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RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2020 :: RMTnews 5 Strike action on the Bakerloo line in a dispute over the impact on train drivers over unworkable timetable changes that place operators under intolerable levels of personal stress went ahead last month after tube bosses, under the direction of the London Labour Mayor, refused to reach a settlement that puts safety first. Despite intensive efforts by RMT negotiators to broker a solution, the LU failed to agree a plan that would deal with the issues at the heart of the dispute. As a result, the strike action goes ahead with the widespread disruption across the weekend and into next week solely the responsibility of London Underground and their intransigence when the union had made it quite clear that there is a deal to be done. A ballot for action covering driver members produced a 95 per cent vote for action and they took two 24-hour days of strike action. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that the union was angry and frustrated that hard work by reps aimed at reaching a negotiated solution had been wasted as the company failed to make any kind of serious progress. “Their behaviour has been nothing short of outrageous as they ignore clear union warnings on the safety of passengers and staff alike. "That failure by London Underground chiefs mean that the action goes ahead as planned today and the London Labour Mayor, as chair of TFL, has to share responsibility for that. “Drivers voted overwhelm- ingly for action in this dispute which is all about the management imposing timetable changes on the Bakerloo line without any serious recognition of the stress impact on the operators expected to implement them. “The bottom line is that you cannot place intolerable stress and pressure on tube drivers that impacts on their safety- critical role and that is what this dispute is all about,” he said. BAKERLOO LINE STRIKE SOLID Tube drivers take two days of 24-hour strike action last month with more in the pipeline SOLIDARITY: London assembly member Unmesh Desaei joined the Elephant and castle picket to support workers striking against an unreasonable timetable and bullying.