Health and safety

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

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.

Anti-vaxers who target Tube lacing posters with razor blades

RMT calls for strongest possible action against anti-vax and COVID conspiracy theorists found lacing their posters with razor bl

RAIL,TUBE AND BUS UNION RMT today called for the strongest possible action against anti-vaxers and COVID conspiracy theorists found lacing their posters with razor blades ‎in order to injure anyone trying to remove them.

The anti-vaxers are known to be targeting the transport network with their propaganda.

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.

Update on ‘workplace isolation exemption scheme’

covid-19 charter

Dear member,

Senior RMT Safety reps and the Regional Organiser this afternoon attended an ad-hoc Safety Forum to discuss LU’s intention to implement the ‘workplace isolation exemption scheme’ that The Government are now keen to roll out to key industries; TfL being one of those organisations.

TfL are obviously keen to utilise this scheme given the staffing problems occurring in various Controls Rooms due to staff self-isolating.

So how would it work?