London Tube strike union boss calls for meeting with Sadiq Khan

EPAA majority of Tube stations throughout London remained closed on WednesdayThe union chief of placing Tube employees has referred to as for a summit together with the mayor of London to attempt to resolve a dispute over pay and dealing hours.Hundreds of members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are taking industrial motion this week, which has crippled London Underground companies, inflicting journey chaos within the capital for the reason that strike started on Sunday.On Wednesday, the union’s basic secretary Eddie Dempsey repeated his name for Sir Sadiq Khan – the chairman of Transport for London (TfL) – to intervene within the dispute.The mayor’s workplace mentioned Sir Sadiq has “ensured TfL is able to restart talks” with the union to resolve the dispute.Verify for TfL standing updatesThe RMT union’s central demand from TfL is for a shorter working week for members of 32 hours.TfL mentioned this was “impractical and unaffordable” and would price the community £200m per yr.The transport physique additionally mentioned it had made a 3.4% pay supply to employees.Talks to avert the strike broke down final weekend, Mr Dempsey beforehand mentioned.Talking on the TUC Congress in Brighton, Mr Dempsey referred to as on Sir Sadiq to attend a summit with the union to assist resolve the dispute. “I’ve acquired a message for the mayor,” he informed delegates.”As a substitute of happening social media, as an alternative of the previous drained cliches, telling trades unionists to get around the desk… invite us to the assembly, let’s have a dialogue, as a result of I need to know what’s going on in London.”We take no pleasure in inflicting disruption however we make no apology for preventing for our members.”In response, a spokesperson for the mayor mentioned: “Strikes have a critical impression on London’s companies and commuters.”The mayor has ensured that TfL is able to restart talks with the RMT in order that we are able to discover a decision to this dispute.”ReutersThe variety of bicycle leases in London Wednesday elevated by almost 100% on final weekOn the fourth day of strike motion on Wednesday, most London Underground companies remained suspended, though about 90 stations on the outskirts of the community had been open.TfL mentioned that, because of this, extra folks travelled on the Docklands Gentle Railway, Elizabeth line and London Overground in addition to buses and bicycles.By 15:00 BST, there had been 19,608 cycle hires – up by 93% on final Wednesday. Depot managers and signallers from the RMT are amongst those that have taken strike motion this week.TfL has mentioned it was “disenchanted” the strike had gone forward, regardless of its pay supply.Earlier, Nick Dent, TfL’s director of buyer operations, mentioned TfL was “very eager” to work with RMT union and mentioned its pay supply had not been put to employees.”They launched their poll earlier than we might made any pay supply, so members had been voting with out understanding what the pay supply really was,” he mentioned.The prime minister and the mayor of London are amongst these calling for each side to barter after talks broke down final Wednesday morning.