Metro stations across London will remain closed due to a strike today, creating suffering on commuting trips for workers as they try to return to their jobs after four days Platinum anniversary weekend.
London Underground advised people not to travel, warning of serious network outages since the service began on Monday and lasted until 8 a.m. Tuesday.
Under the gray sky and rain, tired passengers formed long queues at bus stops, while traffic began on city road networks.
The chaos was caused by members of the Railway, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT), who are taking industrial action in the dispute over jobs and pensions.
And today’s action could only be the beginning of a terrible “summer of discontent”, after the unions recently threatened a national strike of railways, as a result of which Network Rail will be forced to work on a frame schedule to reserve freight routes – only with passengers to access key services .
Transport for London (TfL) warned on Monday that some trains would run, but many stations, especially in central and south London, would be closed and others could only open for limited periods.
Other TfL services, including DLR, London Overground and trams, are not affected by the industrial action and will work but will be more busy.
The only subway lines available today are the Jubilee Line, between Finchley Road and Stanmore, and the North Line, between Edgeworth and Golders Green, East Finchley and High Barnet, and between Finchley Central and Mill. -Hill-East.
Long queues formed near bus stops across the capital on Monday morning, as most metro stations remained closed.
London Underground stations will be closed until 8am on Tuesday after the RMT union organized a round-the-clock walk in a dispute over pensions and salaries. In the photo: passengers are not allowed to enter Tottenham Court Road
Interruptions will last until 8 a.m. Tuesday, and passengers face chaos when they return to work after a four-day platinum anniversary weekend.
TfL said there were no proposals for pensions or conditions and no one would lose their job because of the proposals set out.
Under previous financing agreements, the government has committed TfL to work towards achieving the financial sustainability of its operations by April 2023.
TfL has suggested not recruiting about 500 to 600 positions as they become vacant.
Andy Lord, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: “I would like to apologize to London for the impact this strike will have on travel.
“We know it will hurt London and the economy, at a time when public transport is playing a crucial role in rebuilding the capital.
“While our focus is always on helping everyone travel around London if they want, the expected impact of RMT’s actions means we should encourage people to travel only when needed as many stations may be closed.
“Subway alternatives, including bus and rail networks, are likely to be much busier than usual, and we expect the major disruptions caused by this strike to continue until the morning of Tuesday, June 7th.
In the photo: traffic on the Blackwall Tunnel Road is growing, as passengers have no choice but to find alternative vehicles to the subway network
“No changes in pensions have been proposed, and no one has lost or will lose their job as a result of our proposals.
“Working with us to find a solution is the best course of action to avoid the disruptions that this strike will cause to the people of London and the economy.”
The RMT noted that, according to current proposals, 600 jobs will be lost, employment agreements will be terminated, and the threat to pensions remains.
Secretary-General Mick Lynch said: “We need a direct meeting with Mayor Sadiq Khan to sort out this mess.
“It makes no sense for our union to continue to sit in front of representatives of the leadership, who have neither the inclination nor the authority to negotiate a settlement if the power belongs to the mayor.”
Richard Burge, executive director of the London Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are very disappointed that RMT has called for a mass exodus of TfL workers in such close proximity to the Queen’s anniversary weekend when London will be full of visitors.
“The last two years have hit London disproportionately hard, and the capital is desperately trying to regain a sense of normalcy after a turbulent two years.
“This strike now puts TfL in a position to encourage Londoners to work from home.
At the bus stop at Victoria Station in central London amid chaos in suburban communication due to subway strikes queues are formed
Rain rains on weary passengers as they board a bus in central London on Monday
The normally packed Victoria station was closed Monday morning due to an RMT strike
“Ultimately, it will only hurt London’s economy, and it’s time for TfL to sort out their dispute with RMT so we can get back to building prosperity and show the world that London is an open business.”
RMT members on the subway are also taking steps to strike, which means station staff may not work overtime until Sunday, July 10, which could lead to the station closing in the short term.
Business leaders today criticized the latest strike, saying it would only “damage London’s economy”.
Richard Burge, executive director of the London Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are very disappointed that RMT has called for a mass exodus of TfL workers in such close proximity to the Queen’s anniversary weekend when London will be full of visitors.
“The last two years have hit London disproportionately, and the capital is desperately trying to regain a sense of normalcy after a turbulent two years.
“This strike now puts TfL in a position to encourage Londoners to work from home.
“Ultimately, it will only hurt London’s economy, and it’s time for TfL to sort out their dispute with RMT so we can get back to building prosperity and show the world that London is an open business.”
