Despite last-minute phone calls between the two sides the London Tube strike has begun, causing millions of Londoners severe travel disruption. London Underground (LU) has condemned the action as "completely unacceptable" and say industrial action will not change the revised pay offer they proposed on Monday.
But Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union general secretary Bob Crow said "strings" attached to the proposed deal remained a sticking point and further industrial action could not be ruled out.
However some say that it's over modernisation, not money.
What's your opinion on the situation? Was it necessary to strike? Has the strike affected you?
This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.
The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:
Well, it was a sharp learning curve for me as I had 45mins to negotiate the buses from St Pancras to Marble Arch, having never before caught a London bus, but I made it! Who needs the Underground anyway?
Zoe Fiander, Sheffield, UK
Thirty two thousand pounds for a 35 hour week dropping to 33 hours by 2006. Free travel for the whole family around London and the possiblility of only working 4 days in the future. Where do I sign up. Break this union now before they wreck London for years to come.
Paul, London
It annoys me how many people on this site only compare the nurses, firefighters, police etc as the only people doing worthwhile lower paid jobs but nobody ever mentions the poor farm worker who is actually feeding the whole country, works extra long hours every week and has never been know to go on strike, yet these people have the lowest wages in the country. God help us all if they decide to follow the other so called low paid hard done by workers. They would indeed hold the country to ransom. Think about it.
Elizabeth, Durham
Contrary to some e-mailers' experiences, there were additional buses - actually, at Victoria station there are lots of extra buses laid on, and the number 73 route has even been covered by open top tour buses during summer strikes - not fair to say that the buses aren't helping travellers. Everyone knows this strike is nonsense, and the union isn't winning friends with it, but I would like to say thanks to Arriva bus company for trying to help out where it can.
Suze, London
 |  The RMT has failed to bring the chaos they had planned  |
I got a lift in a friend's car from Dalston to Victoria in an hour at rush hour. Then I got the Victoria line home at 5pm and everyone in my carriage had a seat. Either I was lucky, of the RMT has failed to bring the chaos they had planned. It's time they learned they cannot hold us to ransom anymore.
A. Smith, London Normal journey to work takes 15 mins, today it took 2 hours. All this because the hard workers on LU want a 35 hour, 4 day week, wouldn't we all like that?! It's time they started living on planet earth!!!!!
Dave Witts, West Ealing
Why didn't Ken Livingstone scrap the congestion charge for the day? This would have sent a clear message to the unions that London would do everything in its power to minimise disruption.
Chris, London
| Our transport system is bad enough as it is without days like today |
It took me 2 hours and 15 minutes to travel the 8 miles between Finsbury Park and Ladbroke Grove this morning and 3 hours to travel back again. I am absolutely disgusted that these people are striking over pay when they seem to me to be grossly overpaid as it is. How can a Tube driver earn more than many police officers and nurses? And they have the audacity to claim they aren't paid enough? Plus, our transport system is bad enough as it is without days like today!
Fiona McBride, London Perhaps a class action lawsuit by passengers, who were so unconvinced today, against the RMT would focus the minds of the Union leadership. Their demands in no way, shape, or form can be justified - overpaid and underworked.
Paul J. Harris, Michigan, USA
I've just seen the salary-scales on the BBC website. It's terrible that these people who bellow through loudspeakers at us passengers as though we were naughty children are paid so much to do that.
Paul Danon, London, England
| In the year 2004 there is no excuse for disrupting an entire city |
In the year 2004 there is no excuse for disrupting an entire city. The effects are far reaching and possibly damaging to millions. I was a labour union organiser in the 1970's, but cannot support this level of disruption in an interconnected world.
Lynn, Kent, UK There might have been more buses running today, but not where I live. The usual dereliction of duty by London United buses on their useless 220 route. Regarding the strike itself I've no problem with workers trying to better their conditions, but these guys are overpaid as it is.
Simon, London, England
24 hour strike? Rubbish. 48 hour strike more like. The Mayor should stand up for what he apparently believes and ensure strikes begin and end at midnight. Then we'd get a true 24 hour strike. What say you, Ken?
Toby, London, UK
| Break this union now before they wreck London for years to come |
32 grand for a 35 hour week dropping to 33 hours by 2006. Free travel for the whole family around London and the possibility of only working 4 days in the future. Where do I sign up. Break this union now before they wreck London for years to come.
Paul, London LU should automate the trains and be done with the huge salaries and arrogant behaviour of the unions.
Jonathan, Manchester, UK
As ever the media is concentrating on the world inside the M25, out here in the rest of the world we would love to have any public transport options!
Steve Pocock, Northants
| A few militants will cause a disproportionate amount of trouble |
A lovely early morning walk across London from Marylebone to Covent Garden and a refund on my ticket as well! Key workers like tube drivers are already very well paid (I wish I got 36 days holiday each year!). They should not be allowed to go on strike if less than 50% of the membership vote in favour. Otherwise a few militants will cause a disproportionate amount of trouble.
John, London, UK I reserve my anger for the RMT and the militant children who run it. Many of the staff are blameless in this.
James Ainslie, London
I work in Canary Wharf and from the pay stats in your report, I get paid about the same and get the same bonus - I'm not going on strike just because I don't like it. If they want million pound jobs, tell them to leave LU and get a better one. Do we suppose no-one had the bright idea to do some track improvements while the strike is on, or is that classed as crossing a picket line?
Sarah Green, Billericay, Essex
I left later this morning hoping to miss the bulk of the rush hour - it was fine until I got to East Croyden then there were hundreds of people trying to get on the train to London Bridge, it was about 9:50 by then. I have absolutely no sympathy for people who try and justify a pay rise by inflicting misery on others.
Giles Clinker, Brighton, UK I travelled on the Victoria and Bakerloo lines as usual and got to work early ! What strike?
Steve, London
I just wanted to thank the bus drivers! Despite the abuse they get from some on days like today, they continue to turn up for work and help us to do the same!
Beth, London, UK
Oh, joy. Two days of working at home. More, please.
Huge, London, UK
| It was peaceful and quite relaxing |
I had a great trip in this morning, although I had to leave slightly earlier than normal. I took the river bus from Tower Pier to Embankment. It was peaceful and quite relaxing. As for the strike until the public are given the correct facts relating to the strike it is impossible to make a judgement.
Steve, Southend, Essex After moaning and groaning about the prospect of walking to work this morning, I walked along the Thames pathway past Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, Tate Modern and other sites I hadn't appreciated for a long time. Got into work refreshed and more relaxed than I would have if I'd crammed myself into an airless crowded tube train. One thing's come out of this strike - London Underground will be losing a few pounds each a day from now on (and hopefully with the increased exercise so will I!).
Rosemary, London
Took two and a half hours to get to my journalist job running the news desk of a respected trade paper that pays considerably less than I would receive driving a tube train. Get real, RMT.
Jeremy, London, UK
I attempted to use the free river service this morning. I was told that there would be a boat at 7.15. Lehman Brothers however had chartered it and there was no other replacement. Nice advice!
Peter Clark, London
| The pro-strikers are overpaid |
I overheard 6 tube workers saying they didn't want to strike, that the union members had rostered their rest days to coincide with the strike and the big cheeses were on holiday. Of the people that voted, a small majority wanted to strike. Of the people that COULD vote marginally less wanted to work and lots more abstained. Abstention should automatically be deemed as a 'NO' vote. The pro-strikers are overpaid, and clearly just want another day off. I have no sympathy for them whatsoever, only for those who cross the lines or want to work but are feeling bullied.
Jacqui, Herts, England Today the commute took me a whopping 3 hours, that is twice the usual time. Tube workers are among the best paid engineers in the capital. Why can't they open their eyes? Not looking forward to going home, maybe 4 hours (twice the usual).
Rick Cutler, Thatcham, Berkshire
Having started out early this morning, seen the traffic on the roads and the queues at the bus stops - I decided that it would best to return home and go back to bed, which is exactly what I did! Many thanks to Ken Livingstone and Tony Blair . . . NOT!
Jock, London, England
I drove into work as usual - on the A40 and arrived 5-10 minutes earlier than usual. This afternoon may be a different matter - but at the end of the day it is only time!
SH, UK
Got the bus this morning going past numerous tube stations and I didn't see a single picket line! Well supported strike? More like a well supported day off!
NJC, London
As a recent graduate, my salary after two years of work is still almost �5,000 less than the �22,000 being demanded as a starting salary by the militants in this dispute. I find it unbelievable that these people can hold commuters to ransom for their ridiculous demands which, in the end, can only realistically be paid for by massive fare hikes. I already spend a fifth of my salary getting to work - no more please!
Zoe, London
| Someone needs to stand up to these politicians |
I will be walking twelve miles to and from work today because of the strike. Do I support the strikers? The answer is a resounding yes. Someone needs to stand up to these politicians in their ivory towers.
David, London Why are people so angry that the union is looking after its people and trying to protect their jobs? I think people are angry because THEY are exploited by their bosses and won't stand up for themselves.
Jason, London, UK
Tube strikes.....take the bus, walk, rollerblade and last but not least the unavoidable take the car into work...What a great day for Ken Livingstone, he'll finally make up for the loss in congestion charge!
BV,
A tube strike reminds me how easy and beautiful it is to get to different parts of central London by foot. What a great city, so much better above ground!
Loz, Kingston
All I can say is - looking forward to the usual big discount that London Underground give you on your ticket when there have been disruptions to the service - hopefully they will give a bigger discount this month!
Nicola, London
This tube strike is rubbish! Complete and total rubbish. It is not fair to hold innocent tax-payers ransom just because RMT were too childish to come to some sort of agreement. When we pay the high price of travel tickets, we do not expect any of this nonsense. Bob Crowe and Bobby Low: Grow up and act like civilized adults.
Victoria, London, UK
Who are they trying to kid? This is an exercise in muscle flexing, and as usual, the commuter pays. Sounds like a noble cause until it happens next time, then again...
Chris, London
| Return bus and cycle lanes to those of us who actually pay the real price for travelling by our own transport |
The problem is that the whole public transport issue in this country is blighted by the fact that it ain't cheap, it's subsidised, and when the poor traveller gets the real cost passed on to them (rather than all us mugs paying our taxes to support it) your average public transport traveller will realise that car ownership isn't so bad after all.... Close the Tubes, turn them into lovely fountain type memorials, turn the buses into garden plant displays and return bus and cycle lanes to those of us who actually pay the real price for travelling by our own transport.
Anne Grey, London, UK
The strikers should be ashamed of themselves. An absolute disgrace.
Alistair, Balham, London
Buy a bicycle. I did and the savings on tube fares have paid for it in under a year. Not to mention being a cheaper option than a gym membership. I'm healthier, better off and because of a slow tube line/connections, it doesn't take me any longer. There are never any delays. If people want to see whether their pay/conditions are competitive, they should look at the rate of voluntary staff turnover. I suspect the London Underground has one of the lowest rates in London.
Paul, London
Sack them all, there are plenty of people out there that would be more than willing to do a cushy overpaid job so replacements would not be hard to find. How hard is it to sit at the front of the train, push the lever forward to make it go, pull it back to make it stop? Hardly rocket science!
Duncan, London commuter, UK
| The Tube workers will be the ones who, if there is a disaster one day on a privatised network, will be the first to save your life |
I am appalled at the lack of balance the BBC is giving this debate with a flood of right-wingers condemning tube workers. The Tube workers will be the ones who, if there is a disaster one day on a privatised network, will be the first to save your life. The Tube workers are the only people who can stop a wholesale privatisation of the Tube, and avoid the great railway for profit disaster. I'm with the tube workers, who are our only allies in stopping the drive for a profit driven tube. Tube workers - rise like lions like the fire-fighters!
Manuel L, London, UK
I just spent four hours getting home; I will leave tomorrow at 5am to be at work at 9am. I really respect the strikers and don't mind the inconvenience.
Gangdas Bhai, London
It is not fair that the Underground workers are causing more disturbance and disruption to the public than the benefit they are hoping to achieve for themselves. They are abusing their monopoly on underground rail travel to force through their demands. This cannot be acceptable in a democracy.
Charlie, Chesham
It is during stikes such as this that we realise just how valuable tube drivers are. No tube drivers, no London. I have a choice of cycling, driving (it's a 4x4, and we know what Ken thinks of them) or working from home. Maybe if I was a little fitter, I'd have chosen the bike. Until then, my computer rules.
Gary McCartney, Ealing, London
Lots of venom here directed at Tube drivers. Try getting your facts straight first - it's not the drivers who are on strike, it's the RMT who represent station staff, signallers, maintenance workers.
Ian Bartlett, Chesham, UK
In Australia apparently striking workers still turn up for work but refuse to accept any money. The point being it hurts the bosses not the pubic and keeps them onside. I know some people have travelcards but it would be a novel way of protesting!
Steve Matthews, Manchester
The dinosaurs died out seventy million years ago because they couldn't handle a changed climate. Bob Crow's RMT dinosaur is heading the same way for the same reason. Each tube strike will simply change the climate a little quicker.
Eccles, Bristol, UK
Londoners lets strike back, refuse to use tube until Mayor of London weeds out all the corrupt and greedy elements in RMT. This nonsense is completely uncalled for. How about we (Londoners) see all you lot be sent home and you don't ever need come back. There are plenty of people willing to work reasonable working hours that you already have and good salaries that you already have. Shame on you RMT.
Bob, London
Summer's here, it's a bright sunny day, the sales have just started, and these lazy workers and their archaic union want the day off, so it's strike time. Expect another when it's August and they want a day to sunbathe, and another at Christmas so they can do their shopping. It never achieves anything, it makes us commuters think even less of them, but they still do it every time. Not very bright, are they?
Nat, London, UK
Until New Labour regains its social roots, people should be able to strike. It's their only way to protect their pay and conditions. Labour won't do it anymore.
Peter, London, UK
The public is tired of strikes across all public service sectors. The government is not firm enough and I see them being pushed over. It's high time the government made a stance and show these workers their place by imposing an ultimatum that could cause them unemployment if this continues. Everyone in this country has something to argue regarding their working conditions but these people feel they can take us beyond the limit as they are in a key position to make services stand still, which affect us all. Its bribery and it should be punished. Money should be focused elsewhere in the system.
Mark, Grimsby
I know, lets all go on strike and bring the country to a standstill, then we (including the government maybe?) will all see how utterly ridiculous this country is becoming!
Jamie, Leicester, UK
Surely the point of a strike is to hit the employer in the pocket and force it to negotiate. But Tube strikes can never do so; LUL cannot be allowed to go bust so will always be covered by one method or another, including fare rises. Thus I question the motives of both sides in this dispute!
Alastair Scott, London, United Kingdom
I am amazed at the short sighted and vitriolic nature of the responses so far. Whether you agree with this particular strike or not it remains everyone's fundamental right to withdraw their labour in an industrial dispute. Take that away and we remove all of the good that has been done.
Mike, London, UK
As a Tube driver who (amongst many other LUL staff) is not going on strike and thinks the RMT is appalling I would ask that people target their anger in that direction rather than making generalisations about Tube staff. My job isn't easy and it is skilled - however I am well paid for it. The RMT leadership wouldn't last a day in the real world and I've nothing but contempt for the sheep who believe the paranoid propaganda they churn out to drum up support for their pathetic cause.
Richard, London
Many people will take the day off tomorrow and some will work from home. As a teacher I must get to work or the school will close. Is that what the RMT want... how about the hospitals... or police. Tell you what lets all have a day off. We can go down the pub and watch the football. Was the RMT hoping for an England semi final?
Brian, Barnet
It strikes me as strange that the Tube has always been so expensive and such a nightmare to use, when in an ex-Soviet city like Kiev it is very efficient, clean and only 5p anywhere in the city, Who is getting the better deal?
Richard Murray, Kiev, Ukraine
Did you know there are about 500 applicants per tube driver trainee post? So much for poor pay and conditions. Mr Crow is a disgrace to humanity for causing misery amongst millions of people for the sake of his and his members' greed.
James Carter, Dartford, UK
I commute via Gunnersbury tube station every day and think the station staff are fantastic. They are a class apart from the RMT officials, drivers and track maintenance staff behind the strike.
Ian, Chiswick, London
How dare RMT demand a four day week? How do they expect to get the sympathy of ordinary Londoners with such a demand? It's outrageous. The truth is that Oyster cards are making them redundant. They should be retrained to fix the signals.
Paul, London
I cannot believe this argument between RMT and LU is still rumbling on. A 3.5% pay rise and reduction in working week is not a bad deal. This on top of the �30k and 35 days holiday. Police, nurses, paramedics, fire-fighters.... all these people get less than this as well as having to do night shifts etc. Tube drivers do not know how easy they have it. I find their nerve quite unbelievable. And as for Bob Crow ... Grrr!
Jimbo, Watford
| Thankfully militant lunacy such as this strike will only bring forward the day when all drivers are replaced by computerised trains |
Thankfully militant lunacy such as this strike will only bring forward the day when all drivers are replaced by computerised trains. The DLR and Victoria Line prove that it can be done - and when the network is finally brought into the 21st century, Messrs Crow and his cronies may find their services are no longer required.
Roger, London
It seems that an open ticket has been given to these unions who will threaten industrial action over trivial things. For example the last threat by the unions over the sacking of tube workers was incongruous. The men were caught drinking beer at work it was right to sack them. If they are not happy with how much they are paid why did they take the job in the first place? I think this whole system of industrial action is ludicrous! People can legally bring the country to a stand still! It doesn't sound right to me.
Kosser Mohammed, London, UK
To Kosser Mohammed: Nobody was caught in the act of drinking beer. Beer cans were found in a common room and it could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt that these men were responsible. In spite of this they were sacked. Hardly the actions of a responsible Management Team.
Danny, London, UK
Given you have a Have Your Say site on penalising 4x4 cars in the urban environment; I would like to suggest that you, the Beeb, are a wee bit biased towards city inhabitants. Even in the most remote communities, people were made aware of this strike in advance and have had the opportunity to alter their lifestyles for its short duration - but the same people who can't cope with a short strike are (according to your postings only) prepared to make rural dwellers pay a permanent penalty! Think about it folks!
Jade, UK
If you don't like a job, get a new one! Why must we all suffer because of greedy and selfish tube workers?
Tony, UK
The very poor service offered by the most expensive subway I know is one of the reasons I grew tired of London and moved out of the UK. More might follow with this new strike.
Vassili, Prague, Czech
We should be training the Army to operate signals and drive tube trains. They're just as essential as fire-fighters.
Jamie Stallwood, Herts, UK
While tube strikers deserve the sack, we also have to ask why after hundreds of millions of pounds' worth of investment by the Mayor, that there are never any extra bus services laid on during tube strike days and in fact, they're selling off Routemasters rather than keeping them in reserve for times just like these.
Ken, England
I'm glad to say that I was not affected at all. I had a meeting this afternoon at Green Park. I then left immediately before the rush hour started. I support the strike, even though as commuters we all suffer the inconvenience, everyone deserves a decent pay - especially in London where almost everything seems to cost an arm and a leg!
Ronald Elly Wanda, England
Tube drivers are bang out of line. It's not as if what they do is difficult - and they get paid way more than it's worth already. Our tube fares escalate every year to pay for Bob Crow's bolshy behaviour and unreasonable demands. Why should tube drivers with their minimum hour weeks get paid more than nurses, teachers and bus drivers (who actually have to deal with traffic/customer abuse). Tube drivers have it way, way too easy.
Fiona, London, UK
Driving a train ain't hard, compared with a car. Go, stop. That's about it. Why don't they let commuters drive the trains?
Paul Weaver, London, UK
| We need a military style organisation with modern pride inducing uniforms, advanced Star Trek like technology and performance related pay |
I spent 10 years in California, and while their public transport is limited due to reliance on cars, the train staff are enthusiastic, well paid and the trains run without a hitch. We need a military style organisation with modern pride inducing uniforms, advanced Star Trek like technology and performance related pay.
Alex, London, England
I guess the five billion pounds poured down the train drain didn't reach as far as the Underground huh? Did you know that Space programs don't run as expensive as five billion a year?
Ian, Brit in USA
The RMT know full well that the people that use LU are at their mercy. The reason I bought my scooter was quite simply being sick to my back teeth of being held hostage by these people. To credit the RMT with anything other than lining their workers pockets (and their own) is an insult. Last time it was for the safety of our workers, this time for the pensions of our workers -do me favour! In my opinion the situation is quite simple: Greed, or to be more specific more money for even less of the service or else!
Both the government and LU have been far too quick to give into these militants in the past and the RMT know it. Walk, run, ride a bike/scooter, do anything to send out a message to these dinosaurs that Londoners have had enough! (It's the 21st century for god's sake)
Ray, United Kingdom
| With go slow maintenance and three drivers for every train, I'd hardly call it working |
Why is it that business monopolies are frowned upon, but labour monopolies like this are allowed to get away with such utterly outrageous behaviour? I'm baffled by the reader who thinks these people work hard. With go slow maintenance and three drivers for every train, I'd hardly call it working. This man Crow has really conned a lot of people.
Justin, London
Tube staff are pathetic. They're certainly not service-orientated. I'd sack the lot of them. There'd be a queue of people prepared to do it in their place on their conditions. I mean, it's not as if it's a difficult job either is it? No traffic jams to get through and there aren't even any corners to turn....
Bernie, UK
Tube driers get over �30,000 after three years amongst other benefits including a 35 hour week. Are we honestly saying they are more valuable than our teachers and nurses? The RMT's bosses should be ashamed of their greed. Many other innocent public service employees do a much better, more valuable job for a lot less money.
Amit, London
I am a Station Assistant with LUL. My late Dad was a Union Rep and the unions do a good job. But the only reason I would consider striking is on a safety issue. But, as we are not considered key workers and have to pay full rent and rates in and around our great capital, we still have a right to strike.
Contrary to popular believe (which is not rectified by the media), Station/Customer Service Assistants only get around �17K plus shift allowance, no enhanced payment for weekends/Bank Holidays (apart from New Year's Eve). I have just finished seven nights late shift on the trot and thankfully have a rest day today, but during the week I have endured three counts of verbal abuse and was jostled by passengers because of this. Before we begin work for LUL we have to have intense customer service and safety training and take several exams, also unknown to passengers.
Rhonda Ferry, Northwood, UK
Tonight I had a miserable journey home because a tube driver who gets paid more than I do and works less hours has decided to go on strike for better pay and paid lunch breaks. If they are not happy with their pay (twice what a bus driver makes) or their hours (35 hours per week) or their free travel in London, then they should try a different job and not hold London to ransom.
Mat, London, England
Luckily I work from home now. How Bob Crow can justify LU workers striking is beyond me. A Station Attendant gets over 21k a year for doing what? I have been a labour supporter all my life and a shop steward in the eighties but quite frankly LU should sack the lot and re-employ them on a no union no strike basis They are a disgrace to the working class, they are greedy work-shy people who have had the public over a barrel for far too long
Barry, Hornchurch, Essex
We want more money but also want to do less hours, I'm not sure there are many other industries where such lunacy rules.
D Burnham, UK
As someone who frequently uses the tube, I think the staff there do a tremendous job. Their trade union is trying to protect not only terms and conditions, but the safety of the travelling public. If the authorities are serious about ensuring public safety, then they should be listening to what the staff representatives are saying. As for industrial action, this is a last resort, nobody likes to lose wages! Especially those who are not receiving five and six figure bonuses!
Vince, Medway
I think the blame for the situation lies with the London Underground managers. Also total bias of one London evening newspaper for the LU management and against the RMT I think it is disgraceful. I will be cycling to work tomorrow and if I see a picket line I will stop and give them my support. Instead of complaining of a one day strike and I think we the Londoners should all support and thank the underground staff for the hard work they do throughout the year.
Orhan, London
I intend to use this strike to my own advantage and walk to work - you never know it may become a habit and could save me a fortune!
Mark, London, UK
This bullying and psuedo-thuggery from the RMT is totally appalling. Will the law be changed to allow the general public to retaliate and cause striking members 24 hours worth of inconvenience of their own? I doubt this government would have the guts.
Anon, London
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
