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

Friday, 7th August
RAIL union RMT has congratulated its members for the way they dealt with the recent power outages across the rail network.
Thursday, 6th August
Cleaners on Merseyrail employed by outsourcing firm Churchill Services will take 24-hour strike action against low pay from Friday (tomorrow) to Saturday (August 8).
Wednesday, 5th August
RMT has rejected plans to introduce Driver Only Operation (DOO) on the new East West Rail line following confirmation that Chiltern Railways intends to operate services on the new route without a second safety-critical member of staff, despite RMT’s long-standing opposition to DOO.
Friday, 31st July
Cleaners on Merseyrail employed by outsourcing firm Churchill Services will take 24-hour strike action against low pay next week on Friday August 7 to Saturday August 8.
Friday, 31st July
OFFSHORE union RMT is deeply concerned by the reports surrounding BP’s future in the North Sea and the potential impact on more than 1,000 skilled workers, their families and communities.