In a letter to Boris Johnson, Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford RMT has today warned of the fatal folly of removing Covid transport protections.

 

The warning comes as governments are finalising changes to Covid-19 protections.

 

In the letter (below) to the leaders RMT general secretary Mick Lynch seeks assurances the governments will,

 

“not impose changes to existing Covid-19 protection arrangements that could result in an increased risks of illness and death for workers and passengers.

 

This includes for example the continued requirement to wear face-coverings, social distancing, enhanced cleaning and ventilation standards.  It could be a fatal folly to suddenly remove protections such as these, especially when they have been proven to work.

 

In the case of masks for example moving from a mandatory requirement to an optional requirement will not only reduce protection for passengers and workers but also create confusion and conflict throughout the transport system.

 

We are also concerned that many transport operators will seek to put profit before safety by scrapping enhanced cleaning regimes.

 

In addition, as our public transport network has no physical borders, we would urge you to a take a unified approach with the best possible protections and arrangements to avoid contradictory and confusing arrangements on cross border rail services.

 

RMT has pointed out that many of the Covid measures that are currently in place in the transport sector are as a result of consultation and agreement with RMT and other unions and as such all measures to address the pandemic must remain in place, unless on the basis of the evidence, there is agreement with the unions to do otherwise.

 

Mick Lynch said,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Boris Johnson, Nicola Sturgeon, Mark Drakeford 

 Changes to Covid Restrictions 
 
I am writing to you on behalf of transport and energy workers who have been essential workers in keeping people and goods moving during the pandemic. 
 
As your governments consider the next the steps in the terms of changing lockdown restrictions, I am writing to seek your assurance that you will not impose changes to existing Covid - 19 protection arrangements that could result in an increased risks of illness and death for workers and passengers. 
 
Many of the Covid measures that are currently in place in the transport sector have been as a result of consultation and agreement with RMT and other unions and I would be grateful for your assurance that all measures to address the pandemic must remain in place, unless on the basis of the evidence, there is agreement with the unions to do otherwise. 
 
This includes for example the continued requirement to wear face-coverings, social distancing, enhanced cleaning and ventilation standards.  It could be a fatal folly to suddenly remove protections such as these, especially when they have been proven to work.
 
In the case of masks for example moving from a mandatory requirement to an optional requirement will not only reduce protection for passengers and workers but also create confusion and conflict throughout the transport system. 
 
We are also concerned that many transport operators will seek to put profit before safety by scrapping enhanced cleaning regimes. 
 
In addition, as our public transport network has no physical borders, we would urge you to a take a unified approach with the best possible protections and arrangements to avoid contradictory and confusing arrangements on cross border rail services. 
 
As you know transport workers have risked and, in some cases, tragically lost their lives and the very least they deserve is for governments to support the principle that changes should be through consultation and agreement with these workers and their unions.  
 
Yours sincerely
 

Michael Lynch 
General Secretary