5 January 2021
RMT Press Office:
RMT slams company for failing to take new variant of COVID seriously on East Midlands Railway and accuses bosses of playing fast and loose with staff lives.
RAIL UNION RMT today wrote to management on East Midlands Railway demanding that they stop ignoring the science, start taking the threat to lives posed by the new variant of COVID-19 seriously and take immediate action to review and rewrite risk assessments to reflect the current, dire situation.
The union is are also issuing fresh advice to its members to ‘safe stop’ should they be asked to work in conditions they regard as being unsafe.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said;
“It is scandalous that EMR appear to be the only people in the country who don't recognise the increased threat to life of the new COVID variant and are planning to carry on like nothing has changed. RMT will not tolerate that cavalier approach to both staff and passengers alike.
“In a survey our members have made it clear that they are deeply concerned and we are collecting evidence of the failed and botched "deep clean" the company have promised on their trains.
“We have written today to the company and we expect immediate and decisive action to address our concerns.”
Ends.
Unity House
Tel: 020 7387 4771
Email: