Safety Concerns For Tube Operation During Tube Lines Three Day Strike

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

Members of the RMT employed at Tube Lines are due to take part in strike action, the period of the strike will be from 16.00 hours on 24th April until 16.00 hours on 27th April.

The RMT has serious concerns over the safe operation of the Tube network during this industrial action. During this period not only will there be no track patrolling or signal maintenance on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines but more critically for the whole network there will be no Emergency Response Unit (ERU). As you will be aware, in addition to the ERU’s role in dealing with broken rails, damaged points, negative earths, stalled trains, flats on trains and derailments the ERU are vital in dealing with the aftermath of suicides and terrorist attacks. We have advised the appropriate authorities of our concerns.

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSW), Regulation 8(1) employers have a duty to establish procedures to be followed in the event of serious and imminent danger to persons at work, such procedures are sometimes known as Worksafe Procedures.

Should you, as an individual, feel that as part of your duties you are placing yourself in serious or imminent danger during the dispute you should comply with your company’s policy as required by the MHSW. Attached to this circular is a pro-forma should you wish to record your concerns in writing to your management.