RMT calls for talks with London Mayor Sadiq Khan

RMT calls for urgent meeting with Mayor Sadiq Khan on tube, rail and taxis.

London's main transport union RMT  today called for urgent talks with newly elected Mayor Sadiq Khan to discuss a wide range of issues that the union says pose the biggest collective threat to transport services in the Capital since the Blitz. 

The RMT union agenda for talks includes;

  • * The looming £2.9 billlion financial crisis ‎facing TFL as a result of Central Government attacks on the budget cooked up with the connivance of former mayor Boris Johnson. 
  • A growing over-crowding and safety threat on both tube and rail as demand outstrips capacity against a background of savage cuts to staffing and maintenance. 
  • The impact of the axing of ticket offices and nearly 900 station and platform staff on the tube - an issue that the union understands that the new mayor is prepared to review. 
  • The future of commuter rail services into London with RMT already engaged in a major industrial battle on Southern over the threat to jobs, ticket offices and passenger safety. A further strike in the guards safety dispute takes place on Wednesday. 
  • The systematic undermining of the licenced taxi trade in London. 
  • The safe introduction of Night Tube and the resolution of the on going industrial dispute involving engineering staff. 
  • The threat to jobs, and the current dispute, over the Lillie Bridge depot‎ bound up in a Boris Johnson speculative luxury housing project in Earls Court. 

General Secretary Mick Cash said;

"London now has a new Mayor and the focus now shifts to the policy agenda‎. RMT has set out the issues and the sheer scale of the financial and capacity crisis facing the capital leaves London facing it's biggest transport threat since the Blitz. 

"RMT is seeking an urgent meeting with the new Mayor based on our agenda but no one should be under illusions and as far as the union is concerned it is "business as usual" as we fight for jobs, conditions, safety and services."

> RMT National News

Saturday, 26th July
Rail union, RMT demanded urgent intervention from Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) today, following a serious escalation in violent and anti-social behaviour across Southern and Gatwick Express services.
Thursday, 24th July
Transport union, RMT has warned the Labour government that any attempt to drastically raise the state pension age beyond 68 would be met with strong resistance, including coordinated protests and direct action from across the trade union movement.
Thursday, 24th July
RMT has today backed the call from the London Assembly Transport Committee for Transport for London (TfL) to publish the review which led to the removal of blue light status from Emergency Response Unit (ERU) vehicles, and is calling for the reinstatement of this vital emergency capability.
Friday, 18th July
London to Essex train company c2c will come into public hands on Sunday but outsourced cleaners, will remain with a private contractor, RMT has said.
Thursday, 17th July
RMT has written to Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram calling for Merseyrail to be taken into public ownership, citing excessive profiteering by private operators and the overwhelming role of public investment in the service’s success.