross.