Greg Hands has responded to the second Tube strike in two months with increased concern for the constituents of Chelsea and Fulham.
From 18:30 on Wednesday, 5 August, London commuters faced a further bout of disruption to their daily journeys as a result of the second Tube strike in as many months, as organised by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF), Unite, and the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA).
Greg Hands, Member of Parliament for Chelsea and Fulham, was forthright in his condemnation of the strike, which should come as no surprise as, according to the most recent census, Hammersmith & Fulham, which covers part of Greg’s constituency, has more London Underground users than any other borough. Accordingly, the union-backed Tube strike was bound to cause disruption for a large proportion of Greg’s constituents.
In response to the strike Greg said, “I stand firmly opposed to this politically-motivated, wholly unnecessary strike. Despite the fair, sensible, and generous offer on the table – which will see no-one working more hours than they do already – the unions have chosen not to put it to their members, but to reject it outright.
“The fact is that the night tube is well supported both by Londoners and by businesses across the capital. Most reasonable people see its introduction as a progressive move for transport in our city. After all, New York’s subway has run 24-hours a day since it opened in 1904!
“It should come as welcome news, therefore, that this Conservative majority Government is working hard to deliver our manifesto commitment to outlaw strikes in key industries that do not have a proper mandate so that it will be much harder for unions to disrupt people’s lives.
“Most worrying for Londoners is that Labour’s mayoral candidates seemed to have spent the day frantically tweeting about anything but the Tube strike. If the Labour Party fails to condemn these unwarranted attacks on working people, everyone will conclude that they continue to be hostage to unaccountable union bosses instead of representing the working people of Britain.”
Greg Hands looks forward to the resumption of regular London Underground services.