Boris V The Crow

A new horror movie for commuters or fighting talk from Bob Crow's RMT?

Thousands of tube workers have voted overwhelmingly for a 48 hour strike action starting on 9 June against what they say is an unacceptable five-year pay offer and efficiency savings imposed by Transport for London across the whole network that will lead to compulsory redundancies.

It seems to throw down the gauntlet to TfL bosses to pay up or shut up but does this bravado conceal a more conciliatory approach? Is it the 'confrontational approach' of management that niggles? The strike will go ahead unless Boris meets with Bob - which leaves open the possibility of a deal being negotiated - but perhaps a better deal than one without a fight.

A cynic may say it's also good publicity for Bob Crow's No2EU - Yes to Democracy candidates in the Euro Election on 4 June. Their party political broadcast was strangely effective in it's simple presentation and direct message against the undemocratic European Union bureacracy. But some argue that the EU defends workers rights - limits to overtime, equality legislation and so forth. Is the EU good for workers or will you vote No on Jun 4?

Tube workers strike over pay