Coronavirus

Read the latest information from the RMT about our response and organising during the Coronavirus crisis.

RMT’s view is that compulsory wearing of face masks on public transport should continue

Dear Colleague,

JANUARY 2022 REMOVAL OF COVID-19 PROTECTIONS

I write in relation to the recent decision of UK Government to end “Plan B” restrictions in England, including the removal of the legal requirement for people to work from home and the requirement to wear face coverings in indoor spaces, with the only proviso in relation to face masks being that: 

RMT advising members to ensure personal safety as masks become compulsory

30 November 2021

TRANSPORT UNION RMT said that it's advising all members to ensure that they protect their own personal safety and the safety of their colleagues as a priority as masks become compulsory on transport services in England.

The union has warned that the Government have made no arrangements to resource the enforcement of their policy switch leaving staff in the front line seriously exposed.

RMT on facemasks on public transport

Following the announcement that face masks will become compulsory on public transport, General Secretary Mick Lynch said;

"We support the wearing of masks but there are major issues about enforcement and its our members left in the front line with angry passengers who refuse to comply. 

"The Government must make the resources available to properly police this reintroduction of compulsory face coverings on our transport services . 

75% of Tube workers subjected to workplace violence during Covid crisis

3 in 4 London Underground and TfL staff subjected to violence at work during Covid crisis, survey shows.

76% of staff in public facing roles on London’s Underground and TfL rail networks have been subjected to violence at work since the pandemic began, according to a new RMT survey, with half of these reporting that it has happened multiple times.

TUC meeting: Hearing Transport Workers on the Covid Crisis

Dear RMT Representative

TUC meeting: Hearing Transport Workers on the Covid Crisis,

Wed 26th September from 5pm

Please see information contained at this link to the RMT web site https://bit.ly/39gkzCw about a special online meeting for transport trade unionists to discuss issues arising from the coronavirus pandemic. The meeting takes place on Wednesday 22nd September 5-7pm.  

RMT will be represented at the meeting by Relief Regional Organiser, Eddie Dempsey.

Yours sincerely,

Fighting for Justice - Fair Pay for Key Workers 

Monday 13 September, 12.30pm 

Trade Union Coordinating Group 

Key workers have been lauded as heroes for their contribution during the Covid-19 crisis - but applause won't pay the bills. How do build pressure for action to deliver pay justice? 

Chair: Michelle Stanistreet, general secretary, NUJ 

Speakers: 

Mick Lynch, general secretary, RMT

Mark Serwotka, general secretary, PCS

Sarah Woolley, general secretary, BFAWU

Register:

Newsletter: conditions, framework agreements and pensions under attack

  • Please download the attached Newsletter to read. You can also distribute in your London Underground workplace.

LU quietly announced last week that our terms and conditions, framework agreements and pensions are under scrutiny: On 22 July, at an all union meeting LU management made clear they have entirely accepted the Tories’ terms - that tube workers, and not the government must make up for the massive budget deficit caused by the pandemic.

Self-isolation exemption: All workers have the right to work in a safe system and environment

Dear Colleague,

EMERGENCY EXEMPTION FOR COVID-19

Following the publication of material by Network Rail* and the Department for Transport on emergency exemptions from self-isolation for certain critical transport workers, your National Executive Committee resolved as follows at its meeting on 22nd July 2021:

That we note the material on file from Network Rail and the Department for Transport on Emergency Exemptions from self-isolation for certain critical transport workers.

RMT on staff isolation exemptions

22/07/21

Specialist transport union RMT on staff isolation exemptions

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said:

“RMT will give consideration to proposals from companies on critical workers exemptions but nobody should be under any illusions about how fraught with difficulty and potential danger any system will be to operate in practice.