U.K. and Ireland - Potential London bus strike this Friday (June 22nd) + tube disruption

First of all, the good news: this might not happen.

the Unite union are trying to claim for an extra £500 payment for London bus drivers to work during the Olympics. They've called a strike (http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/bus-staff-want-100-more-for-each-time-they-strike-7857630.html) for this Friday to try to get this; and will increase their demand by £100 for each additional strike.

Everyone's favourite union leader, the RMT's Bob Crow, has told his members to shut the tube (http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/union-to-close-tube-for-safety-reasons-if-bus-strike-goes-ahead-7865597.html) if it gets dangerously overcrowded as a result of people transferring from buses.

The BBC's Tom Edwards is today reporting (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/correspondents/tomedwards/) that TfL have managed to secure £8.3m from the Olympic Delivery Authority to give to the drivers - though with 24,000 of them, that's only £345 each, so presumably the shortfall is to come from the individual bus companies.

So, fingers crossed. (Although if it goes ahead, I guess I'll be cycling to LCY for my flight, which will be a bit of a novelty...)

(Although if it goes ahead, I guess I'll be cycling to LCY for my flight, which will be a bit of a novelty...)

I used to do this every week (from the City, then back to Stockwell) so am happy to pass on any tips! ;)

I used to do this every week (from the City, then back to Stockwell) so am happy to pass on any tips! ;)

Aha! I knew that I'd read somewhere on FlyerTalk that someone did just that - which is probably what planted the idea in my head.

The LCY website says that cycle parking is available "under the DLR viaduct" - is it provided by TfL rather than the airport? I presume they're happy with people leaving bikes for a few days without deciding they're a terrorist threat and removing them...

It was pre-DLR when I used to do it, and the bike rack was outside the double-deck portacabin in the short-stay car park. While it was mostly used by airport workers, they had no problems at all about you leaving it there as long as you wanted - I used to leave the saddle and some work stuff at the left luggage and take one pannier on board with me, and they always said they keep an eye on the bikes anyway.

If you're unsure, I've found them to be pretty responsive over email with this type of query.

In terms of routes, there's some good ones that avoid the worst of the traffic (assuming you're coming from the west). Can happily do a gmap-pedometer if it's any use.

First of all, the good news: this might not happen.

the Unite union are trying to claim for an extra £500 payment for London bus drivers to work during the Olympics. They've called a strike (http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/bus-staff-want-100-more-for-each-time-they-strike-7857630.html) for this Friday to try to get this; and will increase their demand by £100 for each additional strike.
And the only reason? Because "everyone else is getting it, so we should, too". :rolleyes:

Hm. This is looking depressingly like it may go ahead.
the BBC are reporting that Arriva, Metroline and Go-Ahead are trying to take out an injunction against the strike action (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18530784), but it doesn't sound like negotiations have been fruitful so far.

stut: thanks for the offer. It now looks like my portering services will be required to bring my girlfriend's suitcase from the flat, which probably rules out going by bike. Hopefully I'll still be able to cram on the Overground and DLR. (I'm only coming from Hackney - previously my route would have been along the Greenway and then down the A112, but that's a bit tricker since the Greenway's been closed next to the Olympic Park. I suppose down the Regent's Canal and along the Cycle Superhighway might work instead...)

It looks like the strike will go ahead. One question. With the streets free of buses and tube stations taking up the slack, will the Crow be pushing for a bonus payment for the poor harassed tube workers? :rolleyes:

I need to get to Waterloo tomorrow, from either Stratford or Liverpool Street.

The bus strike won't directly affect me, but I'm worried about the Tube.

I would normally take the train to Stratford and the Jubilee Line from there. Am I right in thinking that my best bet is to stay on the train to Liverpool Street from where I could walk as a last resort?

This will be off-peak (I need to get to SOU for a flight to ACI at 1600)

Strike prevented by High Court injunction

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18530784

The UK is going to be in deep debt after the Olympics giving away money unneccessarily !

Strike prevented by High Court injunction

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18530784

...though only for 3 of the 21 bus companies.

I got the following in an email from TfL at 1630 today:
I am writing to let you know that the leadership of UNITE union has called for industrial action by bus drivers and engineers. If this goes ahead, it is likely to cause some disruption across the bus network on Friday 22 June and early Saturday 23 June. Night bus services are expected to run as normal tonight (Thursday night / early Friday morning).

I would like to apologise for the inconvenience that this may cause. We are doing all we can to encourage the bus operators, who employ the bus drivers and engineers, to resolve the dispute and avoid a strike. If however it goes ahead, we will work with operators to run as many buses as possible.

Bus passes will be accepted for reasonable alternative routes on London Underground, DLR, and London Overground, which will be working normally. Alternatively, if you normally use the buses for short journeys, walking or cycling may be an option.

Came to LHR this morning by tube - all working fine.

As I had luggage, I had to get the Tube this morning, but am pleased to report that the Metropolitan and H&C are fine too, albeit slightly busier than normal for a Friday.

My commute to and from work on my cycle was wonderful today without buses clogging up the bus lanes ;)

When's the next one?

Everything was fine for me, too. I didn't even notice a difference...!

I cannot believe the greed in this country.....

I'm also stunned by the bonuses to be paid to other TFL workers. Clearly I'm wrong when I think just doing my job and going an extra mile during the Olympics so the country shines in the eyes of visitors would be enough? Overtime payments not enough? Upset because its "a bit busier for a couple of weeks"

I'd block the bonuses for everyone involved!

<gets off high horse)

I'd block the bonuses for everyone involved!

I agree. I cannot see any reason why anyone at all needs a bonus for doing their job in this case. This includes bosses/managers.

I will not be getting a reduction on the price of my tube ticket during the games to compensate for the inconvenience caused to me for severe over crowding. Therefore why should TFL staff receive compensation in the form of a bonus payment for what will be in effect a poorer service to the public.

Also I thought the district line at 8.50am and 5:20pm was less busy than usual.