How tech can offer Tube strike relief April 29, 2014 New “sharing economy” apps could help commuters survive future union action MANY are extolling the virtues of the “sharing economy” – where people rent out underutilised assets from each other through the internet. Despite concerns over regulation and security (sharing companies Lyft and Uber have both recently faced lawsuits), collaborative consumption is catching on. Forbes [...]
Half of all Tube trains are running as normal despite the strike April 29, 2014 Half of all scheduled Tube services are running this lunchtime despite the strike action by the RMT union, Transport for London has said. Two-third of Underground stations are open, and there were 7,961 buses operating on the city streets this morning – the highest number ever, says TfL. Boris Bike hires are up [...]
Tube strike disruption starts this morning after talks with union failed April 28, 2014 LONDONERS are this morning facing the first full day of disruption on the Tube, following the RMT union’s decision to strike for 48 hours. London Underground workers began walkouts at 9pm last night, and Transport for London said services will not get back to normal until Thursday morning. A second wave of strike action is [...]
Gatwick Obviously didn’t Bank on a week of major Tube strikes April 28, 2014 THERE are plenty of Londoners hoping that TfL could still cut a deal with union leaders and halt the current Tube strikes, but Gatwick’s ad men might well be crossing their fingers more tightly than most. The airport has staged a week-long advertising takeover in both Bank and Westminster Tube stations but with the Tube [...]
Uber offer a discount alternative to tube strike mayhem April 28, 2014 Eager to keep commuters moving throughout planned strike action on the Underground, Uber's new "KeepLondonMoving" promotion will allow Londoners to receive a 50 per cent discount for splitting a car. Those getting involved need only request a ride via the service's mobile app, then opt to split the fare with their "Uber-savvy friends". The deal [...]
Tube strike still on as last-ditch talks continue April 28, 2014 LONDON Underground staff will start a 48-hour strike tonight unless last-ditch talks between Transport for London and the RMT union produce a truce. TfL, which will meet with RMT officials for conciliation talks today, last night urged the union to call off the “pointless strike”. This week’s walkout, which comes after two months of negotiations [...]
How to get around if the tube strike goes ahead April 28, 2014 • BAKERLOO TfL hopes to run trains between Queen’s Park and Elephant & Castle around every six minutes in both directions. Not stopping at Edgware Road, Embankment, Kilburn Park, Lambeth North, Maida Vale, Piccadilly Circus or Regent’s Park. • CENTRAL No service would operate through the central area. TfL plans to run trains between Epping [...]
Deutsche Bank employees take up a week of super scrimping April 28, 2014 IT’S HARD to imagine banking staff wondering if they can afford to splash out on a plain bagel from Sainsbury’s, but that could well be the experience of 43 Deutsche Bank employees this week as they try to live on £1 per day for five days. The scrimping isn’t anything to do with cost cutting, [...]
RMT calls off planned pensions strike April 24, 2014 Transport union the RMT has called off planned strike action over pensionable pay. The General Grades Committee has decided not to go ahead with action planned to begin from next Monday, so Transport for London members should work normally. The general tube strike – scheduled for 28 April to 30 April and 5 May to [...]
Letters to the Editor – 22/04 – Bank productivity, Self-employment, Best of Twitter April 21, 2014 Bank productivity [Re: The British productivity disease: How to cure it, Thursday] Dominic Raab is right that falling productivity can be blamed, particularly, on sectors like finance. But can he really claim that this is due to poor competition? Has he missed the new regulations that have pushed up the cost of doing business? Perhaps [...]