London strike closes stations
2006-01-09 13:30
London - London commuters faced disrupted journeys to work on Monday because of a strike by thousands of subway station workers.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union began a 24-hour walkout at 18:30 GMT on Sunday in a dispute over work schedules.
London Underground management said a normal service was operating on most subway lines. Although 40 stations closed due to lack of staff early on Monday, by 09:00 GMT all but 24 of the system's 275 stations were open.
The strike does not include train drivers. But in a separate dispute, there were delays along the busy Northern Line after some drivers walked out in support of a colleague who had been fired.
A similar strike on New Year's Eve and day caused little disruption, shutting about 35 stations.
But the latest walkout hit a working day, when London's subway system would normally carry about three million passengers.
Union and transit bosses have been at loggerheads over new staff assignments and work schedules, which the union claims threaten safety because they spread staff too thin.
Managers say they would never compromise on safety.
The union has said that if the dispute is not resolved it will escalate, with all of the union's subway members being balloted for further action starting at the end of January.
On the net:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk
- AP