With London facing strike action on the Central and Victoria lines on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, new polling from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry has shown that 65% of London businesses support banning strikes on the Underground at peak times, with nearly three quarters (73%) supporting a minimum service guarantee during times of strike.

The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) commissioned independent polling company ComRes to survey 571 London businesses (representative by size and sector) about measures to regulate strikes on the Underground network.

Results showed:

• 65% of London businesses support the prevention of strikes on the Underground network during peak times (6.30 - 9.29am & 4.00 - 6.59pm).

• Nearly three quarters of London businesses (73%) support the introduction of a minimum service guarantee from unions during strike periods on the Underground.

• Half of businesses (51%) support a blanket ban on all London Underground strikes.

Peter Bishop, Chief Executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said:

“A strike on the London Underground adversely impacts the capital’s economy, businesses and commuters. It’s not surprising therefore that London businesses support mitigating the impact of strikes, including banning peak time striking, and a minimum service guarantee during times of strike.

Whilst half supported it, 35% of businesses oppose a blanket ban on all strikes – indicating a recognition amongst businesses about the right to strike.

The Underground network is an essential service for the capital, and the right to strike needs to better balance against that significance. Mitigation measures such as avoidance of peak time striking and a minimum service guarantee during times of strike would help to achieve that.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

ComRes interviewed 571 London business decision makers online between the 13th February and 11th March 2019. Data were weighted to be representative of all London businesses by company size and broad industry sector. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

Businesses were asked:

To what extent, if at all, would you support or oppose the introduction of each of the following policies to regulate strikes on the London Underground?

Results:

A minimum service guarantee from unions during the strike period:

• Support: 73%
• Oppose: 15%
• Don’t know: 12%

Prevention of London Underground strikes during peak times (6:30-09:29 and 16:00-18:59)

• Support: 65%
• Oppose: 23%
• Don’t know: 12%

A blanket ban on all London Underground strikes

• Support: 51%
• Oppose: 35%
• Don’t know: 14%

RMT Members working on the Central and Victoria Lines as Train Operators, Night Tube Train Operators and Instructor Operators at Hainault, Leytonstone, Loughton, West Ruislip, White City, Brixton and Seven Sisters Traincrew Depots will take strike action by not booking on for any shifts that commence between: 20:00 hours on Tuesday 3rd September to 20:00 hours on Wednesday 4th September.

Media contact for further comment:
Steven Reilly-Hii
T: +44 (0)207 203 1897
E: sreilly-hii@londonchamber.co.uk