RMT on Bus Industry appeal for £1 billion rescue package from Government

Circular No: NP/062/20

To: all RMT Bus Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils

20th March 2020

Dear Colleagues

RMT on Bus Industry appeal for £1 billion rescue package from Government

I am writing to update you on your Union’s response to a calls issued today by the UK’s Bus Industry, for a Government funded £1 billion rescue package to support the industry in the face of declining passenger numbers and income.

The RMT has today reiterated the urgent need for the Government to commit emergency funding to maintain the UK’s bus networks, which are a vital lifeline for key workers and the most vulnerable.

Earlier this week, the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that the Government’s response to the Coronavirus crisis is likely to include taking private operators into public ownership. The RMT resolutely believes that to ensure that bus services can continue to transport key workers to where they are needed, the Government should bring in emergency powers to allow all local authorities to run their bus services in the public sector.

Guidance issued today by the Government confirms that bus workers alongside other transport workers who keep transport modes operating during the crisis are deemed to be ‘key workers’. This reinforces the absolute need for the Government to take all necessary action to protect the jobs, skills and safety of the UK’s bus workers.

Please be assured that protecting members’ jobs, skills and health and safety is the RMT’s absolute priority throughout this crisis.

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of bus worker members in your branch or region. I will keep you updated of all developments.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash
General Secretary