RMT slams grossly irresponsible "business as usual" lines from government on London Underground

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:

"At a time when we are trying to encourage people to stay away from the tube so we can concentrate on moving essential workers the government call ‎to reinstate a full service is grossly irresponsible as it suggests it's business as usual. That flies in the face of everything they have said about staying at home.

"The real problem is this government's refusal to give any wage support to casualised workers who will receive no income if they don't travel and go to work. We need to put the nation's health first - close the building sites and shut down the rogue employers and give the same wage support to casual workers as those on PAYE - run a free, stripped-back railway for essential staff so that our vital health, retail and other key workers can travel free from cost and fear of contamination on crowded trains.

"The government are also ignoring the fact that large numbers of LU staff are self isolating and those left on the job feel dangerously vulnerable. We would call on the government to withdraw their "business as usual" lines and work with the tube unions and the Mayor to protect health, safety, livelihoods and travel services for essential workers."