Mayoral candidates vow to get tough on Crow
Both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat candidates for the Mayor of London have said they would remove Bob Crow from the board of Transport for London (TfL)
Their comments come after the RMT general secretary said that his members have voted overwhelmingly for strike action.
Mr Norris said that Wednesday’s strike announcement shows why Mr Crow should be removed from the board of TfL.
He also pledged to negotiate a non-strike agreement, saying: “I’ll make the unions an offer they ought not to refuse.
“Tube strikes cause misery for passengers as well as damaging London’s reputation and I am determined to put an end to them. I will get Bob Crow and other union representatives round the negotiating table to sort this problem once and for all.
“No union should have the right to bring the city to a standstill. I intend to be completely fair and open with the unions. I have no wish to remove employment rights in any way but a long term agreement that is fair to both sides is long overdue.”
He continued: “The RMT funded Livingstone’s last Mayoral campaign so it’s hardly surprising that he is unwilling to take them on.”
Mr Hughes said that if elected mayor he would remove Mr Crow from the TfL board and replace him with a representative from the TGWU, which represents London bus drivers.
Mr Hughes said: “Of course employees are justified in raising concerns over any number of issues with their employers, but to threaten strike action every time they
are dissatisfied with negotiations is bad for business, bad for the travelling public and bad for London.
“The right to strike is a sound principle when used correctly, but the RMT threat to strike at the drop of a hat abuses this right.
“If anything, the TGWU bus drivers have a far greater right to be on the Board rather then the RMT. Bus drivers have been instrumental in improving
London’s transport, while the RMT have done very little to help London and Londoners.”
Ken Livingstone, whilist not commenting on the posistion of Mr Crow, said: “It is unnecessary and unaceptable. The RMT should return to negotiations with London Underground.”
In the RMT ballot 2,614 voted for strike action, with 643 against.
Commenting on the result the Mr Crow said: “This result will send a clear message to LUL, Tubelines and Metronet that our members are not prepared to be strung along or messed around, and will not stand attempts to impose a settlement,
“This pay round should have been signed and sealed on April 1st, yet here we are two months later having to announce the result of a strike ballot.
“The RMT executive will meet later to consider what action should now be taken in the light of this clear mandate from the members.”
The RMT is arguing for a 32 hour four day week, a substantial pay rise and the restoration of paid meal breaks.
The first strike date will be June 10th, the day of the local, European and London mayoral elections.
