COVID - 19 UPDATES FROM RMT TRADE UNION
8th April 2020


Dear Colleague

TERMS & CONDITIONS, CORONAVIRUS - ABELLIO SCOTRAIL

I write with regards to the above matter and to update you on the ongoing situation with Coronavirus and outline the RMT's position on several issues members have brought to our attention.
Mick Hogg, your Regional Organiser, continues to speak with ScotRail management every day and Representatives from your Company Council are meeting every Monday. If you have any concerns, please continue to raise them with your Local Level Representatives, Health and Safety Representatives, or the Coronavirus point of contact named on the previous circular. The Regional Office is also available on 0141 332 1117 or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/rmtscotland.
Disciplines, Grievances, and Appeals during the Pandemic
Jim Gray, RMT co-ordinator at ScotRail, wishes to make clear that we are not conducting Disciplines or Appeal Hearings by video link or phone conference.
Annual Leave during the Easter Weekend
You will be aware that ScotRail intend to book station staff off during the Easter weekend (Friday and Monday). We wish to make clear this is an instruction from ScotRail management and the RMT has objected to this in the strongest possible terms. Following representations from your Representatives, ScotRail did agree to keep 'gold' and 'silver' locations staffed.
However, we believe this is insufficient and a money-saving exercise which saves ScotRail paying enhanced rates. ScotRail management have argued this was necessary to “ensure that costs are tightly controlled given the magnitude of lost revenue.” While we are all working under difficult circumstances, ScotRail have ignored due process and treated our RMT members with contempt.
Train Presentation Staff: Cleaning driver's cabs and signing of sheets when in service
The RMT has objected to the instruction for Train Presentation staff to clean drivers' cabs when in service. Once again, ScotRail management have refused the RMT's request to withdraw the instruction.
Ticket Examiners - Cleaning Duties
We have issued a separate circular to Ticket Examiner grades outlining the proposed cleaning duties. If you have not received this, please contact a.craig@rmt.org.uk.
Health and Safety Forums
ScotRail has agreed to set up Health and Safety phone conferences with the RMT to cover issues in the North, West, and East.
Taxi Use
Further to the last circular, ScotRail will now be using 7 seater taxis and using remote signing on for staff.
Social Distancing
The RMT will be issuing further guidance and advice to all ScotRail RMT members this week on the issue of social distancing. Please note the 15 minute rule mentioned in the ScotRail internal circular issued on Friday 3rd April will be withdrawn.
Finally, I would like to pass on my best wishes to you and your family and thank you for the work you are doing throughout this pandemic. The RMT stands ready to assist you with any concerns.
Yours sincerely,
Mick Cash
General Secretary

Sent: 03 April 2020 10:27
Subject: Update – Babcock Rail Members


To All RMT Scotrail Ticket Examiner Members


Our Ref:BR2/14/1

8th April 2020


Dear Colleague

PROPOSED TEMPORARY CLEANING DUTIES, TICKET EXAMINERS, CORONAVIRUS - ABELLIO SCOTRAIL

I write with regards to the above matter and to forward on important information from John Hay, the Ticket Examiners point of contact for Coronavirus at ScotRail.
Due to some confusion and questions on the proposed cleaning duties for Ticket Examiners, I would like to provide some clarity as to what will be involved when these proposals are ready to be signed off.
There has been discussions on basic limited cleaning duties in light of the current situation.
Ticket Examiners will be issued with a cleaning kit containing a basic sanitising spray, nitrile gloves and white roll. Relevant PPE will be provided.
Ticket Examiners will be expected to sanitize the common touch points on train eg the on/off buttons, door handles, and hand rails/poles.
Ticket Examiners will not be expected to clean toilets or driving cabs.
These cleans will take place at terminating stations only.
These cleans will not take place while the train is moving.
These cleans should not take place if passengers are in the vicinity to comply with social and safe distancing guidelines.
The above is a significant change to what the company first proposed after discussions with the Company Council. Your Health and Safety Representatives are still in discussions regarding the brief, training pack and storage for cleaning materials. These duties will not be carried out until these issues are resolved.
This is not a change to your existing Terms and Conditions. These are a temporary measure while our current primary duties are not being carried out and follow the spirit of the Emergency Working Together principles agreed by the Train Operating companies and all recognised railway Trade Unions. When we return to carrying out our primary duties then these cleaning duties will cease.
These duties will help to ensure a safer working environment for you and your colleagues. You and your colleagues are reminded that at all times “if it is not safe, do not do it.”
I will, of course, keep you fully advised on any further developments.
Yours sincerely,
Mick Cash
General Secretary



8th April 2020
The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague

RMT ADVICE TO MEMBERS EMPLOYED IN THE RAIL INDUSTRy

Please find below links to two documents containing the RMT’s advice to members employed in the rail and bus industries during the ongoing Coronavirus – COVID-19 pandemic:

For Railway (including London Underground) workers:  https://bit.ly/3eey8Ui  


The RMT has recently received a barrage of queries from both individual members and from our elected Representatives on what to expect from their employers with regard to the Coronavirus – COVID-19 pandemic, what protections are being put in place and how their health and safety is to be protected by employers.

These documents have been sent to all RMT members employed in the rail industry.

The RMT’s position is being sent to all rail companies, together with an instruction for the lead officer in each company to raise the RMT’s position with their respective employers.

Please make the contents of this Circular available to all members as a matter of urgency.

Yours sincerely
Mick Cash
General Secretary
www.rmt.org.uk/healthandsafety



3rd April 2020

Dear Colleagues

Update - Babcock Rail Members

I write to you today to offer reassurance that in these very difficult times and circumstances caused by the COVID 19 pandemic and this health emergency your union is doing absolutely everything possible to protect your interests and to this end I can update you on the following.

Your lead officer, Gordon Martin along with your company council, local and health and safety representatives took part in a conference call on April 2nd with senior management which included the Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality, the HR Director and other senior management. This conference call which was of several hours duration also  covered issues outwith the COVID 19 situation and I will briefly cover these at the end of this update.

Babcock Rail confirmed to your lead officer and representatives that as well as implementing Government guidelines such as staff working from home if at all possible they have several other plans in place to mitigate against staff or other workers contracting this virus which includes personal risk management plans which are available to all staff who believe they or people they live with may be particularly vulnerable should they become infected. Management went onto outline some of the risk control measures they currently have in place or improved measures which will be in place imminently such as Site Marshall's who will be in the main senior managers who will ensure all risk control measures put in place will be strictly enforced and anyone not fully complying will be immediately removed from worksites The company have produced a comprehensive Site Operating Rules document which will be updated on a regular basis with many suggestions made by your representatives which management will consider and implement if they strengthen the existing document. These operating rules should be freely available to staff and fully complied with as they will greatly reduce the risk of contamination if followed by all workers.

Management confirmed that they have a relatively healthy supply of stock to implement these additional control measures including gloves, wipes , masks and hand sanitizer with all stock being strictly controlled through senior managers who will then instruct the stores as to who gets what and when to ensure stocks last as long as possible.

Management went onto inform your representatives that category 4 jobs which in effect means critical works will be undertaken and to try to ensure social distancing they have hired in thirty six seater coaches to transport staff to and from work sites with only limited numbers allowed on these coaches.

Management confirmed that all planning meetings prior to works taking place will go ahead to ensure site safety measures are in place and they also confirmed that radios will not be shared and will be issued to individuals for personal use to ensure communications remain good without increasing the risk of infection through multiple use. Similarly, no cab riding will be allowed to maintain social distancing as well as identifying plant and machinery which can be operated by an individual which includes some of their tamper fleet. The company also advised your representatives that as far as possible they are avoiding people having to physically sign forms although some of this such as C permits is outwith their control and discussions are ongoing with Network Rail in relation to this.

The company informed your representatives that the intention is to keep staff as well briefed as possible and  your union reps will play a full part in ensuring information is communicated as quickly and in the most effective way as possible. As well as the clear physical dangers at this time it's clear that people's mental health could also be suffering at this time and the company asked your union reps to encourage anyone suffering mental ill health issues or concerns at this time to speak to management if they are struggling to cope.

Your lead officer and representatives also had a brief discussion around the prospect of staff being furloughed under the government's scheme to avoid as far as possible job losses with the government paying 80% of workers wages up to a maximum of £2500 per month. Management informed your reps that the company intention is to pay 80% of anyone furloughed wages which would include roster premium . This will be subject to periodic review. This will be discussed further at a follow up conference call in the next week or so and I will ensure you are updated further when more information becomes available on these proposals.

Management also raised an intention to reduce roster premiums at some locations although having listened to alternatives from your representatives they will reconsider this and further discussions will take place in due course around this.

As members will know the company issued a Rail Business Announcement in the name of Colin Deuchars, Managing Director Rail earlier this week which has quite rightly caused concerns amongst members as it clearly outlines a reduction in staff in the near future. Your lead officer informed the management that this was an ill advised announcement at the height of a world health emergency at a time when staff are concerned about their own health and safety and the wellbeing of their family and friends.

Finally, your lead officer has asked me to pass on the very positive part played by all your RMT representatives on this conference call and the huge number of questions and comments made by them on your behalf and I am more than happy to pass on my personal thanks to your reps for the work they do on behalf of members and the union.

I will of course update you further in due course and in the meantime please don't hesitate to speak to your reps or contact the Glasgow RMT office on 0141 332 1117 or email office manager Alistair Craig at  a.craig@rmt.org.uk or contact your lead officer Gordon Martin on 07884 655217 or by emailing gordon.martin@rmt.org.uk if you have any concerns.
Yours sincerely,
Mick Cash
General Secretary

TO ALL RMT MEMBERS

Our Ref: BR1/Covid-19

21st March 2020


Dear Colleague,

Coronavirus - Payment of Wages

As many of you are probably aware the government has announced It will pay 80% of the salary of staff who are kept on by their employer, covering wages of up to £2,500 a month.

Whilst we welcome this move we must also express our disgust that many of these massive multi-national companies have at the earliest opportunity, and I mean earliest, taken the decision to send staff home without pay. In order to safeguard profits for their shareholders they have thrown their loyal staff to the wolves. Many of these staff, our members, are on low pay and are hardest hit by this decision taken by these heartless companies.

I am writing to all these companies, catering, cleaning, gateline contractors and others demanding they retain staff on full pay for the duration of the coronavirus crisis. They will only have to pay 20% of the wages and it will be an absolute disgrace if they fail to do so. We will name and shame them should they use this unprecedented situation to retain their profits at the expense of some of the most disadvantaged workers in Britain.

At this very difficult time the union is doing its best to keep union services and advice forthcoming and I will keep you advised of developments as and when they happen.
Yours sincerely,
Mick Cash
General Secretary

25th March 2020

NEWS RELEASE 

Immediate

RMT CALLS ON FREIGHTLINER TO HALT REDUNDANCIES OF KEY WORKERS AT RAILFREIGHT TERMINALS


In the midst of the Covid 19 coronavirus crisis, rail union RMT was served with a redundancy notice on March 12th that removes 15 key worker jobs at Freightliners's Coatbridge Terminal followed shortly after by a further redundancy notice at their Leeds operation.

Whilst the union is not disputing there has been a downturn in work at the Coatbridge Terminal, we do not believe now is the right time to plough on with redundancies of key workers delivering vital services to the nation during this national crisis.

At a meeting with Transport for Scotland held on 12th March, RMT proposed that TFS supported RMT's position that the redundancies should be put on hold pending a meeting between all parties (TFS/RMT/FL& Network Rail) to look at options to support the terminal and its workforce, despite £2.8M of taxpayer funding having been approved to fund improved access to the terminal to allow longer freight trains, Freightliner have failed to take up this offer to suspend the process and have declined repeated requests.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:

“It is essential all key workers are retained in the industry, it would only take an outbreak at another Rail Freight Terminal to disrupt supplies to the nation, and any industry opportunity to redeploy key workers would have been lost because of redundancy.

“RMT Calls on Freightliner, the Scottish & UK Government to halt redundancies of key workers during the Covid 19 crisis, the redundancy meeting tomorrow must be called off.”


Ends. 



Mitie Cleaners 
RMT lead officer Craig Johnson has been in regular contact with Mitie making the case for proper safety equipment, sick pay if sick or in isolation. We must also ensure the day to day concerns of the union and our members continue. RMT has therefore submitted a pay claim for 2020:
Pay Claim 2020 -

RMT has presented a comprehensive pay claim to Mitie for 2020 for Station Cleaners at locations where we have recognition - WE HAVE ALSO MADE IT CLEAR THAT OUR ASPIRATIONS ALSO APPLY TO OUR MEMBERS AT BIRMINGHAM NEW STREET (where we are still building membership towards recognition) AND OUR MEMBERS ON THE ESTATES/FACILITIES contract.

Obviously, RMT secured the REAL #Living Wage for cleaners on the Mitie Network Rail Managed Stations a few months ago after a high profile public and political campaign - our realistic pay (and improved conditions) claim is attached below but features INCLUDE -
*Living Wage PLUS inflation
*Harmonisation to the best for nightshift enhancements
*Action on a company sick pay provision
*Paid Meal Breaks at all locations for all staff

We have other key objectives that are included in the claim - obviously there may be a delay in dealing with the claim because of the current coronavirus crisis - but RMT has set out its agenda and we do expect it to be dealt with.

The company have indicated that, not withstanding the pay claim - they will be increasing hourly rates of pay in line with the updated REAL #LivingWage levels from 1st April 2020
Sent: 23 March 2020 07:41
Subject: JOINT STATEMENT FROM RMT, NAUTILUS INTERNATIONAL AND UK CHAMBER OF SHIPPING ON COVID-19


FROM RMT PRESS OFFICE
Immediate

COVID-19 and UK Seafarers 

Joint Statement by RMT, Nautilus International and the UK Chamber of Shipping 

As organisations representing the interests of seafarers and employers in the shipping industry, we are united in our determination to protect the national interest from the economic impact of the COVID-19 emergency.
Our members must be empowered by Government, urgently, to perform the shipping industry's key logistical role in keeping the UK supplied with the food, medicine, fuel and equipment required to sustain people and businesses during this period of unprecedented national and international emergency.
As a priority, the diverse range of onshore and onboard skills required to operate merchant vessels from the UK ports network must be protected from long term damage. Alongside the welcome government support announced yesterday  for the payment of wages and company sick pay, the preservation of jobs and skills particularly for seafarers and other key workers affected by COVID-19, must now be the focus of joint industry and government action.
The collapse in passenger demand in particular is expected to last for the foreseeable future as countries attempt to ride out the COVID-19 storm. We believe that Government has a central role to play in backing our seafarers and business throughout this profoundly difficult time and we stand ready to continue the work with Government to agree an effective package of measures to achieve this.
As such, we call on the UK Government and devolved administrations to exercise all the policy levers at their disposal to protect seafarer jobs and qualifications. Seafarers will always be needed to make the global economy work for the national interest and the maritime skills base will be even more important once we emerge from the other side of this global pandemic.

Ends


PRESS RELEASE - WEDNESDAY 18th MARCH 2020

Subject: RMT calls for urgent Government action to protect Eurostar, essential rail freight services and the rest of the rail network


                 

18th March 2020

NEWS RELEASE 

Immediate

RMT calls for urgent Government action to protect Eurostar, essential rail freight services and the rest of the rail network

RAIL UNION RMT warned today that unless the Government takes urgent and decisive action the Eurostar operation faces collapse in the wake of the 30 day European travel ban and the total lockdown in France and Belgium. Domestic rail operations face a similar crisis as passenger numbers slump and the prospects of a UK-wide lockdown increase by the day. Vital rail freight services are also struggling due to the massive downturn in international trade and are now cash-strapped.
General Secretary Mick Cash said;
“Eurostar is down to a skeleton service already and action must be taken by the Government as a matter of urgency to guarantee the wages of staff and contractors before the company runs out of money. The situation is dire ‎and only decisive and immediate action can present a catastrophic collapse.  We fear a similar crisis faces rail freight companies.
“With passenger numbers falling like a stone on domestic rail operations, and the looming prospect of a UK lockdown, no time should be wasted in bringing rail services, freight and contractors ‎into public ownership to maintain stability and security rather than risking the domino effect of a series of collapses that would result in total chaos."

Ends. 

Geoff Martin
07831 465 103



PRESS RELEASE TUESDAY 17th MARCH 2020


Subject: Circular MF/27/20 - Covid-19 - RMT Update
To: All Branches, Regional Councils and Regional Organisers

Ref: O/4/1
Circular No. MF/27/20

17th March 2020


Dear Colleague

Covid 19 - RMT Update

With reference to the above, a Special Meeting of the NEC was convened today and the following decisions have been made which I will ask that you read carefully. I can also advise that the attached list of key concerns have been relayed to the government following a telephone conference with government officials and I will also keep you advised of developments in this area.

“Background

Since onset of the Coronavirus Crisis we have witnessed a different strategy employed by the UK government from governments elsewhere.  That has meant that employers, unions and other organisations have had to second guess what to do whilst giving advice and assistance to employees and members alike. 

We have raised concerns about the lack of direction and have previously written to employers around our industrial and safety concerns.  However, as a result of the fragmented structures of the industries we operate in there has been a lack of consistent response to our concerns.

In addition, we as union employ staff and support our members in a background of doubtful direction of the Crisis by the UK government in particular.

Scope

This document sets out the measures that this Union needs to take for the duration of the current health crisis.

Engagement with authorities

Belatedly, we have seen the DfT start dialogue with the unions. We welcome this dialogue and continue to participate to ensure we protect the interest of our members.

We will participate in forums to represent our members across Rail, Shipping, Offshore, Bus, Taxi and Road Transport this includes working with both the Welsh and Scottish Governments. We shall ensure that we provide updates to members and representatives on such discussions.  Further, we note that we have agreed with our sister rail unions to maintain regular contact.

Our demands to the government, authorities and employers

The union has been engaged with the Department for Transport, employers and authorities on all aspects of health & safety including testing, job security and earnings protection in order to secure the interests of our members and our industrial sectors be they directly employed, sub contracted, zero hours or in the supply chain.

We have made demands for the DfT to directly intervene in all of our transport sectors to protect services and our members working in them and have demanded direct sector-based discussions at national level for each of our membership groups.

While we are prepared to work with government, authorities and employers on providing essential transport, maritime and offshore energy services for the benefit of our communities and society, this NEC is of the view that our members engaged in the provision of those services should be regarded as essential workers and should therefore be provided with the full status and protection of that of essential service workers.

The General Secretary is therefore instructed to place a draft RMT Position Statement on the current emergency, including the points already made to the Department for Transport, before this NEC that covers the issues pertaining to transport and our members, and additionally our position on the broader issues affecting working class and society during this crisis.

The General Secretary is to take steps to ensure that regular communication to members is maintained on all aspects of the union’s activities and any important developments.

Maintaining job security and RMT membership

In light of the major downturn in the aviation sector and the likely drastic reductions in passenger and freight numbers and revenues in all transport sectors the General Secretary is instructed to ensure that all Representatives and Officers remain vigilant and engaged with the employers and that any initiatives to attack job security or pay, terms and conditions of our members is reported immediately.

Where employers take steps such as lay-offs, hours and pay reductions the General Secretary is empowered to use discretion in consideration of membership contributions under Rule 2, Clauses 7 & 8 to retain members in the union during this period.

Representation of members and engagement with employers

In regards to representing our members at the work place the General Secretary is instructed to seek confirmation from employers that they will continue to provide release to our representatives to continue dialogue and providing representation but again utilise technology such as video and telephone conferencing to ensure we can still represent our members interests in this difficult time.  We should seek to minimise face to face contact until it is safe to do so but utilise other means to ensure members get represented.
Full-time officials

Our Full-time officers will continue to work on behalf of the union and its members. In doing so they will need to minimise travel and face-to face contact, use technology as far as practicable, and will observe all necessary health precautions.

The General Secretary is to liaise directly with our Full Time Officials on how best to maintain the union’s services to members taking in to account the practicalities of the situation and the needs of our Officer’s and their own concerns.

The on-going work of our union

We have to consider what the union needs to do to continue to operate whilst looking after our employees.  In this regard we note the actions taken by the General Secretary to introduce working from home for our staff where possible, closing to non-employee visitors all our offices and minimising face to face meetings for the foreseeable future. 

Further we understand that the General Secretary may be required to close our offices at some stage.  The union shall continue to provide key services such as the helpline via the staff at head office and in regions working from home supported by the appropriate protocols and exercising our duty of care.

We shall continue to communicate with members, branches and regions. However, this will mean utilising emails and texts rather than the traditional hard copy communications.  The General Secretary is putting mechanisms in place for the union to monitor our incoming mail to reduce the risk that members’ paperwork which have deadlines such as legal cases are met.

RMT Meetings and Conferences

Currently we are seeing the TUC reviewing and cancelling meetings and conferences.  Other trade unions are following suit.  In addition, we are aware that we have a large number of conferences that have been arranged between now and June.

In view of the current climate and uncertainty about how long this crisis will last, we instruct the General Secretary to postpone all conferences up to and including the Branch Secretary’s conference in June.  In addition, we cancel the Cuba Garden Party planned for June. 

Union Training & Education

Further, we instruct the General Secretary to cancel planned National and Regional RMT training for the foreseeable future.  In addition, he is to look at the possibility of the union providing on line training.

Governance of the Union

Taken together with the uncertainty of the progress of this pandemic and the postponement of at least 14 important industrial organising and equality conferences we also instruct the General Secretary to postpone the 2020 AGM planned to be held in Southend this June. 
Union Conferences

Therefore, we instruct the General Secretary to bring forward plans to reconvene the industrial organising and equality conferences with the aim that these should take place during the autumn to deal with the essential business before the AGM recognising, however, that this timetable needs to be kept under review.  The date and venue of the reconvened AGM to be placed before this NEC.

AGM 2020

We note that elections for the 2020 AGM delegates have been completed and that the election for the AGM standing orders committee is taking place.

Whilst the AGM has been delayed we note that the AGM year commences each year in June at the start of the AGM as per the union’s rule book.  Therefore in regard to the timetable for preparation of the AGM agenda we instruct as follows:

·        Whenever the AGM takes place in 2020, it will remain a “June to June” AGM dealing with business germane to the period since the close of the 2019 AGM to Sunday 21st June 2020 when this year’s AGM would have commenced.

·        If practicable we will issue the Preliminary Agenda issued not later than April 1st

·        A revised timetable and arrangements for amendments to motions on the Preliminary Agenda and submission from items arising from our union’s conferences will be advised in due course.

·        Appeals against NEC decisions reached between March 16th and 21st June to be received before 17.00 hrs Sunday 21st June 2020

As the AGM will not be able to approve the union’s accounts and financial statements according to the usual timescales the General Secretary is instructed to engage with our auditors and the Certification Officer in order to deal with this matter appropriately and advise this NEC.

Branches & Regional Councils

In addition to the situation regarding the union’s events such as conferences we also believe it important to look at how branches and regional councils shall operate. 

We recommend that branch or regional council meetings should not be held until we issue advice to contrary.

Necessary branch and regional council business is to be conducted by branch committees and regional council executive committees utilising technology such as telephone conferencing to get business done. 

We note that there will be elections that will need to be started during this period and the General Secretary is instructed to provide a further report to this NEC in order that we can give consideration how best to ensure branch participation. 

National Executive Committee

Finally, we have looked at how this NEC can continue to oversee the work of the union. 

The administration staff will not be directly available and the NEC will not travel to London and boardroom sessions will not be possible. 

Therefore, we suspend the Standing Orders of the NEC and will make the best practicable arrangements so that the NEC can continue to function and liaise with and instruct the General Secretary as appropriate.  The NEC will continue to have at least two scheduled meeting per week on Tuesday and Thursday to conduct the on-going business of the Union.

The General Secretary has provided mechanisms such as video and telephone conferencing which we shall utilise to conduct NEC business.

We shall keep all the matters under review as this situation develops.”

I shall keep members advised of developments but in the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me with any queries or concerns.                                                             
Yours sincerely 

Mick Cash                                                      
General Secretary

Enc. Covid–19: Summary of Key RMT transport issues

Sent: 17 March 2020 16:58
Subject: RMT welcomes news that privatised tube cleaners are to get full sick pay after union campaign 
From RMT Press Office 
Immediate. 

‎RMT welcomes news that privatised tube cleaners are to get full sick pay after union campaign

TUBE UNION RMT ‎today welcomed the news that tube cleaners in the front-line of the fight to contain the Coronavirus on London Underground are to get full sick pay after a campaign of union pressure. 

General Secretary Mick Cash said;

"The union has been demanding that all privatised staff on the transport network get full sick pay in light of the Coronavirus outbreak and the news that tube cleaners working for ABM are to get just that is a welcome breakthrough others must now follow. 

"Transport workers in all grades are being exposed to high levels of social contact across the board and the idea that any of these essential staff should be financially penalised if they are forced to self-isolate remains a scandal. They cannot opt to work from home and they come into contact with a damn site more people than you encounter on a visit to the pub. Transport bosses and the Government must recognise that fact. 

"RMT wants all these services brought in house but the very least that should happen in the interim is that these key staff are fully protected both financially and in the workplace ‎at this time."

Ends

Geoff Martin
07831 465 103