Rail union leader warns of national strike over social distancing fears

‘Lives of passengers and our members are being put at risk so fat cats can accumulate profits,’ says general secretary

Union says government must give unequivocal assurances that social distancing rules across the transport network will remain at two metres (Getty)

A rail union leader is warning of a national strike unless the government gives “unequivocal assurances” that the social distancing rules across the transport network will remain at two metres.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association said the government’s own review into the two-metre social distancing guidance clearly states that public transport presents a high risk owing to prolonged indoor contact between a high number of users from different households.

General secretary Manuel Cortes said: “I will now be consulting our members over balloting for a national strike on public transport.

“We must protect transport workers and the travelling public should the Government proceed with this reckless attempt to cut physical distancing to one metre early next month.

“I urge them to think again. As the transport secretary has pointed out, we have seen far too many deaths already in the line of duty.

“Yet it now appears that his words are hollow as the Tories are looking to use these heroic workers as nothing more than cannon fodder.

“The lives of passengers and our members are being put at risk so that fat cats can accumulate profits.”

PA