RMT press releases

5th of June, 2020

RMT responds to Government and Rail Delivery Group on face masks this morning

It was announced today that Andy Byford will be appointed as thr new commissioner of TfL.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said:

“The new commissioner will arrive with TFL facing a financial crisis in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that is being ruthlessly exploited by the Tory Government for political purposes.

 RMT CALLS FOR NEW COMPULSORY COVID-19 PROTECTIONS FOR PASSENGERS AND RAIL WORKERS

As increased rail service timetable comes into place today RMT calls for new compulsory Covid-19 protections for passengers and rail workers.
RAIL UNION RMT is calling for new compulsory protections for passengers and rail workers on trains as the increased rail service timetable comes into place today – Monday 18th May.

The protections are:

TRANSPORT UNION RMT said today that crowded train, tube and bus services are “categorically less safe” and should not run unless two meter social distancing can be enforced.

The union said unless the government took urgent action to enforce two meter social distancing public transport would become a “turbo charged Covid -19 breeding ground” driving a new wave of infections. The warning has come as the Government begins it's back to work drive this week with a surge in passenger numbers expected on Monday morning.

TRANSPORT UNION RMT is calling for a ‘new deal for public transport’ in response to an analysis of post lockdown commuting published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said;

"This government is hell bent on rushing people back to work without a proper plan for public transport.

“The government should be using analysis like this and the expertise of transport unions to launch a rapid and comprehensive ‘new deal for public transport’.

RMT warns of strike action if necessary to fight London Transport Austerity imposed by government.

Responding to the government announcement today that it is imposing austerity cuts and direct control over transport in London as part of its conditions for funding as a result of the Covid-19 crisis RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said,

“London Transport workers have been vital to fighting Covid-19 and any attacks on their pay, jobs and conditions arising from this imposed settlement will be a complete betrayal.

RMT on today’s Office of National Statistic figures revealing bus and taxi drivers have raised risk of COVID-19 death

TRANSPORT UNION RMT is demanding that the Government take urgent action in the wake of figures published today by the ONS which show that male bus and taxi drivers were amongst the occupations with a raised rate of death involving COVID-19.

RMT warns of chaos on transport services in the morning as Government urges return to work.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said today;

"The Governments "return to work" policy from Wednesday morning risks unleashing total chaos on a transport network which has not been told to prepare for a rise in numbers until next Monday. This is a ridiculous and dangerous way to treat both staff and passengers alike and will have potentially lethal consequences. 

TRANSPORT UNION RMT today issued fresh guidance to members across rail and tube to refuse to work where safety is compromised due to the potentially lethal consequences of the Governments confused and contradictory messaging over the COVID-19 lockdown.

The union warning has come as it has become clear that the Government is shifting away from the stay at home message, unleashing a surge in passengers on rail and tube from tomorrow, breaching social distancing measures with potentially lethal consequences for both staff and th‎e public.

Commenting on the dash to jack up transport service from 18th May, General Secretary Mick Cash said;

"There is a headlong dash to lift the lockdown on our transport services for the 18th May and it is fraught with danger for both passengers and staff alike.

"To maintain the Governments own social distancing guidance would mean huge logistical and staffing input to ‎manage passenger flows onto trains and it is imperative that all staff involved in this process are properly protected.