Unite, the UK’s leading union, which represents over 20,000 bus
drivers in London, has described a new report from the University
College of London, which found that an earlier lockdown last year
would have saved bus drivers’ lives, as a “damning verdict on the
failure to protect vulnerable key workers”.
The key finding from the report, published today (Friday 19
March), was that 80 per cent of the bus workers who died of
Covid-19 in the first wave had ceased work by 3 April 2020.
The report says: "An earlier lockdown would likely have saved
lives, with many of the drivers who died having underlying health
conditions, putting them at greater risk."
Unite lead officer for London buses John Murphy said: “This is a
damning verdict on the government’s failure to introduce an
earlier lockdown.
“The government had the information about the danger of Covid-19
and it failed to act, which dramatically and tragically increased
bus driver deaths.
“London bus drivers were essential to keeping the capital moving
during the lockdown but they were left needlessly exposed by
government inaction.
“When the government should have been locking down and saving
lives, it was still talking about herd immunity.
“From well before the lockdown was announced, Unite was forcing
bus operators and TfL to stricter safety measures to protect
drivers. This culminated in the closing of front doors and the
full sealing of the cabs to protect drivers, alongside a host of
other measures.
“The government has a moral duty to end the delay in launching a
full public inquiry into the pandemic. The reasons for its
failure to act and introduce a lockdown earlier must be fully
understood and explained.”
