LONDON (AFP) — London's commuters were spared another day of chaos on Wednesday after the union leading a strike that has crippled the tube said it was suspending the industrial action.
The tube was brought to a virtual standstill after the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers' Union (RMT) called on its workers, who maintain Underground lines, to strike over a dispute following the collapse of a maintenance firm.
Transport for London (TfL), which runs the city's public transport network, welcomed the news, but added that there would still likely be disruptions for travellers on Wednesday.
Nine of London's 12 underground lines were totally shut down, while another was partially suspended, forcing commuters to use buses, overland trains or simply walk to work.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and London Mayor Ken Livingstone had led protests at the rare strike action, which began Monday evening and was due to last 72 hours, involving some 2,300 RMT workers.
The RMT suspended the strike, however, after tube bosses clarified assurances over jobs and pensions following the collapse of Metronet, a privately-owned group that maintains most of the London Underground train network.
Metronet went into administration in July after running out of funds.
"We are pleased the RMT has suspended its strike action at Metronet following the clarification of all jobs and pensions issues," a TfL spokesman said.
He added, however, that as the strike was suspended late on Tuesday, it would take time for full service to resume on the underground network.
The union was set to meet again Friday before it decides on whether or not to go ahead with a previously threatened three-day strike next week.
Brown earlier branded the strike "wholly unjustified" and urged strikers to get back to work.
"They should get back to work as quickly as possible. I gather talks are to take place, but there is nothing that can be any excuse for this action which is disrupting the life of London," he said before news of the strike's suspension broke.
"This must be the first time in history of a union going on strike when everyone has acceded to their demands," Livingstone added. "I cannot explain the mindset that has led them to their action today."
The RMT's members maintain tracks, trains and signals on most of the network, including some of the busiest routes like the Victoria, Central and District lines.
Only three of London's tube lines -- the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly, which are maintained by another firm -- continued working.
But even those services were patchy in parts and those trains which did run were severely overcrowded.
Analysts estimated the strike could cost London's businesses some 50 million pounds (100 million dollars, 75 million euros) a day.
The strike disrupted travel plans for commuters across London, including Caroline Dyer, 33, an accounting assistant from Kent, who said: "I've no idea why they're striking or what this is all about -- all I know is that they're making life a misery for millions of people."
Two unions representing some 900 workers called off their strike threat Monday after accepting TfL's assurances over jobs, transfer and pensions.
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