Hundreds of Tube jobs under threat
By Sam Datta-Paulin
February 24th 2010, 9:38am
The Rail, Maratime and Transport Union (RMT) has published a report claiming that Transport for London (TFL) is planning to slash hundreds of jobs at Underground stations.
They say TFL want to cut the number of staff at 70 stations to just two.
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TFL have responded saying there are no plans to put passenger lives at risk, and the rail union is 'scaremongering' to protect jobs; "We have consistently made clear our commitment to keep all of our stations staffed throughout the day and stations will always be staffed to ensure passenger safety and the highest standards of customer service. As we've said before, given the need to adapt as the Tube upgrades are delivered, and to ensure value for money, we are looking at how we can be best organised to provide that service." |
Minimum staff levels were bought in on the Underground after a fire at Kings Cross Station in 1987. The fire began when someone threw away a cigarette on the platform and spread up a wooden escalator. There weren't enough staff at the station to properly evacuate. 31 people died. After the fire, all underground stations had to be staffed at all times. |
But the RMT say they will fight any plans which put tube staff and passengers at risk.
Click the video link on the right to watch news footage from the Kings Cross Fire in 1987 which led to minimum staffing levels being introduced.
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