Tory Tube review to look at privatisation and workforce 'modernisation'

RMT warns of mother of all battles against government’s plans for tube privatisation and driverless trains

TUBE UNION RMT today responded to the government terms of the review into Transport for London which say there will be a:

“review of the current operating model and whether there are any opportunities that alternative operating models could bring over the longer term, including consideration of structures and governance.”

And also,

“the identification of opportunities to deliver further efficiencies in the medium term in relation to operating costs, including but not limited to, workforce modernisation, and exploring the feasibility of extending driverless operation from the DLR to other lines which are already automatic.”

RMT Senior Assistant General Secretary Mick Lynch said;

“It is utterly disgraceful that the government’s response to the heroic efforts of thousands of key tube workers who are risking their lives to keep London moving during the Covid-19 epidemic is to now threaten tube privatisation and driverless trains.

“This not just a serious threat to safety and services it is the government using the tube as a political football and engaging in political point scoring in advance of the Mayoral elections.

“Make no mistake if the government attempt to proceed with these plans there will be the mother of all battles including the option of all out strike action.”

> RMT National News

Tuesday, 7th July
Tube union RMT is today marking the 21st anniversary of the 7 July 2005 London bombings by remembering the 52 people who lost their lives, the hundreds who were injured and all those affected by the attacks.
Monday, 6th July
Offshore union RMT has marked the 38th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster, in which 165 offshore workers and two seafarers lost their lives.
Monday, 6th July
Nearly 70 per cent of rail passengers believe Great British Railways should deliver services such as cleaning, catering, and security in-house with directly employed staff rather than outsourcing them to private contractors, according to new independent polling commissioned by RMT.
Friday, 26th June
Rail union RMT and the Trades Union Congress have jointly called on the government to intervene to protect skilled rail engineering jobs under threat at Balfour Beatty depots in Crewe and Preston.
Monday, 22nd June
Transport union RMT, has called for the Labour government to radically change course, after Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a timetable to stand down.