Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/638/10221
From The Socialist newspaper, 15 September 2010
London Underground: Action biting against job cuts
Seven Sisters London Underground RMT and TSSA members strike, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)
The overtime ban on London Underground is beginning to bite. In the last few days some stations have closed, including Charing Cross which had to be closed for 20 minutes over the weekend.
Reg Johnstone
RMT and TSSA's strike on 6-7 September was rock solid on every line. Even on the Northern Line only a special Sunday service ran. But the management gave the impression that a full service was running.
Well over 100 stations were closed and on a number of lines management were running trains through a series of unstaffed stations, a health and safety risk.
RMT and TSSA members at Finsbury Park London Underground on strike, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)
At Belsize Park station on the Northern Line, they told people that the station was open. But when passengers got off the train they were horrified to find they had to go up 219 steps. This included many patients visiting the nearby hospital.
Both unions being out on strike was historic and the mood amongst the workforce is very strong. There is also a growing realisation that there has to be a wider struggle for jobs, involving other trade unions and the community. This is not a strike for more money, it is a strike for keeping the number of staff needed to run a safe service for staff and passengers.
Even the overtime ban shows that they can't run the service on the numbers working now, let alone with the 800 jobs they want to cut.
The next tube strike is due to begin on 3 October.
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In The Socialist 15 September 2010:
Socialist Party editorial
Decisive action can defeat this government
TUC congress
TUC: Build for action against cuts
Socialist Party youth and students
Stop the 'slippery slope' to two-tier education
How will the Browne Review into university funding affect you?
Student strikes can win results
Feature: Socialist Party women
Women and the struggle against oppression
Socialist Party news and analysis
Royal Mail: Con-Demned to history?
Privatisation's giant wrecking ball
Middlesborough local union-led public services alliance set up
Labour councillors challenged in Hastings
Shropshire: showing socialist alternative gets results
Socialist Party workplace news
London Underground: Action biting against job cuts
UCU executive pulls out of strike ballot
Anti-cuts campaign
Mood of defiance in Huddersfield
How do we vote to stop the cuts?
Nottinghamshire: Campaign saves vital service
Lobbies warn councils of workers' action
Socialism 2010
Socialism 2010: How can we save the environment?
International socialist news and analysis
All-India general strike: Eyewitness report from Chennai
Fighting oppression in Kazakhstan
Socialist Party review
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