Specialist transport union the RMT will be hitting main railway stations with a leafleting campaign on growing fears over safety and security this Tuesday (28 April 2009) as part of an international day of action to mark Workers Memorial Day.

Last week 11 tube trains had to be taken out of action on the Central Line after being attacked in Acton by gangs of vandals with bricks in an horrific incident which underlines the RMT’s concerns that both staff and passengers are facing an increasing risk of physical assault.

The RMT day of action on Tuesday, part of a global initiative coordinated by the International Transport Federation, will take the “Unions say no to violence” message out to the travelling public.

“With the budget lining up at least £30 billion of public spending cuts over the coming years there is a real danger that safety and security on the public transport system will take a hammering. That means a real threat to life and limb for both staff and the public alike and the RMT are not going to sit back and wait for the next tragedy to happen,” Bob Crow RMT general secretary said.

“Cuts in services leave the public feeling angry and frustrated and too often it’s our members, rather than the bosses and the politicians making the cuts, who end up as the punchbag. We’re not having that.

“This Workers Memorial Day we will also be remembering the 16 workers who died earlier this month in the Puma Helicopter tragedy off Aberdeen. We owe it to the memory of those workers, and thousands of others around the world, to renew our campaign for a safe and secure workplace for all,” Bob Crow said.

Note:

RMT will at the following stations at 08.00 hrs Tuesday 28 April 2009:

Glasgow Queen Street, Newcastle, Doncaster, Preston, Liverpool Lime Street, Birmingham New Street, London Kings Cross, Southampton, Bristol and Exeter.