Just one month in power and he’s messed up! In his first attempt to “improve the safety and security of public transport in London and create a better environment for the millions of Londoners who rely on it” the new Mayor’s announcement of an alcohol ban from 1 June has led to a night of alcohol fueled violence on the combine.

The Tory Mayor explained: 'I firmly believe that banning the drinking of alcohol on London's public transport will create a better travelling environment for all Londoners and that if we drive out antisocial behaviour and so called minor crime then we will be able to get a firm grip on more serious crime.' Well that really worked!

The ban was introduced without consultation with your union reps and management’s belated attempts to rectify that situation have been exposed for what they are – too little too late. Despite several attempts to arrange safety consultative meetings regarding the ban management consistently failed to meet this basic legal requirement in your interest. Indeed, the question and answer guidance for staff on the intranet was ‘consulted’ upon after it was issued. The stations safety council was informed that fuller consultation would take place on 4 June (4 days after the introduction of the ban!).

Bob Crow is absolutely right to insist that the Mayor personally apologise to tube staff abused and assualted as a direct consequence of his negligence.

Despite LUL’s official bulletin (2 June 2008) in which the Deputy COO explains: “We faced some difficult conditions…I am pleased to report that no LU staff received any injuries” the reports we’ve recieved and the reality on the ground indicate very much the opposite.

Here’s a snapshop:

• King's Cross - 12 staff assaulted both physically and verbally. Six Passenger Emergency Alarms (PEAs) activated, starting with T212. Station evacuated 22:54-23:22. Bottles thrown, lights smashed. Numerous arrests.
• Liverpool Street station closed at 21:00hrs on police request. Police then informed supervisors that the station could reopen at 10 but with no police assistance. Station remained closed until start of traffic Sunday. Reports were later received of said crowds causing considerable damage in and around the mainline station.
• Gloucester Road station was closed because of people throwing objects onto the track.
• At High Street Kensington, a female member of staff was assaulted - pushed, pulled, and a bottle thrown at her - but the police were 'too busy' to intervene and assist. No additional staff duties had been organised to assist with the workload.
• Embankment evacuated. Police got there 45 minutes late. One passenger injured.
• Edgware Road H&C depot: A driver booked off, as he felt unsafe because passengers were angry and there were no staff available to assist him.
• Another driver was approaching Liverpool Street was assaulted, when he saw people urinating on the train.
• A further driver was knocked on the head by an assailant; his glasses were broken. Another driver refused to move his train when it came to his attention that there was a man on the roof.
• No assaults eh?!