TfL Tube strikes: RMT chief calls for apology after Tory claims ‘skiving’ workers behind station closures

Union chief Mick Lynch has demanded an apology from City Hall Conservative Tony Devenish, after the Assembly Member (AM) accused transport workers of “skiving” in a tweet.

Mr Lynch, the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) general secretary, joined members protesting outside Lancaster Gate on May 24 over cuts to tube staff. The union said Transport for London (TfL) has removed 600 station staff posts, which it claims is causing regular station closures and increased rates of violence.

The following day, Mr Devenish re-tweeted an Evening Standard article on the protest, writing: “A different take from @TfL: @RMTunion fairytales. Skiving is skiving. There are no staff shortages. Even Labour @CityWestminster has condemned this. @SadiqKhan, will you?”

In a letter to London Assembly Conservative group leader Neil Garratt, Mr Lynch described Mr Devenish’s comment as “reprehensible”, and that it has “caused considerable hurt and anger amongst my members”.

Mr Lynch wrote: "I’m writing to you in your capacity as leader of the London Assembly Conservative Group further to comments on Twitter by one of your members, Tony Devenish.

"Our members were described by the former Secretary of State for Transport as “true heroes” for their role in keeping public transport moving during the Covid pandemic.

"Referring to London Underground yesterday Mr Devenish took to Twitter to allege that ‘Skiving is Skiving. There are no staff shortages’. For a member of the London Assembly to accuse public transport workers who keep our capital moving today and during Covid of being ‘skivers’ is reprehensible and has, understandably, caused considerable hurt and anger amongst my members.

"I would therefore be grateful for your urgent confirmation that Mr Devenish is not speaking for the Conservative Group when he says this and that assume you will instruct him to retract this statement and issue an apology.”

Mr Lynch referenced the rising levels of violence against tube staff, which was due, he claimed, to cuts “forced on TfL by the government as conditions of emergency funding to cover the impact of the pandemic”, resulting in “understaffing, growing frustration and violence toward our members”.

The repeated station closures have been criticised by both local residents and councillors. A petition was recently set up to draw attention to the issues at Lancaster Gate, which TfL confirmed to LondonWorld had been shut 24 times in the last month.

A spokesperson for TfL previously said the RMT’s latest strike action has contributed “significantly” to the station’s closures, adding: “We are working to address these local issues, are doing everything possible to ensure the station stays open, and are progressing recruitment that was paused during the pandemic.”

A spokesperson for the City Hall Conservatives group said it did not wish to comment.