October 19th 2024.
The noise on the Victoria line has been causing quite a stir lately, with levels reaching above the legal limit. In protest, London Underground drivers have decided to take a stand and drive their trains at a slower pace. This may result in fewer trains and more crowded services, but the drivers feel it is necessary to draw attention to the extreme noise levels they are exposed to on a daily basis.
For those who regularly ride the Victoria, Central, Northern, and Jubilee lines, the sound of screeching wheels against the rails is all too familiar. Some passengers have even resorted to covering their ears in an attempt to block out the noise. However, it is the drivers who bear the brunt of this constant clamor, which the RMT union has described as "extremely uncomfortable and distressing". After a recent increase in noise levels, the union members voted to take industrial action, short of a strike, to address the issue.
As a result of this protest, trains on the Victoria line will be traveling at slower speeds, below 50mph. This means that there will be fewer trains running and more crowded conditions for passengers. The dates for this change have yet to be confirmed, but Mick Lynch, the general secretary of the RMT, hopes that this will alert London Underground to the seriousness of the situation. He also points out that the noise levels not only affect the drivers, but also impact the general public.
In the meantime, Transport for London (TfL) has advised Victoria line drivers to wear ear defenders until a solution can be found. It is worth noting that the noise levels experienced by passengers are not as high as those for the drivers. However, the union Aslef believes that this is just a temporary fix and is planning to ballot its members for industrial action if the root problem is not addressed.
Finn Brennan, the district organizer for Aslef, believes that this issue could have been avoided if management had taken action earlier. He also criticizes their tendency to ignore the complaints of drivers and union representatives, stating that everyone has the right to a safe working environment. Aslef fully supports its members in taking appropriate measures to protect their health and safety.
Despite TfL's efforts to reduce noise levels on the London Underground, which have included grinding rails to remove bumps and abrasions, there were still over 1,300 noise complaints from January 2020 to August 2022. A spokesperson for TfL acknowledges that there has been an increase in the level of noise exposure for Victoria line drivers and assures the public that plans are in place to address this issue. They urge the trade unions to work together with them to find a solution and avoid any further disruptions that may inconvenience Londoners.
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