Blow to Livingstone as RMT calls Tube strike on polling day

News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
From the blogs

HIV orphans in Thailand prepare for the future

In Baan Gerda, a community for HIV infected or affected youngsters in Northern Thailand, a group of ...

Online House Hunter: England’s most romantic places

Our Online House Hunter goes in search of romance this Valentine's Day...

Roy Hodgson for England: A club of one

To argue against Harry Redknapp for England is akin to arguing in favour of bankers bonuses. While s...

Time for a reality check on the Sri Lankan civil war

Sri Lanka, much like Britain, has side-lined accountability long enough.

Militant union leaders dealt a damaging blow yesterday to Ken Livingstone's campaign to be re-elected as mayor of London when they called a 24-hour Tube strike on polling day. The stoppage on 10 June by the RMT transport union coincides with European Parliament and London mayoral polls and will cripple a system used by three million people a day.

Miilitant union leaders dealt a damaging blow yesterday to Ken Livingstone's campaign to be re-elected as mayor of London when they called a 24-hour Tube strike on polling day. The stoppage on 10 June by the RMT transport union coincides with European Parliament and London mayoral polls and will cripple a system used by three million people a day.

It is understood that Bob Crow, the hard-left general secretary of the union, argued against the controversial date on the basis that it would be seen as "anti-democratic" and would undermine Mr Livingstone, one of the few left-wingers with any degree of power in Britain.

Mr Crow's advice was reportedly rejected by five votes to three after the RMT's national executive initially divided four-four on the issue.

There is little doubt the stoppage by several thousand signallers, maintenance and station staff will interfere with the electorate's ability to vote, but its significance is richly symbolic. Mr Crow said the 2,614 to 643 vote by RMT members was an "overwhelming mandate" for strike action but urged London Underground and private firms involved in maintaining the Tube to reopen negotiations urgently.

The union has rejected a 3 per cent pay rise and is seeking a "substantial" increase as well as a reduction in the working week.

Steve Norris, the Conservative candidate for London Mayor, argued that failure to stop the strike would be a damaging blow to Mr Livingstone's campaign. "Londoners who are frustrated and unable to travel that day will know where to put their crosses. This is a huge boost for our chances on 10 June . The RMT should drop the strike immediately."

Mr Livingstone said that the stoppage on election day was "unnecessary and unacceptable" and that the RMT should return to negotiations. The Liberal Democrat London mayoral candidate Simon Hughes accused Mr Crow of "holding London and democracy to ransom". He added: "This sort of industrial action does nobody in London any good. It is bad for Londoners, bad for London Underground and bad for the image of unions."

Meanwhile, further talks will be held today and tomorrow between the RMT and Network Rail in an attempt to avert strikes on the mainline railways in a separate dispute over pay, pensions and travel concessions.

* Union leaders yesterday accepted a peace deal aimed at ending the renewed firefighters' dispute. The executive of the Fire Brigades Union said the wording of a new agreement covering so-called "stand down time" - where employees are allowed to sleep on night shifts - was acceptable. A row over working blew up last month leading to the suspension of firefighters in Greater Manchester and a spate of unofficial action.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

After years of complaints and workers' suicides in China the technology giant faces up to the human cost of its gadgets
Peter Moore: 'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'

Peter Moore interview

'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'
Sellafield faces nuclear option as overspending threatens plant's future

Sellafield faces nuclear option

Overspending threatens plant's future
Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks

Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks

Tehran rejects Netanyahu's 'lies' after diplomats in India and Georgia targeted
Former manager enjoying Apoel crack at the big time

Tommy Cassidy interview

Former manager enjoying Apoel crack at the big time
James Lawton: Patience may not be a virtue this time, Roman – Andre Villas-Boas looks all at sea

James Lawton: AVB looks all at sea

Abramovich's visits to training reinforce the idea of a coach feeling pressure from above and below
The 10 Best sledges

The 10 Best sledges

Not all of them require snow...
Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy

Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy

Confronting the real reasons for puttting things off can help us beat it
Fun in the sunset years

Fun in the sunset years

A new movie follows retirees moving to India for low-cost care and a culture of respect for the elderly. For many Britons, it's already a reality
Picture preview: Lucian Freud drawings

Lucian Freud drawings

Picture preview
Silent revolution at the Baftas as the French take top awards

Silent revolution at the Baftas

The Artist wins in seven categories, with Meryl Streep the other big success story
Whitney Houston: The diva who had – and lost – it all

The diva who had – and lost – it all

Nick Hasted charts the highs and lows of Whitney Houston's life
How Picasso won over (some of) the British

How Picasso won over (some of) the British

Winston Churchill and Evelyn Waugh hated his work, but Picasso provided inspiration for a whole generation of UK artists
Topshop: A Decade Of Design

Topshop: A Decade Of Design

When London Fashion Week starts on Friday, Topshop will celebrate 10 years backing its brightest young stars
John Prescott: 'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

At 73, John Prescott isn't mellowing. In fact he's taking a shot at becoming a police commissioner