RMT calls for urgent meeting with Mayor Sadiq Khan on tube, rail and taxis.
London’s main transport union RMT today called for urgent talks with newly elected Mayor Sadiq Khan to discuss a wide range of issues that the union says pose the biggest collective threat to transport services in the Capital since the Blitz.
The RMT union agenda for talks includes;
* The looming £2.9 billlion financial crisis facing TFL as a result of Central Government attacks on the budget cooked up with the connivance of former mayor Boris Johnson.
* A growing over-crowding and safety threat on both tube and rail as demand outstrips capacity against a background of savage cuts to staffing and maintenance.
* The impact of the axing of ticket offices and nearly 900 station and platform staff on the tube – an issue that the union understands that the new mayor is prepared to review.
* The future of commuter rail services into London with RMT already engaged in a major industrial battle on Southern over the threat to jobs, ticket offices and passenger safety. A further strike in the guards safety dispute takes place on Wednesday.
* The systematic undermining of the licenced taxi trade in London.
* The safe introduction of Night Tube and the resolution of the on going industrial dispute involving engineering staff.
* The threat to jobs, and the current dispute, over the Lillie Bridge depot bound up in a Boris Johnson speculative luxury housing project in Earls Court.
General Secretary Mick Cash said;
“London now has a new Mayor and the focus now shifts to the policy agenda. RMT has set out the issues and the sheer scale of the financial and capacity crisis facing the capital leaves London facing it’s biggest transport threat since the Blitz.
“RMT is seeking an urgent meeting with the new Mayor based on our agenda but no one should be under illusions and as far as the union is concerned it is “business as usual” as we fight for jobs, conditions, safety and services.”