Tube strike tonight over tube driver sacking for failed alcohol test
London Underground staff are set to strike tonight from 9.30pm to 3.59am tonight in protest at the sacking of a driver.
Members of the Rail, Maritime, and Transport Union (RMT) are protesting the dismissal, which came after the drive failed two alcohol breath tests. It said a faulty machine had presented false positives before, which made London Underground’s policy faulty.
LU, however, argued that it had a zero-tolerance policy to alcohol and drugs, for obvious safety reasons. The strike, it said, was indefensible. “We will never compromise on the safety of our customers and staff,” said LU’s chief operating office, Nick Brown.
You wouldn't let someone who had been drinking alcohol drive your family in a car, and we don't let people who have been drinking alcohol drive people's families in Tube trains
LU was quick to play down the possible effects of the strike, saying it was unlikely to cause disruption.