A striking London Underground driver has been caught in a stunning act of hypocrisy, cycling to work through the very conditions his union claimed made travel "dangerous" and justified bringing the capital to a standstill.
The RMT union ordered workers to walk out on Thursday, citing "health and safety concerns" during the heatwave that saw temperatures soar above 30°C. They claimed conditions underground were potentially lethal for both staff and passengers.
However, these claims were dramatically undermined when a Tube driver was photographed cycling through central London to attend his shift at a depot – openly defying his union's reasoning for the devastating industrial action.
Commuters Left Stranded in Sweltering Heat
While the driver enjoyed his breezy bicycle commute, millions of Londoners faced travel misery:
- Complete suspension of 10 London Underground lines
- Severe overcrowding on remaining services
- Commuters forced onto overcrowded buses in sweltering conditions
- Major disruption to business and tourism across the capital
"It's outrageous hypocrisy," said one stranded commuter. "They claim it's too dangerous to work in air-conditioned cabins, but he's perfectly happy cycling through polluted London traffic in the same heat. They've stranded millions of people under false pretences."
Union Claims Versus Reality
The RMT maintained that the strike was necessary to protect members from "dangerous working conditions" caused by the heatwave. Union representatives argued that temperatures in some deep-level tunnels and stations had become unbearable and potentially hazardous.
Yet the image of a striking driver comfortably cycling to work suggests alternative travel methods were perfectly viable all along. The incident has raised serious questions about the true motivations behind the disruptive industrial action.
Transport for London had implemented extensive heat mitigation measures, including enhanced ventilation and cooling systems at many stations. The contrast between the union's dire warnings and one member's casual bicycle commute has not gone unnoticed by frustrated Londoners.
This incident highlights the growing tension between union actions and public perception, particularly when those taking industrial action appear unaffected by the very conditions they claim make work impossible.
