- Document date
- 29-10-2024
By email and blog post
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London and TfL Chair
City Hall
Kamal Chunchie Way
London E16 1ZE
cc: Transport Commissioner; Deputy Mayor for Transport; Deputy Mayor for Social Justice and Communities, London Victims' Commissioner; Walking and Cycling Commissioner; TfL Board Secretariat; TfL SSHR Panel Secretariat; London Assembly Transport Committee Members; Tom Kearney (@comadad)
Dear Mr. Mayor,
With the support of Unite the Union, at 1100 on Tuesday, 5 November I will be leading London Bus Drivers in a march from Unite the Union's Regional London Office in Islington down to TfL Headquarters on Blackfriars. When we arrive at Palestra House, we will demonstrate to hold you and TfL to account for the 'Safety Scandal' that has resulted in the deaths of at least 86 people from Bus Safety Incidents and 76 London Bus Drivers from Covid-19 while you have served as TfL Chair and Mayor of London.
I woke up to your 'Safety Scandal' in Spring 2020, while I was working as a Bus Driver Driver for a Singapore-based London Bus Contractor. While my colleagues across London fell ill and died from Covid-19, I couldn't help but notice that Company Managers and TfL officials had— effectively—vanished.
I've since learned that, in April 2020, while—
—TfL was telling Unite the Union "masks not necessary". I've also learned TfL never requested copies of Covid-19 Risk Assessments from its Bus Contractors.
Like many other Bus Drivers, I am convinced that my colleagues had the highest rate of deaths from Covid-19 in the United Kingdom in April 2020 because of your and TfL's well-evidenced failures to use the powers you had—and had already exercised to protect TfL employees—to save London's Bus Drivers.
Since that traumatic time, I've had the opportunity to—
Like you, I've also had the opportunity to read—
—and I'm convinced that your and TfL's constant refrain that, for Buses, "Safety is TfL's first priority" is just a lie you've made for media consumption.
Why?
Because TfL's latest Framework Contract for Bus Services in London—dated 1 January 2016—has zero requirements for safety performance—
But TfL Bus Contracts contain everything about the absolute requirement for London Buses to run On Time, Frequently and Efficiently for the convenience of London's Bus Users and for the benefit of Bus Operator Shareholders.
Perhaps that explains why—
Please look closely at the Rights London Bus Drivers require today so that they can drive safely and with duty of care on London's increasingly congested-roads.
As TfL Chair since May 2016, aren't you the least bit ashamed that Bus Drivers even feel compelled to march to TfL Headquarters on 5 November to demand these Human Rights to work safely on a contracted Bus Operation that reports to you?
If you continue to refuse London Bus Drivers this Bill of Rights, TfL's Safety Scandal will be your Legacy.
Yours sincerely,
Kevin Mustafa
Attachment: London Bus Drivers' Bill of Rights
1. The Right to a safe work schedule without any forced overtime or loss of pay
2. The Right to a decent and proper rest break in the working day
3. The Right to drive a safe and well-maintained vehicle
4. The Right to clean, serviced toilet and rest facilities on all bus routes
5. The Right to report safety concerns without fear of retribution from TfL or employers
6. The Right, when seriously ill and covered by a doctor's note, to not be harassed into coming into work until fit to do so
7. The Right to relevant and timely safety training
8. The Right to drive without being forced to answer radio messages and texts from Controllers whilst in motion
9. The Right to have all company rules in writing and clearly displayed
10. The Right to be treated with dignity and respect by our employers, TfL and the public
11. The Right to Working Air Cooling in our cabs in the summer heat
12. The Right to Working Heaters in our cabs in the cold of winter
Source: https://saferoxfordstreet.blogspot.com/2024/10/tfls-safety-scandal-will-be-your-legacy.html
Auto-imported from Tom Kearney’s blog.
29 October 2024
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London and TfL Chair
City Hall
Kamal Chunchie Way
London E16 1ZE
cc: Transport Commissioner; Deputy Mayor for Transport; Deputy Mayor for Social Justice and Communities, London Victims' Commissioner; Walking and Cycling Commissioner; TfL Board Secretariat; TfL SSHR Panel Secretariat; London Assembly Transport Committee Members; Tom Kearney (@comadad)
Dear Mr. Mayor,
With the support of Unite the Union, at 1100 on Tuesday, 5 November I will be leading London Bus Drivers in a march from Unite the Union's Regional London Office in Islington down to TfL Headquarters on Blackfriars. When we arrive at Palestra House, we will demonstrate to hold you and TfL to account for the 'Safety Scandal' that has resulted in the deaths of at least 86 people from Bus Safety Incidents and 76 London Bus Drivers from Covid-19 while you have served as TfL Chair and Mayor of London.
I woke up to your 'Safety Scandal' in Spring 2020, while I was working as a Bus Driver Driver for a Singapore-based London Bus Contractor. While my colleagues across London fell ill and died from Covid-19, I couldn't help but notice that Company Managers and TfL officials had— effectively—vanished.
I've since learned that, in April 2020, while—
- my employer had already distributed masks in February to its transport employees in Singapore; and,
- TfL was already distributing masks to its own employees;
—TfL was telling Unite the Union "masks not necessary". I've also learned TfL never requested copies of Covid-19 Risk Assessments from its Bus Contractors.
Like many other Bus Drivers, I am convinced that my colleagues had the highest rate of deaths from Covid-19 in the United Kingdom in April 2020 because of your and TfL's well-evidenced failures to use the powers you had—and had already exercised to protect TfL employees—to save London's Bus Drivers.
Since that traumatic time, I've had the opportunity to—
- to speak with TfL officials in person about their failure to protect Bus Drivers during Covid;
- exchange letters with your Deputy Mayor about the "Culture of Fear" TfL permits on its contracted Bus Operation which prevents Bus Drivers reporting their well-founded concerns about safety problems to their managers or TfL;
- be gaslighted by you about Poor Bus Driver Working Conditions on James O'Brien's "Speak to Sadiq".
Like you, I've also had the opportunity to read—
- your responses to hundreds of Mayor's Questions about Bus Safety (dozens of which were submitted on my behalf);
- three London Assembly Transport Committee Bus Safety Investigations;
- three 'world leading' Bus Safety Programme announcements by TfL;
- your own "Vision Zero" announcement;
—and I'm convinced that your and TfL's constant refrain that, for Buses, "Safety is TfL's first priority" is just a lie you've made for media consumption.
Why?
Because TfL's latest Framework Contract for Bus Services in London—dated 1 January 2016—has zero requirements for safety performance—
- TfL Bus Contracts contain nothing about 'world leading' Bus Safety Programmes
- TfL Bus Contracts contain nothing about Vision Zero
But TfL Bus Contracts contain everything about the absolute requirement for London Buses to run On Time, Frequently and Efficiently for the convenience of London's Bus Users and for the benefit of Bus Operator Shareholders.
Perhaps that explains why—
- the number of people killed and injured by Buses is higher now than when you took in May 2016;
- so many of my colleagues fell ill and died from Covid-19;
- TfL chooses to mislead Londoners about the actual number of people killed and injured in preventable Bus Safety Incidents;
- Bus Drivers report that Driver Fatigue, Lack of Toilet Dignity and Unsafe Bus Cab Temperatures are more prevalent today than ever before;
- Bus Drivers today must demand the basic human rights shown in the London Bus Drivers' Bill of Rights I've attached for your information and immediate approval.
Please look closely at the Rights London Bus Drivers require today so that they can drive safely and with duty of care on London's increasingly congested-roads.
As TfL Chair since May 2016, aren't you the least bit ashamed that Bus Drivers even feel compelled to march to TfL Headquarters on 5 November to demand these Human Rights to work safely on a contracted Bus Operation that reports to you?
If you continue to refuse London Bus Drivers this Bill of Rights, TfL's Safety Scandal will be your Legacy.
Yours sincerely,
Kevin Mustafa
Attachment: London Bus Drivers' Bill of Rights
London Bus Drivers’ Bill of Rights
1. The Right to a safe work schedule without any forced overtime or loss of pay
2. The Right to a decent and proper rest break in the working day
3. The Right to drive a safe and well-maintained vehicle
4. The Right to clean, serviced toilet and rest facilities on all bus routes
5. The Right to report safety concerns without fear of retribution from TfL or employers
6. The Right, when seriously ill and covered by a doctor's note, to not be harassed into coming into work until fit to do so
7. The Right to relevant and timely safety training
8. The Right to drive without being forced to answer radio messages and texts from Controllers whilst in motion
9. The Right to have all company rules in writing and clearly displayed
10. The Right to be treated with dignity and respect by our employers, TfL and the public
11. The Right to Working Air Cooling in our cabs in the summer heat
12. The Right to Working Heaters in our cabs in the cold of winter
Source: https://saferoxfordstreet.blogspot.com/2024/10/tfls-safety-scandal-will-be-your-legacy.html
Auto-imported from Tom Kearney’s blog.