London ‘tube’ drivers strike against unsafe trains

Militant/Jonathan Silberman

LONDON — Hundreds of London Underground “tube” drivers — members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport and the Associated Society of Locomotive Steam Enginemen and Firemen unions — took 24-hour strike action March 23. Pickets at the Arnos Grove depot, above, spoke of company harassment and intimidation and unsafe trains. There has been a rise in disciplinary action, pickets told the Militant.

“There are serious questions over the safety of the aging fleet on the Piccadilly line in terms of braking systems, wheel flats and brake operation” a union spokesperson said in January. The union has insisted for years that the 40-year-old trains — known as “1973 stock” — are dangerous.

For example, the door on a moving train with passengers flew open Jan. 16. The RMT said there had been four similar incidents in preceding weeks.

The company claimed the door opening was an “isolated incident.” But the BBC reported two doors opened on a moving train in October 2013. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union plans further stoppages on April 19 and 21.

— JONATHAN SILBERMAN