Strike expected to disrupt the Tube until late tonight

LONDON Underground services are expected to be disrupted until late tonight after the RMT transport union decided to press ahead with a 24-hour strike, writes Barrie Clement.

Management said that between 50 and 60 per cent of services would be running today, but the union expected some stations in central London to be closed because they would have too few staff to comply with fire regulations.

The Central Line is expected to be hit hardest, because it has a high proportion of RMT drivers. Elsewhere the company expected some RMT members to defy the walkout, largely because the strike ballot attracted only a 38 per cent turnout. The votes were more than 2-1 for stoppages in protest at a 2.5 per cent pay offer, which has been accepted by other unions.

Wilf Proudfoot, RMT's assistant general secretary, said the strikers were not asking for anything unreasonable. Management reiterated its threat to sue the union for lost revenue.