UK Train/Tube strike threat June 29
 

I didn't see any mention of this on the forum, so wanted to post for Fodorites who will be in the UK soon. This from BBC.co.uk today, 6/22:

>>Rail workers defend strike call

The main rail workers union has pledged to "vigorously defend" its decision to call a strike by thousands of workers next week in the face of mounting speculation of a legal challenge... The union has called a 24-hour strike from 6.30pm next Tuesday by 7,500 Network Rail workers as well as a similar number of employees on London Underground involved in a separate dispute over pay and working hours.<<

This site can probably help keep you up to date: <http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/>.

It may not happen, but you might want to have a Plan B just in case.

The info was also posted by Andrewmac and Ira, but dropped down pdq.

The rail strike is off, but the Tube will be out of service for 24 hours beginning 18:30 on Tuesday, June 29.

Watch <b>http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/</b> for developments.

TTT

If I was Red Ken (which let's face it I wouldn't be) I'd sack the lot of them, it is absoutely disgusting disrupting and holding this city to ransom.

Furthermore, they are well-paid - nurses and junior doctors are on far lower salaries and doing a much more specialised and worthwhile job.

m_kingdom2

Amen!
M

Both of you:

And who'd drive the trains once MK2 had fired the drivers?

Ken may be - sorry is - a total waste of space. But even he has the nous to realise macho management merely gives you a warmn feeling in the trouser leg.

What Livingstone should be doing is firing the underachieving Democrat hack London ratepayers are so spectacularly oversubsidising.

I never use the tube, but I live in London and pay all these ridiculous taxes, and 125GBP a year for the congestion charge just because I happen to live in the centre of London. Imposing this charge is absolute madness, people cannot help where they live, even if I don't drive it has to be paid. However, chauffeur driven vehicles are exempt - I'd consider this to cut costs.

A tube train driver is paid on average 34kGBP p.a. compare this to the salary of a senior nurse (what used to be called a matron) who is paid 24k for unsociable hours and far more responsibility and expertise. A junior doctor is only on 22k too in London. This is why I have little sympathy for train drivers/staff who hold London to ransom when the money should be spent/saved on better causes. After all they are drivers which requires minimal skill and training, not doctors or nurses who have had to study for up to five years to save people's health.

I'd make strikes and union membership illegal in new contracts, and if they're not happy with it then they can leave and there are plenty of people queueing up to fill their positions.

No doubt you've counted the queue while waiting at the DSS...

If &quot;M_Kingdom2&quot; thinks tube drivers are overpaid, there is nothing to stop him or her from applying for a job as one.
For the purposes of this forum, visitors need to be aware that travelling in London will be difficult tomorrow. There are always alternative routes by bus and train, but these will be busier than normal, and roads are likely to be more congested than normal.