TSSA welcomes staff visors move at Govia Thameslink

TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, has hailed as "great news" the decision by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) to provide visors in addition to facemasks for all non-safety critical staff.

The union has been calling for visors at GTR and across Britain’s railways in the wake of the death of Belly Mujinga, a GTR ticket office clerk (and TSSA member) who was redeployed to the concourse at London’s Victoria Station despite having an existing respiratory condition.

Manuel Cortes said: 

"It's great news that our union and GTR have agreed that our members will be provided with visors as well as masks in the course of their important work.

"Our union has been steadfast in our campaign for frontline staff to be issued visors as the virus not only gets into you through your mouth and nose but also through your eyes. Frontline workers across our railways have done an amazing job keeping the network running for key workers and vital supplies as our country continues to fight Coronavirus.

"The least they can expect during this health emergency is to be able to carry out their duties safety. We very much welcome GTR now singing from our hymn sheet."