Tube: now follow up on 1-3 March impact!

Two days of solid action across the Tube network (1 and 3 March) have bolstered the fight against proposed job cuts, the tearing-up of agreements, and the upcoming attacks on the pension scheme.

The strike was more effective than the company predicted, and caused much wider disruption than even we could have hoped for. The knock-on effect on 2 and 4 March, particularly the lack of shunters, meant the service remained up the wall till well past the morning peak. For many pickets this was their first time on strike, with no strike of station staff since 2017. Pickets were lively, often organised by new reps, and got new members involved despite the rain!

Some drivers were worried about calling action without Aslef, the other union with London Underground (LU) drivers. RMT members proved they could shut the job down and are powerful across the combine both in density and organisation.

Aslef and TSSA members largely respected the pickets. Where a few did show up, they could barely get any trains moving. Aslef, who have a live ballot, should be encouraged to use their mandate and strike alongside RMT. TSSA should ballot its members as a matter of urgency.

Now we are past the opening salvo, we have to turn to the next steps in the dispute. 31 March is the publication of the pension review. Reps and activists should be making the case now for more action, announced as soon after that date as the two-week legal period of notice allows. At that point Aslef could also decide to join the action. The launch of Crossrail in the coming months, which TfL wants to go smoothly, could provide significant leverage.

As well as all-out strikes, we need to think about the possibility of rolling and selective action, calling out different groups at key times. We know from the downing tools of the shunters and maintainers that such action has the potential to be disruptive without everyone out at once. The Night Tube drivers dispute also remains ongoing, and the de-escalation of that action to only cover the Central and Victoria lines should be turned around. Action was most effective when the three other existing Night Tube lines were called out. Action covering Night Tube hours in the run up to the new timetables due in April to return the service on all five lines should be seriously considered.

Now is also the time to step up the political campaign around TfL funding cuts. Sadiq Khan can continue to call for RMT to work with TfL but he is doing nothing to challenge the cuts. At best London Assembly members and Labour MPs are wringing their hands.

Public support was a mixed bag on 1 and 3 March, as always, but many people understand that a race to the bottom is neither fair nor desirable as the cost of living crisis intensifies. Despite some fairly lurid smears from the Telegraph, the invective that was previously a mainstay of the press was more limited this time round.

As this battle continues, the attacks from the media are likely to increase. The labour movement needs to rally to the defence of a publicly run, accessible and affordable transport network. A community campaign like Hands Off London Transport (HOLT) is much needed.