Union Leaders for London Underground Maintenance Workers Talk with Mayor

It now seems that union leaders have called urgent talks with London’s mayor in order to avert two 48 hour strikes by London Underground maintenance workers. Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union that are employed by Tube Lines are due to walkout from 7pm on June 23 and again on July 14^th.

The union went on to say that it had been unable to receive assurance on jobs, working conditions and pay. This is assurance that the union is looking for as work transfers to Transport for London. The strike will have severe consequences across the Tube network. This goes double for the Piccadilly, Northern and Jubilee lines.

Bob Crow, who is the General secretary of the Union said, that with Transport for London and the mayor making a big noise about buying out and taking over Tube Lines, they also need to take responsibility for the mess that the company had left behind. This, of course, includes disputes over jobs, pay and working conditions with Tube Lines employees.

He went on to say that the mayor cannot wash his hands of his dispute. Right now Londoners will favor massive disruption if the union fails to get assurance on the key points that have provoked the strike action in the first place. He noted that the mayor has to show some real leadership, and that means direct talks with the Rail Maritime and Transport union.

A spokesperson for Transport for London said that, as the Rail Maritime and Transport union knows, they do not currently control Tube Lines. They are working to conclude the acquisition of the company by the end of June. This is something that will benefit all Londoners by effectively ending the public private partnership, which has wasted hundreds of million of pounds.