Heathrow rail row over safety (From This Is Local London)

Heathrow rail row over safety

9:23am Thursday 21st September 2006

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Rail bosses have blasted claims by Britain's biggest rail union that it is "putting lives at risk".

Heathrow Express deny accusations by The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT), that inadequately trained managers are running their trains.

"Using inadequately trained managers to run trains will not settle this dispute but it will put people's lives at risk.”

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

The row began after more than 80 Heathrow Express staff went on strike today, voting 12 to 1 against a three-year pay and conditions offer.

The shuttle service, which runs every 15 minutes from Paddington to Heathrow, is expected to continue as normal.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "RMT members at Heathrow Express are out solidly today and if the company keeps its head buried in the sand they will be out solidly again on Monday.

"Using inadequately trained managers to run trains will not settle this dispute but it will put people's lives at risk."

He said the latest offer was little more than a "rehashed" version of the three-year offer the union had already rejected.

Heathrow Express insists it "would never compromise the safety of staff or customers".

A spokesperson said: "Only experienced staff who have the correct level of competence are allowed to undertake safety critical tasks such as driving trains."

Earlier this month, members of another transport union, ASLEF, accepted the pay offer and called off their planned strikes.

Heathrow Express managing director Brain Raven said: "We are delighted that we have come to an agreement with the union over pay."

The RMT has also announced that London's transport workers could go on strike in a row over pensions.

The union is pressuring Transport for London to oppose changes which they said would see people who leave work through ill health deprived of a pension.

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