Ten London Bus Workers Dead from COVID-19
Tragedy has struck London’s transport workforce, with ten bus workers dead from the coronavirus. The grim toll was revealed by Sadia Khan following urgent calls from the Unite union demanding better PPE for frontline staff.
Unite Sounds Alarm Over Safety Failures
Peter Kavanagh, Unite’s regional secretary, expressed deep sorrow over the deaths. He said, “Each of these deaths is a terrible tragedy. Our thoughts are with the families of the bus workers who have died of coronavirus.”
Kavanagh vowed that Unite will support the bereaved families in every possible way during this devastating time.
Fighting for Bus Workers’ Safety
Unite has been in constant talks with Transport for London (TfL) and bus operators to protect drivers and staff. Measures introduced include:
- Deep cleaning of buses
- Extra cleaning of touchpoints
- Installing protective screens around drivers
- Providing hand sanitiser to all staff
- Blocking off seats nearest the driver to limit contact
Kavanagh revealed, “I’m in direct contact with the Mayor of London, who shares our view that bus drivers must be fully protected.”
Union Demands Government Step Up on PPE
Unite is pushing the government to supply adequate Personal Protective Equipment for all transport workers.
“If any driver has safety concerns, they must report them to their employer and Unite representative immediately. We will act on all concerns right away,” Kavanagh stated.
As London’s bus heroes keep running vital routes for NHS and care workers, the call for better protection grows louder. The safety of those keeping the city moving cannot be ignored.
