The RMT yesterday released a confidential ‘Operational Strategy’ paper from London Underground which the union says is ‘a blueprint for jobs and safety carnage’.
Amongst a ‘raft of cuts-led proposals supposed to address the financial chaos left behind by the Private Public Partnership and the Mayor’s £5 billion assault on budgets’, the RMT claim the report suggests:
- The axing of more than 1,500 jobs
- Automation of trains with ‘no in cab operators’ and drivers replaced by ‘train attendants’
- Closure of all ticket offices with just 30 stations having all-purpose ‘travel centres’
- Across the board financial cuts of 20%
- Freezing recruitment, ‘ripping up’ existing staffing agreements and imposing a system of overtime and part-time working
- De-staffing stations through an ‘escalation of the existing job cuts programme’ and ‘turning the network into a criminals paradise’.
Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said:
“This document tells us everything we need to know about the operational strategy of London Underground – massive increase in fares alongside an unprecedented attack on jobs and safety.
“Every single ticket office would be closed, stations left unstaffed and drivers would be thrown out of their cabs without a single thought for passenger safety.
“In recent months we have seen from an escalation in cuts-led breakdowns just why the train and platform are so critical to safety on the system.
“This ill-conceived and finance-led document ignores reality in favour of austerity and would impact on every single staff member on London Underground.
“It would leave passengers stranded in tunnels with no means of evacuation and would turn the platforms and stations into a mugger’s and vandals paradise.
“RMT will work with our sister tube unions and passenger groups on a campaign to ensure that this document and its proposals are consigned to the dustbin of history.”
Mike Brown of Transport for London said:
“This discussion paper was prepared purely to stimulate fresh thinking within London Underground.
“It has not been adopted by LU senior management, the TfL board or the mayor and so does not represent agreed proposals for change.”
