Tube bosses say still no disruption despite strike

London Underground insists there is no disruption to services again despite a strike by maintenance workers.

The action by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union began at 1900 BST on Wednesday, in a row over proposed changes to jobs, pay and conditions.

Transport for London (TfL) said services were operating as normal despite the walkout on the Northern, Piccadilly and Jubilee lines.

The action is due to end at 1900 BST on Friday.

A TfL spokesman said: "After running a good service, with no significant disruption on the first day of industrial action by RMT maintenance workers employed by Tube Lines, Tube services are again operating as normal this morning."

Legal challenge

The company refuted claims by the RMT on Wednesday that the industrial action had caused delays on the District, Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines because signal faults were left unimpaired and drivers were refusing to move trains due to safety reasons.

RMT members employed by maintenance firm Tube Lines went ahead with the walkout after the company failed in a legal challenge to the union's ballot.

Tube Lines work is being taken over by TfL at the end of the month. The RMT said it has concerns over jobs, pay and conditions when that happens.

Another 48-hour strike is planned next month unless the dispute is resolved.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "Rather than wasting money on bogus legal challenges and an army of PR runners and strike-breakers it would make far more sense for the mayor and his managers to get back round the table with RMT and resolve this dispute."