Tube strike October 2014: Conciliatory talks adjourned as dispute continues
A 48-hour strike is planned from 9pm on Tuesday 14 October
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Talks aimed at averting a planned 48-hour Tube strike were adjourned last night - as the long-standing dispute over ticket office closures continues.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) and London Underground (LU) staff spent Wednesday at the offices of the conciliation service Acas, but the two sides did not manage to reach a settlement.
An Acas spokesman said: “The parties have gone away to reflect on the discussions that have taken place.”
A TFL spokesman added that discussions were “on-going”.
The RMT has instructed members not to work any shifts between 9pm on Tuesday 14 October and 8.59pm on Thursday 16 October in protest against forthcoming modernisation of the Tube network.
LU and London Mayor Boris Johnson have both criticised the union for calling fresh strikes, which would coincide with national walkouts by council workers and civil servants in separate disputes over pay, jobs and cuts.
Phil Hufton, LU's chief operating officer described the strike action as “pointless”.
He said: “This action and the timing of it - to coincide with public sector strikes that have nothing to do with London Underground - is cynical in the extreme. It will only lose RMT members pay and disrupt Londoners.”
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said the union would “not stand back and allow Government-driven austerity cuts to hollow out the Tube system and leave it as a dangerous shell.“
He added that the RMT was “looking to make serious progress on the issues that lie at the heart of this dispute”.
Unions have been campaigning against plans to close ticket offices since they were unveiled last year.
London Underground say few tickets are bought at offices now, arguing that staff would be better used by being stationed on concourses.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments