As vaccine programme hits initial targets RMT calls for escalation of priority and protection for transport workers

With the news at the weekend that the initial phase of the COVID vaccination programme has hit its targets RMT called this morning for an escalation in priority for transport staff and other essential workers to ensure that those groups risking the highest levels of occupational exposure, and who are also pivotal to the route map out of the current lockdown, are properly protected. 

General Secretary Mick Cash said;

“The positive news on the vaccine roll out, which is a tribute to the sheer hard work and organisation of the NHS and those who have stepped up to support the effort, means that we can now look at the priorities for the next phase and all we are asking is that Government follow the evidence, including the grim statistics from the ONS, and give transport staff the appropriate recognition. 

“This isn’t special pleading. RMT recognises very well that there are other groups of essential workers that need to be prioritised as well but the facts on the occupational exposure of transport workers throughout this pandemic must not be ignored. “