26 February 2015
RMT Press Office
Rail union RMT responds to comments today from NR chief Mark Carne where he admits injuries on the railways running at ten times comparable industries.
General Secretary Mick Cash said;
"RMT has warned repeatedly that the safety culture on Network Rail has been diluted by savage cuts to staffing and the proliferation of agencies and contractors which has led to casualisation of safety critical work and a surge in staff on zero hours contracts. Those warnings have come home to roost with a vengeance in these shocking figure.
"It is all very well Mark Carne admitting that injuries amo‎ngst our members on the railways are running at ten times the level of comparable heavy industries. But that is an appalling indictment on NR and the question is what is he going to do about it?
"For starters he needs to halt the cuts and end the fragmentation and casualisation by bringing all works back in house.
"Secondly he needs to show that NR value their staff by maintaining and improving pay and conditions right across the network.
"Failure to address those issues will result in a continuation of the current appalling tide of accidents and injuries which are threatening our members lives on a daily basis. "
Ends
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