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December 31, 2005
Hmm . . . This Sounds Familiar
Update from AP: Strike Having Little Impact on London New Year Celebration
London Underground said some Tube services were running on New Year's Eve as staff strike action began, threatening travel chaos for revellers.
The RMT Union said staff would not start shifts after noon and the network would run down, stopping by evening.
Workers walked out for 24 hours at noon in a row over rotas, after talks failed between the RMT union and Tube bosses.
It comes as millions of revellers prepare to welcome in the New Year in towns and cities across the UK.
As the action began, a LU spokesman said all lines were running at present, but they were unsure what would happen.
So is that also all the MTA and TWU really had: "a row"? And what the heck are "rotas"?
PS
December 31, 2005 in News | Permalink
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Comments
Despite my junior year abroad in Bristol, I can't do the Brit-Yank translation for "rota" ("rotation," maybe?). But does somebody know if strikes by public transportation workers in England are legal. I *think* they are, but I would love confirmation.
Posted by: Joseph Slater | Dec 31, 2005 11:58:40 AM
These strikes are indeed legal, and are fairly common. Unions over there often stage one-day "industrial actions" over matters that, in this country, would be subject to the grievance and arbitration process. "Rotas" are, as Joseph Slater guesses, staffing rotations. I'm not sure what the precise issue is in this case, but I think it has to do with the length of the work week under the proposed new rotations.
Posted by: The Continental Op | Dec 31, 2005 3:10:04 PM
