RMT statement on Labour’s call for Government to convene transport worker Covid Safety forum
Commenting on Labour’s call for the Government to convene a transport worker Covid-19 safety forum with unions and operators, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
“RMT welcomes Labour’s demands for the Government to convene a transport industry forum with unions and operators to ensure transport workers’ safety during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
“An industry wide approach is already embedded in the rail sector, and RMT has long called for this to be extended to the bus sector, where it is clear that the lack of an industry wide approach continues to put bus workers at risk.
“The recent ONS figures which showed that male bus, coach and taxi drivers have a heighted risk of death from Covid-19 are a tragic reminder of the risks that frontline transport workers continue to face and should be a wake-up call to Government and operators that they need to take action to protect these key workers.
“A survey of RMT bus worker members, published just days ago found that nearly 70% of bus workers felt that their employer had put business priorities before safety during the pandemic.
“There can be no more excuses, the Government must establish a national bus industry coronavirus forum to ensure that bus workers and passengers are properly protected. The Government’s strategy must also include prioritising transport workers for the Covid-19 vaccine.”