London Underground cannot manage their staff - Pope

12.52.00pm GMT Tue 5th Feb 2008

Commenting on the potential London Underground strike threat, Geoff Pope, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson on the London Assembly said:

"Once again, the Mayor and London Underground show that they cannot manage their staff. LU have a shocking history of weak management and poor industrial relations. Unions are only domineering where management and leadership are incompetent. Modern businesses involve and listen to their workforce.

"For too long the Tube has been dogged by restrictive practices and 'jobs for the boys', as if key union leaders owned the network. The Tube is for all Londoners, not run for the benefit of its staff. The Mayor needs to face down these strike calls. We also need root-and-branch reform of industrial practices and relations on the Tube.

"If London Underground cannot run our Tube without strike threats every few months, then perhaps it's time we looked for leadership from elsewhere."