Commuter chaos as talks bid to end Tube strikes

TALKS were taking place last night between a union and London Underground officials in an attempt to end a three-day strike that has crippled the Tube network.

More than two million London commuters were forced off the city’s Underground train network as union rail workers staged a 72-hour strike, the biggest in three years.

The strike, which shut down nine of 12 lines on the network known as the Tube, has caused “severe” disruption and “serves no purpose”, said a spokesman for the city, which operates London Underground, in an emailed statement yesterday.

A total of 2,300 members of the Rail, Maritime & Transport union who maintain tracks, trains and signals on the London Underground began the walkout on Monday. The striking workers are employed by Metronet Rail, the largest contractor on the London Underground. The union wants guarantees members won’t lose jobs and pensions following Metronet’s financial collapse in July.

Mayor Ken Livingstone said the city would reiterate existing job and pension guarantees in more detail in a meeting with the union later yesterday.

“It’s chaos really,” said Terri Price, 20, whose commute to a job in the City, London’s financial district, took twice as long as normal.

Tony Brady, a cab driver, said he and other drivers are working extra hours to keep up with demand.

“I worked into the early morning.”

Transport for London said it added more buses in central London and put 200 extra staff at Tube stations to offer travel advice.