Johnson urged to get a grip over tube strikes

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Although Boris Johnson campaigned on a platform of establishing a “no strike” agreement with London transport unions, the mayor hasn’t even met with union representatives in the two years since he took power.

Today the capital is today set to be hit by the fourth transport strike in just three months, causing former mayor Ken Livingstone to tell Johnson to “get a grip” and avoid further strikes:

“Londoners have endured months of tube misery with delays, disruption and strikes, yet Boris Johnson refuses to roll his sleeves up and get a grip.”

“It’s been well over 900 days since Boris Johnson was elected and he is yet to speak to the representatives of tube workers. As Mayor of London and Chair of Transport for London, meeting the representatives of tube workers is an essential part of the job, whether Boris Johnson likes it or not.”

“Whenever there is a tough decision Boris Johnson goes missing. When the Mayor was asked what he is doing to sort out the tube strikes, he said he watches a screen in his office ‘like a hawk’.”

“It’s time for Boris Johnson to be more than a spectator, watching from the sidelines while millions of Londoners suffer mounting delays on the tube. The Mayor must show some leadership and act to get London moving, rather than hiding away in his office.”