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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2015/aug/06/tube-london-underground-strike-live-updates
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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Tube strike: RMT demands urgent meeting with Boris Johnson – Thursday's updates | Tube strike: RMT demands urgent meeting with Boris Johnson – Thursday's updates |
| (6 days later) | |
| 4.29pm BST | 4.29pm BST |
| 16:29 | 16:29 |
| Aisha Gani's afternoon tube strike summary | Aisha Gani's afternoon tube strike summary |
| 1 – The main story of today was that RMT had demanded an urgent meeting with London mayor Boris Johnson. In a statement Mick Cash the general secretary had said: | 1 – The main story of today was that RMT had demanded an urgent meeting with London mayor Boris Johnson. In a statement Mick Cash the general secretary had said: |
| It has become clear from the media coverage over the past forty eight hours that Boris Johnson has taken direct control of the current tube dispute. | It has become clear from the media coverage over the past forty eight hours that Boris Johnson has taken direct control of the current tube dispute. |
| As the Night Tube is his personal project, and as chair of Transport for London, it is now time for the Mayor to reverse his long standing policy of not meeting with the trade unions and to give our negotiators an opportunity to set out the facts to him directly. | As the Night Tube is his personal project, and as chair of Transport for London, it is now time for the Mayor to reverse his long standing policy of not meeting with the trade unions and to give our negotiators an opportunity to set out the facts to him directly. |
| 2 – However, Johnson is unlikely to agree, and earlier today he said this BBC Radio London: | 2 – However, Johnson is unlikely to agree, and earlier today he said this BBC Radio London: |
| “It is total nonsense to say I haven’t met the union leadership. I have met them many times over the years. What I won’t do is sit down and negotiate with them when they are holding a gun to Londoners’ heads. This is something for the management of London Underground. It would be totally wrong for politicians to weigh in when the managers of the tube are trying to sort this out. What the unions want to do is muddy the waters about who is running the tube. | “It is total nonsense to say I haven’t met the union leadership. I have met them many times over the years. What I won’t do is sit down and negotiate with them when they are holding a gun to Londoners’ heads. This is something for the management of London Underground. It would be totally wrong for politicians to weigh in when the managers of the tube are trying to sort this out. What the unions want to do is muddy the waters about who is running the tube. |
| 3 – A private bus company, Travel Masters, says it has launched a full investigation after the driver of one its vehicles was filmed swearing and racially abusing a passenger during the strike (see 14:31). | 3 – A private bus company, Travel Masters, says it has launched a full investigation after the driver of one its vehicles was filmed swearing and racially abusing a passenger during the strike (see 14:31). |
| 4 – Meanwhile in the land of taxi battles, app company Uber today rejected claims it was unfairly stealing trade from Londons black cab drivers during the Tube strike. | 4 – Meanwhile in the land of taxi battles, app company Uber today rejected claims it was unfairly stealing trade from Londons black cab drivers during the Tube strike. |
| Black cabbies queuing today outside Victoria station in central London were met by only a trickle of customers, despite the entire Underground network grinding to a halt. | Black cabbies queuing today outside Victoria station in central London were met by only a trickle of customers, despite the entire Underground network grinding to a halt. |
| Some blamed rival Uber, which allows customers to book a taxi on their mobile phone, although the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) blamed the school holidays. | Some blamed rival Uber, which allows customers to book a taxi on their mobile phone, although the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) blamed the school holidays. |
| Uber spokesman Harry Porter also rubbished the notion and said his firms drivers had also seen a relatively low demand. | Uber spokesman Harry Porter also rubbished the notion and said his firms drivers had also seen a relatively low demand. |
| He said: “They do have huge advantages over us.” | He said: “They do have huge advantages over us.” |
| “They can drive in bus lanes, which would be incredibly useful on a day like today, and they can also street hail. | “They can drive in bus lanes, which would be incredibly useful on a day like today, and they can also street hail. |
| Porter added: “I dont think we have seen the same demand as last time. I think this time people were more prepared.” | Porter added: “I dont think we have seen the same demand as last time. I think this time people were more prepared.” |
| 5 – Of the new plans, the London mayor has said he is “not fussed” about exactly when the Night Tube starts, but said there would be no more money on the table. | 5 – Of the new plans, the London mayor has said he is “not fussed” about exactly when the Night Tube starts, but said there would be no more money on the table. |
| “I want it starting in the autumn,” the mayor said, adding: “I am not going to authorise any more money. Most people would recognise that this is a very generous deal.” | “I want it starting in the autumn,” the mayor said, adding: “I am not going to authorise any more money. Most people would recognise that this is a very generous deal.” |
| London Underground says it is hiring 137 more train drivers and 245 new station staff to work on the Night Tube, and says that no existing employees will be working more hours than they do at the moment. | London Underground says it is hiring 137 more train drivers and 245 new station staff to work on the Night Tube, and says that no existing employees will be working more hours than they do at the moment. |
| The mayor says that the new service will benefit not just revellers but also many night shift workers, insisting: “They are the working people of London.” | The mayor says that the new service will benefit not just revellers but also many night shift workers, insisting: “They are the working people of London.” |
| Currently trains depart the outer edges of London some time after 5:00am and the last services leave the centre about half past midnight. | Currently trains depart the outer edges of London some time after 5:00am and the last services leave the centre about half past midnight. |
| The new 24-hour service on five lines would bring London in line with other cities such as New York, Berlin and Sydney. | The new 24-hour service on five lines would bring London in line with other cities such as New York, Berlin and Sydney. |
| 6 – The latest round of negotiations broke down on Monday, when union leaders rejected an offer of a 2% salary increase and bonus payments for night shift workers. | 6 – The latest round of negotiations broke down on Monday, when union leaders rejected an offer of a 2% salary increase and bonus payments for night shift workers. |
| Mick Cash, RMT union leader, had said it was “just a rehash of an earlier package and does nothing to tackle the fundamental issue of our members being called into work at the beck and call of management to plug staffing gaps in the mayor’s botched Night Tube plans.” | Mick Cash, RMT union leader, had said it was “just a rehash of an earlier package and does nothing to tackle the fundamental issue of our members being called into work at the beck and call of management to plug staffing gaps in the mayor’s botched Night Tube plans.” |
| The unions have called for the launch of the service to be delayed pending further talks. | The unions have called for the launch of the service to be delayed pending further talks. |
| Thanks for following our coverage today. That’s it from me, as I join the commuting abyss myself. | Thanks for following our coverage today. That’s it from me, as I join the commuting abyss myself. |
| You can follow me on twitter @aishagani and you can leave your comments below the line. | You can follow me on twitter @aishagani and you can leave your comments below the line. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.32pm BST | at 10.32pm BST |
| 4.00pm BST | 4.00pm BST |
| 16:00 | 16:00 |
| Here are some comments of solidarity for those taking industrial strike action, from our call out earlier. | Here are some comments of solidarity for those taking industrial strike action, from our call out earlier. |
| Naomi Hannay, from Brockley, said: | Naomi Hannay, from Brockley, said: |
| I support the tube workers in their strike; what does annoy me is that many of us have paid for our season tickets and travelcards so have already paid for our travel, and TFL have a day without having to pay any of their staff. | I support the tube workers in their strike; what does annoy me is that many of us have paid for our season tickets and travelcards so have already paid for our travel, and TFL have a day without having to pay any of their staff. |
| I’m disheartened by the public vitriol against these people (incited by the media) who just want to make a stand for their rights. If my boss told me that I’d have to start working over the middle of the night there’s no way I’d accept that. It would completely destroy my life. It also annoys me that people compare the wages earned by tube drivers to other industries, like junior doctors. | I’m disheartened by the public vitriol against these people (incited by the media) who just want to make a stand for their rights. If my boss told me that I’d have to start working over the middle of the night there’s no way I’d accept that. It would completely destroy my life. It also annoys me that people compare the wages earned by tube drivers to other industries, like junior doctors. |
| Maybe they earn more, or equivalent, or whatever, but surely we should be pressing for higher wages for everyone not a race to the bottom where we’ll end up with everyone earning minimum wage. I’m glad tube drivers earn well, they provide a valuable service. I just wish all workers were paid a fair wage for a fair days work. | Maybe they earn more, or equivalent, or whatever, but surely we should be pressing for higher wages for everyone not a race to the bottom where we’ll end up with everyone earning minimum wage. I’m glad tube drivers earn well, they provide a valuable service. I just wish all workers were paid a fair wage for a fair days work. |
| Rachael Ferguson, said: | Rachael Ferguson, said: |
| I love my job. I woke up early and left the house at 05:30. I got into work on time - an east to west commute, which normally takes one hour took two. | I love my job. I woke up early and left the house at 05:30. I got into work on time - an east to west commute, which normally takes one hour took two. |
| I will be leaving early also. | I will be leaving early also. |
| I fully support the strike. I know it is about the safety and the work-life balance of the staff of the London Underground. I believe wholeheartedly that the government is trying to make an example of the Transport Unions to drum up support for sanctions on Unions. It is already happening with Public Sector workers losing the right to have Union fees deducted from their salaries. I am sure there is other legislation on the table. This government got in on less than 37% of the national vote and they are squeezing us workers for everything they can get. The abhorrent arrogant behaviour of TFL, the Mayor’s office and the government and swayed my support more in favour of the Unions. | I fully support the strike. I know it is about the safety and the work-life balance of the staff of the London Underground. I believe wholeheartedly that the government is trying to make an example of the Transport Unions to drum up support for sanctions on Unions. It is already happening with Public Sector workers losing the right to have Union fees deducted from their salaries. I am sure there is other legislation on the table. This government got in on less than 37% of the national vote and they are squeezing us workers for everything they can get. The abhorrent arrogant behaviour of TFL, the Mayor’s office and the government and swayed my support more in favour of the Unions. |
| Paul Fielding, from Buckinghamshire, said: | Paul Fielding, from Buckinghamshire, said: |
| I commute in to central London every day. Yes, it’s chaos. Yes, it’s frustrating. Yes we all wish there wasn’t a strike but despite the hellish journey in to work I still support the strike. | I commute in to central London every day. Yes, it’s chaos. Yes, it’s frustrating. Yes we all wish there wasn’t a strike but despite the hellish journey in to work I still support the strike. |
| Oxford Circus was actually dangerous yesterday it was so over crowded, but if anything, it made me appreciate the tube service more rather than hating the workers for striking. | Oxford Circus was actually dangerous yesterday it was so over crowded, but if anything, it made me appreciate the tube service more rather than hating the workers for striking. |
| I would rather deal with on-going industrial action than use a service where workers are exploited and subjected to a contract that effectively wipes out the possibility of a work / life balance. They shouldn’t be vilified for wanting what we should all be demanding: fair work. Fair pay. | I would rather deal with on-going industrial action than use a service where workers are exploited and subjected to a contract that effectively wipes out the possibility of a work / life balance. They shouldn’t be vilified for wanting what we should all be demanding: fair work. Fair pay. |
| Have your say here: | Have your say here: |
| Related: Tube strike: are you striking or are you affected? | Related: Tube strike: are you striking or are you affected? |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.01pm BST | at 4.01pm BST |
| 3.53pm BST | 3.53pm BST |
| 15:53 | 15:53 |
| Some Londoners are seeing bright side of life: | Some Londoners are seeing bright side of life: |
| @TfL Tube strike report from Acton... The sun is shining the flowers are being pretty! #tubestrike #overground pic.twitter.com/LcPKMCtcxR | @TfL Tube strike report from Acton... The sun is shining the flowers are being pretty! #tubestrike #overground pic.twitter.com/LcPKMCtcxR |
| 3.51pm BST | 3.51pm BST |
| 15:51 | 15:51 |
| James Walsh | James Walsh |
| Over at our news communities desk, James Walsh says that we’ve been getting comments from tube workers and even from travellers who support the strike: | Over at our news communities desk, James Walsh says that we’ve been getting comments from tube workers and even from travellers who support the strike: |
| I work as a station assistant in central London. I definitely don’t want to be on strike - the amount of grief it causes for me and my colleagues before the strike, and after, is horrible. It becomes open season to attack anyone in an London Underground uniform. All day Wednesday was a barrage of outright abuse and sarcastic comments, fuelled by the media’s selective reporting. The most common comment was “I wish I could get an extra £200 per shift.” Station staff - the ones who will be dealing directly with drunk revellers on the night Tube - aren’t being offered £200 per shift, of course. Few seem to understand that for most of us, this isn’t about money, or even just the night Tube. | I work as a station assistant in central London. I definitely don’t want to be on strike - the amount of grief it causes for me and my colleagues before the strike, and after, is horrible. It becomes open season to attack anyone in an London Underground uniform. All day Wednesday was a barrage of outright abuse and sarcastic comments, fuelled by the media’s selective reporting. The most common comment was “I wish I could get an extra £200 per shift.” Station staff - the ones who will be dealing directly with drunk revellers on the night Tube - aren’t being offered £200 per shift, of course. Few seem to understand that for most of us, this isn’t about money, or even just the night Tube. |
| The TFL staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, added: | The TFL staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, added: |
| It’s about so-called modernisation, perhaps better known as change for change’s sake. I haven’t read anywhere in the press that LU has abolished permanent, rostered station staff. For example, I have worked at my station for around 12 years, and I work to a roster, meaning that I can plan my life like a person doing a normal 9-5 job. LU will now require me to work anywhere on the line, at any hour of the day, and even with their new assurances, only give 28 days notice of rest days. That means that if a friend is getting married in October, I can’t guarantee that I can attend, because I won’t know for sure if I’ll be off on the day in question. That’s the kind of work life balance we’re asking for. Everyone is suffering - thousands of staff, and millions of ordinary Londoners - because of Boris Johnson’s latest vanity project. And as one elderly gentleman remarked to me yesterday, we should get the day Tube working properly before thinking about a night Tube.” | It’s about so-called modernisation, perhaps better known as change for change’s sake. I haven’t read anywhere in the press that LU has abolished permanent, rostered station staff. For example, I have worked at my station for around 12 years, and I work to a roster, meaning that I can plan my life like a person doing a normal 9-5 job. LU will now require me to work anywhere on the line, at any hour of the day, and even with their new assurances, only give 28 days notice of rest days. That means that if a friend is getting married in October, I can’t guarantee that I can attend, because I won’t know for sure if I’ll be off on the day in question. That’s the kind of work life balance we’re asking for. Everyone is suffering - thousands of staff, and millions of ordinary Londoners - because of Boris Johnson’s latest vanity project. And as one elderly gentleman remarked to me yesterday, we should get the day Tube working properly before thinking about a night Tube.” |
| 3.45pm BST | 3.45pm BST |
| 15:45 | 15:45 |
| A map showing all the effing and blinding on Twitter about the #tubestrike is updating live. | A map showing all the effing and blinding on Twitter about the #tubestrike is updating live. |
| Right now, f*ck is at the top of the sweary leader-board. | Right now, f*ck is at the top of the sweary leader-board. |
| 3.37pm BST | 3.37pm BST |
| 15:37 | 15:37 |
| Although there will be no tube service until Friday morning, these other services are still operating: | Although there will be no tube service until Friday morning, these other services are still operating: |
| That’s good to know. | That’s good to know. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.39pm BST | at 3.39pm BST |
| 3.31pm BST | 3.31pm BST |
| 15:31 | 15:31 |
| Just to remind you of the open letter from London Underground, signed by Nick Brown the managing director, stated the revised offer to staff was: | Just to remind you of the open letter from London Underground, signed by Nick Brown the managing director, stated the revised offer to staff was: |
| The letter goes on to say: | The letter goes on to say: |
| The unions rejected this fair offer outright and instead demanded more money, the hiring of even more staff - including for ticket offices that customers no longer use - and a 32 hour, four day week. No employer can afford to meet those sorts of demands. | The unions rejected this fair offer outright and instead demanded more money, the hiring of even more staff - including for ticket offices that customers no longer use - and a 32 hour, four day week. No employer can afford to meet those sorts of demands. |
| 3.22pm BST | 3.22pm BST |
| 15:22 | 15:22 |
| Aisha Gani | Aisha Gani |
| Hello commuters, I’m Aisha Gani and I’ll be taking you through the tube strike in London on this rolling blog for now. | Hello commuters, I’m Aisha Gani and I’ll be taking you through the tube strike in London on this rolling blog for now. |
| So far, we know that: | So far, we know that: |
| 3.01pm BST | 3.01pm BST |
| 15:01 | 15:01 |
| PA has put together a video of Alan Price riding that penny farthing to work to beat the strike. | PA has put together a video of Alan Price riding that penny farthing to work to beat the strike. |
| 2.31pm BST | 2.31pm BST |
| 14:31 | 14:31 |
| Bus company launches investigation into racist abuse by driver | Bus company launches investigation into racist abuse by driver |
| The private bus company Travel Masters says it has launched a full investigation after the driver of one its vehicles was filmed swearing and racially abusing a passenger during the strike. | The private bus company Travel Masters says it has launched a full investigation after the driver of one its vehicles was filmed swearing and racially abusing a passenger during the strike. |
| Martin Clark, transport supervisors at the company confirmed that one of the vehicles was being driven when the incident took place. It was one of the vehicles hired by Transport for London to cope with the extra demand for buses, he said. But Clark pointed out that the driver was employed by a separate company Woods Recruitment. “We have seen the footage. We are going to launch a full investigation. I am personally very disappointed that a person representing the company was acting in that way. It will dealt with very seriously.” | Martin Clark, transport supervisors at the company confirmed that one of the vehicles was being driven when the incident took place. It was one of the vehicles hired by Transport for London to cope with the extra demand for buses, he said. But Clark pointed out that the driver was employed by a separate company Woods Recruitment. “We have seen the footage. We are going to launch a full investigation. I am personally very disappointed that a person representing the company was acting in that way. It will dealt with very seriously.” |
| He said he will be urging Woods Recruitment to take action against the driver who was recorded verbally abusing the unseen passenger and questioning her ability to speak English. “The driver has put our company into disrepute. That company is going to have to discipline him,” Clark said. | He said he will be urging Woods Recruitment to take action against the driver who was recorded verbally abusing the unseen passenger and questioning her ability to speak English. “The driver has put our company into disrepute. That company is going to have to discipline him,” Clark said. |
| Clark added: “There appears to have been a crowd control problem at that stop. There should have been someone at the stop to not allow so many people onto these buses.” | Clark added: “There appears to have been a crowd control problem at that stop. There should have been someone at the stop to not allow so many people onto these buses.” |
| He explained that the full incident would have been filmed on a CCTV camera installed on the bus. | He explained that the full incident would have been filmed on a CCTV camera installed on the bus. |
| A spokesman for Woods Recruitment said “We are reviewing the incident. I have been told not to comment further.” | A spokesman for Woods Recruitment said “We are reviewing the incident. I have been told not to comment further.” |
| #TFL #tubestrike u recruit random drivers to carry us through the strike who think it's OK to abuse its passengers pic.twitter.com/676hztfD4G | #TFL #tubestrike u recruit random drivers to carry us through the strike who think it's OK to abuse its passengers pic.twitter.com/676hztfD4G |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.33pm BST | at 2.33pm BST |
| 1.58pm BST | 1.58pm BST |
| 13:58 | 13:58 |
| As well as paddle boards, roller blades and that penny farthing, skate boards and scooters have also been deployed off by commuters. | As well as paddle boards, roller blades and that penny farthing, skate boards and scooters have also been deployed off by commuters. |
| 1.25pm BST | 1.25pm BST |
| 13:25 | 13:25 |
| Tempers were fraying between a passenger and a swearing bus driver on an extra bus service contracted from the company Travel Masters to cope with the strike, according to this video. | Tempers were fraying between a passenger and a swearing bus driver on an extra bus service contracted from the company Travel Masters to cope with the strike, according to this video. |
| Number 25 bus in ST Pauls #TravelMasters #Buscompany #TFL #HorribleService #RascistDriver pic.twitter.com/iDTMbdt0H2 | Number 25 bus in ST Pauls #TravelMasters #Buscompany #TFL #HorribleService #RascistDriver pic.twitter.com/iDTMbdt0H2 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.41pm BST | at 2.41pm BST |
| 1.00pm BST | 1.00pm BST |
| 13:00 | 13:00 |
| RMT demands meeting with Boris | RMT demands meeting with Boris |
| The RMT has demanded an urgent meeting with London mayor Boris Johnson. | The RMT has demanded an urgent meeting with London mayor Boris Johnson. |
| In a statement General Secretary Mick Cash said: | In a statement General Secretary Mick Cash said: |
| “It has become clear from the media coverage over the past forty eight hours that Boris Johnson has taken direct control of the current tube dispute. | “It has become clear from the media coverage over the past forty eight hours that Boris Johnson has taken direct control of the current tube dispute. |
| “As the Night Tube is his personal project, and as chair of Transport for London, it is now time for the Mayor to reverse his long standing policy of not meeting with the trade unions and to give our negotiators an opportunity to set out the facts to him directly. | “As the Night Tube is his personal project, and as chair of Transport for London, it is now time for the Mayor to reverse his long standing policy of not meeting with the trade unions and to give our negotiators an opportunity to set out the facts to him directly. |
| “From the Mayor’s statements it is clear that he has not got the message that this dispute is not about money it is about work/life balance and it is essential that with Mr Johnson now taking charge of the dispute that he grasps the fundamental issues. That can only happen through a direct meeting which looks like it’s now essential to making serious progress towards a resolution of this dispute.” | “From the Mayor’s statements it is clear that he has not got the message that this dispute is not about money it is about work/life balance and it is essential that with Mr Johnson now taking charge of the dispute that he grasps the fundamental issues. That can only happen through a direct meeting which looks like it’s now essential to making serious progress towards a resolution of this dispute.” |
| Johnson is unlikely to agree, earlier today he said this BBC Radio London: | Johnson is unlikely to agree, earlier today he said this BBC Radio London: |
| “It is total nonsense to say I haven’t met the union leadership. I have met them many times over the years. What I won’t do is sit down and negotiate with them when they are holding a gun to Londoners’ heads. This is something for the management of London Underground. It would be totally wrong for politicians to weigh in when the managers of the tube are trying to sort this out. What the unions want to do is muddy the waters about who is running the tube.” | “It is total nonsense to say I haven’t met the union leadership. I have met them many times over the years. What I won’t do is sit down and negotiate with them when they are holding a gun to Londoners’ heads. This is something for the management of London Underground. It would be totally wrong for politicians to weigh in when the managers of the tube are trying to sort this out. What the unions want to do is muddy the waters about who is running the tube.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.07pm BST | at 1.07pm BST |
| 12.17pm BST | 12.17pm BST |
| 12:17 | 12:17 |
| Aerial footage captures the impact of the strike with trains packed neatly away in depots as bus queue lengthened. | Aerial footage captures the impact of the strike with trains packed neatly away in depots as bus queue lengthened. |
| 12.13pm BST | 12.13pm BST |
| 12:13 | 12:13 |
| Here’s a summary of what’s happened: | Here’s a summary of what’s happened: |
| 11.53am BST | 11.53am BST |
| 11:53 | 11:53 |
| Nic Jackson, development manager at Notonthehighstreet.com, paddled into work from Richmond to Chiswick. | Nic Jackson, development manager at Notonthehighstreet.com, paddled into work from Richmond to Chiswick. |
| 11.44am BST | 11.44am BST |
| 11:44 | 11:44 |
| The Tube strike and England’s great start in the test match at Trent Bridge makes it a good day to bunk off work, comedian Chris Addison points out. | The Tube strike and England’s great start in the test match at Trent Bridge makes it a good day to bunk off work, comedian Chris Addison points out. |
| Australia 19 for 4 before 11.30. Good day for a tube strike. | Australia 19 for 4 before 11.30. Good day for a tube strike. |
| Australia have now collapsed to 29 for six. | Australia have now collapsed to 29 for six. |
| 11.38am BST | 11.38am BST |
| 11:38 | 11:38 |
| Commuters vent their frustration ... | Commuters vent their frustration ... |
| 11.35am BST | 11.35am BST |
| 11:35 | 11:35 |
| Some of press reports have described “travel chaos” but travelling to the Guardian’s offices in central London from Portsmouth was not that bad, writes Rosie Shields. | Some of press reports have described “travel chaos” but travelling to the Guardian’s offices in central London from Portsmouth was not that bad, writes Rosie Shields. |
| There were fewer people on the train from Portsmouth Harbour, probably because many had come in earlier in an attempt to avoid the rush or were choosing to work at home. | There were fewer people on the train from Portsmouth Harbour, probably because many had come in earlier in an attempt to avoid the rush or were choosing to work at home. |
| Admittedly when we got to Waterloo there were huge queues for pretty much every form of onward transport. The lines for a few of the buses were tailing right back into the station. To add to the frustration a number of buses were only running half services. | Admittedly when we got to Waterloo there were huge queues for pretty much every form of onward transport. The lines for a few of the buses were tailing right back into the station. To add to the frustration a number of buses were only running half services. |
| However the Transport for London team really were great, advising me to catch a different bus to the one I had planned which meant I didn’t have to queue and only had a short walk the other end. | However the Transport for London team really were great, advising me to catch a different bus to the one I had planned which meant I didn’t have to queue and only had a short walk the other end. |
| Glad I didn't go for a taxi this morning pic.twitter.com/rDkl1XvcH8 | Glad I didn't go for a taxi this morning pic.twitter.com/rDkl1XvcH8 |
| Definitely chose the right bus, some had queues all the way back into the station! pic.twitter.com/rJUQyQqJit | Definitely chose the right bus, some had queues all the way back into the station! pic.twitter.com/rJUQyQqJit |
| Shout out to the Transport for London people who helped me pick the right bus this morning! pic.twitter.com/eDqYYUl2F0 | Shout out to the Transport for London people who helped me pick the right bus this morning! pic.twitter.com/eDqYYUl2F0 |
| Admittedly others didn't have such a good journey #cramped pic.twitter.com/hSmY01GZgu | Admittedly others didn't have such a good journey #cramped pic.twitter.com/hSmY01GZgu |
| 11.25am BST | 11.25am BST |
| 11:25 | 11:25 |
| The unions and London mayor Boris Johnson have resorted to trading insults. Johnson accused the union leadership of being boneheaded (see earlier). Steve Hedley, RMT’s senior assistant general secretary, responded by calling the mayor a lying buffoon. | The unions and London mayor Boris Johnson have resorted to trading insults. Johnson accused the union leadership of being boneheaded (see earlier). Steve Hedley, RMT’s senior assistant general secretary, responded by calling the mayor a lying buffoon. |
| Speaking to BBC London he said: “That buffoon Boris Johnson doesn’t know what he’s talking about. We’ve seen the [proposed night tube] rosters. They are an absolute nightmare. They are trying to roster people 23 weekends out of 24. They are telling lies.” | Speaking to BBC London he said: “That buffoon Boris Johnson doesn’t know what he’s talking about. We’ve seen the [proposed night tube] rosters. They are an absolute nightmare. They are trying to roster people 23 weekends out of 24. They are telling lies.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.25am BST | at 11.25am BST |
| 10.34am BST | 10.34am BST |
| 10:34 | 10:34 |
| Penny farthing man | Penny farthing man |
| Alan Price deserves come kind of prize for biking in on a penny farthing. | Alan Price deserves come kind of prize for biking in on a penny farthing. |
| 10.23am BST | 10.23am BST |
| 10:23 | 10:23 |
| Fewer traffic jams than last month's strike | Fewer traffic jams than last month's strike |
| Today’s strike has caused less disruption than last month’s walkout because it comes when many Londoners are on holiday, according to figures from the sat nav company TomTom. | Today’s strike has caused less disruption than last month’s walkout because it comes when many Londoners are on holiday, according to figures from the sat nav company TomTom. |
| At 8.45am there were 428 separate traffic jams causing 197 miles of tailbacks, TomTom told PA. | At 8.45am there were 428 separate traffic jams causing 197 miles of tailbacks, TomTom told PA. |
| That was double the congestion at the same time last Thursday, although not as bad as the previous Tube strike a month ago when there were 1,445 jams and 761 miles of delays. | That was double the congestion at the same time last Thursday, although not as bad as the previous Tube strike a month ago when there were 1,445 jams and 761 miles of delays. |
| The most congested roads were around Parliament Square (delays of 48 minutes) and on the A40 from Wood Lane to Marylebone Road (30 minutes). | The most congested roads were around Parliament Square (delays of 48 minutes) and on the A40 from Wood Lane to Marylebone Road (30 minutes). |
| ‘With many Londoners away on holiday and no school runs, the roads were not as congested this morning as they were during the last strike four weeks ago,’ said a TomTom spokesman. | ‘With many Londoners away on holiday and no school runs, the roads were not as congested this morning as they were during the last strike four weeks ago,’ said a TomTom spokesman. |
| By way of comparison here’s the same map of traffic jams during last month’s strike. | By way of comparison here’s the same map of traffic jams during last month’s strike. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.48am BST | at 10.48am BST |
| 10.04am BST | 10.04am BST |
| 10:04 | 10:04 |
| The Conservatives are challenging Labour to condemn the strike. | The Conservatives are challenging Labour to condemn the strike. |
| Will @UKLabour condemn these unwarranted attacks on working people or continue to put unaccountable union bosses first? #tubestrike | Will @UKLabour condemn these unwarranted attacks on working people or continue to put unaccountable union bosses first? #tubestrike |
| The Labour leadership candidates haven’t said much about the strike lately, but MP Diane Abbott, who is backing Jeremy Corbyn’s bid, did tweet in support of the walk out. | The Labour leadership candidates haven’t said much about the strike lately, but MP Diane Abbott, who is backing Jeremy Corbyn’s bid, did tweet in support of the walk out. |
| If you think Tube drivers are overpaid, you don't understand how capitalism works http://t.co/TJ8VzWyvP7 | If you think Tube drivers are overpaid, you don't understand how capitalism works http://t.co/TJ8VzWyvP7 |
| 9.32am BST | 9.32am BST |
| 09:32 | 09:32 |
| The worst for buses are outside London’s big stations such as Victoria and Liverpool Street. | The worst for buses are outside London’s big stations such as Victoria and Liverpool Street. |
| The queue at Victoria station waiting for buses earlier (there is 30 secs more of this) #tubestrike pic.twitter.com/ItfeTMvuYF | The queue at Victoria station waiting for buses earlier (there is 30 secs more of this) #tubestrike pic.twitter.com/ItfeTMvuYF |
| The queue for buses at Liverpool Street now almost stretches the length of the station #tubestrike @BBCTravelAlert pic.twitter.com/rh5wwGPeSo | The queue for buses at Liverpool Street now almost stretches the length of the station #tubestrike @BBCTravelAlert pic.twitter.com/rh5wwGPeSo |
| 9.26am BST | 9.26am BST |
| 09:26 | 09:26 |
| Extra Boris bikes have been put on at Waterloo, according to this image from Martyn Thomas. | Extra Boris bikes have been put on at Waterloo, according to this image from Martyn Thomas. |
| Lots of Boris Bikes, down the hill from Waterloo Station. #tubestrike pic.twitter.com/ni3jKEui4A | Lots of Boris Bikes, down the hill from Waterloo Station. #tubestrike pic.twitter.com/ni3jKEui4A |
| But many people have been beating the strike on their own bikes. | But many people have been beating the strike on their own bikes. |
| While others have taken to rollerblades. | While others have taken to rollerblades. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.28am BST | at 9.28am BST |
| 9.20am BST | 9.20am BST |
| 09:20 | 09:20 |
| Former Housemartin and Beautiful South frontman Paul Heaton is backing the strike. | Former Housemartin and Beautiful South frontman Paul Heaton is backing the strike. |
| #solidarity with #RMT and #ASLEF members | #solidarity with #RMT and #ASLEF members |
| Greg Hands, chief secretary to the Treasury, isn’t. | Greg Hands, chief secretary to the Treasury, isn’t. |
| The TfL offer is fair, sensible and generous & will see no-one working more hours than they do today. RMT #tubestrike is wrong. | The TfL offer is fair, sensible and generous & will see no-one working more hours than they do today. RMT #tubestrike is wrong. |
| 9.11am BST | 9.11am BST |
| 09:11 | 09:11 |
| David a station assistant on London Underground, thinks the night tube is great idea, but he says he is on strike because of the way the new system is being implemented without regard for the work/life balance of staff. | David a station assistant on London Underground, thinks the night tube is great idea, but he says he is on strike because of the way the new system is being implemented without regard for the work/life balance of staff. |
| Writing on the TUC’s Stronger Unions blog he says: | Writing on the TUC’s Stronger Unions blog he says: |
| I currently work 35 to 40 hours a week, doing shifts of 7 1/2 hours. Currently they start as early as 5am, and finish as late as 1am. The changes London Underground Ltd wants won’t mean me working more hours, but they will alter my shift patterns, making me work more unsocial hours to cover the new all-night shifts, some of which would be 12 hours long. | I currently work 35 to 40 hours a week, doing shifts of 7 1/2 hours. Currently they start as early as 5am, and finish as late as 1am. The changes London Underground Ltd wants won’t mean me working more hours, but they will alter my shift patterns, making me work more unsocial hours to cover the new all-night shifts, some of which would be 12 hours long. |
| Along with many others, I’m being reclassified as a ‘supervisor’. That basically means the new night shifts will be compulsory and non-negotiable, and many of us will have to do solo staffing of stations as staff are stretched out to cover. | Along with many others, I’m being reclassified as a ‘supervisor’. That basically means the new night shifts will be compulsory and non-negotiable, and many of us will have to do solo staffing of stations as staff are stretched out to cover. |
| My wife and I have two boys and a girl, aged 15, 12 and 4. Between us, we’ve worked out a pattern that lets me be home to look after the kids, whilst my wife works evenings from 5pm to 9pm. It often feels that my wife and I don’t see enough of each other, but we need the two incomes. | My wife and I have two boys and a girl, aged 15, 12 and 4. Between us, we’ve worked out a pattern that lets me be home to look after the kids, whilst my wife works evenings from 5pm to 9pm. It often feels that my wife and I don’t see enough of each other, but we need the two incomes. |
| This will only get worse under the new terms. I can take my eldest son to RAF cadets, and my daughter to her karate class in the evenings, but the new days I have to work could put paid to that. Our childcare costs will go up too, and evening childcare is especially expensive. | This will only get worse under the new terms. I can take my eldest son to RAF cadets, and my daughter to her karate class in the evenings, but the new days I have to work could put paid to that. Our childcare costs will go up too, and evening childcare is especially expensive. |
| My colleagues and I are worried about safety, and what it’ll mean for the tube service itself. Depending on rotas, we may have to work 7 shifts in a week, and only be guaranteed a 12 hour gap between an all-night shift and our next shift. If I’m the only one at the station, that responsibility is worrying if I’ll be tired – what if someone’s taken ill on the platform, or a drunken disturbance, if I’m tired-out and working a station alone? I’m also likely to see more verbal or physical abuse on all-night services, which is a big concern ... | My colleagues and I are worried about safety, and what it’ll mean for the tube service itself. Depending on rotas, we may have to work 7 shifts in a week, and only be guaranteed a 12 hour gap between an all-night shift and our next shift. If I’m the only one at the station, that responsibility is worrying if I’ll be tired – what if someone’s taken ill on the platform, or a drunken disturbance, if I’m tired-out and working a station alone? I’m also likely to see more verbal or physical abuse on all-night services, which is a big concern ... |
| IF LU press ahead with these compulsory changes it’s going to be terrible for my family, and that’s my bottom line. The kids are growing up fast and I don’t want to miss out. I’m worried I’ll be too tired to spend quality time with them because of chopping and changing between early morning, late evening and all-night shifts. | IF LU press ahead with these compulsory changes it’s going to be terrible for my family, and that’s my bottom line. The kids are growing up fast and I don’t want to miss out. I’m worried I’ll be too tired to spend quality time with them because of chopping and changing between early morning, late evening and all-night shifts. |
| I think a lot of it is just politics – the Mayor shouldn’t have promised a start date for night trains before negotiating fair shift arrangements with staff. He doesn’t want to admit he messed up, so he’s making out we’re the ones to blame. | I think a lot of it is just politics – the Mayor shouldn’t have promised a start date for night trains before negotiating fair shift arrangements with staff. He doesn’t want to admit he messed up, so he’s making out we’re the ones to blame. |
| 8.59am BST | 8.59am BST |
| 08:59 | 08:59 |
| Aslef leader Mick Whelan has defended the unions’s decision not to put London Underground’s offer to members. In an interview with BBC Radio London he said the management had not been clear about the offer. “We are not getting sufficient or definite answers that allow us to go to our members to put something to them to say ‘this is an acceptable way forward’.” | Aslef leader Mick Whelan has defended the unions’s decision not to put London Underground’s offer to members. In an interview with BBC Radio London he said the management had not been clear about the offer. “We are not getting sufficient or definite answers that allow us to go to our members to put something to them to say ‘this is an acceptable way forward’.” |
| Whelan added: “We are not against the night tube. We would like work in partnership to deliver a night tube in a reasonable and adequate manner.” | Whelan added: “We are not against the night tube. We would like work in partnership to deliver a night tube in a reasonable and adequate manner.” |
| Hainult picket line 😀 pic.twitter.com/aJ8gF1HB3s | Hainult picket line 😀 pic.twitter.com/aJ8gF1HB3s |
| 8.49am BST | 8.49am BST |
| 08:49 | 08:49 |
| Here’s the scene at the ticket barriers at Clapham ... | Here’s the scene at the ticket barriers at Clapham ... |
| Massive queue at ticket barriers at Clapham Junction. #tubestrike @itvlondon pic.twitter.com/rYadEVI5m5 | Massive queue at ticket barriers at Clapham Junction. #tubestrike @itvlondon pic.twitter.com/rYadEVI5m5 |