London Underground report proposes 1,500 job cuts

[John Ashworth]

London Underground report proposes 1,500 job cuts

Union anger after leaked document says service could be better delivered with 15% fewer staff as a result of new technology

Press Association
guardian.co.uk, Monday 24 October 2011 10.01 BST

Union leaders have expressed alarm over a confidential London Underground report that raises the prospects of 1,500 job losses, driverless tube trains and mass closures of ticket offices.

The internal document argues that an improved service can be delivered with 15% fewer staff as a result of new technology, including a new "wave and pay" system, under which bank cards could be used to pay for journeys without having to buy a ticket.

The report, called Operational Strategy Discussion Paper, said the vast majority of ticket offices at underground stations would be rendered "unnecessary", adding that up to 30 could remain at major stations but staffed by "non-operational travel information specialists".

The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT), which was leaked the document, said it was a "blueprint for jobs and safety carnage".

London Underground described it as a discussion paper, prepared "purely to stimulate fresh thinking within London Underground", which had not been adopted by senior management, the Transport for London board or the mayor, Boris Johnson, and so did not represent agreed proposals for change.

The report, marked confidential and dated July, said that over the next decade, the introduction of automatic train control systems across the network would "radically change" the role of tube drivers.

"As the requirements of the role are automated, it is inefficient to continue to maintain the competence of train operators in activities which are not required in the role, resulting in excessive training and competence management. The train operator role should be refocused on the customer," said the document.

It added that sophisticated rolling stock could be introduced on the Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines that would "largely self-operate", continuing: "The introduction will provide opportunities to fundamentally change the role of a train operator. Rolling stock is unlikely to be manufactured with a separate cab, shifting the role of on-board staff to become fully customer-facing.

"Increasingly train operators will not be required to drive trains in the traditional manner but will focus on customer service and dealing swiftly with operational issues.

"Going further forward it seems likely that the new generation of trains will prepare themselves for service – even to the extent of arriving from depots unaided perhaps even eventually operating in certain areas without staff on board."

The plan involves cutting 1,500 jobs, including 770 managers and station supervisors, resulting in huge savings.

The report said: "Everybody has to recognise that the status quo is not an option. The plan will deliver improved standards of customer service by linking proactive, knowledgeable staff with new technology and it reduces operational cost by approximately 20% once resources are aligned to business needs."

The report suggests a four-year programme to deliver the "migration of virtually all ticket selling" to ticket halls, continuing: "Where it is sensible to make preparations and changes over the next year we will do so but many of the changes we are contemplating will come between 2013 and 2016."

The report suggested savings of almost £1.8bn could be achieved.

Mike Brown, LU's managing director, said: "This discussion paper was prepared purely to stimulate fresh thinking within London Underground. It has not been adopted by LU senior management, the TfL board or the mayor and so does not represent agreed proposals for change.

"However, it is, of course, the case that, like all organisations, London Underground must adapt and embrace change. The tube is now carrying a record 1.1 billion passengers a year, and this rising trend will continue as London grows.

"Londoners want a modern, safe, economical and efficient underground, with a strong focus on the needs of customers. This discussion paper contains some suggestions as to how that might be achieved.

"New technologies, innovations in maintenance and the changing ways in which passengers use our services mean that London Underground must look ahead.

"We remain committed to our established policy of maintaining fully-staffed stations at all times and deploying staff where customers want them. As we have said before, the success of Oyster has fundamentally changed the way in which passengers use ticket offices, for example.

"No specific decisions have been taken about how LU will operate in future. Any proposed changes will be subject to full consultation with unions, passenger bodies and others who are central to the development of our service, which is of such vital importance to London and the wider UK economy."

Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, said: "This document tells us everything we need to know about the operational strategy of London Underground – massive increase in fares alongside an unprecedented attack on jobs and safety.

"Every single ticket office would be closed, stations left unstaffed and drivers would be thrown out of their cabs without a single thought for passenger safety.

"In recent months we have seen from an escalation in cuts-led breakdowns just why the train and platform staff are so critical to safety on the system.

"This ill-conceived and finance-led document ignores reality in favour of austerity and would impact on every single staff member. It would leave passengers stranded in tunnels with no means of evacuation and would turn the platforms and stations into a muggers' and vandals' paradise."