| We have suspended the planned 48-hour Tube strike after reaching a deal with London Underground. We have now agreed a process where all our serious concerns over safety and job losses will be seriously addressed through the normal negotiating channels. We are obviously pleased that we have agreed this process which will allow us to suspend our strike immedietly. The agreement gives us nearly two months to discuss the proposals in great detail, with management providing a number of assurances on how these will progress. This process will include a station-by-station review, including the question of ticket office closures, which could result in some ticket offices remaining open. The company have also agreed not to implement any further proposals contained in their station restructuring plans whilst these talks take place. We work to keep London moving day in, day out. We’re often already at work by 5am or helping passengers get home safely until the early hours. We cope with an ever-increasing numbers of passengers – 100 million more in just the last five years – but now the Mayor plans to cut almost 1,000 of our jobs, creating a worse service for Londoners and putting safety at risk. Why are we taking action? 953 planned job losses All 278 Underground ticket offices – which serve over 30 million passengers a year – to shut. With 953 fewer staff and no ticket offices, a growing number of stops will become ‘ghost stations’, feeling unsafe, especially to older or more vulnerable customers. Supervisors, who ensure the safety of passengers to be cut by 45% and will now over-see multiple stations. In the many emergencies where trains can’t move the supervisors may be stuck several stops away.  What action are we taking? After months of campaigning for the Mayor to see the folly of his plans, holding demonstrations, lobbying the London Assembly and working with groups representing disabled and older London travellers, we balloted our members on whether they supported industrial action. We have held many days of negotiations with London Underground management in an effort to resolve the dispute but seemingly 'instructions from the top' have prevented any movement on their side. A majority of our members voted (much higher than the 38% who voted in the last Mayoral election) and a majority backed both strike action and action short of a strike. Strike action was held for 48 hours on 4-6th February followed by action short of a strike. Further action has now been suspended following an agreement with London Underground. What kind of tube do we want to see? A safe, properly staffed system that works for all passengers. As part of our Better London Transport campaign, we’ve proposed a Passenger Charter with four main rights: The ability for all passengers, young and old, disabled and not to be able to turn up and travel (access for disabled passengers is greatly impacted by staff shortages) A friendly face and a helping hand with a visible staff presence throughout all stations – including on platforms, in ticket halls and on gate lines - throughout tube opening hours. A safe and secure tube with well maintained stations and trains, plus sufficient well trained staff to cope with any incidents. Clear communication and updates, with people you can ask, not just automated announcements. Find out more about our Passenger Charter. What action are we taking? After months of campaigning for the Mayor to see the folly of his plans, holding demonstrations, lobbying the London Assembly and working with groups representing disabled and older London travellers, we balloted our members on whether they supported industrial action. We have held many days of negotiations with London Underground management in an effort to resolve the dispute but seemingly 'instructions from the top' have prevented any movement on their side. A majority of our members voted (much higher than the 38% who voted in the last Mayoral election) and a majority backed both strike action and action short of a strike. Strike action was held for 48 hours on 4-6th February followed by action short of a strike. Further action has now been suspended following an agreement with London Underground. What kind of tube do we want to see? A safe, properly staffed system that works for all passengers. As part of our Better London Transport campaign, we’ve proposed a Passenger Charter with four main rights: The ability for all passengers, young and old, disabled and not to be able to turn up and travel (access for disabled passengers is greatly impacted by staff shortages) A friendly face and a helping hand with a visible staff presence throughout all stations – including on platforms, in ticket halls and on gate lines - throughout tube opening hours. A safe and secure tube with well maintained stations and trains, plus sufficient well trained staff to cope with any incidents. Clear communication and updates, with people you can ask, not just automated announcements. Find out more about our Passenger Charter. What action are we taking? After months of campaigning for the Mayor to see the folly of his plans, holding demonstrations, lobbying the London Assembly and working with groups representing disabled and older London travellers, we balloted our members on whether they supported industrial action. We have held many days of negotiations with London Underground management in an effort to resolve the dispute but seemingly 'instructions from the top' have prevented any movement on their side. A majority of our members voted (much higher than the 38% who voted in the last Mayoral election) and a majority backed both strike action and action short of a strike. Strike action was held for 48 hours on 4-6th February followed by action short of a strike. Further action has now been suspended following an agreement with London Underground. What kind of tube do we want to see? A safe, properly staffed system that works for all passengers. As part of our Better London Transport campaign, we’ve proposed a Passenger Charter with four main rights: The ability for all passengers, young and old, disabled and not to be able to turn up and travel (access for disabled passengers is greatly impacted by staff shortages) A friendly face and a helping hand with a visible staff presence throughout all stations – including on platforms, in ticket halls and on gate lines - throughout tube opening hours. A safe and secure tube with well maintained stations and trains, plus sufficient well trained staff to cope with any incidents. Clear communication and updates, with people you can ask, not just automated announcements. Find out more about our Passenger Charter. What action are we taking? After months of campaigning for the Mayor to see the folly of his plans, holding demonstrations, lobbying the London Assembly and working with groups representing disabled and older London travellers, we balloted our members on whether they supported industrial action. We have held many days of negotiations with London Underground management in an effort to resolve the dispute but seemingly 'instructions from the top' have prevented any movement on their side. A majority of our members voted (much higher than the 38% who voted in the last Mayoral election) and a majority backed both strike action and action short of a strike. Strike action was held for 48 hours on 4-6th February followed by action short of a strike. Further action has now been suspended following an agreement with London Underground. What kind of tube do we want to see? A safe, properly staffed system that works for all passengers. As part of our Better London Transport campaign, we’ve proposed a Passenger Charter with four main rights: The ability for all passengers, young and old, disabled and not to be able to turn up and travel (access for disabled passengers is greatly impacted by staff shortages) A friendly face and a helping hand with a visible staff presence throughout all stations – including on platforms, in ticket halls and on gate lines - throughout tube opening hours. A safe and secure tube with well maintained stations and trains, plus sufficient well trained staff to cope with any incidents. Clear communication and updates, with people you can ask, not just automated announcements. Find out more about our Passenger Charter. Boris' pledge to Londoners: No ticket office closures In his first manifesto, Johnson pledged he would “halt” proposed Tube ticket office closures and ensure there is “always a manned ticket office at every station”. He even joined with campaigners to sign a petition against closures. More questions answered: Ticket Office: Unused and unwanted? Not at all Will it still be easy to find help under the plans? What about a 24-hour tube? http://www.tssa.org.uk/en/campaigns/london-underground-dispute/ticket-office-unused-and-unwanted-not-at-all.cfm |