Ken: cross picket lines

Ken Livingstone today called on Tube workers to cross picket lines during next week's Underground strike.

In an unprecedented attack on the militant RMT union, the Mayor said it was "completely unacceptable" for it to hold a 24-hour walkout in London.

He said Londoners were the "collateral damage" in a separate dispute between the RMT and Network Rail over pensions, and apologised for the chaos that was likely to be caused.

The capital faces being caught in Britain's worst public transport disruption in years when the RMT launches stoppages on the Tube and overground trains.

Action will begin at 6.30pm on Tuesday, causing the maximum disruption to travellers trying to get home. It also prevents passengers transferring between Tube and train to find another route. Mr Livingstone told the London assembly: "Were I a member of the RMT, for the first time in my life I would cross a picket line next Tuesday.

"Londoners are being made collateral damage for a national strike against Network Rail. He went on: "I have said in the strongest possible terms, in stronger terms than I have ever used... this (the Tube strike) is completely unacceptable behaviour."

Mr Livingstone said Transport for London would lay on extra buses, but would have to battle with the rest of the country for spare vehicles because of the national rail strike. He said the chances of a last-ditch settlement were bleak. "I have not the slightest hope whatsoever we will be successful," he said.

He rejected calls to sack RMT leader Bob Crow from the TfL board. "If I thought for one minute that sacking Bob Crow would stop the strike I would do so," he said.

"I say to Londoners: I apologise for the inconvenience we are all going to suffer next Tuesday or Wednesday. But it isn't going to be solved by one gesture or vindictive act."

Mr Livingstone said he remained baffled by the RMT's insistence on carrying out its threat to strike on the Tube because a revised pay and conditions offer was now on the table.

This would give all Underground staff a two-year pay increase of 6.5 per cent. The Mayor has also vowed to protect Tube staff 's pension scheme.