Rail unions fear MTR may reduce services and pay

Unions are concerned that MTR staff may be asked to take unpaid leave. Photo: RTHK

Two MTR staff unions have told RTHK that the rail operator might soon run trains less frequently, because the coronavirus outbreak has led to a drop in passenger numbers.



The Railway Employees Union and Railway Power said they had met MTR management this week over the matter.



One union said Light Rail trains had already been running at less frequent intervals this week, with peak hour waiting times now up to seven minutes longer.



The same may soon happen with MTR lines in urban areas, with the company already having said it is keeping an eye on passenger numbers.



Unions are worried that staff may be asked to take unpaid leave, have their wages cut or even lose their jobs.



Tam Kin-chiu, from the Railway Employees Union, said the MTR Corporation should not make employees suffer due to the drop in passengers.



"We will not accept staff having their wages cut, losing their jobs, or being asked to take unpaid leave, just like other companies are doing. Many MTR staff have a lot of unused holidays. It would be the perfect time for them to use up those holidays now," he said.