LONDON — The Associated Press reports that London Mayor Ken Livingstone brokered an agreement Wednesday to end a paralyzing series of one-day strikes on London’s Tube, giving beleaguered subway riders a rare bit of good news.
Livingstone has little control over the line, but he will gain some authority under the government’s plan to partially privatize the system. Under a deal with unions, he promised train drivers he will bring their pay dispute to nonbinding mediation once he’s in charge.
The unions — whose two recent 24-hour walkouts have created havoc for transportation in the capital — accepted the offer. They praised Livingstone’s approach as far more constructive than that of their current bosses, who report to the mayor’s political rival, Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Livingstone, who fought against Blair’s plan to partially privatize the subway, said his attorneys were considering the legal implications of his intervening in the labor dispute before he gains authority over the system.
He said there was no reason to wait while commuters suffered more transportation hassles.