Following a bomb in a bag being left on a train at North Greenwich back in 2016 concerns were raised by the RMT about the effectiveness of the HOT protocol. In response meetings were held with LU at which members of LU’s Security team stated that the opening of unattended bags was part of the HOT protocol, something that came as a surprise to everyone except LU’s Security team.

They went on to state that they were following Department of Transport guidelines, guidelines which when requested by the RMT were not available. The RMT were clear what this non availability of said guidelines meant.The RMT as well as the other unions were clear that the opening of unattended bags had never formed part of the HOT protocol and would never be accepted as such.

• Please download the attached poster and display it in your depot.

After a number of further meetings to discuss this issue we arrived at a Director level Safety Forum this summer at which LU finally agreed to withdraw the  requirement to open up unattended bags. Fast forward to last month and LU issued a HSE update which had buried in a section on security proposed changes to Rulebook 6, the new HOT protocol, which included the opening of unattended bags.

The RMT Trains Health & Safety Council alerted the Regional Organiser to this who wrote to LU, a month later we are still awaiting a response. Meanwhile, LU has begun issuing updates to Rulebook 6 including the changes to the HOT protocol, even suggesting that these changes are supported by the unions. To be clear the RMT is fully opposed to the opening of unattended bags as part of the HOT protocol and would never agree to such a cavalier approach to safety.

If your local manager attempts to issue these changes to you we strongly advise that members refuse to accept or sign for them.

If you require further advice on this matter then contact your local H&S rep or any member of the THSC.