This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/tube-strike-2014-boris-johnson-launches-furious-attack-on-narrow-minded-union-barons-and-brands-48hour-walkout-mad-9297592.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tube strike 2014: Boris Johnson launches furious attack on 'narrow minded union barons' and brands 48-hour walkout 'mad' Tube strike 2014: Boris Johnson launches furious attack on 'narrow minded union barons' and brands 48-hour walkout 'mad'
(about 2 hours later)
  Boris Johnson today lashed out at “narrow minded union barons” and branded tonight’s Tube strike as “mad”.
The looming 48-hour walkout is being staged by members of the Rail, Marine and Transport union (RMT) who are protesting against the planned closure of ticket stations.The looming 48-hour walkout is being staged by members of the Rail, Marine and Transport union (RMT) who are protesting against the planned closure of ticket stations.
This morning eleventh hour talks to avert the strike collapsed and descended into bitter accusations.This morning eleventh hour talks to avert the strike collapsed and descended into bitter accusations.
According to the Evening Standard, RMT chiefs accused London Underground of deliberately “lying” over the key issue of voluntary redundancies.According to the Evening Standard, RMT chiefs accused London Underground of deliberately “lying” over the key issue of voluntary redundancies.
But Mayor Boris Johnson lambasted the strike as “pointless” and claimed the RMT was “set against modernisation”.But Mayor Boris Johnson lambasted the strike as “pointless” and claimed the RMT was “set against modernisation”.
“Despite dozens of meetings over several months, the RMT chose only on Friday to make fresh demands. It seems they are more interested in fighting over the leadership of the RMT than the interests of their members,” he said.“Despite dozens of meetings over several months, the RMT chose only on Friday to make fresh demands. It seems they are more interested in fighting over the leadership of the RMT than the interests of their members,” he said.
“Commuters and businesses will suffer because a few narrow minded union barons are currently flexing their muscles in a fight for the leadership of a union where just 30 per cent of members support a strike.”“Commuters and businesses will suffer because a few narrow minded union barons are currently flexing their muscles in a fight for the leadership of a union where just 30 per cent of members support a strike.”
City Hall sources told the Evening Standard that the RMY was “hell bent” on going through with the strike because rivals for the late Bob Crow’s crown wanted to look tough.City Hall sources told the Evening Standard that the RMY was “hell bent” on going through with the strike because rivals for the late Bob Crow’s crown wanted to look tough.
Acting RMT secretary Mick Cash gave a furious response to Mayor Boris Johnson’s comments. He said: “The RMT has never once said that LU should tear up the contractual redundancy agreement. It is a lie”.Acting RMT secretary Mick Cash gave a furious response to Mayor Boris Johnson’s comments. He said: “The RMT has never once said that LU should tear up the contractual redundancy agreement. It is a lie”.
A second three-day strike is due to take place next Monday unless the union and TFL reach a resolution.A second three-day strike is due to take place next Monday unless the union and TFL reach a resolution.