The first London-wide industrial action on the network for two years will leave services "severely disrupted" and managers admit only a very limited timetable will operate. With no prospect of a deal in sight as both sides fought a war of words before the walkout, RMT leaders and Tube managers will gauge support for the industrial action among up to 9,000 drivers, station, signal and maintenance staff before deciding their next moves.
Bob Crow, the hard-left RMT general secretary, speaking at his union's annual conference in Portsmouth, accused Tube bosses of a "PR exercise" after the collapse of yesterday's meeting.
Bobby Law, the RMT's chief Tube negotiator, went further: "LUL management were dishonourable. They clearly have no intention of reaching an agreement."
London Underground said its offer matched the best in the rail industry, and it had im proved this year's proposed award to 3.5%, with inflation plus 0.5% in 2005, before union negotiators walked out.
Mike Brown, the underground's lead negotiator and chief operating officer, said: "Given such an offer, the RMT strike is unjustified _ We remain ready to meet with the RMT any time."
The system will be gradually shut down from this evening before tomorrow's official stoppage to have trains in the right depots on Thursday morning.
Mr Crow said "strings" attached to the deal would erode working conditions. With the Oyster card payment system likely to cut 500 ticket office jobs, the RMT leader said the number of supervisors at big stations was to be halved.
