Coronavirus: Tube drivers sent home after raising safety concerns over lockdown easing

‘[Train drivers] are being told they can no longer continue to work in the safer way that they have been working over the last six weeks,’ says union

A TfL worker is seen wearing a protective facial covering at Embankment station (Getty Images)

At least 30 Tube drivers were sent home from work on Monday after they expressed concerns about safety of themselves and their passengers, a trade union has said, as more people return to work after the coronavirus lockdown begins to ease in England.

ASLEF, Britain’s trade union for train drivers, accused the government of regarding Transport for London (TfL) workers as “nothing more than collateral damage” after rail and tube operators increased services this week.

A spokesperson for ASLEF said 30 drivers raised their concerns over health and safety before being sent home.

The union advised its members, of which there are over 20,000, of their right to refuse to work “in circumstances where they are at risk of serious and imminent danger”.

Finn Brennan, chief of ASLEF, said in a statement: “Despite our objections, London Underground has insisted that, from next week, train drivers revert to working as they did before the Covid-19 crisis. They are being told they can no longer continue to work in the safer way that they have been working over the last six weeks.

“This is because the government is insisting that Transport for London maximises the service it operates, regardless of the implications for driver safety. Forty-two TfL workers have already lost their lives to this dreadful disease. The government appears to regard them as nothing more than collateral damage.

“ASLEF does not believe that London Underground has fulfilled the requirements for genuine consultation with staff and this trade union. We want to see services increased but this has to be done in a way that is safe for passengers and safe for staff.

“Tube drivers have risked their own safety and that of their families to keep services moving for essential workers over the last six weeks. Now they are being asked to take unacceptable and unnecessary risks. They are frightened for themselves and frightened for their families,” Mr Brennan added.

Mr Brennan also tweeted on Monday morning: “Bizarre situation this morning where Underground managers are sending home drivers who raise H&S (health and safety) concerns… meaning fewer drivers available… so fewer trains!”

Nick Dent, director of line operations for London Underground, responded: “The safety of our staff and customers is the most important thing to us as we carefully work towards a return to the level of service on the Tube closer to normal, with 75 per cent of services running this morning.

“We would never force a member of staff to work if they were concerned about safety. If they are not reassured by the evidence we offer describing the extensive safety measures we’ve introduced, we provide them with a detailed pack of written information and ask them to return when they are satisfied. We are always available to clarify any points which continue to be a cause for concern.

“We have installed screens and social-distancing signage in depots and service control centres, and have implemented one-way systems to make social distancing easier. Hand sanitiser and masks have also been provided to staff to reduce the risk of infection as much as possible in addition to the continued regular rigorous cleaning of the Tube. All of these changes have been fully risk assessed and comply with all PHE and government.”

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has also called for new compulsory protections for passengers and rail workers, including compulsory two-metre social distancing on trains and wearing of face masks for passengers, to be provided for free at stations.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “We are opposed to the early relaxation of lockdown measures and believe that non-essential workers should avoid using trains.

“When people absolutely must use a train there should be new compulsory protections. There should be compulsory two-metre social distancing on all trains. It is baffling that the government are telling the public to observe two-metre social distancing in open spaces outdoors but not enforce two-metre social distancing on trains, whose confined spaces mean there is greater risk of infection.

“There should also be compulsory wearing of face masks, which should be provided for free. It is mystifying that there is a requirement for passengers on Eurostar services in the UK to wear masks but not on other UK rail services.”

The government has advised people to avoid using public transport to return to work and to continue working from home wherever possible.

The Independent has contacted TfL for comment.

Additional reporting by agencies