Victoria Line Strike over Doors & Bullying

From 9pm tonight, 21st April, around 180 drivers on the Victoria Line will walk out in a row over door safety equipment, bullying and harassment. Workers from the Seven Sisters London Underground depot in north London are taking part in the strike.


RMT union members claim the Tube trains on this line need safety features to prevent doors from opening on the wrong side. Bob Crow from the RMT said "There can be no excuse for the failure to install Correct Door Side Enabling Equipment. It is operational on all other sections of the Underground and this dangerous penny-pinching on the Victoria Line puts both our members and the general public at risk."

As far as the bullying is concerned, the 24 hour strike is also over the demand for the reinstatement of a sacked train driver, the end to victimisation of an RMT activist and an end to management misuse of attendance and disciplinary procedures.

Bob Crow made the usual noises about being open for discussion, so there's a chance it might be called off. He said "RMT remains available for talks and we hope that management will see sense and take the necessary steps to resolve this dispute."

Transport for London said the industrial action was "completely unnecessary", and continued: "London Underground believes these issues can be resolved by further discussion. There are procedures in place to deal with these kinds of issues and we ask RMT to return to the negotiating table.

"LU will seek to run the best service possible, but customers are advised to check before they travel and seek alternative travel where necessary."

Update - 22nd April - The strike on the Victoria Line is on. As mentioned above, TfL is advising people to seek alternative travel wherever possible. However, South West Trains are accepting London Underground tickets between Vauxhall and Waterloo. London buses & London Overground are also accepting tickets via reasonable routes. Check TfL's website for the latest.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Tuesday, April 21, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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