23 March 2020
RMT Press Office:
Joint Press Release from ASLEF, RMT, TSSA & UNITE
As railway workers, we cannot work at home. But we plead with the traveling public, if you can work from home, please do.
We want to do all we can to make sure that key workers and essential goods get transported around the country. We will do everything we can to help the country fight and beat this pandemic. But we need your help. Crowded trains are a danger. Not just to you as an individual, but to the key workers who have to travel on them. We must all do everything in our power to protect these people as they do everything in their power to keep us safe. We therefore ask you, before you plan to get on a train, tram or tube ask yourself; do I really need to make this journey? If the answer is no; stay at home.
We also know that many people who are not traditionally employed, whether they are self-employed, on zero-hour contracts or in the gig economy, feel they have no choice but to go to work because of their financial situation. They either go to work or cannot pay the rent or put food on the table. We therefore call on the government to do far more to help these workers. No one should be putting themselves, and others, in danger because of the financial risks of not taking journeys.
Working together we will beat coronavirus. As railway workers we ask the public, and the government, to help us help you.
ASLEF, RMT, TSSA, UNITE
Unity House
Tel: 020 7387 4771
Email: