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RAIL union RMT has demanded that the government order the suspension of all on-train ticket sale and revenue protection duties to stop operators putting staff at unnecessary risk from coronavirus.
A survey by the union shows that seven out of 17 train-operating companies under government contract still insist that their staff undertake non-essential revenue duties on trains, despite the social distancing being impossible in such work.
RMT found that nearly 70 per cent of its members still required to undertake on-train revenue work believe that it should be stopped, and fewer than two in 10 were satisfied with the arrangements put in place to protect them.
General secretary Mick Cash has written to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps seeking an assurance that on-train revenue duties will be stopped by next Monday.
“If the DfT fails to do this, RMT will have no option but to consider what further action it can take to ensure its members’ safety during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic,” Mr Cash said.
The DfT said: “Train operators have been issued comprehensive guidance on the steps they need to take to protect staff, in line with Public Health England advice.”