Train drivers using incontinence pads due to lack of breaks, say union bosses

theguardian.com:

Union bosses have accused the government and rail firms of exploiting the pandemic to force through changes to conditions, with one claiming that drivers were so short of breaks they had to rely on incontinence products.

In evidence to MPs on Wednesday, they also accused the government of meddling in negotiations over pay, despite ministers’ insistence that they are not involved.

Unions and train companies have been locked in a dispute over pay as workers seek increases amid rapid inflation that has eroded real pay and caused a cost of living crisis.

Members of the RMT union staged three days of walkouts in late June that brought large parts of the British network to a halt. Leaders at the Aslef union representing train drivers will meet on Thursday to discuss their own strike dates after workers at eight train-operating companies voted overwhelmingly for action.

Eddie Dempsey, the RMT’s senior assistant general secretary, told the Commons transport select committee there had been “some progress” in talks, but claimed the government was “using the health emergency” to force through changes.

Mick Whelan, the general secretary of Aslef, told MPs there was a “resounding willingness among our members” to pursue industrial action, alleging that some drivers, confined to cabs for long periods without breaks, had been forced to use “Tena products” – an incontinence brand.

“People are using the pandemic as an excuse to decimate terms and conditions and force through things,” he said.

The evidence came a day after Network Rail, the company which runs Great British rail infrastructure, made an improved formal pay offer to the RMT. The union will consider the proposals later on Wednesday.

Dempsey claimed its pay talks were constrained by