More Tube disruption as RMT union talks collapse

6 hours ago 57

EPA Westminster Tube station with its shutter closed and people standing outside it. EPA

Nearly all London Underground services are suspended during the industrial action

Industrial relations on London Underground have "totally collapsed", a union leader has warned, amid a strike by Tube workers that virtually shut down the network.

It means travellers in London will continue to face disruption as thousands of members of the union take strike action over pay and working hours.

Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Eddie Dempsey said the negotiations became fruitless after the union uncovered Transport for London (TfL) plans to shut Elizabeth line ticket offices - something TfL denies.

Mr Dempsey said further disputes loomed over those alleged proposals as well as pay and conditions of cleaners.

EPA An aerial view of several Tube trains stationary, parked at a depot. EPA

Tube trains remained parked in depots on Tuesday, as the network came to a virtual standstill

With the exception of the Northern line, running a reduced timetable, all Tube services were suspended on Tuesday.

The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) has also shut down due to a strike by RMT union members as part of of a separate dispute.

TfL said it had made a "fair" pay offer of 3.4% and that the the union's demand for a shorter working week of 32 hours was "unaffordable".

Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, said she was "bitterly disappointed" the strike went ahead, calling the demands "unaffordable and impractical".

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said he urged the RMT to get around the table with TfL to resolve the dispute.

Downing Street has also called on the RMT union and TfL to get back to the negotiating table to end the strike.

EPA/Shutterstock A large group of people queue at a busy London bus stop next to red double-decker buses, with two women walking past in the foreground. EPA/Shutterstock

Buses and other modes of transport saw increased demand

People trying to get around the capital turned to buses, boats, bikes, cars and walking routes, with many struggling to reach their destinations.

BBC newsgathering journalists reported Elizabeth line, Overground, rail and walking routes to be far less busy than they were on Monday.

At the start of the working week, TfL said footfall on London Overground and Elizabeth line services increased by 31%, noting that these lines had likely been absorbing displaced Tube passengers.

Long queues were seen at bus stops in central London, while bike rental schemes Lime, Forest and Santander reported increased uptake on Monday.

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