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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Piccadilly Line Tube drivers' strike action starts | Piccadilly Line Tube drivers' strike action starts |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| Tube drivers on the Piccadilly Line have begun the first of three 24-hour strikes. | Tube drivers on the Piccadilly Line have begun the first of three 24-hour strikes. |
| The RMT and Aslef unions said there had been a breakdown in industrial relations with issues including the age of trains not resolved. | The RMT and Aslef unions said there had been a breakdown in industrial relations with issues including the age of trains not resolved. |
| London Underground (LU) said the strike was "indefensible" and managers remained available for talks. | |
| About 400 drivers on the Piccadilly Line, members of Aslef and RMT, began strike action at 21:00 GMT. | About 400 drivers on the Piccadilly Line, members of Aslef and RMT, began strike action at 21:00 GMT. |
| The London Underground line carries some 600,000 passengers a day and is the only Tube service to Heathrow. | The London Underground line carries some 600,000 passengers a day and is the only Tube service to Heathrow. |
| 'Lack of consistency' | 'Lack of consistency' |
| The union said several issues had led to the call for strike action, including concerns over the "ageing Piccadilly Line fleet", which had "left drivers in a vulnerable position". | The union said several issues had led to the call for strike action, including concerns over the "ageing Piccadilly Line fleet", which had "left drivers in a vulnerable position". |
| RMT general secretary Mick Cash said members had been "rock solid" in their support and were "making a stand against bullying, the ripping up of procedures and in defence of the safety of staff and passengers". | |
| Finn Brennan, Aslef official, said: "So far senior management have not been prepared to intervene or even to meet with the trade unions. They are taking a completely hands-off attitude." | Finn Brennan, Aslef official, said: "So far senior management have not been prepared to intervene or even to meet with the trade unions. They are taking a completely hands-off attitude." |
| However, LU operations director Pat Hansberry said the strike "indefensible" as it was in support of "drivers who refused to drive Piccadilly line trains on their shifts - without good reason - resulting in delays to our customers." | |
| Transport for London (TfL) is providing updates on its website, and @TfLTravelAlerts, @TfLTrafficNews and @TfLBusAlerts. | Transport for London (TfL) is providing updates on its website, and @TfLTravelAlerts, @TfLTrafficNews and @TfLBusAlerts. |
| It said people travelling to the airport could use Heathrow Connect and Heathrow Express services and extra buses. | It said people travelling to the airport could use Heathrow Connect and Heathrow Express services and extra buses. |
| The RMT is also due to strike on 19 and 21 April. | The RMT is also due to strike on 19 and 21 April. |
| The Piccadilly Line has some of the oldest trains on the network, known as "1973 stock", and in January experienced a problem with a door opening on a moving train. | The Piccadilly Line has some of the oldest trains on the network, known as "1973 stock", and in January experienced a problem with a door opening on a moving train. |
| TfL subsequently said it had carried out checks that showed it was an "isolated incident". | TfL subsequently said it had carried out checks that showed it was an "isolated incident". |