Second Tube strike in safety row
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/6957825.stm Version 0 of 1. Staff on the Bakerloo Tube Line have gone on strike for the second time in a month in a row over safety. In July services were disrupted when members of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union took part in the first 24-hour walk out. The RMT is protesting at changes it claims will leave staff working alone as they move passengers from trains at stations north of Queen's Park. London Underground (LU) said the action was "completely unnecessary". A spokesperson for LU said: "This strike... will not achieve anything. "It is normal practice on the Bakerloo line, and across the network, that if two station staff are unavailable to ensure that the train is empty before it is returned to the depot, then the driver will assist." Crime levels RMT members returned a 94.5% vote for strike action. Bob Crow of the RMT said: "This dispute is purely and simply about the safety of our members and the travelling public. "Having a minimum of two station staff involved in detraining passengers is not a luxury, it is a necessity, not least given the levels of crime at the stations involved. "Unfortunately LUL bosses have failed to listen to our concerns, and the second strike will go ahead." The strike will end at midnight. |