Today is no fun travelling by tube in London. Since one of the few true luxuries I indulge in is a monthly zone 1 and 2 travel card I usually rely on the tube network to take me where I am going, so when it breaks down it is a bit annoying.
Today the tube network is broken, not by any act of God, but by the act of the tube attendants. Or more accurately, failure to act... To be fair though, I was unlucky this morning. Disturbances are minimal, only 20 tube stations are closed, which leaves about 90% open. Unfortunately two of the three stations I needed this morning for my weekly coffee session with lovely B were among the 20...
I am not sure what they are fighting for, but apparently it can't be very important since most of the attendants obviously decided to go to work as was it any normal day. London Underground is getting some flak for "running an unsafe network" though, what with not enough attendants around, but I felt just as fluffy and cuddly taken care of as usual. Yes, I like the tube.
However, I am rambling. Thing is, while waiting on the platform at Elephant & Castle I learned a new expression. Interesting, how a simple rephrasing of words can make something incredibly negative in the public eye (as in those who will suffer from not being able to get off at their right stations) can be made to sound positive and for the common good.
"Industrial action."
Taste the words. "Industrial action." No, it is not a "strike", that sounds so dreary and as if it has a bad impact on commuters' everyday life, please from now on when you announce that people may get late to work or will be forced to walk several miles in the cold and rain we usually get in London in January use the phrase "industrial action", it will make people feel so much better.
Well, you can't say that London Underground doesn't care about their customers...
