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Tube strike: Grill Market cafe apologises for sign 'banning' RMT customers Tube strike: Grill Market café in London apologises for sign 'banning' RMT customers
(about 20 hours later)
A cafe in central London has sparked outrage with a sign that ‘banned’ RMT members for entering the premises, but offered a ten per cent discount to all other prospective customers. A café in central London has sparked outrage with a sign that ‘banned’ RMT members for entering the premises, but offered a ten per cent discount to all other prospective customers.
The joke posted on the board outside Grill Market read: "NO RMT MEMBERS. 10% off coffee for everyone else" and was widely condemned after being posted on Twitter as the 48-hour tube workers' strike continued.The joke posted on the board outside Grill Market read: "NO RMT MEMBERS. 10% off coffee for everyone else" and was widely condemned after being posted on Twitter as the 48-hour tube workers' strike continued.
The Holborn-based cafe was quick to issue an apology on Twitter and stressed the sign was only meant in jest, tweeting: "Again, total apology to anyone offended by the board this morning, was only supposed to be a joke, clearly I got it VERY wrong."The Holborn-based cafe was quick to issue an apology on Twitter and stressed the sign was only meant in jest, tweeting: "Again, total apology to anyone offended by the board this morning, was only supposed to be a joke, clearly I got it VERY wrong."
But the apology appeared futile, as many responded by describing the joke as "terrible" and in poor taste. Others lambasted the cafe for "belittling" the plight of workers striking against plans to close Tube ticket offices. But the apology appeared futile, as many responded by describing the joke as "terrible" and in poor taste. Others lambasted the café for "belittling" the plight of workers striking against plans to close Tube ticket offices.
.@grill_market How about an apology those who's plight you belittled rather than an apology to all the people your boss saw you upset?.@grill_market How about an apology those who's plight you belittled rather than an apology to all the people your boss saw you upset?
@grill_market @robtamplin that's a pretty terrible joke. they're losing their jobs, you asses. it's only a joke if you don't care abt them!@grill_market @robtamplin that's a pretty terrible joke. they're losing their jobs, you asses. it's only a joke if you don't care abt them!
Because workers' rights are only for lols. RT @grill_market: @robtamplin sorry it upset you Rob - really was only supposed to be a joke!Because workers' rights are only for lols. RT @grill_market: @robtamplin sorry it upset you Rob - really was only supposed to be a joke!
The manager of Grill Market, who gave his name only as Tom, said the sign was not intended to cause any offence and was simply "a really badly judged joke", which has since been removed from the board.The manager of Grill Market, who gave his name only as Tom, said the sign was not intended to cause any offence and was simply "a really badly judged joke", which has since been removed from the board.
He told The Independent: "Most people who came into the shop seemed to find it quite funny, but reading back it back I realise how it sounds.  He told The Independent: "Most people who came into the shop seemed to find it quite funny, but reading back it back I realise how it sounds.  
"I wasn't thinking about people losing their jobs, it was just to make people smile who were having a bad day.""I wasn't thinking about people losing their jobs, it was just to make people smile who were having a bad day."
But some Twitter uses have criticised people for taking the sign so seriously, with many arguing it is simply a joke and should be treated as such.But some Twitter uses have criticised people for taking the sign so seriously, with many arguing it is simply a joke and should be treated as such.
"Ignore them, it was both funny and appropriate. Well done" was one response while another said it was "a great shame - the board would have got my business," after it was taken down.
@grill_market Ha ha. The outrage! Get a grip people. Not the best joke but a simple one nonetheless.@grill_market Ha ha. The outrage! Get a grip people. Not the best joke but a simple one nonetheless.
@grill_market I thought it was funny, people need to chill out #takeagrillpill@grill_market I thought it was funny, people need to chill out #takeagrillpill
"Ignore them, it was both funny and appropriate. Well done" was one response while another said it was "a great shame - the board would have got my business," after it was taken down.
The RMT say the closure of ticket offices will cost hundreds of job losses and threaten safety.The RMT say the closure of ticket offices will cost hundreds of job losses and threaten safety.
But London Underground (LU) maintains that staff would be better employed on station concourses as only three per cent of tickets are bought at ticket offices.But London Underground (LU) maintains that staff would be better employed on station concourses as only three per cent of tickets are bought at ticket offices.
If the dispute is not resolved, RMT members say they will stage another walkout - this time for 72 hours - from 9pm on Monday 5 May.If the dispute is not resolved, RMT members say they will stage another walkout - this time for 72 hours - from 9pm on Monday 5 May.