London Tube Goes on Strike

All the threats made by unions this summer, following the implementation of the cost cutting measures, are beginning to come to life. In London for instance, the fall offensive announced by the unions started last night with the first in a series of strikes scheduled for the weeks to come.

According to The Telegraph, this first union action alone has sent millions of Londoners in search of other means of transportation. The cost of the action which started yesterday is estimated at some 50 million GBP each day ($76,8 million, EUR60 million). The unions are protesting through this first 24 hours strike against plans to lay off 800 people.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union announced that the Tube line is working on a a skeleton service basis, but Transport for London argued it has enough contingencies in place to prevent the capital from grinding to a halt. The strike is scheduled to end on Wednesday morning.

For Tuesday, the city plans to deploy 100 extra buses, escorted bike rides, marshalled taxis and increase the capacity on the River Thames by adding an extra 10,000 more journeys. The Tube will operate at 50 percent of capacity on some lines and at 25 percent on others.

“We are doing everything possible to keep as many Tube services operating today, and to keep Londoners moving by providing extra buses, river services, and other alternatives,” Mike Brown, London Underground's managing director told The Telegraph.

“Londoners will face some disruption, but the city is not paralysed - and people will still be able to get around.”