London Tube strike: David Cameron hits out at 'shameful' walkout as strike begins

David Cameron said the first 48-hour walkout starting at 9pm on Tuesday would cause “misery” for hard-working people. He challenged Labour leader Ed Miliband to condemn it.

Mr Cameron added: “(RMT union leader) Bob Crow’s Tube strike is plain wrong and he should call it off today.

“His shameful plans will bring misery to millions of hardworking families in London. Ed Miliband should condemn the strike immediately — no ifs and no buts.”

Tube strike 2014: Find out the lines running today on the London Underground

Talks between Transport for London and the RMT and TSSA unions ended on Monday night. Both sides accused the other of failing to compromise in the dispute over plans to close all Tube ticket offices with the loss of 953 jobs.

Mr Crow told the Standard at City Hall today: “The strike is on. The Mayor’s office has made it clear Boris will not see us. He said he will only meet us if we call the strike off. We are still available to meet in private.”

Boris Johnson speaks on LBC today Mr Crow phoned the Mayor in the LBC studio to say: “Boris, we can call it off but it takes two to tango. Sit round a table, we cannot do it while you put a gun to our head.”

The Mayor said the union’s case was undermined by the fact that 450 staff have already applied for voluntary redundancy.

The Tube strike will hit the network on Wednesday and Thursday to be repeated at the same time next week for two more days.

The London Chamber of Commerce predicted a “huge impact” costing at least £50 million per day with the tourist and retail trades bearing the brunt.

The CBI said the action was supported by only a third of the members of the RMT and TSSA and would hit firms unable to allow staff to work from home, such as small businesses. Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of London Chamber of Commerce, said: “Not only does it make the daily commute more difficult for millions of workers, but will also impact on the tourists, visitors and shoppers who bring money into the London economy.”

Neil Carberry of the CBI said: “With only 30 per cent of RMT members voting for a strike, it’s disappointing it’s going ahead, causing disruption to the journeys of many workers in and around London.

“The strike will have a limited impact on the wider economy, as employers will take a common sense approach to staff working remotely. However, there will understandably be a significant impact on those businesses where that is simply not possible. We hope that talks will resolve this issue to avoid any impact on London’s businesses as they drive the recovery.”

Baroness Valentine, CEO of London First, said: “The idea that the RMT  —which uses the catchphrase “Every Job Matters” — thinks making London grind to a halt will help job creation is beyond comprehension.”

Commuters at Oxford Circus last night Picture: Nigel Howard Tony Travers, director of the Greater London Group at London School of Economics, said: “These strikes convey an image of disruption which inevitably seeps abroad. We hear about the Metro strikes in Paris and the refuse collection strikes in Naples. For London they will have an impact in economic loss and a reputational loss.”

Simon Thomas, owner of the Hippodrome Casino on Leicester Square, said:: “I sincerely hope Bob Crow had a miserable holiday when so many Tube users will have a nightmare journey to airports for their own trips abroad. He should have stayed on the beach instead of returning bronzed and smiling to London.”

A senior Labour source responded to Mr Cameron’s challenge by calling on both sides of the dispute to talk. He said: “Strikes are always a sign of failure. It is vital both sides get round the table and sort this out so millions of Londoners do not face travel misery.”

Bob Crow waits at City Hall. Both sides blamed the other for failing to compromise Shadow transport secretary Mary Creagh criticised Boris Johnson for failing to reach a deal with the unions. She told the Standard: “Nobody wants strikes and both sides should now get back around the negotiating table and sort this out as a matter of urgency.

“It is disappointing that the Mayor and Transport for London have not reached a resolution with the unions ahead of this strike.”

The discussion on the Mayor’s LBC Ask Boris show started off politely but quickly turned into a lively argument. Mr Johnson said: “There is absolutely no need to go ahead with this action, so please, please, please get into negotiation with our team, talk to them.

“They understand where you’re coming from and that we both want the best for London Underground.” But after the union boss refused to budge, he added: “It’s nonsense. This is really about muscle-flexing and power. The RMT know they have no chance of stopping this, it’s inevitable, but they need to show to their members that LU can’t make changes without this kind of industrial action.

“ Unfortunately we’re going to have to go through it. I urge you Bob, do the right thing for yourself, for your members, for Londoners.”

Mr Crow said he did not want Mr Johnson to get involved in the nitty gritty of negotiation but instead instruct LU staff to suspend the order to cut the jobs.  “We’re asking you to listen to our point of view, that’s all we’re asking for.”

Your say: 'I'm pretty annoyed with the workers'

Ieva Bironaite, 20, jewellery shop hostess, Canning Town: Transport for London are to blame. You need to listen to the workers. My journey is going to take so long to get into central London.

Abi Aiello, 25, retail manager, Croydon: I can understand why the workers strike but every time they do they ruin everyone’s day. There are going to be far more people affected than the number on strike.

Ross Jackson, 23, surveyor, Stratford: I’m pretty annoyed with the station workers who are striking. I don’t think Boris’s plans are very good, but I disagree with the principle of striking if you don’t get your way.

Thiru Thuraisingan, 39, accountant, Chadwell Heath: I will have to take a bus. It is an inconvenience for us but on the other hand the workers have their families to look after and they need their jobs. I support them.

Porsha Rose, 52, pharmaceutical professional, Surrey: They should sit down and negotiate around a table rather than inconveniencing thousands of people. There are other ways of cutting costs.

Akash Sharma, 18, student, Ealing Broadway: We need some people in stations but pretty much everyone at university has an Oyster card. If they close the ticket offices it isn’t going to impact me.