More commuter madness: Tube drivers vote overwhelmingly in favour of strike
Tube drivers overwhelmingly voted in favour of a strike yesterday, which could see commuters face further disruptions after Transport for London’s (TfL) controversial announcement regarding the Northern Line on Friday.
London Underground drivers, part of the ASLEF union, are set to strike to protect working their conditions and pensions.
“Tube train drivers will go on strike if management try to change agreements without negotiation and force through worse terms and conditions and pensions for our members,” the union said in a statement yesterday.
TfL has taken a battering over the pandemic, particularly during lockdown periods where travel restrictions kept commuters and tourists homebound.
ASLEF’s Underground organiser, Finn Brennan said: “98.8 per cent of our Tube train drivers on London Underground have voted in favour of strike action. That’s an extraordinary figure.
“Government cuts to its funding, together with a fall in passenger numbers since the covid pandemic, have led to a financial crisis at TfL.”
The capital’s transport network has been on the receiving end of some £4bn in government bailouts, however, Brennan warned that management and government both want to plug TfL’s funding gaps by cutting staff pensions.
Just 16 drivers within the union voted against the action.
A TfL spokesperson said: “This mandate relates to ongoing discussions with our trade unions. We urge ASLEF to continue working with us to resolve these matters without having to resort to industrial action.”
Northern Line disruption
TfL has decided to shut parts of the Northern Line for nearly five months last week, with many Londoners taking to social media to express their anger and disbelief.
Planned works at Bank and Monument stations mean that the Northern line (Bank branch) will be closed from 15 January to mid-May 2022. As a result, City commuters face months of travel disruption.
There will be no Northern Line trains at Bank, London Bridge, Borough, and Elephant & Castle stations.
There will also be fewer Northern Line trains between Camden Town and Moorgate and commuters have been warned that other lines and stations will be “exceptionally busy”.
Transport for London told City workers to travel at quieter times or use other transport services during the closure.