Not to my knowledge.
Underground drivers have been exceptionally militant in the early nineties taking on the then head of the Underground Dennis Tunnicliffe (?). As I remember their union was then so supine that the drivers had to meet in secret without the union's knowledge.
The big change to London's celebrations this year comes not courtesy of the underground unions but the precuationary principle at work in the British courts that has prevented Mayor Livingstone from holding a firework display.
In message <Pine.NEB.4.30.0012290126330.16829-100000 at panix2.panix.com>,
Michael Pollak <mpollak at panix.com> writes
>
>A friend of mine told me that the tube was closed in London for three
>straight days from the 24th through the 26th. I found this impossible to
>believe, but she was so sure that I didn't feel I could question her until
>I double checked elsewhere. Is it really true? And if so, how do people
>visit their mum, never mind do their last minute shopping, which we all
>know is the true ritual of this pagan holiday? I thought Londoners were
>like New Yorkers and lots of them didn't even know how to drive. And
>lastly, where did such a remarkable practice come from? A last carryover
>from days of union strength?
>
>Michael
>
>__________________________________________________________________________
>Michael Pollak................New York City..............mpollak at panix.com
>
-- James Heartfield