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Tube network crippled by strike | Tube network crippled by strike |
(40 minutes later) | |
A "massive" strike by maintenance workers on London Underground (LU) has stopped all services on nine lines. | A "massive" strike by maintenance workers on London Underground (LU) has stopped all services on nine lines. |
The RMT union started a 72-hour walkout at 1800 BST in a row over pensions and jobs after the collapse of Metronet. | The RMT union started a 72-hour walkout at 1800 BST in a row over pensions and jobs after the collapse of Metronet. |
LU said trains were being kept in depots during the industrial action and services might not return to normal until Friday morning. | LU said trains were being kept in depots during the industrial action and services might not return to normal until Friday morning. |
Only the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines are operating, because they are maintained by another firm. | Only the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines are operating, because they are maintained by another firm. |
Picket lines were mounted outside LU depots and large queues have started to build up at bus stops as workers tried to get home. | Picket lines were mounted outside LU depots and large queues have started to build up at bus stops as workers tried to get home. |
LU's managing director Tim O'Toole told BBC News 24: "The strike is quite significant. | LU's managing director Tim O'Toole told BBC News 24: "The strike is quite significant. |
AFFECTED LINES BakerlooCentralVictoriaCircleDistrictEast LondonHammersmith & CityMetropolitanWaterloo & City Latest London travel news | AFFECTED LINES BakerlooCentralVictoriaCircleDistrictEast LondonHammersmith & CityMetropolitanWaterloo & City Latest London travel news |
"It's massive because we're talking about the withdrawal of service on two-thirds of the network." | "It's massive because we're talking about the withdrawal of service on two-thirds of the network." |
Another 72-hour stoppage is planned for next Monday. | Another 72-hour stoppage is planned for next Monday. |
On Monday, Unite and the TSSA said they would not go on strike after being given assurances. | On Monday, Unite and the TSSA said they would not go on strike after being given assurances. |
But the TSSA said its 360 members would take part in the second planned 72-hour strike, if a matter concerning pensions was not resolved. | But the TSSA said its 360 members would take part in the second planned 72-hour strike, if a matter concerning pensions was not resolved. |
The unions have been seeking guarantees there will be no job losses, forced transfers or cuts in pensions as a result of Metronet's collapse in July, when it went into administration. | The unions have been seeking guarantees there will be no job losses, forced transfers or cuts in pensions as a result of Metronet's collapse in July, when it went into administration. |
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "The efforts the mayor and Transport for London have put in to try to broker a deal have been welcome. | RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "The efforts the mayor and Transport for London have put in to try to broker a deal have been welcome. |
The only result will be that the lives of millions of Londoners are disrupted and RMT members will lose hundreds of pounds LU's Tim O'Toole TfL letter to Bob Crow | The only result will be that the lives of millions of Londoners are disrupted and RMT members will lose hundreds of pounds LU's Tim O'Toole TfL letter to Bob Crow |
"But the problem for all of us remains that Metronet and its administrator are the employer and the qualified assurances they have given cover only the period of administration." | "But the problem for all of us remains that Metronet and its administrator are the employer and the qualified assurances they have given cover only the period of administration." |
Transport for London (TfL) said all three Tube unions had received all the assurances they were seeking and has released a letter it sent to Mr Crow which outlines those promises. | Transport for London (TfL) said all three Tube unions had received all the assurances they were seeking and has released a letter it sent to Mr Crow which outlines those promises. |
Mr O'Toole said: "RMT leaders have claimed that they have not received the assurances they requested from Metronet and the administrator regarding jobs, transfers and pensions," he said. | Mr O'Toole said: "RMT leaders have claimed that they have not received the assurances they requested from Metronet and the administrator regarding jobs, transfers and pensions," he said. |
"This is patently not true. | "This is patently not true. |
"The only result will be that the lives of millions of Londoners are disrupted and RMT members will lose hundreds of pounds." | "The only result will be that the lives of millions of Londoners are disrupted and RMT members will lose hundreds of pounds." |
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said on Monday night that the strike was one of the most "purposeless" ever called. | Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said on Monday night that the strike was one of the most "purposeless" ever called. |
Striking RMT members will lobby the Department for Transport on Tuesday as part of the union's campaign for Tube maintenance work to be brought back inhouse. | Striking RMT members will lobby the Department for Transport on Tuesday as part of the union's campaign for Tube maintenance work to be brought back inhouse. |
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