{"id":24163,"date":"2020-10-09T12:45:39","date_gmt":"2020-10-09T11:45:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/?p=24163"},"modified":"2020-10-09T12:45:40","modified_gmt":"2020-10-09T11:45:40","slug":"we-simply-dont-have-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/?p=24163","title":{"rendered":"\u00e2\u20ac\u0098We simply don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have time\u00e2\u20ac\u2122"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Unite\u00c2\u00a0has vowed to escalate its campaign to introduce stricter safety measures for London buses after it emerged that Unite member Kofi Opoku,\u00c2\u00a0who worked for\u00c2\u00a0 Metrobus and was based at the Croydon garage,\u00c2\u00a0south London, died\u00c2\u00a0from\u00c2\u00a0Covid-19 earlier this week.<\/p>\n

The issue of bus driver safety is particularly sensitive as during the height of the pandemic earlier this year, male London bus drivers were in the profession at greatest risk of dying from Covid-19, with at least 29\u00c2\u00a0of them succumbing to the disease.<\/p>\n

Unite, which represents over 20,000 London bus workers, has met with both the London mayor Sadiq Khan and Transport for London (TfL) about its\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00c2\u00a0continuing\u00c2\u00a0concerns that there needs to be a concerted effort\u00c2\u00a0and urgent action\u00c2\u00a0to further improve bus safety \u00e2\u20ac\u201c to better protect both drivers and passengers, as the virus\u00c2\u00a0continues to spread.<\/p>\n

Unite\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s\u00c2\u00a0key concerns include ensuring all screens and seals are properly installed; health and safety reps are stood down from normal duties to monitor safety in garages;\u00c2\u00a0and\u00c2\u00a0a full review and enhancement\u00c2\u00a0of cleaning regimes\u00c2\u00a0are carried out\u00c2\u00a0after concerns about the quality in some areas has been raised.<\/p>\n

Other concerns include ensuring access to toilets and hand washing facilities; full sick pay from day one for workers needing to self-isolate,\u00c2\u00a0a moratorium on remote sign-on<\/a>;\u00c2\u00a0and the proper enforcement of face coverings and maximum loading by TfL, the police and marshals.<\/p>\n

Both the\u00c2\u00a0Mayor and TfL have the power and the authority to ensure that all London bus operators comply with these safety measures.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThe death of Kofi Opoku is a terrible reminder of the horrible human cost of Covid-19,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 Unite lead officer\u00c2\u00a0for London buses\u00c2\u00a0John Murphy\u00c2\u00a0said.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bOur thoughts are with his family at this sad time.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0098Introduce safety measures\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWith infection rates rising\u00c2\u00a0swiftly\u00c2\u00a0and the knowledge we have gained\u00c2\u00a0from\u00c2\u00a0the first wave,\u00c2\u00a0it is absolutely essential that all these safety measures are introduced to protect bus drivers and their passengers.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bDuring the first lockdown London bus drivers played a vital role in keeping the capital moving and for that too many of them paid the ultimate price.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bSignificant safety procedures have been already introduced,\u00c2\u00a0but action needs to be taken to reinforce those measures.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bIt is distressing that\u00c2\u00a0some\u00c2\u00a0bus operators seem to be more concerned about the financial cost of some of these vital measures. Exactly what value are they placing on a human life?<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe simply do not have time on our side. We\u00c2\u00a0need these measures to be introduced immediately to reduce the risk of infections and\u00c2\u00a0to\u00c2\u00a0save lives,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 Murphy urged.<\/p>\n

READ THE FULL LIST OF DEMANDS HERE: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the full list of safety issues that Unite believes are urgently needed<\/p>\n