Last-ditch talks as commuters face Tube strike
UNION officials and Tube bosses will meet today for last-ditch talks to avoid a crippling two-day strike on the Underground this week.
Transport for London has warned that all Tube lines will face disruption starting at around 9.30pm tomorrow if the two sides fail to agree a truce.
Talks will resume today at the dispute resolution service Acas, following unsuccessful attempts to compromise last week.
The RMT said yesterday it is willing to talk directly with Boris Johnson, but the Mayor has said he will only meet the union if it first drops its threat to strike.
“We are awaiting his confirmation that he is up for getting round the table with no preconditions or caveats,” an RMT spokesperson said.
TfL has warned commuters to expect delays on all Underground lines from tomorrow night until Friday morning.
It hopes to run a reduced service on all Tube lines except the Waterloo & City, but certain stations will be closed and services will only run between 7am and 11pm.
TfL is dispatching trained volunteers from its back offices to lend a hand at stations.
Bus, Overground, Tramlink and DLR services will run but will be busier than usual. Boris Bikes will be available but in high demand.
The RMT and TSSA unions are walking out in protest at plans to shut all Tube ticket offices and move staff into stations. TfL has said it plans to make the changes without compulsory redundancies.