Tube workers win cuts consultation promise

The National Union for Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) went on strike from 4 to 6 February. The strike was called in response to London Underground’s (LU) refusal to meet to discuss a programme which would have cut 950 ticket office jobs across the network.

LU will now consult with the unions on its planned cuts programme, and the employer and unions have two months to reach an agreement.

London Mayor Boris Johnson had been outspoken over the strike. Johnson threatened to use EU law to sue the TSSA, and denounced the strike as illegitimate.

The strike received broad global support from ITF affiliates including the North American Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) and the Korean Federation of Public Services and Transportation Workers' Unions (KPTU). ITF staff and maritime union representatives also visited the picket line at Elephant and Castle tube station.

ITF acting general secretary Steve Cotton said: “Public transport workers have the right to strike without any restrictions. That is clear from the ILO cases. We congratulate our affiliates for their firm fight back against intimidations and winning back their ground. We will be ready to support them again if the need arises.”