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RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may 2019 :: RMTnews 8 R MT has stepped up pressure for a public inquiry following fresh concerns over helicopter safety standards in the North Sea. Air Accident Investigation Board report which found that fatigue amongst ground engineers contributed to a near miss at Aberdeen airport involving an Airbus 175 helicopter operated by CHC. RMT also called on helicopter operator Babcock and aircraft manufacturer Airbus to be completely transparent on the situation with the Airbus H175 after shocking images were circulated around the North Sea. RMT members have raised concerns about the pictures which it is claimed are images of the crack in the “Horizontal Stabiliser” of an H175 operated by Babcock. The picture appears to show a substantial fracture in the fuselage and our members have understandably called for an explanation from Babcock to explain the images. RMT members are also calling for an explanation from Airbus to clarify how and why a ‘safety’ measure should be flying the aircraft at a reduced speed? Members argue the aircraft was presumably designed to fly at a certain speed, meaning Airbus are in effect saying that it is no longer safe to do so? RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that following on from the images of a damaged tail rotor on a 175, the findings of fatigue and a lack of care for engineers working on the offshore helicopter fleet is deeply disturbing for offshore workers and their families. “The government’s abject failure to take this problem seriously over the last decade is another slap in the face for offshore workers who keep our economy ticking over but are simply expected to get on with travelling in helicopters that are subject to dangerous levels of commercial pressure. “This ‘out of sight out of mind’ approach to the safety of offshore workers must be faced down and an independent public inquiry launched into the safety of offshore helicopters, including the commercial pressures that this latest safety investigation has again flagged up. “RMT will be stepping up the pressure on government and safety agencies for that inquiry,” he said. R MT members working for outsourcing giant ISS took 48 hours of strike action in opposition to the imposition of shift patterns that will mean working an additional 60 shifts per year. The cleaners are sub- contracted to the Hitachi rail contract supplying rolling stock to GWR on the Western train services. Both Hitachi and ISS are intent on cutting costs and improving profits on their contracts and are determined to ram through shift patterns that will wreck the work/life balance of these night shift cleaners. The cleaners are determined to defend their established work patterns and returned a 100 per cent yes vote for strike action. RMT is calling for both Hitachi and ISS to come to their senses and stop ratcheting up the exploitation of these low-paid workers through negotiations with RMT. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that it was appalling that ISS staff on such a prestigious rail contract were being treated in this disgraceful fashion which will pile additional hours on them and destroy their work life balance. “Hitachi, ISS and GWR should all be hanging their heads in shame and should pull back immediately. "RMT has made it clear that we will be stepping up the fight against the scourge of outsourcing on our railways that is highlighted by the scandalous treatment of these ISS staff in West London. "The union remains available for talks but no one should underestimate the resilience and determination of our ISS members,” he said. RMT DEMANDS PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO HELICOPTER SAFETY OUTSOURCED GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY CLEANERS TAKE ACTION