Tube strike goes ahead after talks fail
By politics.co.uk staff
London has been hit by a system-wide tube strike today, after 11th hour talks collapsed.
The RMT union agreed to Acas conciliation service led talks with London Underground this afternoon, but the strike went ahead at 19:00 BST.
London mayor Boris Johnson, who described the strike as “demented”, unveiled a package of measures to keep London running today, including escorted bike rides and national rail access for Oyster cards.
There will also be 100 extra buses on key routes and a fixed-fare, shared taxi service at Waterloo, Liverpool St, London Bridge, Marylebone, Paddington and Euston.
“The myriad of organisations and individuals that have already agreed to lay on free services, lead cycle rides, drive extra services and marshal shared taxi ranks exemplifies the united approach we will need,” Mr Johnson said.
“Londoners can be assured a tremendous amount is being done to keep them moving if a strike does happen.”
The walkout is over job security and low pay.
