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| Tube strike: Boris Johnson suggests delay of all-night tube introduction | |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Boris Johnson has cast doubt over the date of the introduction of the night tube on the day of the biggest strike on the London Underground for 13 years. | Boris Johnson has cast doubt over the date of the introduction of the night tube on the day of the biggest strike on the London Underground for 13 years. |
| Speaking at City Hall on Thursday morning as thousands of commuters struggled to get to work due to the 24-hour industrial action, which began at 6.30pm on Wednesday, the London mayor refused to rule out that the service would not be launched on 12 September, as previously announced by Transport for London. | Speaking at City Hall on Thursday morning as thousands of commuters struggled to get to work due to the 24-hour industrial action, which began at 6.30pm on Wednesday, the London mayor refused to rule out that the service would not be launched on 12 September, as previously announced by Transport for London. |
| The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, Aslef (the union for train drivers and operators), the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) and Unite have been in dispute with TfL over pay and rosters for the new all-night tubes. | The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, Aslef (the union for train drivers and operators), the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) and Unite have been in dispute with TfL over pay and rosters for the new all-night tubes. |
| Talks broke down on Tuesday evening between tube managers and the unions, with both sides denouncing the other’s negotiating tactics. Unions said further strikes would follow this summer unless London Underground improved its offer. | Talks broke down on Tuesday evening between tube managers and the unions, with both sides denouncing the other’s negotiating tactics. Unions said further strikes would follow this summer unless London Underground improved its offer. |
| Commenting on whether the discontent of unions meant the new train timetables could not be implemented as planned, Johnson said: “I am not as hung up on the date. We will get it done this autumn.” | Commenting on whether the discontent of unions meant the new train timetables could not be implemented as planned, Johnson said: “I am not as hung up on the date. We will get it done this autumn.” |
| The mayor said the managers’ final offer, which includes an average 2% pay rise this year, at least retail prices index (RPI) inflation for each of the next two years and £2,000 for drivers on the new service, was a “good offer”, and apologised for the disruptions caused by the strike. “Obviously I very much apologise for all the delay, all the destruction. I congratulate the millions of Londoners and others around the city who are making a huge effort to get into work. | The mayor said the managers’ final offer, which includes an average 2% pay rise this year, at least retail prices index (RPI) inflation for each of the next two years and £2,000 for drivers on the new service, was a “good offer”, and apologised for the disruptions caused by the strike. “Obviously I very much apologise for all the delay, all the destruction. I congratulate the millions of Londoners and others around the city who are making a huge effort to get into work. |
| “I am very sorry for the tube being down, we have just got to get through this. We have got to get on with the night tube. The unions don’t like it, they don’t think that we should be able to do this. I think it is essential for the city, they want to show that you can’t do a huge change like this without them expressing their views. | “I am very sorry for the tube being down, we have just got to get through this. We have got to get on with the night tube. The unions don’t like it, they don’t think that we should be able to do this. I think it is essential for the city, they want to show that you can’t do a huge change like this without them expressing their views. |
| “Unfortunately what has happened is that the union leadership has basically been spoiling for a big fight on this. I think they were very disappointed by the election result in May.” | “Unfortunately what has happened is that the union leadership has basically been spoiling for a big fight on this. I think they were very disappointed by the election result in May.” |
| Johnson said the action was a show of strength from the unions, but added that the tube was essential because London needed it and because it would be a massive boost for the economy. | Johnson said the action was a show of strength from the unions, but added that the tube was essential because London needed it and because it would be a massive boost for the economy. |
| However, union executives defended the industrial action. The RMT general secretary, Mick Cash, said: “Despite strenuous efforts by union negotiators to press London Underground to address the issues of fairness, safety, work/life balance and equality at the heart of this dispute, they have come up with nothing in the talks.” | However, union executives defended the industrial action. The RMT general secretary, Mick Cash, said: “Despite strenuous efforts by union negotiators to press London Underground to address the issues of fairness, safety, work/life balance and equality at the heart of this dispute, they have come up with nothing in the talks.” |
| Finn Brennan, Aslef’s organiser on the tube, said in a message to his members on Thursday: “For 364 days of the year, London Underground staff work hard to keep this city moving. Today you will be vilified by some because you have the courage to stand up for yourselves, the courage to say we will not just allow our employer to impose changes without agreement. | Finn Brennan, Aslef’s organiser on the tube, said in a message to his members on Thursday: “For 364 days of the year, London Underground staff work hard to keep this city moving. Today you will be vilified by some because you have the courage to stand up for yourselves, the courage to say we will not just allow our employer to impose changes without agreement. |
| “You will hear time and time again how much benefit the mayor’s plans will bring to London’s economy. Why is it wrong to say that those benefits should not come at the expense of the people who will work to deliver them?” | “You will hear time and time again how much benefit the mayor’s plans will bring to London’s economy. Why is it wrong to say that those benefits should not come at the expense of the people who will work to deliver them?” |
| Brennan had previously said the responsibility for the strike and the disruption caused rests squarely with London Underground management. “They squandered the window of opportunity to resolve this dispute by refusing to move their position in the slightest for three months and then demanding that all four trade unions accept an offer in one afternoon,” he said. “We will be ready to return to the negotiating table on Friday morning to ensure that further action can be avoided.” | Brennan had previously said the responsibility for the strike and the disruption caused rests squarely with London Underground management. “They squandered the window of opportunity to resolve this dispute by refusing to move their position in the slightest for three months and then demanding that all four trade unions accept an offer in one afternoon,” he said. “We will be ready to return to the negotiating table on Friday morning to ensure that further action can be avoided.” |
| Londoners had to deal with severe disruption to their morning commute after the entire tube network was closed down for the first time since 2002. With some rail and bus services reported to be full before 6am, and most cabs booked up from Wednesday night, some commuters made the decision to walk to work in the bright sunshine. | Londoners had to deal with severe disruption to their morning commute after the entire tube network was closed down for the first time since 2002. With some rail and bus services reported to be full before 6am, and most cabs booked up from Wednesday night, some commuters made the decision to walk to work in the bright sunshine. |
| One traveller said police had been called to a bus stop after the driver refused to move the bus because it was too full. Writing on Twitter, the commuter said: “Absolute carnage on the 113 bus. Driver refuses to drive as bus is too packed! Police called and they just arrived! #tubestrike.” | One traveller said police had been called to a bus stop after the driver refused to move the bus because it was too full. Writing on Twitter, the commuter said: “Absolute carnage on the 113 bus. Driver refuses to drive as bus is too packed! Police called and they just arrived! #tubestrike.” |
| Absolute carnage on 113 bus. Driver refuses to drive as bus is too packed! Police was called and they just arrived! #tubestrike | Absolute carnage on 113 bus. Driver refuses to drive as bus is too packed! Police was called and they just arrived! #tubestrike |
| Another woman said she left home two hours earlier than usual and would have to take six buses and an Overground train to get to work on time. | Another woman said she left home two hours earlier than usual and would have to take six buses and an Overground train to get to work on time. |
| Streets surrounding Paddington station ground to a halt as the entrances to the station were gated up. Passengers, some with large suitcases and who had come off the Heathrow Express train, thronged Praed Street as police officers and volunteers helped with directions. Queues for buses extended down the pavement, and commuters had to wait for multiple buses to go by before they could board. | Streets surrounding Paddington station ground to a halt as the entrances to the station were gated up. Passengers, some with large suitcases and who had come off the Heathrow Express train, thronged Praed Street as police officers and volunteers helped with directions. Queues for buses extended down the pavement, and commuters had to wait for multiple buses to go by before they could board. |
| Shannon Stronach, 24, told the Guardian she had come to Paddington from Heathrow. “The bus queues are really long and the Uber surcharge is ridiculous,” she said. | Shannon Stronach, 24, told the Guardian she had come to Paddington from Heathrow. “The bus queues are really long and the Uber surcharge is ridiculous,” she said. |
| James Riley, 29, a sales assistant at a paint shop, said: “It’s utter chaos here. There isn’t enough services and if I had a vital job to get to I’d be stuffed. I can’t believe there isn’t more public outcry against the strike. I think tube drivers have been offered a good deal.” | James Riley, 29, a sales assistant at a paint shop, said: “It’s utter chaos here. There isn’t enough services and if I had a vital job to get to I’d be stuffed. I can’t believe there isn’t more public outcry against the strike. I think tube drivers have been offered a good deal.” |
| At Euston, the 205 bus heading east towards Liverpool St and the City was highly sought after. One filled up quickly after pulling out, leaving many people frustrated – but not too ill-tempered. Liza McGuigan, an accountant from Northwood, said: “I got up at 6 instead of 7. It’s quite well-organised, not the pandemonium you usually see.” | At Euston, the 205 bus heading east towards Liverpool St and the City was highly sought after. One filled up quickly after pulling out, leaving many people frustrated – but not too ill-tempered. Liza McGuigan, an accountant from Northwood, said: “I got up at 6 instead of 7. It’s quite well-organised, not the pandemonium you usually see.” |
| D Patel, who lives in Harrow and Willesden, said he had got up at 5.30am instead of 6am and was waiting for a 68 bus for Elephant and Castle, south of the river. “My journey normally takes 45 minutes, but it’s taken me two hours already. It’s very terrible. I am supposed to open the post office at 8.30am and I am going to be late.” | D Patel, who lives in Harrow and Willesden, said he had got up at 5.30am instead of 6am and was waiting for a 68 bus for Elephant and Castle, south of the river. “My journey normally takes 45 minutes, but it’s taken me two hours already. It’s very terrible. I am supposed to open the post office at 8.30am and I am going to be late.” |
| World's most depressing race watching 2 buses constantly over taking each other as we make our way over to #westend #London #tubestrikes | World's most depressing race watching 2 buses constantly over taking each other as we make our way over to #westend #London #tubestrikes |
| Chaotic scenes as people attempt to board a full number 9 #bus at #CharingCross #tubestrikes #commuting | Chaotic scenes as people attempt to board a full number 9 #bus at #CharingCross #tubestrikes #commuting |
| The queue to get on a bus at Liverpool St station zig-zagging from outside #TubeStrikes pic.twitter.com/UE7zBBGCXL | The queue to get on a bus at Liverpool St station zig-zagging from outside #TubeStrikes pic.twitter.com/UE7zBBGCXL |
| Every bus on my road went straight by the bus stop this morning. All I could say was faces pressed against the bus windows. #tubestrikes | Every bus on my road went straight by the bus stop this morning. All I could say was faces pressed against the bus windows. #tubestrikes |
| Some called it rapture. Others called it the Apocalypse. The gods here quietly uttered our punishment: #tubestrikes #everyManForThemselves | Some called it rapture. Others called it the Apocalypse. The gods here quietly uttered our punishment: #tubestrikes #everyManForThemselves |
| It's zombie apocalypse time in London as people head into the sun and have no idea where they are going #tubestrikes | It's zombie apocalypse time in London as people head into the sun and have no idea where they are going #tubestrikes |
| Images of chaotic scenes outside underground stations, including Oxford Circus and Victoria, began emerging on Wednesday night. | Images of chaotic scenes outside underground stations, including Oxford Circus and Victoria, began emerging on Wednesday night. |
| A spokesman from the Metropolitan police said the authorities should factor disruption into their policing. | A spokesman from the Metropolitan police said the authorities should factor disruption into their policing. |
| Tube strike causing havoc at Oxford Circus! #tfl #tubestrike #oxfordcircus #toomanypeople pic.twitter.com/PI2kX036SQ | Tube strike causing havoc at Oxford Circus! #tfl #tubestrike #oxfordcircus #toomanypeople pic.twitter.com/PI2kX036SQ |
| If i knew there was going to be photographers at Victoria this morning i'd have worn a nicer t-shirt, done my hair etc #tubestrikes | If i knew there was going to be photographers at Victoria this morning i'd have worn a nicer t-shirt, done my hair etc #tubestrikes |
| The tube handles up to 4m journeys each day, and at peak times there are more than 535 trains in operation, according to London Underground. | The tube handles up to 4m journeys each day, and at peak times there are more than 535 trains in operation, according to London Underground. |
| A separate dispute by drivers on First Great Western rail service has also caused widespread travel disruption on Thursday, with services suspended on many lines and only one train per hour on the busy London to Bristol route. | A separate dispute by drivers on First Great Western rail service has also caused widespread travel disruption on Thursday, with services suspended on many lines and only one train per hour on the busy London to Bristol route. |