Virtually every Tube line is either partially suspended or having severe delays right now, so it's worth checking TfL's real-time travel delays if you're travelling tonight. Ironically the Waterloo & City Line is fine and dandy at the time of writing this.
New Year and Bob's Back
The Rail Maritime & Transport union is going to ballot 6,500 workers, including station staff, drivers and ticket office employees, after failing to reach agreement over a pay rise with London Underground.
Apparently 10 months have been spent with "fruitless attempts" to negotiate a pay deal and that a pay rise was due last April. LU has offered a three-year deal worth 4% in the current financial year and the rate of inflation plus at least 0.5% in subsequent years.
General secretary of the RMT, Bob Crow isn't happy about this
"We were asked to submit our pay claim in good time and we did so, but LU did not enter talks at all until after last April's anniversary date.
"They have since spent the best part of 10 months stonewalling, insisting on a multi-year deal and attempting to link the pay talks with entirely unrelated issues.
"We could not even win from them a pledge not to impose new draconian disciplinary and attendance policies over the course of any long-term deal.
"We have now reached the end of the road. LU can avoid industrial action by paying the increase that is due to our members but they should understand that RMT members are prepared to defend the gains they have made in recent years."
The ballot will end in mid-February and any strikes could start at the end of next month. See the BBC for more on this.
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