Tube strike: Londoners want curb on public sector walkouts, exclusive poll reveals

YouGov ballot for the Standard: People from range of backgrounds back tougher laws
Strike: Commuters queue for a bus in Stratford during a Tube strike this year
Jeremy Selwyn
WEST END FINAL

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Londoners overwhelmingly back a ban on public sector strikes unless 40 per cent of the workforce vote for them, an exclusive poll reveals today.

With unions threatening four more days of crippling Tube strikes in two weeks, the YouGov survey for the Evening Standard found a clear majority in the capital backing tougher laws.

The new Trade Union Bill would set a 50 per cent minimum turnout for any strike ballots — and in the public sector would require 40 per cent support from all members eligible to vote, not just those who do. The clause was approved of by 53 per cent of Londoners.

Only 26 per cent opposed the crackdown, while 22 per cent were undecided — a two-to-one majority in favour.

Moreover, the crackdown was backed on balance by young and old, men and women and among both the better-off ABC1 social classes and the poorer C2DEs.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid hailed the result as a “clear majority” for the biggest union reforms for 30 years.

Commuters and businesses face four days of Tube strikes in two weeks’ time — timed to cause disruption in the days ahead of the planned launch of Night Tube services on September 12.

Four days of disruption planned to begin today were called off at the 11th hour yesterday to allow more time for talks.

Results: The Standard's exclusive YouGov poll

But the RMT, the largest of the Tube unions, announced strikes on Tuesday September 8 and Thursday September 10 — and left unclear what times they would start and finish.

The union made clear any attempt to “impose” Night Tube operations, or even run any test trains, would trigger more industrial action, threatening an autumn of discontent on the network used by more than four million people a day.

And TSSA union boss Manuel Cortes warned: “We are not out of the woods yet.”

London Underground insisted it remains “operationally ready to start the Night Tube on September 12.”

Walkouts by thousands of staff, including train drivers, station staff and engineers, could begin from 6.30 pm on Monday September 7 and Wednesday September 9.

Mr Javid told the Standard: “When people depend on transport services to get to work, go to school or as their only means of travel, they have a right to expect that any strike action has a proper, democratic mandate.”

David Leam, Director of Infrastructure Policy at London First, said: “This survey shows that the unions are on the wrong side of public opinion. Striking should be a last resort, not a knee-jerk response to any proposal to modernise the Tube.”

An RMT spokesman dismissed what he claimed were “loaded questions” and said the union had received strong support from the public.

“Our view is there should be one form of democracy for everybody,” he said. “Turnouts do not apply to the political class, so they should not apply to the working class.”

The union declined to say how big the turnout was in the ballot held to approve the current strike action. Of those who voted, an overwhelming 92 per cent backed strike action.

Mayor Boris Johnson today repeated the need for the Night Tube but avoided saying when it would start. He said: “I welcome the unions’ decision to suspend the unnecessary strike action that would have caused huge inconvenience to Londoners and businesses.

“I would urge the unions to continue with positive discussions that will help deliver a Night Tube service that will bring huge benefits to our city.”

LU managing director Nick Brown said: “We will now continue to work with the unions so that we can resolve this dispute.”

Tanya Abraham, of YouGov, said: “With unions already threatening more disruptions on the Tube, it is those who depend on their services that are most likely to be affected by these strikes.

“Therefore, it is not surprising that more than half of Londoners approve of this new Trade Union Bill which would inevitably make industrial action more difficult and expensive to organise. However, the impact that this Bill will have on workers in the long-run is a cause of concern.”

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