LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The capital has been further disrupted by a second Tube strike in three days.
In a dispute over pensions and jobs, over 10,000 RMT union members began a 24-hour walkout at 00:01 GMT, as they did on Tuesday.
Because most of the 11 lines are closed, officials advised commuters to work from home or take other modes of transportation.
Passengers were urged not to travel until at least 07:30 on Wednesday, and a knock-on effect on services is predicted on Friday.
Huge lines formed at bus and taxi stops as commuters shifted to alternative modes of public transportation to go to work.
Rejoice, who was driving her grandson to school this morning, is one of several people who have seen crowded buses pass by her stop in White City, west London.
“It’s been a bit horrible,” admits the 56-year-old nursery worker. Because the roads are congested today, I had to leave extra early. The traffic is terrible.
“You have to walk to the next stop where you know a lot of people will get off simply to try and get there when the bus is packed and drives past you.”
‘Drivers act as though they are blind.’
The London Underground strikes, according to one rider, disproportionately targeted people who are “not lucky enough to work from home.”
“It’s OK for some,” Sharon Lennox, 31, a security officer waiting for a bus near Oxford Circus, remarked. They don’t have to waste time standing here all day.
“I am not one of those fortunate enough to be able to work from home. I’ve tried tapping on the bus doors, but the drivers act as if they don’t see me.”
The RMT is concerned that budget cuts connected to a government financing deal will result in the loss of hundreds of jobs, decreased pensions, and worse working conditions.
TfL’s chief operating officer, Andy Lord, said: “I would advise everyone who needs to use the Tube on Thursday to check ahead of time, see if they can work from home, and take alternate modes of transportation if possible.
“There is a slim chance that an Underground service will operate during the strike, and if one does, it will not run late into the evening.
“Because of a number of reasons, including the placement of drivers and trains following a day without service, services will be severely hampered until mid-morning on Friday.
“I apologise to customers and realise that they are disappointed by the strike action, but I urge them not to take their frustrations out on those who are only trying to help.”
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, said: “This morning, our members on the London Underground are making it clear that they will not be used as players in a political battle between the mayor and the government that threatens their futures and livelihoods.
“TfL’s funding dilemma, which is at the heart of this dispute, was not caused by us, and our members are not willing to pay a high price to fix it.
“This week, we’ve witnessed employees across London pushing back against attacks on themselves and their coworkers as a result of political manoeuvres beyond their control.”
