Read the latest information from the RMT about our response and organising during the Coronavirus crisis.
Dear Colleague,
JANUARY 2022 REMOVAL OF COVID-19 PROTECTIONS
I write in relation to the recent decision of UK Government to end “Plan B” restrictions in England, including the removal of the legal requirement for people to work from home and the requirement to wear face coverings in indoor spaces, with the only proviso in relation to face masks being that:
30 November 2021
TRANSPORT UNION RMT said that it's advising all members to ensure that they protect their own personal safety and the safety of their colleagues as a priority as masks become compulsory on transport services in England.
The union has warned that the Government have made no arrangements to resource the enforcement of their policy switch leaving staff in the front line seriously exposed.
Following the announcement that face masks will become compulsory on public transport, General Secretary Mick Lynch said;
"We support the wearing of masks but there are major issues about enforcement and its our members left in the front line with angry passengers who refuse to comply.
"The Government must make the resources available to properly police this reintroduction of compulsory face coverings on our transport services .
An FAQ has been put together to answer some on the common questions members have in relation to the coronavirus crisis. This will be updated regularly. If you cannot find an answer here, please get in touch with your local rep, attend your branch meeting or send the website team a message here.
3 in 4 London Underground and TfL staff subjected to violence at work during Covid crisis, survey shows.
76% of staff in public facing roles on London’s Underground and TfL rail networks have been subjected to violence at work since the pandemic began, according to a new RMT survey, with half of these reporting that it has happened multiple times.
Dear RMT Representative
TUC meeting: Hearing Transport Workers on the Covid Crisis,
Wed 26th September from 5pm
Please see information contained at this link to the RMT web site https://bit.ly/39gkzCw about a special online meeting for transport trade unionists to discuss issues arising from the coronavirus pandemic. The meeting takes place on Wednesday 22nd September 5-7pm.
RMT will be represented at the meeting by Relief Regional Organiser, Eddie Dempsey.
Yours sincerely,
Monday 13 September, 12.30pm
Trade Union Coordinating Group
Key workers have been lauded as heroes for their contribution during the Covid-19 crisis - but applause won't pay the bills. How do build pressure for action to deliver pay justice?
Chair: Michelle Stanistreet, general secretary, NUJ
Speakers:
Mick Lynch, general secretary, RMT
Mark Serwotka, general secretary, PCS
Sarah Woolley, general secretary, BFAWU
Register:
LU quietly announced last week that our terms and conditions, framework agreements and pensions are under scrutiny: On 22 July, at an all union meeting LU management made clear they have entirely accepted the Tories’ terms - that tube workers, and not the government must make up for the massive budget deficit caused by the pandemic.
Dear Colleague,
EMERGENCY EXEMPTION FOR COVID-19
Following the publication of material by Network Rail* and the Department for Transport on emergency exemptions from self-isolation for certain critical transport workers, your National Executive Committee resolved as follows at its meeting on 22nd July 2021:
That we note the material on file from Network Rail and the Department for Transport on Emergency Exemptions from self-isolation for certain critical transport workers.
22/07/21
Specialist transport union RMT on staff isolation exemptions
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said:
“RMT will give consideration to proposals from companies on critical workers exemptions but nobody should be under any illusions about how fraught with difficulty and potential danger any system will be to operate in practice.