TRANSPORT STAFF ABUSE OVER FACE-COVERINGS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2021 :: RMTnews 6 R MT has announced strike action across the Tube network in August over plans by London Underground to abolish the Night Tube Train Drivers’ grade. Following a solid vote for action late last month and subsequent talks that failed to resolve this issue RMT has instructed members not to book on for duty for four 24- hour strike dates in August. LU proposes to axe the grade from May 16 in what the union said was a cash led move aimed at shunting staff around the combine at will which will threaten the loss of 200 jobs and destroy the work life balance of 3,000 Tube drivers. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that London Underground’s proposals to rip up an agreement that protects 3,000 Tube drivers work life balance had caused uproar in the depots amongst drivers. “This breach of trust by an out of touch management abolishes the part time jobs of workers – mainly women – who want them. “This is the thanks that Tube drivers have been given for keeping the service running through the Covid pandemic. This is a blatant attempt to now use that pandemic to start bulldozing through a savage programme of cuts. “The union remains available for talks,” he said. R MT has warned of threats of violence to all transport staff over botched and confused approach to face coverings on public transport. RMT has warned that staff on services will be placed at danger of abuse and assault due to the botched, confused and inconsistent messaging over face coverings. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that the union had welcomed the approach from the London Mayor, which was consistent with the policies currently adopted in Scotland, Wales and on Eurostar. “However, we now have the ludicrous position where a passenger travelling through London will have different rules on the tube and the main line services. "There will also be a change of policy on trains at the Welsh and Scottish borders which is a total nonsense and will leave staff right at the sharp end and dangerously exposed when it comes to enforcement. "As a result of this chaotic approach we now have a situation where the London measures are not enforceable by law which means RMT members will be thrown into a hostile and confrontational situation at heightened risk of abuse and assault. “That is wholly down to the confused, inconsistent and botched messaging from the Government. "RMT will continue to support and advise our members in their legal right to a safe place of work. "The train operators, bus companies and, most importantly, the government should be following the best practice on face coverings in the name of consistency, common sense and public safety and that should be backed by law. “They cannot step back from this critical issue and leave our members set up as punch bags,” he said. TRANSPORT STAFF ABUSE OVER FACE-COVERINGS AUGUST NIGHT TUBE STRIKES