No subway today in London

Totally crashed today subway of London after several unions called for strike action against cost-cutting at London’s public transport operator, Transport for London (TfL). Most lines were at a standstill and some were operating with very limited service.

Only the newest Elizabeth line, which only opened last May, was operating normally with only a handful of its stations closed in the heart of the capital.

Its underground railroad London it usually carries up to 5 million passengers a day, but in recent months there have been several strikes on it, APE-MPE reports, citing AFP.

Although some Londoners have opted for telecommuting, the practice of which has become widespread since the Covid-19 pandemic, many have returned to using the bike, car and even the bus, many of which were today overcrowded.

The RMT union, which has called for strike action, is mainly opposed to the axing of 600 jobs at Tube stations and a plan by TfL to change the funding of its staff pensions, according to a press release.

Having been hit by the pandemic, TfL reached a funding deal with the government at the end of August, but it does not meet the public body’s needs.

“These attacks (on workers’ status) are deeply unfair and completely unnecessary,” said the union, which claims it has made proposals to call off the strike, which were rejected by TfL.

According to Unite general secretary Sarah Graham, who also appealed for strike“TfL is needlessly attacking our members’ pensions and wages, which Unite simply cannot accept.”

“There have been no proposals to change the pension scheme or terms,” ​​TfL chief executive Glen Burton said in a statement on Tuesday after talks with unions broke down.

This strike also comes at a time when social movements are proliferating in the UK against the backdrop of record inflation and the cost of living crisis.

On Wednesday, nurses voted in favor of an unprecedented national strike to demand better wages.