RMT union threatening strike action over "lethal" bacteria on trains
Thameslink say a low level of Legionella's been found in a small number of toilets
Last updated 23rd Aug 2021
A rail union claims there's been "potentially lethal'' Legionella outbreak on Thameslink trains.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said it has prepared its members on that rail operator for strikes if urgent action is not taken to resolve the issue.
The company said a low level of Legionella had been found in a small number of toilets, which had been drained and bleached.
The RMT said seven toilets on four trains had actionable traces of the bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires' disease.
The union's described it as a "half-hearted and inadequate'' approach, and called for an urgent meeting of the company's Joint Safety Committee.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "RMT has been raising concerns for weeks now, and the latest cavalier approach from the company is pitifully inadequate and is an outright gamble with passenger and staff health.
"If we don't get serious action we will ballot our members and do whatever is required to end this reckless approach to a potentially lethal situation on these increasingly busy trains.''
Rob Mullen, train services director at Thameslink, said: "A very low level of Legionella was found to be present during testing in a small number of our Thameslink Class 700 train toilets.
"While it is extremely unlikely this would cause any harm to passengers or colleagues, the toilets affected were immediately locked out of use.
"The trains were taken out of service and these toilets have now been drained, bleached and had their tanks completely re-filled.
"There is no recorded case of anyone, ever, having contracted Legionella from a train.''