10.07.15
Tube service returns to 'normal' as FGW strike continues
Transport for London has confirmed that Tube services have now returned to “normal” this morning, following yesterday’s strike action.
The industrial action over pay and rostas for the impending Night Tube service caused widespread disruption in the capital.
However, most lines are now operating a normal service. But there are severe delays on the District Line following a signal failure and on the Bakerloo Line after a “customer incident”.
Steve Griffiths, London Underground’s chief operating officer, said: “We thank Londoners for their patience during the strike. We also thank the many transport staff who worked so hard to help Londoners and visitors to the city make their journeys.
“I’m sorry that people had difficult journeys yesterday and we are working hard to resolve the dispute.”
Yesterday Finn Brennan, the man who has been leading Aslef negotiations with LU over the Night Tube, said: “Today our members will be on the picket lines along with our colleagues and friends in Unite, RMT and TSSA. We are here because London Underground management refused to deal seriously with the issues at the heart of this dispute and resolve them.
“They wasted the opportunity to resolve this dispute without a strike. The blame for the disruption caused by the strike rests squarely with London Underground management. Let’s hope they don’t make the same mistake again.”
However, First Great Western trains will still be disrupted today as a 48-hour RMT strike continues.
The RMT also stated that Southern Rail strike action, due to start on 12 July, is still on as the union has rejected what it calls a "wholly inadequate" offer. Engineers will walk out for five days from 5pm on Sunday.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The strike action on Southern Rail this weekend and running through next week is on as the latest offer from the company was wholly inadequate.
“We expect rock solid support from the fleet engineers following their massive vote for action and it is now down to the company to address the issues at the heart of this dispute and get back into serious talks.”
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