The tube strike was losing public support
The tube strike was losing public support
During the run of the tube strikes at the beginning of August, Londoners and tube commuters were divided over the strike with 39% supporting the unions? action and 39% opposing it.
However, over the weekend before the strikes planned between the 25th and 28th of August support had noticeably fallen. Only 31% supported the planned action that was to be held this week, with just under half (46%) opposing the industrial action that was eventually called off at the last minute.
?Unfair disruption? from a tube strike
When we asked Londoners and tube commuters about the plans Transport for London (TfL) have, 56% said they supported the 24 hour tube service on the weekends, even if two fifths (40%) think the service will have a detrimental effect on the working conditions of tube drivers.
An extraordinary four in five (80%) thought that the tube strike that was planned would cause ?unfair disruption? to commuters. Many were also critical of the unions and tube drivers, with three quarters (73%) believing that they already have generous pay and conditions while 55% agree that the unions have tried to block every attempt to improve the London transport system.
However, despite some of these critical opinions it doesn?t mean that the way TfL have handled this is universally shined upon, with a third (33%) of Londoners and tube commuters believing that the package presented to the drivers is unreasonable.
The tube drivers? unions might be able to shore up public backing for their industrial action by focusing on the lack of consultation, as 73% still think that tube drivers need to be fully consulted on any changes to their contract. This even includes three quarters (74%) of the Londoners and commuters that oppose the strike.
The right to strike is in question
It is important for the unions to not fall too far on the wrong side of public opinion, especially considering the noises some politicians have been making about banning tube striking.
Londoners are evenly divided on the right to strike in this area, with 43% supporting the right to strike for public transport workers while a similar share (44%) think they should not be allowed to strike. This is also more or less in line with the rest of the country, as 44% of all UK adults support the right of public transport workers to strike and 41% oppose it.
Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 2,003 UK adults. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria. The research was conducted from 21st to 24th August 2015. This induced 283 respondents who either lived in London or regularly commuted to work using the London Underground.
Earlier this month, Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 2,003 UK adults. Results were weighted to nationally representative criteria and conducted from 4th to 6th August 2015. This induced 299 respondents who either lived in London or regularly commuted to work using the London Underground.
