►► Long queues for tickets at London Tube stations are normal, but the mayor believes all the ticket offices should close ◀◀

An opinion poll shows strike action against the London Tube cuts is justified.

The findings were released after Tube workers went on strike for two days (5 and 6 February 2014) in protest against Mayor Boris Johnson’s plans to close all Tube station ticket offices.

An independent survey of 1,000 Tube users showed a majority of passengers believe strike action is justified and that the mayor should speak directly with the unions.

The survey carried out by Survation found that 65% of Tube users felt that lawful industrial action as a last resort was justified, with only 29% not sharing that view.  A similar number (66%) were concerned at the mayor’s closure plans. 

Almost nine out of ten (87%) of Tube users believed the mayor should speak directly with the unions without preconditions if that meant strike action on the Tube could be prevented. 

The survey, commissioned by the RMT, was carried out on 3 and 4 February following the breakdown of talks at ACAS.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: "No one wants the disruption of strike action but this polling shows that the public understand that when a union is pushed into a corner with a gun at its head it is justified in taking the action RMT and TSSA are forced to take tonight to defend jobs, safety and services.  

"The mayor and his officials should take note of this survey, withdraw the notice threatening jobs, thereby allowing us to suspend the action to allow further talks."