Tory Tube review to look at privatisation and workforce 'modernisation'

RMT warns of mother of all battles against government’s plans for tube privatisation and driverless trains

TUBE UNION RMT today responded to the government terms of the review into Transport for London which say there will be a:

“review of the current operating model and whether there are any opportunities that alternative operating models could bring over the longer term, including consideration of structures and governance.”

And also,

“the identification of opportunities to deliver further efficiencies in the medium term in relation to operating costs, including but not limited to, workforce modernisation, and exploring the feasibility of extending driverless operation from the DLR to other lines which are already automatic.”

RMT Senior Assistant General Secretary Mick Lynch said;

“It is utterly disgraceful that the government’s response to the heroic efforts of thousands of key tube workers who are risking their lives to keep London moving during the Covid-19 epidemic is to now threaten tube privatisation and driverless trains.

“This not just a serious threat to safety and services it is the government using the tube as a political football and engaging in political point scoring in advance of the Mayoral elections.

“Make no mistake if the government attempt to proceed with these plans there will be the mother of all battles including the option of all out strike action.”

> RMT National News

Saturday, 21st February
Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) seafarers will take strike action on March 5th and 6th in a dispute over pay, transparency and compliance with minimum wage legislation.
Friday, 20th February
RMT has accused Network Rail of failing to provide adequate toilet and welfare facilities for maintenance patrol workers, warning that the situation may amount to breaches of health and safety law.
Thursday, 19th February
RMT members at Northfields fleet maintenance depot servicing Piccadilly line trains are taking four days of strike action this week following a breakdown in industrial relations.
Tuesday, 17th February
Maritime union, RMT has welcomed an overwhelming vote for strike action by seafarers employed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) after management could not even demonstrate that it was complying with minimum wage legislation.
Tuesday, 10th February
RMT is demanding a new law to safeguard transport workers in Scotland against a sharp rise in assaults, ahead of a meeting with MSPs in Holyrood.