Tube bosses back RMT fears over safety by admitting that cuts mean services are running on infrastructure dating back to 1920's

AFTER MONTHS of accusing tube union RMT of scaremongering over the safety impact of cuts on London Underground, tube bosses this morning put their hands up and admitted that the cuts mean that services are running on dangerous and rotten infrastructure dating back to the 1920's with worse to come in terms of the risks to millions of passengers as the Government lines up further attacks on the TFL budget and the tube upgrade programme.

RMT underground members begin balloting today for strike action across the entire network over jobs and safety cuts.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

"After months of attacking the RMT for warning that cuts to financing and jobs were leading to massive backlogs in maintenance and upgrade works, and a severe shortage of staff in all areas, LU bosses have admitted this morning that not only were we right all along but that there is much worse to come.

"Our members begin balloting today for strike action across the tube network over jobs and safety because RMT will not sit back and wait for a tragedy before we act.

"There is now no question that the staffing and financial cuts are turning the underground into a death trap and the senior management right up to Boris Johnson know that. The time has come for the Mayor to slam the brakes on the cuts programme and prepare for a full on battle with the government over TFL funding."

> RMT National News

Tuesday, 29th September
RAIL union RMT announced strike action today (September 29) on Chiltern Railways after members voted overwhelmingly for industrial action against driver-only operation (DOO) planned for East West Rail services.
Monday, 28th September
Rail union RMT demanded today (September 28) that Avanti West Coast outsourced staff be bought into direct employment after the government announced the train company will be brought under public ownership by next March.
Monday, 28th September
RMT today welcomed Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander’s announcement that Great British Railways will be allowed to buy and own its trains ‘where it can provide value for money’.
Friday, 25th September
RAIL union RMT will hold protests outside Labour Party conference meeting in Liverpool on Monday September 28 with striking outsourced rail workers to highlight low pay and calling for them to be taken in-house.
Thursday, 24th September
RAIL union RMT called for action against assaults today (September 24) after the latest figures revealed a 12 per cent increase of violence and abuse against rail workers.