Health and safety

Campaigning for higher health and safety standards at work, and opposing the employers' shortcuts

Survey Suggests LGBT People Feel Unsafe on Public Transport

Submitted by Peter on 15 July, 2010 - 02:40

Research by several organisations across London has found that LGBT people fear for their safety on public transport including the tube and that there is a higher incident of assault - both verbal and physical - on public transport than there is in other public areas.

The British Transport Police state ‘For passengers, feeling safe is as important as being safe. The visible presence of rail staff, PCSOs and police officers can reduce the fear of crime dramatically.’

With these figures showing how LGBT people feel about travel on the underground, it should be considered that many LGBT people will feel more at risk of assault on the underground as staff cuts will inevitably mean the reduction of staff visibility.

Resolution to Regional Council: Operational Refresher Training

Submitted by Admin on 13 July, 2010 - 06:48

The following resolution, submitted by Finsbury Park branch, was carried unanimously by the July meeting of the Regional Council ...

This region calls on the national union to hold a conference of all grades within the LTRC to discuss significant concerns our members have regarding the reduction and quality of our operational refresher training. We believe this is an attack on the value of our jobs and on safety.

Station Staff Survey: Short-Staffing On London Underground

Submitted by Peter on 6 July, 2010 - 23:43


The RMT London Transport Region is collecting stories of working alone or with too few staff on London Underground stations. You can complete the survey by clicking go to form below.

You can leave your name and email address, which will be kept entirely confidential and will allow us to contact you for more information. You can alternatively leave these blank if you prefer.

Companies and grades: 
LUL Stations

Safety During the Tube Lines Dispute

Submitted by Admin on 1 July, 2010 - 18:40

Click '1 attachment' / file name to download this as a single-sided leaflet.

THE TRUTH IS COMING OUT

Many Train Operators expressed concerns over safety during the recent Tube Lines strike. A lot of drivers believed that safety standards were not up to scratch. Some drivers believed that they had been given assurances during previous similar situations, that had turned out not to be true.

Track Maintenance:

TUBELINES STRIKE - Arnos Grove drivers refuse to work on grounds of safety

Submitted by plectrum on 28 June, 2010 - 21:47

More than 50 drivers at Arnos Grove on the Piccadilly line refused to drive trains during the recent strike by Tubelines staff, despite a ferocious offensive by management to bully drivers onto trains. Local reps challenged management's claims that qualified Emergency Response Unit (ERU) staff were working normally and pointed out that LUL was refusing to provide our union with details of those alleged to be working and of their competencies and qualifications.

Read the full story by clicking on the attachment below.

Refusal to work because of serious and imminent danger (Emergency Response Unit)

Submitted by Admin on 25 June, 2010 - 06:59

From Steve Hedley, RMT Regional Organiser

Dear colleagues,

I wrote to Gerry Duffy, Director of Employee Relations yesterday because of serious safety concerns that have led many drivers to refuse to work on safety grounds. Amongst the drivers concerns are the absence of Emergency Response Unit staff who cover the whole network and signalling technicians who cover the Northern, Jubilee and Piccadilly lines.

Refusal To Work on Safety Grounds During Tube Lines Strike

Submitted by Peter on 20 June, 2010 - 08:20

Tube Lines are responsible for the Emergency Response Unit that covers the entire network and is fundamental to the safe running of London Underground. To ensure your own safety and that of others during the period of industrial action you are advised to approach your management prior to carrying out your duties for assurances that a safe system of work is in place.

RMT slams 'lethal and unworkable' Tory plan to axe all tube drivers and operators in a dash for cuts

Submitted by Peter on 17 June, 2010 - 18:48

TUBE UNION RMT tonight condemned “lethal and unworkable” plans leaked to the BBC from within the GLA Tory Group to axe all train drivers and operators on London Underground and to move the entire tube system to a driverless operation.

The leaked report, confirmed as being under discussion by the GLA Tories and which London Tory Mayor Boris Johnson is aware of, recommends sacking all of the 3,525 train drivers and operators estimating that it could result in savings of £141 million per annum.

London Assembly Tories' Plan For The Tube Without Train Drivers

Submitted by Peter on 16 June, 2010 - 20:00

The Conservative group on the London Assembly have sent a memo to Mayor Boris Johnson detailing how they believe an underground system without drivers would provide a world class mass transit system.

The conservative group believe the underground would be better with an increased number of faster trains, more customers but less staff (sound familiar?). They claim that the acquisition of Tube Lines by London Underground is the perfect time to ditch drivers.