RMT welcomes Tebay sentences but says lessons still not learned

Publication Date: March 17 2006

BRITAIN’S BIGGEST rail union today welcomed the gaoling of two men found guilty of the manslaughter of four rail workers at Tebay two years ago – but warned that the lessons of the tragedy had still to be learned.

"It is only right that bosses responsible for the avoidable deaths of workers should go to prison," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

"Four men died at Tebay as the result of cynical and deliberate tampering with a vehicle to hide the fact that it was not fit for its purpose, and for no other reason than making money.

"One-man-and-a-dog outfits like Connolly's should never be allowed anywhere near our railways, and it is the crazy set-up that lets any number of subbies and agencies loose on the network that created the conditions for this tragedy to take place.

"The railways' safety culture has been systematically undermined by privatisation, and it is that basic fault-line that must be repaired.

"Profit and safety do not mix, and the privateers must go.

"We need a single structure with a single line of command and communication and the consistent application of safety standards that put safety ahead of any other consideration.

"Network Rail have already brought rail maintenance back in-house for safety and efficiency reasons, and for exactly the same reasons they should bring all renewals work back in-house too," Bob Crow said.