Boris Johnson blasts unions for 'pointless' Tube strike

Boris Johnson today attacked union bosses for masterminding a "pointless" Tube strike that will cause chaos for millions of Londoners.

The Mayor pledged to "keep London moving" as he launched his strongest ever criticism of "belligerent" union leaders.

Tube staff will walk out from 6.30pm on Sunday until the same time on Monday. In a last-ditch appeal today for further talks, Mr Johnson said: "This strike is pointless and I hope this time, when Londoners beat the strike once again, the RMT and TSSA leaderships will see sense and return to talks to avoid further disruption."

The walkout is the first since Labour's new leader Ed Miliband was elected — with the help of the unions — and will come on the first day of the Tory conference, where Mr Johnson will again attack Rail Maritime and Transport union boss Bob Crow.

Mr Miliband is now under mounting pressure to condemn the strike. Union leaders today said only a U-turn by the Mayor and London Underground over plans to cut 800 ticket office and station staff would prevent the walkout.

Mr Crow said: "The strike is on. We remain available for talks but the cuts to jobs and safety must be halted before we have a tragedy on our hands." Two more 24-hour strikes by the RMT and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association are scheduled for next month.

Mr Johnson and LU chiefs have ruled out any meeting while a dispute is ongoing, accusing the unions of holding the capital to ransom.

LU says the cuts are necessary so staff can be better used, with some offices selling fewer than 10 tickets an hour, and insists that there will be no compulsory redundancies.

Its boss Mike Brown said: "We are doing everything possible to avert the strike. In refusing to talk to us for nearly a week, and demanding that we withdraw all proposals for staffing changes before talks could progress, the unions have seemed intent on disruption."

Former Labour Mayor Ken Livingstone, who is contesting the 2012 elections, accused Mr Johnson of taking a "completely irresponsible" approach to the unions by refusing to talk to them in person. "The job of the Mayor is to lead," he said. "Never meeting the Tube unions at any point is not leadership."

He claims Tube staff have valid concerns over jobs cuts and safety but has been accused of political posturing as the transport network was subject to many strikes during his time in office.

Londoners are expected to turn to bikes, scooters, rollerblades and walking to get around during the strike. Transport for London is drafting in 100 extra buses and promises more workers to move hire bikes around the capital after scuffles broke out over them in the last strike. It also has capacity for 10,000 more riverboat trips.

"We did learn a lot of lessons last time," a TfL source admitted.

Additional reporting Mark Prigg

GETTING COMMUTERS TO WORK

Tube
TfL says disruption to most journeys is likely. Volunteers will be on hand at stations to give alternative travel options and assist passengers, with pledges to use station information boards more effectively. DLR, Tramlink and London Overground will operate as normal.

Buses
More then 100 extra buses are being used, with extra staff deployed to hubs to focus on customer service and information.

Cycling
Extra workers are being drafted in to redistribute Barclays bikes following scuffles which broke out during the last strike. TfL is also writing to hundreds of businesses asking them to be flexible and make it easy for staff to cycle to work by allowing them to wear casual clothes.

River
TfL is operating a chartered service every 10-15 minutes in the morning and afternoon peaks, with boats operating between Westminster Pier, London Eye Pier and Tower Pier.

Roads
Roadworks will be delayed to try to keep roads clear. The congestion charge will remain in operation throughout the strike.

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