Strike gives Londoners second day of gridlock

The chief operating officer of London's public transport network said Londoners "deserve better" after the city was gridlocked by a second day of a strike on the underground service this week.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union brought services on the tube to a standstill on Thursday as they staged their second walkout in three days over proposed reforms to their pension system and job losses, and as the company attempts to balance its books after the huge financial impact of the pandemic.

"We know our customers deserve better than this continued disruption and that is why we're urging the RMT to talk to us so we can find a resolution to this dispute which has already damaged London's recovery from the pandemic," said Andy Lord, chief operating officer of Transport for London.

With the near-total shutdown of the network expected, pushing passengers onto roads and alternative forms of public transport, Lord urged people to work from home if possible and to avoid attempting unnecessary journeys.

"It's highly unlikely there will be an Underground service running during the strike action and, if any service is provided, it will not continue into the evening," he said.

'Services impacted'

"Services will also be severely impacted until midmorning on Friday March 4 because of a number of factors including the placement of drivers and trains following a day without service."

The central government has provided TfL with support to deal with the financial impact of the pandemic, but that assistance has also come with suggestions on how money could be saved.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the government was deliberately causing a financial crisis in the network to penalize his members, who voted overwhelmingly in favor of the strike.

Lord however rejected his claims, saying any job losses would be through natural wastage and unfilled vacancies, and no decisions have yet been taken about changes to the pension scheme.

"We haven't proposed any changes to pensions or terms and conditions, and nobody has lost or will lose their jobs because of the proposals we have set out, so this action is completely unnecessary," he added.

Lynch responded in a way that suggested further industrial action may be a possibility.

"This week, we have seen workers fighting back across London against attacks on themselves and their colleagues from political machinations that are out of their control," Lynch said.

"They have sent out the clearest possible message that they expect the threats to jobs and pensions to be lifted and basic assurances to be given. The fight goes on and our executive will consider the next steps in the campaign."