RMT press release, issued today

THERE IS no agreement with London Underground staff to run the network round the clock during the 2012 Olympics, the Tube’s biggest union said today.

Following the mayor’s public announcement that the network would operate 24 hours a day during the 2012 games, RMT reveals that it has yet to be approached by the mayor, TfL or LUL management for discussions on the many complex issues involved.

“It is all very well the mayor announcing that the Tube will run-around the clock during the Olympics, but if it is going to happen it will need detailed planning and the agreement and goodwill of the professional staff who will deliver it,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said.

“RMT supports the 2012 Olympics and for two years we have been seeking an early settlement that takes account of the substantial additional burdens and responsibilities that London’s transport workers will have placed upon them.

“We are not opposed to 24-hour running during the games in principle, but simply announcing it will not make it happen, and so far there has not been a word from the new mayor seeking even preliminary talks.

“Unfortunately the mayor seems to be making a habit of announcing changes on the Tube without bothering to seek the views or negotiate with the people who will implement them.

“There are huge difficulties to overcome and obvious safety implications, not least around ensuring that essential maintenance work is done, and I would have hoped that an essential starting point would be to approach the union that represents the majority of Tube staff,” Bob Crow said.

ends

Note to editors: RMT represents some 12,000 Tube workers in all grades across the network, including station staff, drivers, signallers, maintenance staff and cleaners.