Metronet workers threaten strike over hard hat row

Thousands of Metronet tube infrastructure workers are threatening to strike after a safety rep was suspended for not wearing a hard hat.

The RMT union will ballot its entire 2,500 strong Metronet membership following the suspension of Andy Littlechild earlier this month.

Littlechild was sent home on September 15 after Metronet chiefs accused him off refusing to wear Personal Protective Equipment. He claims his part of the site did not require the wearing of a hard hat.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “Andy Littlechild has been fitted up on a bogus charge that would embarrass the Spanish Inquisition.

“Andy’s diligence has clearly upset someone, because they have gone to the trouble of unilaterally altering a risk assessment in further breach of agreements with the sole aim of entrapping him, and it is as clear as day that he has been set up.”

A Transport for London spokesman said they were “disappointed” with the union’s call for a ballot.