04.01.13
Tube detrainment action to be taken by RMT
Industrial action short of a strike has been announced on the Bakerloo and Central Lines from Thursday January 10 ‘until further notice’.
The RMT union has announced the action in response to LU’s removal of detrainment staff, leaving Bakerloo and Central Line drivers to take trains into depots and sidings without staff on hand, physically checking all passengers are off the train.
All RMT members working on these lines are instructed to ensure trains are physically checked for passengers before they move into depots.
The ballot follows a number of incidents of passengers taken on board trains into secure sidings areas, leading to significant safety issues.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “RMT’s position is very clear; we demand that staff carry out physical checking of trains being taken out of service. Drivers have experienced verbal abuse, and it is only a matter of time before a driver is physically assaulted by an irate passenger.
“We also cannot sit back while passengers, including young children are taken into sidings and then run the risk of jumping out of trains with potentially lethal consequences as a direct result of station staff cuts. We want this issue taken seriously by tube management.”
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