Coronavirus - Covid-19 - S W Somerset and Cornwall Buses

Our Ref: HSR/1/3
Head Office Circular: NP/109/20
15th May 2020
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

CORONAVIRUS – COVID-19 S W SOMERSET AND CORNWALL BUSES

The National Executive Committee have recently considered a report from our Regional Officer on the scale of problems faced by our members working on bus routes operated by S W Somerset and by Cornwall Buses. The companies’ response to the Coronavirus – Covid-19 Pandemic have been amongst the worst examples of management inaction, fudge and prevarication that we have witnessed. On considering the report the National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from their Health and Safety Sub-committee at their meeting on 13th May 2020:

We note the report on file and further reports from the Lead Officer that details the company’s absolute failure to adequately protect our members from the risks from Coronavirus – Covid-19.

The company’s lack of positive action and engagement with the RMT shows absolute contempt for our members’ health and safety during this Pandemic.

We also note that the Lead Officer has already involved the HSE.

We instruct the General Secretary to write to the Chief Executive of First Group demanding that the company fulfil their legal responsibilities towards our members.

General Secretary is further instructed to remind our members at S W Somerset and Cornwall Buses of the legal protection offered to them by the serious and imminent danger rules and that RMT will vigorously defend any member victimised for protecting themselves from the company’s health and safety failures.

An updated reported will be sought from the Lead Officer.

Branches and Regional Councils to be advised.

I am taking this matter up as instructed and will keep you updated on developments. Please make the contents of this Circular available to all appropriate members.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash
General Secretary