TORIES SEEK DRIVERLESS TUBE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: october 2021 :: RMTnews 6 A ction by Senior Conductors and Train Managers on East Midlands Railways in two separate disputes remained supported last month in on-going fights for workplace justice and safety. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch paid tribute to members who were standing firm again on East Midlands Railways in the two on-going disputes as the company gambles on passenger safety instead of getting round the table for serious talks. "We have mounting evidence of safety breaches on strike-breaker operated trains from previous weekends of action that we have raised with the authorities and we are demanding that they step in before we have a major incident on our hands. "It's time for the company to stop taking these unnecessary risks and start talking with us about a settlement to both of the current disputes,” he said. RMT has warned of a campaign of action after the government placed adverts for a consultancy contract to explore the introduction of driverless trains on London Underground last month. A Department for Transport spokesman said that, as part of a billion financial package agreed with Transport for London in June, “the Mayor was asked to work with government to implement higher levels of automatic train operation on the London Underground, as is the case on many metro systems worldwide”. However, a spokesman for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “It’s disappointing that the government is doggedly pursuing the introduction of driverless trains despite TfL estimating that a full conversion across the network would cost £10bn. “Sadiq is clear that this money would be much better spent on properly funding vital TfL services and on new signalling on the Piccadilly line, replacing aging trains on the Bakerloo and Central lines and electrifying our bus fleet,” he said. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that the news that the government was pressing ahead with wasting money on a consultancy project on driverless trains on London Underground when there are massive challenges facing the transport network shows their twisted set of priorities. "This is all part of the government driven cuts assault on transport in London and RMT is pledged to fight it with every tool at our disposal including the use of industrial action. "Driverless trains are a Tory fantasy that should be consigned to the science fiction shelf. “They are dangerous nonsense and just another dead cat lobbed on the table to distract from what’s going on in the real world,” he said. Tube death The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has also released its report into a fatal accident at Waterloo Underground station on May26 2020. The accident occurred when there were no staff or other members of public nearby to assist the passenger. RMT said that it was a damning report that once again illustrated the importance of maintaining staffing levels on the basis of proper safety and risk assessments that must involve front line staff through their trade union. “RMT safety reps will be raising this report with LU in our safety forums and demanding a clear programme of action to deal with the issues it addresses,” said Mick Lynch TORIES SEEK DRIVERLESS TUBE RMT warns of action as government prepares to spend £10 billion for driverless trains on London Underground FIGHT AT EAST MIDLANDS RAILWAYS FOR WORKPLACE JUSTICE GOES ON