Annie Mole's, webmaster of Going Underground, daily web log (blog).
If you like this you'll LURVE One Stop Short of Barking, THE fun and informative BOOK about travelling on the London Underground.
Aslef have blamed LU management for not offering anything constructive to resolve the dispute. In an acknowledgement of the disruption that will be caused, Aslef ended their statement with "We don’t expect support or
gratitude from the public who will be inconvenienced on 26 December. But
we hope there will be understanding".
As further strikes are planned on 18th and 25th January 2013, there will probably less understanding as the inconveniece to the travelling public continues into working days.
If you were planning on using the Tube on Wednesday, you'd be very, very wise
to find alternative arrangements. London Overground doesn't run on
Boxing Day anyway, so that's not going to be an alternative. However, buses, the DLR, Tramlink and some River services will all run. Additionally TfL have put out a PDF of services they expect to run.
Howard Collins, London Underground's Chief Operating Officer, called the action of Aslef members "scandalous" and said: 'Train drivers are
paid a salary that reflects some Bank holiday working, but the ASLEF
leadership is demanding to be paid twice for the same work and has
rejected our attempts to resolve the matter.
'The scandalous
actions of the ASLEF leadership are an attempt to hold Londoners to
ransom, and demonstrate a wholesale disregard for our customers - making
life harder for shoppers, sports fans, retail workers and businesses
amongst others at an important time. They also show a disregard for the
thousands of transport staff who will be working hard to help people get
around the Capital." As usual with all strikes it's always best to check TfL's website and
local TV and radio news for up-to-date travel information before you travel.
"The magic, mystery & sometimes maddening shortcomings of London's Tube are documented with love, enthusiasm & sometimes despair by its unofficial social historian." The Guardian
