PPE BUS SCANDAL

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may bulletin 2 2020 :: RMTnews 5 RMT has been alerted to the most inept steps they have ever seen from an employer to protect their workers from Covid 19. After making strenuous representation to First South West Buses to fit suitable Perspex screens to their fleet of buses in order to provide a physical barrier between the driver and their passengers, the company’s first action was simply to ignore the unions representations. What they then did beggars belief. In a video shared with RMT, what can best be described as a shower curtain has been screwed to the ceiling of the drivers cab and hangs well short of the bus wind- screen. The union has had reports from driver members that the curtain is so flimsy members of the public have been pulling it to one side in order to speak to the driver. This brings passengers into even closer contact with the driver and puts them at still greater risk. In a letter to the company’s managing director, RMT general secretary Mick Cash commented that shops are clearly far more concerned with the safety of their staff than the company appear to be. “Within 24 hours Sainsbury’s had sourced and fitted to multiple check outs high quality Perspex screens that give a good level of protection and they were fitted to check outs at a maximum time of 20 minutes per unit. "I would urge you to reconsider your approach to this matter and show that you can step up to protect your staff in this time of national emergency,” he said. RMT has also raised their general concerns over the bus industry’s approach to safety of staff with Public Health England which is conducting a review of transport safety in relation to Covid 19. "RMT also has other concerns about the bus industry including issues for engineering staff in depots and the facilities provided for employees in mess rooms. Many bus drivers on rural routes have no access to facilities to wash their hands – a key risk control measure as advised by Public Health England,” he said. FINANCIAL BUS SUPPORT Responding to the government’s announcement of financial support for the bus industry, RMT said that the aid must be linked to a new national charter of protection of safety and services for bus workers and passengers. In a letter to the Secretary of State for Transport RMT general secretary Mick Cash will set out the following national charter of protection. • transition to cashless travel during the emergency where feasible • enhanced cleaning and sanitisation regimes on buses, buildings, mess rooms, facilities etc. especially on common touch points. • ensure that toilet and washing facilities and hand sanitisers are readily available so that staff can comply with government guidance • where screens are not currently fitted to buses, these to be installed to give drivers greater protection. • The safeguarding of essential bus services and for bus journeys only to be undertaken by essential workers and those who rely on the bus to access essential services. • Full pay and job protection for bus workers not required to work due to reduced bus timetables or because they are self-isolating or unwell. • Regulation and public ownership of buses to help achieve these objectives. • Buses are an essential service being run for and by frontline workers. It is therefore crucial bus services are safeguarded whilst the health risk to both the workers that run the buses and the passengers who have to travel are kept to an absolute minimum. • Whilst the rail industry is at least seeking to adopt a joined up approach to the Coronavirus crisis the national bus industry in contrast is a complete free for all and we are calling on the government to use this national funding to also enforce a national charter of protection for bus workers and bus passengers as part of the fight against the spread of Covid-19,” the letter said. PPE BUS SCANDAL First South West Buses refuse to fit adequate protection for workers