Plans in place for election day strike
London’s elections on June 10th will be conducted normally despite the threat of a tube strike, according to the Electoral Commission.
The commisssion, which oversees UK elections, insisted that plans were in place should industrial action by London Underground staff go ahead.
A spokesperson for the commission explained that returning officers would ensure polling staff were able to get to polling stations – by arranging taxis if necessary.
Members of the RMT union yesterday voted for strike action on the underground over pay and conditions. The union denied that it was specifically targetting the elections, but its plans have been condemned by London’s Mayoral candidates whose political futures will be decided on June 10th.
However, the Electoral Commission played down the likely effect of the strike on turnout. “Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm … and polling stations are normally located very close to where people live,” said a spokesperson. “The whole point is people can get there within reasonable time.”
Stephen Dunn, a lecturer in industrial relations at the London School of Economics (LSE) told politics.co.uk that the decision to specifically hold a strike on election day was unprecedented.
Mr Dunn also predicted that, as the RMT had a virtual membership monopoly of tube workers, the action was likely to be effective in closing the entire tube system.
A spokesman for the RMT said that although union bosses would have been aware of the election date, the strike was aimed at resolving an industrial dispute.
London Mayoral candidates Simon Hughes and Steve Norris have said they would remove RMT leader Bob Crow from his position on the Transport for London Board.
In addition Mr Norris said that if elected he would negotiate a non-strike agreement direct with tube workers.
Speaking on Thursday afternoon he said: “I will offer every employee a substantial increase on their salary. In return they will agree not to strike in future. For new employees, they will have the No Strike Agreement and the higher wage levels built into their contracts as soon as they are taken on.
“I will go over the head of union militants like Bob Crow to offer a better deal direct to their members.”
“If the RMT insists on striking this Thursday, I promise Londoners it will be the last one.”
The current London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, described the RMT strike as “unnecessary and unacceptable”.
He said: “The RMT should return to negotiations with London Underground.”
