Coronavirus death leads to calls for improvements

The TSSA transport union last month demanded a series of improvements at Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) following the death from coronavirus infection of railway worker and TSSA member Belly Mujinga. She died after being spat on while on duty at London Victoria station by a member of the public claiming to have the virus.

The union says GTR must take seriously feedback and concerns from staff and only sign off risk assessments after health and safety reps are satisfied measures have been put in place to mitigate against the risks.

It called for staff to work in ticket offices rather than on the concourse, and to be kept two metres away from each other and passengers or be provided with appropriate protection such as visors. It also demanded an investigation into the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on black and minority ethnic frontline workers (see page 24) and a full investigation into any assaults.

The union wrote to prime minister Boris Johnson asking him to extend to transport workers the coronavirus compensation scheme which provides £60,000 to the family of NHS and care workers who die of the virus.

The FBU firefighters’ union marked International Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April with a demand for government guidance to employers, stating that the death of firefighters and other key workers as a result of COVID-19 should automatically be recognised as work-related so their families can receive compensation.

https://www.tssa.org.uk/en/whats-new/news/index.cfm/belly-mujinga-tssa-demands-for-staff-safety

https://www.fbu.org.uk/news/2020/04/28/all-covid-19-key-worker-deaths-must-be-recognised-work-related-union-says