By James Simons-
Commuters have been warned not to travel on the Tube after a strike by London Underground workers shut nine lines, causing travel chaos.
Passengers were urged to check their route before travelling with all 11 Underground lines either suspended or part suspended. The Elizabeth Line was running a good service but commuters were being turned away from buses as people sought alternative forms of transport.
Morning commuters faced long queues before having to cram onto buses at major stations across London, including Waterloo, London Bridge and Victoria.
London buses are overcrowded and running slower due to busier roads. Docklands Light Railway and London Overground trains could face last-minute disruption and may not stop at all stations with a tube connection. London Trams will also be running a reduced timetable.
The industrial action, primarily by RMT members on the tube, will be joined by about 1,000 Unite members. RMT staff at London Overground will also be on strike, although Transport for London says services will continue to run
Speaking on Thursday morning, the union’s assistant general secretary John Leach said future strikes should be expected.
Asked if there will be further action, he said: “I hope not, I very much hope not, but if there’s no progress made around the table on these issues in discussions with the management and they continue to attack our pensions, jobs and contracts, the answer is yes.”
Staff from the Rail, Maritime and Transport union walked out in their sixth 24-hour strike this year in a row over pension changes and job cuts. However, as happened during other recent strikes, it is expected a number of people who normally commute into the city will work from home to avoid the disruption.
Talks on Tuesday failed to avert the strike. Glynn Barton, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: “I would like to apologise to our customers for any disruption caused by Thursday’s industrial action.
“Customers should check before they travel on Thursday and we are advising them to expect very limited or no service on the tube.”
The RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, said: “Our members are resolute in their determination to see a just settlement to this jobs and pensions dispute. And they will continue their industrial campaign for as long as it takes.”
Unite, which is also seeking a pay rise for its members working in various roles across London transport, accused TfL of “needlessly attacking” a viable pension scheme. Its general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “TfL must stop behaving like a race-to-the-bottom employer and put forward an offer that is acceptable to our members.”