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Tube strike causes widespread disruption in London London night tube plan could be delayed as strike causes disruption
(about 2 hours later)
The first full day of the tube strike has caused widespread disruption in the capital, with the closure of London Underground leaving many roads jammed and buses packed and disrupted. The introduction of all-night tube services faces delay, the mayor of London has admitted, during a day of strike action that has caused widespread disruption in the capital, with the closure of London Underground leaving many roads jammed and buses packed and disrupted.
The industrial action brought by all four tube unions saw the network close early after a packed rush hour on Wednesday evening, in a dispute over the introduction of all-night tube services. But Boris Johnson ruled out direct talks with unions to resolve the dispute over the introduction of the night tube, which was scheduled to start in just over a month.
The industrial action brought by all four tube unions caused widespread disruption on Thursday, as commuters sought to find alternative means of transport from the tube, which normally sees 4m journeys daily.
Transport for London said it had deploying more than 600 “travel ambassadors” to help people find their way on foot or other means during the stoppage, which began after a packed rush hour on Wednesday evening.
TfL put 250 extra buses into service, including vintage Routemasters, to boost capacity on the main commuter routes, and opened additional cycle hire hubs in central London to help meet demand. But it said it had also taken advantage of the stoppage to press forward with engineering work on the network and new Crossrail infrastructure.
Unions said the industrial action taken by their members was “rock solid”. Thursday’s tube strike was the second in a month, followingone on 9 July.Unions said the industrial action taken by their members was “rock solid”. Thursday’s tube strike was the second in a month, followingone on 9 July.
Related: Tube strike: night service row shuts down London Underground – live updatesRelated: Tube strike: night service row shuts down London Underground – live updates
Transport for London said it was deploying more than 600 “travel ambassadors” to help people find their way on foot or by alternative means of transport from the tube, which sees 4m journeys daily. TfL put 250 extra buses into service, including vintage Routemasters, to boost capacity on the main commuter routes and opened additional cycle hire hubs in central London to help meet demand.
While many commuters turned to bicycles and walking, increased traffic caused jams on the north circular, the Westway, the A13 and Euston Road. However, the impact of the strike has been lessened by the numbers of Londoners on holiday, according to traffic analysts at TomTom, which reported much greater congestion during the last strike in July, before schools broke up.While many commuters turned to bicycles and walking, increased traffic caused jams on the north circular, the Westway, the A13 and Euston Road. However, the impact of the strike has been lessened by the numbers of Londoners on holiday, according to traffic analysts at TomTom, which reported much greater congestion during the last strike in July, before schools broke up.
The DLR, Overground and national rail services were continuing to run as normal but were busier, and TfL advised passengers to avoid the morning and evening peaks if possible. Long queues were reported for bus and overground services around mainline rail stations in particular. The DLR, overground and national rail services continued to run as normal but were busier, and TfL advised passengers to avoid the morning and evening peaks if possible. Long queues were reported for bus and overground services around mainline rail stations in particular.
The dispute is over terms and conditions for the introduction of the night tube service, which will see 24-hour services on central London lines on weekends. Although London Underground said no staff would be forced to work longer hours or additional shifts, and that employees could choose to work nights or not after an unspecified “transitional period”, unions are seeking guarantees that TfL appear unwilling to give. The RMT union said the introduction had been rushed and could jeopardise maintenance, threatening the quality and safety of the wider tube service. The dispute is over terms and conditions for the introduction of the night tube service, which will see 24-hour services on central London lines on weekends. Although London Underground said no staff would be forced to work longer hours or additional shifts, and that employees could choose to work nights or not after a “transitional period” of up to a year, unions are seeking guarantees that TfL appears unwilling to give. The RMT union said the introduction had been rushed and could jeopardise maintenance, threatening the quality and safety of the wider tube service.
The mayor, Boris Johnson, has now indicated that the start date for the introduction of the night tube could be postponed – a concession that may allow time for negotiations to avert further strikes. Johnson said he was “not fussed” about the new service starting on 12 September: “I want it starting in the autumn – what I am fussed about is the offer being put to union members. The mayor, Boris Johnson, indicated the start date for the introduction of the night tube could be postponed – a concession that may allow time for negotiations to avert further strikes. Johnson said he was “not fussed” about the new service starting on 12 September: “I want it starting in the autumn – what I am fussed about is the offer being put to union members.
“I am not going to authorise any more money. Most people would recognise that this is a very generous deal.”“I am not going to authorise any more money. Most people would recognise that this is a very generous deal.”
Mick Whelan, general secretary of drivers union Aslef, said: “We are not against the night tube if it’s run in a reasonable and adequate manner.” But he said he did not believe it could be introduced by 12 September. A TfL spokesman confirmed that the date was likely to slip, and said that London Underground had always regarded it as a target that could only be reached with agreement, and not if the price was too high.
Mick Whelan, general secretary of the drivers’ union, Aslef, said: “We are not against the night tube if it’s run in a reasonable and adequate manner.” But he said he did not believe it could be introduced by 12 September.
Staff have been offered 2% and a guaranteed 1% or RPI rise next year, as well as bonus payments for drivers working the new night shifts, but union representatives insist that pay is not the sticking point. Unions called for direct meetings with Johnson after his comments.Staff have been offered 2% and a guaranteed 1% or RPI rise next year, as well as bonus payments for drivers working the new night shifts, but union representatives insist that pay is not the sticking point. Unions called for direct meetings with Johnson after his comments.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “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. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “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 longstanding 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 with Mr Johnson now taking charge of the dispute that he grasps the fundamental issues. That can only happen through a direct meeting.”“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 with Mr Johnson now taking charge of the dispute that he grasps the fundamental issues. That can only happen through a direct meeting.”
The strikes continued throughout Thursday but tube services should be restored on Friday. Talks at Acas were expected to resume next week. Johnson however indicated that would not happen, and a spokesman categorically ruled out any prospect of direct talks between the mayor and unions.
Steve Griffiths, London Underground’s chief operating officer, said 137 new drivers and 345 new station staff had been taken on ready for the night tube service. He said: “I am sorry that the unions have rejected our extremely fair offer outright and that the journeys of our customers will be disrupted today. We have a volunteer army of hundreds on hand to help London’s workers, residents and visitors get around during the strike. I thank customers for their patience as they make their journeys today.” The strikes continued throughout Thursday but tube services should be restored on Friday. Talks at Acas were expected to resume next week. Unions did not rule out further strikes.
Steve Griffiths, London Underground’s chief operating officer, said 137 new drivers and 345 new station staff had been taken on ready for the night tube service. He said: “We thank our customers for bearing with us during this unnecessary strike action. I am sorry that many people’s journeys have been difficult today, but we are doing everything we can to get our customers around by other means. We have also taken advantage of the fact no trains are running by making progress with engineering work.
“The evening peak will be very busy again tonight, so we urge people to travel at other times if they can and allow a bit more time for their journeys.”