Johnson reneges on promises he made twice to be Mayor and causes Tube Strike

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 2:58 pm

Boris Johnson, not Bob Crow, is the one behaving terribly over the tube strike
While the rightwing press condemn the unions, little is said of London's mayor breaking his promise not to close ticket offices

Over the coming days strike action by London Underground staff will be characterised in certain quarters as the action of out-of-control union "barons" intent on "holding the country to ransom".

Last week the rich were threatening to elope if Labour introduced a 5p increase in the top rate of income tax; this week London Underground staff will walk out over a plan to close every single tube ticket office and cut up to 1,000 jobs.

Yet only one of the above will be on the receiving end of vitriol in the press. I'm sure you can hazard a guess as to which one.

Particularly lamentable is the extent to which London mayor Boris Johnson is escaping the scrutiny visited upon those who will be walking out.

In his £250,000-a-year weekly column for the Daily Telegraph, the mayor wrote that, while he did not begrudge Bob Crow his holiday, the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) boss was not entitled to "disrupt the lives of millions of people who are not on holiday but who want to work".

"It is absolutely outrageous that London, the motor of the UK economy – now contributing 25% of GDP – should be held to ransom by this tiny minority," he wrote.

The assumption is that it is the union boss, rather than the mayor of London, who is rocking the boat unnecessarily by leading his members on a walkout.

What short memories the mayor and his supporters have.

Whether or not ticket office closures on the London Underground are inevitable, almost no criticism is being levelled at Johnson (I won't call him Boris, because he's not my friend) for pledges made by him while running for mayor in 2008 and then again in 2012.

When Johnson ran for office in 2008, he opposed the closure of 40 ticket offices by his predecessor Ken Livingstone. During that campaign, Johnson even signed a petition calling for London Underground to abandon plans to "drastically reduce the opening hours" of ticket offices.

In his manifesto he also promised to ensure that "there is always a manned ticket office in every station". He repeated this promise again in 2010. And yet today the closure of ticket offices is being billed as something which tube workers should have been expecting all along – despite the fact that the mayor had been saying the opposite for a number of years.

Three quarters (77%) of RMT members who voted in the ballot backed strike action, whereas Johnson won the 2012 mayoral election with 55% of the vote – and many who voted for the mayor did so under the impression that he would not close London Underground ticket offices.

If nothing else, the mayor's giant U-turn is certainly more newsworthy than pictures of Bob Crow sunning himself in Rio de Janeiro.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/04/boris-johnson-bob-crow-tube-strike

Absolutely correct. He promised twice they would not close, and then the staff are blamed for 'not seeing it coming'. Well, perhaps they didn't think he was liar, silly them.

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:15 pm

Of course, the Tory press won't even mention it.

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:21 pm

Sassy wrote:Boris Johnson, not Bob Crow, is the one behaving terribly over the tube strike
While the rightwing press condemn the unions, little is said of London's mayor breaking his promise not to close ticket offices

Over the coming days strike action by London Underground staff will be characterised in certain quarters as the action of out-of-control union "barons" intent on "holding the country to ransom".

Last week the rich were threatening to elope if Labour introduced a 5p increase in the top rate of income tax; this week London Underground staff will walk out over a plan to close every single tube ticket office and cut up to 1,000 jobs.

Yet only one of the above will be on the receiving end of vitriol in the press. I'm sure you can hazard a guess as to which one.

Particularly lamentable is the extent to which London mayor Boris Johnson is escaping the scrutiny visited upon those who will be walking out.

In his £250,000-a-year weekly column for the Daily Telegraph, the mayor wrote that, while he did not begrudge Bob Crow his holiday, the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) boss was not entitled to "disrupt the lives of millions of people who are not on holiday but who want to work".

"It is absolutely outrageous that London, the motor of the UK economy – now contributing 25% of GDP – should be held to ransom by this tiny minority," he wrote.

The assumption is that it is the union boss, rather than the mayor of London, who is rocking the boat unnecessarily by leading his members on a walkout.

What short memories the mayor and his supporters have.

Whether or not ticket office closures on the London Underground are inevitable, almost no criticism is being levelled at Johnson (I won't call him Boris, because he's not my friend) for pledges made by him while running for mayor in 2008 and then again in 2012.

When Johnson ran for office in 2008, he opposed the closure of 40 ticket offices by his predecessor Ken Livingstone. During that campaign, Johnson even signed a petition calling for London Underground to abandon plans to "drastically reduce the opening hours" of ticket offices.

In his manifesto he also promised to ensure that "there is always a manned ticket office in every station". He repeated this promise again in 2010. And yet today the closure of ticket offices is being billed as something which tube workers should have been expecting all along – despite the fact that the mayor had been saying the opposite for a number of years.

Three quarters (77%) of RMT members who voted in the ballot backed strike action, whereas Johnson won the 2012 mayoral election with 55% of the vote – and many who voted for the mayor did so under the impression that he would not close London Underground ticket offices.

If nothing else, the mayor's giant U-turn is certainly more newsworthy than pictures of Bob Crow sunning himself in Rio de Janeiro.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/04/boris-johnson-bob-crow-tube-strike

Absolutely correct. He promised twice they would not close, and then the staff are blamed for 'not seeing it coming'. Well, perhaps they didn't think he was liar, silly them.

Good afternoon Sassy.

Agreed.When I travel on the underground I like to see plenty of staff around incase something goes wrong.Additionally,a lot of nutjobs use the underground who at times intimidate & scare less robust travellers so with regards to underground staff......the more the merrier I say.

Johnsons logic for reducing staff levels is flawed as per usual & contrary to what he says,people will lose their jobs.

Incidentally,I think that Johnson is as big a tosser as you can find.

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:22 pm

Well that is something we can agree on then.

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:24 pm

Sassy wrote:Well that is something we can agree on then.

You mean something 'else'we can agree on.

Do you think that chicken & chips are nice?

by Clarkson Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:41 pm

Actually there are no compulsory redundancies involved as per usual the Guardian is misreporting.

Secondly is a world of smartphones oyster cards etc things move on. Perhaps you think we should retain stokers on diesel engines the RMT certainly did when diesel engines were being introduced.

In your world how about gas lamp lighters knocker uppers and whole host of jobs that are no longer required. Be real this is about the union flexing it muscle there are already applications for redundancy that will consume most of the losses and many will be deployed in jobs that do actually help customers.

Still you can't beat a good old demarcation dispute or wild cat strikes can you. There will be plenty when Red Ed runs out of money.

Fewer than half the members voted for strike and those that did amount to less than 30% of the membership. There are already around a 1000 applications for voluntary redundancy.

Please advise why then therefore we need a strike comrade sassy. To protect jobs that are no longer needed??!!! Forgive me have you some special insight?

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:47 pm

Sassy wrote:Boris Johnson, not Bob Crow, is the one behaving terribly over the tube strike
While the rightwing press condemn the unions, little is said of London's mayor breaking his promise not to close ticket offices

Now why would anyone criticise the unions?

https://newsfix.niceboard.com/t2232-leaked-labour-party-report-alleges-vote-rigging-cover-up#29760

Posted today but no replies. What a surprise.

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:48 pm

Clarkson wrote:Actually there are no compulsory redundancies involved as per usual the Guardian is misreporting.

Secondly is a world of smartphones oyster cards etc things move on. Perhaps you think we should retain stokers on diesel engines the RMT certainly did when diesel engines were being introduced.

In your world how about gas lamp lighters knocker uppers and whole host of jobs that are no longer required. Be real this is about the union flexing it muscle there are already applications for redundancy that will consume most of the losses and many will be deployed in jobs that do actually help customers.

Still you can't beat a good old demarcation dispute or wild cat strikes can you. There will be plenty when Red Ed runs out of money.

Good afternoon Clarkson.

I trust you are well.

What I don't want to see are decent working class people with the usual millstones around their necks such as mortgages etc....dumped with no prospect of finding another job.

Telling workers that they've lost their jobs so that the company etc will become meaner,leaner & more efficient is cobblers & a straight forward lie.

If these people are to lose their jobs then alternative employment should be found for them before they are sacked/made redundant.

by Clarkson Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:51 pm

Shady they have enough volunteers matey its a non issue and for jobs that are obsolete.

Read my post. As for Johnson you may not like him but he is infinitely better than that terrorist hugging arsehole Livingstone.

Sassy is posting misinformation does she post anything else matey?

by Fred Moletrousers Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:53 pm

Tess. wrote:
Sassy wrote:Boris Johnson, not Bob Crow, is the one behaving terribly over the tube strike
While the rightwing press condemn the unions, little is said of London's mayor breaking his promise not to close ticket offices

Now why would anyone criticise the unions?

https://newsfix.niceboard.com/t2232-leaked-labour-party-report-alleges-vote-rigging-cover-up#29760

Posted today but no replies. What a surprise.

Good grief, woman, you're not supposed to talk about such things here!

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:58 pm

Clarkson wrote:Shady they have enough volunteers matey its a non issue and for jobs that are obsolete.

Read my post. As for Johnson you may not like him but he is infinitely better than that terrorist hugging arsehole Livingstone.

Sassy is posting misinformation does she post anything else matey?

Clarkson I've been following the underground story for some time & it stinks,so Sassy's post didn't influence me.Even though I'm a pirate,I'm a working class pirate & I'd be in a mess if I lost my job.

For politicians,it's all too easy to tell people that they've lost their jobs & I hate that attitude & both Labour & Tories are the same in that regard......Uncaring bastards who couldn't give a toss about the working class.

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 6:41 pm

Virtually everyone would be in trouble if they lost their jobs Shady, and Drinky is very conveniently avoiding the fact that, in order to win votes and be Mayor, Boris promised, in TWO elections, that the ticket offices would NOT be closed. Complete liar.

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 6:47 pm

Sassy - what's your new avatar?

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 6:49 pm

It's a secret lol

by Irn Bru Tue Feb 04, 2014 7:03 pm

Maybe Bob Crow deserves the right of reply...

Bob Crow: Blame Boris Johnson for this Tube strike

http://www.standard.co.uk/comment/bob-crow-blame-boris-johnson-for-this-tube-strike-9103824.html

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 9:05 pm

I wonder what else Boris is going to go back on?

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 10:07 pm

Sassy wrote:I wonder what else Boris is going to go back on?

by Clarkson Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:06 pm

.

I have been asked to do a complete investigation into the state of play on the underground and to give the unions perspective on this highly complex and controversial changes being proposed.

Brother Crowe has been very concerned to portray this situation with the human touch and has been very active in guiding me from his temporary base in the Bahamas whilst he has a new bathroom fitted by the council in his council home.

Bob has been in and around Rail for decades employed initially as a rail knocker to identify potential track failures. Bob quickly realised he wasn’t cut out for actual work and quickly latched onto the opportunities afforded to him by the Trade union the RMT. Bob quickly rose up the ranks especially when it was realised Brother Crowe was a fully paid up member of the Communist Party and a big fan of Kruschev
.
Bob recently showed me around behind the scenes of the underground network. I first met one of the oldest longest serving members of staff Kathleen Anderson who had been a “Mind the Gap” announcer since the 1960s. The total team of “Mind the Gap” announcers is currently 102 and they have over 500 years of "mind the gap" announcement experience between them. They sit quietly and discretely on every train anonymously speaking into a microphone as the train arrives at the station. Bob said this kind of skill cannot be easily replaced and the union was doing all it could to keep the old skills alive.

Kathleen announced she is a member of the Ye olde "Mind the Gap" Association and had been Chair since 2001. It can trace it roots back to the day of Stage Coaches in England when we had the "Mind the Step" announcers. How they laughed when they said they could do away with the "Mind the Step" announcers. "Of course it was much more difficult in those days we didn't have a union to stop management moving the jobs onto the railways". There was no irony in that statement I noted.

I asked Kathleen why the necessity of having a “ Mind the Gap” announcer on each train rather than at each station? Kathleen looked at me blankly and turned to Bob. “We have always been concerned about passenger safety first and foremost” said Bob. He went onto say that the presence of onboard “Mind the gap “announcers meant they could constantly measure the gap should problems occur. When I pointed out that with the train running on rails that the gap would be pretty damned well constant again I had that unknowing look.

I then asked would it not be possible perhaps to have an automated announcer saying “Mind the Gap” at each station. At this point I was hurriedly moved onto to meet my next employee

George Harrison an amiable old man whose job it is to paint warning notices in the dark sections of the underground tunnels. I said that must be dangerous George. He replied” You bet it is that’s why I have to paint warning notices. I presume you paint them in luminous paint George as there is no light. “Can’t do that” he said “it would distract the driver”. Then why do it at all then I asked “Because its bloody dangerous” he replied. I looked under torch light at the notice he had just finished as I nervously heard the trains moving through the tunnels. He looked on proudly as I read out his recently completed notice which read " Danger Painters beware Trains pass through here"

I turned to George incredulous and asked how many staff are employed doing this and was told ten. The signs get covered in muck over time and have to be redone so they can be seen Bemused I turned to Bob and said "Wouldn’t it be better for your members not risking their lives painting these notices when only the painters themselves will ever see them Bob".

“And what would they do for jobs “he replied.

Er something useful I ventured?

At this point my investigative journalism career was over and I am currently blackballed by the NUJ.

Sadly I never got to meet Miriam and her 12 man (er sorry person) team of "Political correctness hoardings and advertisings compliance officers" and Fred in the Paper cuts intervention rapid response unit, Harold and his 16 strong team of eager beavers(for some reason beaver was non de rigueur with the chaps) in the LGBT research dept specialising in public transport issues affecting transgender and the dangers of high heels in public transport for 17 stone transgender men.

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:09 pm

My gawd you are desperate for attention Shocked

by Clarkson Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:11 pm

The above was written as a result of this thread. Unlike you I write stuff not cut and paste you old witch.

I'm sure that using your perspectives that gas lamp lighters would be a thriving workforce with nothing to do of course.

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:23 pm

Unlike you, I write for pleasure, and have stuff published. On here I wish to discuss facts, not the ramblings of a deranged mind :D

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:27 pm

Boris Johnson is as unwanted as head lice,myes I know some do want and like him...bit only his rich, selfish type.

He is another sleazy bastard, sneering at the poor....

I like him and Cameron's act at not liking each other, but they both have the Tory look and smell...

That of a pair of rich mummies boys laughing at the poor.

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:29 pm

Why do you hate trade unions Drinky?.....

And dont you fucking dare say to me because they stifle the workforce and production.

You must be against workers having rights if you detest unions...

End of.

by Clarkson Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:35 pm

Sassy wrote:Unlike you, I write for pleasure, and have stuff published. On here I wish to discuss facts, not the ramblings of a deranged mind :D

Published where?!
One minute shes Carol Vorderman now shes Agatha Christie.

What a dreamer.

You talk some shite

You and scatman are leeches not contributors.

by Clarkson Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:37 pm

Joy Division wrote:Why do you hate trade unions Drinky?.....

And dont you fucking dare say to me because they stifle the workforce and production.

You must be against workers having rights if you detest unions...

End of.

I was an active union official in my younger years. I was appalled they were as corrupt as fuck. That certainly coloured my view for life. I would tell you if Id thought you would listen.

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:39 pm

Joy Division wrote:Why do you hate trade unions Drinky?.....

And dont you fucking dare say to me because they stifle the workforce and production.

You must be against workers having rights if you detest unions...

End of.

He's a Tory!

Go figure!

by Guest Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:56 pm

Clarkson wrote:
Joy Division wrote:Why do you hate trade unions Drinky?.....

And dont you fucking dare say to me because they stifle the workforce and production.

You must be against workers having rights if you detest unions...

End of.

I was an active union official in my younger years. I was appalled they were as corrupt as fuck. That certainly coloured my view for life. I would tell you if Id thought you would listen.

I never knew that Drinky, I doubt they could be any more corrupt than past Tory governments!!

I would listen Drinky, just that sadly I think as an extreme RW guy, you would add major arms and legs onto it, no offence Drinky, I mean that , but history has shown us we can't trust RW, let alone extreme RW.

by Clarkson Wed Feb 05, 2014 8:49 am

I am certainly not an extremist. Let me give you a vignette. As a young man in my late teens I worked for a Council Education Dept. I joined NALGO the union (precursor to Unison) and became a branch officer. As time progressed I went to the Youth conferences. There was myself and one other delegate from Tameside who were right of centre the rest were all various flavours of Marxist and Trotskyist I kid you not. This I add wasn't the bad bit it was good fun getting up to deliver a speech and being booed in a jovial way by the comrades.

Then came the big strikes in Fleet street. Nalgo started sending coachloads of staff to rallies and demonstrations. The local Treasurer of my branch started to hive off monies to send to various rather more extremist things but failed to list them in detail knowing full well the membership would not agree. At Branch meetings I would question the detail to be stone walled. "This isn't the right time to ask that question Brother" When I reasked it later I was told that should have been asked earlier. etc etc. The militancy began to grow and with it fairness was ignored. Staff who were bang to rights were defended those that had committed minor transgressions but had offended the comrades were hung out to dry.

In another job that I only had for a few months I worked in a print shop. My god was it a militant union place. The convener Frank Hine was a firebrand who never engaged his brain and who frankly was outwitted so many times by the manager it was embarrassing. Because I was an office worker I was considered unsuitable for membership. When the announcement came the print shop was to be closed because it was constantly losing money the goon threatened to strike. Good was the reply we shall lose less money while we consult. I was totally at sea with this situation ands asked for guidance from the union convenor he was a complete twat. The manager however was a star.

I mentioned before my Dad was a coal miner for 17 years he had had his fill of bolshey unions when he lkeft the pots. Incidentally Wilson closed more mines than thatcher.

by Guest Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:41 am

Clarkson wrote:
Joy Division wrote:Why do you hate trade unions Drinky?.....

And dont you fucking dare say to me because they stifle the workforce and production.

You must be against workers having rights if you detest unions...

End of.

I was an active union official in my younger years. I was appalled they were as corrupt as fuck. That certainly coloured my view for life. I would tell you if Id thought you would listen.

Snap. I worked for years for leftwing firms of lawyers, exposing police corruption, helping asylum seekers etc. I was the staff union rep. Gradually, after seeing the constant lies and exploitation of the system, I became the Nazi I am today!

Cool

by Guest Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:48 am

by Clarkson Thu Feb 06, 2014 7:19 pm

I love the photo Andy. Sasy this is what you mean by busy staff doing proper jobs no doubt.

A lefties view of a good public service.

Your arguments are as always completely devoid of common sense.

by Irn Bru Thu Feb 06, 2014 10:04 pm

Clarkson wrote:I love the photo Andy. Sasy this is what you mean by busy staff doing proper jobs no doubt.

A lefties view of a good public service.

Your arguments are as always completely devoid of common sense.

And you'll love this one as well Drinky.

Typical Tory at work Laughing

Johnson reneges on promises he made twice to be Mayor and causes Tube Strike Hqdefault

And according to feedback in the press the person in the other picture is not a TFL ticket office worker.

Just thought I'd mention that.

by Guest Thu Feb 06, 2014 10:07 pm

://?roflmao?/: ://?roflmao?/: ://?roflmao?/: ://?roflmao?/: ://?roflmao?/: ://?roflmao?/: :-:cawg:-: :-:cawg:-: :-:cawg:-: :-:cawg:-: :-:cawg:-: :-:cawg:-:

by gerber Thu Feb 06, 2014 10:15 pm

Joy Division wrote:
Clarkson wrote:

I was an active union official in my younger years. I was appalled they were as corrupt as fuck. That certainly coloured my view for life. I would tell you if Id thought you would listen.

I never knew that Drinky, I doubt they could be any more corrupt than past Tory governments!!

I would listen Drinky, just that sadly I think as an extreme RW guy, you would add major arms and legs onto it, no offence Drinky, I mean that , but history has shown us we can't trust RW, let alone extreme RW.

We cannot afford not too. We were a bankrupt country............... getting there slowly but still on the right side of getting there. When will you on the dark side realise it all has to be paid for by everybody............ The wealthy are paying heaps more now than they ever did with Cyclops at the helm.... both in the Treasury and then behind the black door.

by Guest Thu Feb 06, 2014 10:19 pm

The people who are paying the most are the people that can't afford it. When employers pay enough that the country doesn't have to pay out benefits to people in work and subsidise employers, we might have more coming in and less going out.

by gerber Thu Feb 06, 2014 10:32 pm

Sassy wrote:The people who are paying the most are the people that can't afford it. When employers pay enough that the country doesn't have to pay out benefits to people in work and subsidise employers, we might have more coming in and less going out.

I might have agreed with you until liebour highjacked the labour market. Swamped the country with immigrants willing to work for less than could be afforded due to the willingness to live many to a room, the wages and chilld benefits which followed sent back home.

by Clarkson Fri Feb 07, 2014 2:33 pm

Sassy wrote:The people who are paying the most are the people that can't afford it. When employers pay enough that the country doesn't have to pay out benefits to people in work and subsidise employers, we might have more coming in and less going out.

Here we go lets tax jobs like France and companies will flock to the UK. You got the market cornered in DUMB lady. God help us you may well get your wishes and when businesses and individual leave in their droves because of your ill thought out spite driven taxes we will be fuc-ed. Add to that a compulsory condition that firms are not allowed to remove obsolete jobs we really will be leaders in the competition for world business.

That's success the Sassy way.

by Guest Fri Feb 07, 2014 2:41 pm

You make dumb look clever honey. Did I mention putting taxes up? That's what you are obsessed with. I said: When employers pay enough that the country doesn't have to pay out benefits to people in work and subsidise employers, we might have more coming in and less going out. That way taxes might not have to go up. But it would take brains to work that out, and a less obsessional mind, and that's not going to happen any time soon.

by Clarkson Fri Feb 07, 2014 6:45 pm

If you didnt here you do enough elsewhere my little scheming witch.

by Fred Moletrousers Fri Feb 07, 2014 7:23 pm

A politician not doing what he promised to do. My, my...what is the world coming to.

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