A major subway strike has led to the closure of much of the London Underground network today.
Four Tube lines are completely closed during the 24-hour Transport for London (TfL) tour, while six operate a “special service”, with trains running only on less central sections.
London Overground, DLR, London Tram, London Bus and National Rail are working, but are expected to be “heavier than usual”, TfL warned, with the Elizabeth line potentially closing at stations also served by the Tube.
TfL advises people to “avoid traveling where possible” and to keep basic travel after 8 am and before 6 pm.
RMT Union said the action was in response to proposals that would cut 600 jobs and break current work agreements, with Secretary-General Mick Lynch urging “a face-to-face meeting with Mayor Sadiq Khan to resolve this mess”.
“There is no point in our union continuing to sit against representatives of the leadership who have neither the desire nor the authority to negotiate an agreement when the mayor is in power,” he said.
Key points
Show the latest update 1654523569
Why are TfL workers on strike?
Here is an infographic shared by the RMT branch in Bakerloo explaining why TfL workers are on strike.
Employees are on strike to “stop job cuts, protect our conditions and protect our pensions”, RMT said, attacking TfL bosses for “complying with Tories’ demands” regarding the conditions imposed for short-term financial rescue. time of the pandemic, which refers to these three areas.
Andy Gregory June 6, 2022 2:52 p.m.
1654521087
Chaos: Lost travelers in London react to strike
Here are some thoughts from commuters caught in the 24-hour strike this morning, in which 4,000 members of the RMT Union took a walk as part of a dispute over jobs and pensions.
Miguel Basantes was stranded at Paddington Station as he tried to get to work in Hampstead.
The 54-year-old construction worker described the situation as “chaos”, telling the PA news agency: “There were crowds on Liverpool Street and I waited 20 or 30 minutes. I don’t know how to get to work. “
Among the frustrated passengers gathered at the entrance to Waterloo Station was Charlotte of Serbiton, who said she was unsure if she would be able to complete her trip to Canary Wharf after nearly an hour.
“We’ll see if something opens up and I go home if it doesn’t,” she said. “I’m sure everyone will be delayed in coming today.”
“I don’t necessarily see the reason for the strike,” she said. “It doesn’t seem justified to cause so much disruption, especially when London starts working again. This seems to be a big obstacle for the city. “
Andy Gregory6 June 2022 14:11
1654519047
№ 10 condemns the “deeply disappointing” strikes
Downing Street condemned the “deeply disappointing” strike on the London Underground, calling it “industrial relations” in Transport for London “a matter for TfL and the mayor”.
“This kind of action is deeply disappointing and it’s not what the public wants to see, it’s not what we want to see for a business that is still trying to recover from the pandemic, people’s lives are being disrupted in London.” said a spokesman for Boris Johnson.
“Obviously, industrial relations in TfL are a matter for TfL and the mayor, but it is clear that under this financing agreement, TfL must take all reasonable steps to avoid industrial action.”
Andy Gregory June 6, 2022 1:37 p.m.
1654517127
“I don’t want to see a strike,” said Keir Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer could not say whether he supported the Tube strikes, but accused the government of “starving TfL for the money they need”.
“What I want is to see an end to the strikes and that is allowed. This must be resolved through negotiations in the end, “the Labor leader told LBC, adding:” I do not pretend to know all the details, but what I know about the conflicting issues, I think they are in able to decide. I think they need to be resolved. I think it’s in everyone’s interest. “
He accused the government of “starving TfL for the money it needs”, adding: “The decline is actually a direct result of the government’s approach”.
Pressed to support the strike, he added: “Look, I don’t want to see a strike. I want to see this resolved. I want to see this negotiated agreement. I think the failure or inability to take these 600 jobs is all about government funding, so we can’t pretend that the government is an impartial observer here, they are a central player and you have to step in and invest the funding. “
Andy Gregory6 June 2022 13:05
1654515429
Buses and unaffected lines are “busier than usual”, warns TfL
While buses, the DLR, the Elizabeth Line, trams and overground services remain unaffected by strikes today, they are “heavier than usual”, TfL warned.
Transport authorities have urged Londoners to leave more time for travel and consider alternatives such as walking and cycling.
Andy Gregory June 6, 2022 12:37 p.m.
1654513252
The strike caused further traffic jams in London
The subway strike caused delays on London’s roads, affecting private cars, commercial vehicles and buses.
Location technology company TomTom said traffic congestion was 71 percent at 8 a.m., up 64 percent two weeks earlier.
The figures represent the ratio of the extra time required for travel compared to free flow conditions.
Zoe Tidman June 6, 2022 12:00 p.m.
1654510893
How do travelers react?
Travelers in London are trying to move through the capital, as the usual routes have been stopped.
Construction worker Miguel Basantes was stranded at Paddington Station as he tried to get to work in Hampstead.
The 54-year-old said: “There were crowds on Liverpool Street and I waited 20 or 30 minutes. I don’t know how to get to work. “
Meanwhile, Kundan Darla, a 25-year-old restaurant employee, said: “I think it’s bad, I’m late for work.”
Paul Glennon, a 52-year-old construction worker in central London, said: “It’s coming back to reality for all of us. No more parties and parades.
“I spent my whole morning climbing up and waiting for buses full of rain.”
Travelers try to board a bus in front of Victoria Rail Station after a strike on the London Underground
(AFP via Getty Images)
Zoe Tidman June 6, 2022 11:21
1654509612
Rail strikes “not necessarily the best way to ensure a strong future for the industry”
London is once again stricken by a strike in the subway involving members of the RMT union. Transport to London, which runs the metro, has been accused by the union of threatening 600 jobs, breaking employment agreements and posing an “imminent threat to pensions”. Railway unions have also been planning the biggest train strike in the country in decades.
In his latest travel podcast, travel correspondent Simon Calder said: “I absolutely understand where subway workers come from – and railroad workers. They were expected to work all the way through Covid and keep the country moving. “
But, as he points out, public transport finances have been completely shattered by the coronavirus pandemic. There is a funding gap of at least 20 percent, and the railways – underground and above ground – depend on taxpayer support to keep working.
“I am not convinced that today’s strike and the national shutdown planned for the summer are necessarily the best way to ensure a strong future for the industry,” he said.
Simon Calder June 6, 2022 11:00
1654509432
How can passengers travel around London during today’s subway strike?
A widespread strike by Transport for London workers led to the closure of the metro network in the city center today.
The interruptions are expected to continue until after 8 am on Tuesday, June 7.
TfL advises customers to “avoid traveling where possible on Monday 6 June” and to “avoid traveling before 8.00 am” on Tuesday.
“If you have to travel, spend more time traveling,” the council said.
But if you have an important trip, how can you tour London today?
Read our guide for still available transport options:
Helen Coffey June 6, 2022 10:57
1654508437
Grant Shaps tweets in support of Boris Johnson
London is paralyzed by another subway strike. Airlines are still canceling flights in the hundreds. And amid the growing chaos at UK airports, tens of thousands of passengers are still stranded.
But Transport Minister Grant Shaps took the time to tweete his support for the prime minister, who is facing a vote of confidence from conservative lawmakers.
Mr Schaps wrote: “With rising living costs, the war in Europe and the recovery of the economy after Covid, now is not the time for a distracting and divisive race for leadership.
“@BorisJohnson has my support – we must support him to continue working to provide the British.”
The transport secretary is one of the prime minister’s most loyal supporters, defending him over and over again on the air.
Simon Calder June 6, 2022 10:40
Add Comment