RMT president George Welch paid tribute today to the train driver and former RMT representative killed in Friday’s train collision between Bedford and Luton. 

The driver, who has not been named, was a member of Aslef, but had previously been an active RMT representative while working in other grades. 

Opening the union’s AGM in Liverpool, Mr Welch said: “The incident serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility carried by those who work across our industries every day and the importance of maintaining the highest standards of safety.

“On behalf of the RMT, I send our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the train driver and former RMT representative who tragically lost his life. 

“Our thoughts are of course with those who were injured and our appreciation is extended to the emergency services and railway workers who aided the rescue of the injured and continue their vital work.”

He added that it was a “reminder that safety must always remain at the forefront of what we do.”

Mr Welch detailed the union’s successes in winning better pay, terms and conditions, and progress made on the key national campaign to bring outsourced railway workers back in-house. 

He said: “We have seen progress on bringing work back in-house. But progress alone is not enough.

“The case for bringing work back in-house has been made repeatedly by our members and by our union. 

“The campaign for insourcing is a trade union campaign that impacts workers beyond the sectors we organise in.”

Looking ahead to Great British Railways and the roll-out of public ownership, Mr Welch said the union would ensure the “railway that provides long-term stability, secure employment, proper staffing levels, meaningful apprenticeships and skilled careers for future generations,” adding that RMT would remain “vigilant.”