Latest London Underground strike demonstrates incompetent leadership - Pope

12.00.00pm GMT Fri 28th Mar 2008

Commenting on the announcement that London's two biggest transport unions are planning to strike over safety on the London Underground (LU), Transport Spokesman for the London Assembly Liberal Democrats, Geoff Pope said:

"Londoners are fed up with hearing about LU strikes every few weeks. LU has a long record of bad industrial relations with the result that the Tube is at the mercy of the rail unions.

"The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) are only able to make such demands because LU is failing to manage its workforce, or to keep them involved and motivated.

"It is important that all of London feels safe on public transport, which certainly includes Tube staff.

"But strike action should be a last resort and not a bargaining tool at the expense of Londoners. Unions have deliberately chosen to announce strike action during the London election period. London's Tube network should not be the subject of political games and point-scoring."

ENDS