Boris Johnson ‘is a hypocrite’ over Tube staff cuts

The Mayor was today labelled "hypocrite of the year" by union bosses in the row over Tube staff cuts.

The TSSA said it will order a strike ballot if London Underground goes ahead with plans to axe 800 station staff. Bosses of the RMT union have already warned LU of similar action.

Gerry Doherty, TSSA general secretary, revealed that the Mayor plans to cut opening hours at station booking offices by 2,000 hours. Some offices will close to save cash.

The union released pictures of the Mayor signing a TSSA petition in 2007 protesting at plans by then Mayor Ken Livingstone to make cutbacks at 40 ticket offices. The picture is being used on posters at a TSSA protest outside Tube headquarters tomorrow.

A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "This Mayor takes his promises to Londoners extremely seriously. Every station that has a ticket office will continue to have one."