I would like to congratulate members on the stand they have taken in supporting the strike action. You know it’s having a massive effect when the media take notice and start chasing their own tails.

On the one hand they are saying loads of trains are running but on the other we are inconveniencing 3 million commuters because they can’t get on the tube. The reality is LUL are running a skeleton service at best, and it is LUL that are inconveniencing the public as they pulled the deal that could have sorted this dispute out at the last moment.

Management sat back for 8 days knowing that the strike was to go ahead and only agreed to meet last Friday, despite the Union pressing for direct discussions. At these talks some progress was made and we asked for the talks to continue over the weekend. Management were not interested. They finally got back round the negotiating table on Monday and Tuesday – on Tuesday we were still talking at 6pm when someone was sending out anonymous texts to members and notices were being put up in some stations stating the action was off – work out for yourself who that was, it certainly wasn’t your Union.

And then came management’s sting. We had signed an agreement with the Acting Managing Director, Richard Parry, and thought we had a deal that would have enabled us to call off the action. As I pointed out yesterday, either the Transport Commission or City Hall, stepped in and instructed the negotiators to pull the deal. The most disgraceful action I have ever experienced in all my years of negotiating on members’ behalf.

But at least we are making progress. Discussions are taking place without the Media glare as, despite what you may read in the papers, we do not want members going on strike for the sake of it - this is not a game. The personal attacks being made in the press and on TV do not bother the Union as we are above this pettiness – we want to negotiate a settlement and will not get drawn into this type of behaviour. We made more progress in the 7 hours leading up to the strike than we did in the previous 9 months as management had been stalling for all this time – so by going on strike you have forced them to negotiate seriously on these very important issues.

I know it can be frustrating that some services are running on a much reduced basis as a result of some members of other Unions crossing your picket lines. I would never ask a member to cross a picket line as this is a fundamental Trade Union principle.

Once again, the Council of Executives and myself would like to thank you for standing firm and supporting your union and colleagues in defending your pay, terms and conditions.

We are seeking a resolution to this dispute and hope to be able to do so as quickly as possible. I will keep you informed of developments.

Bob Crow General Secretary