Workplace Report (May 2009)

Health & safety news

Rail safety strike

Tube workers took “rock solid” strike action on health and safety issues last month. The 24-hour strike in April took place in a dispute over passenger door safety and the bullying and victimisation of RMT members, and closed the line completely.

The dispute hinged on the failure of management to install Correct Door Side Enabling Equipment on the Victoria Line which is operational on all other lines on the Underground. This is a fail-safe mechanism which prevents the wrong side doors being opened when a train is on the platform.

RMT safety reps have a dossier of 18 incidents over the past four years when the doors on the wrong side of the train have been opened on the Victoria Line posing a serious safety risk to the public.

Members also protested against the sacking of a driver.


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