THE RMT has re-iterated its call for a reversal to Tube station staffing cuts in the light of a major fire-related incident at London Bridge yesterday.
The fire, underneath an escalator, prompted a full evacuation, and only the vigilance and professionalism of the staff at the scene prevented tragedy. RMT safety reps have reported that the initial cause of the fire appears to be a build-up of grease.
It’s not a coincidence that maintenance regimes of major assets, including escalators, have been cut and this kind of incident was predicted by RMT safety reps as a consequence of cash-led attacks on the inspection and maintenance frequencies.
The union has repeatedly warned that with even London Underground management ruthlessly condemning the job cuts programme, it is only a matter of time before we are faced with a tragedy because of a lack of staff. RMT says that the London Bridge incident is just another wake-up call to the Mayor and his officials.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said, ‘This incident fully justifies RMT’s current dispute on safety on the Tube. If this incident had happened at one of the stations that has seen staff cut to the bone, the outcome may have been very different. The fact that it occurred at London Bridge meant that on this occasion there was an adequate number of staff on hand to put in place a model evacuation procedure.
‘With the cuts to maintenance regimes on escalators and other assets it is foolish in the extreme to run these kind of risks across the Tube network. The London Bridge incident reinforces the need for all stations to be fully staffed at all times by trained and equipped staff. As we prepare to mark the 30th anniversary of the King’s Cross fire, which began on the escalators, RMT repeats the call for eternal vigilance to prevent any repeat of that disaster. RMT will not stand by while ruthless cuts made by former mayor Boris Johnson seriously threaten the safety of Londoners.’
The next RMT Tube strikes are to be
•After 18:00 on Sunday 5th February 2017 until 09:59 on Monday 6th February 2017.
• After 10:00 on Tuesday 7th February 2017 until 00:59 on Wednesday 8th February 2017.
