Posted 28th May 2012 | 2 Comments
New strike threat as unions harden McNulty stance
Rail unions have launched a nationwide protest against the possible loss of more than 20,000 rail jobs as a result of the recommendations in the McNulty 'value for money' report. Speaking to Railnews, RMT general secretary Bob Crow said a ballot for nationwide industrial action is now on the cards.
Union leaders gathered at Euston station in London this morning to launch their campaign of opposition to the McNulty proposals, which is being co-ordinated by the TUC.
ASLEF, RMT, TSSA and Unite said their joint 'Action for Rail' campaign 'will bring passengers, campaigners and unions together to register their opposition'.
As well as the London event, other protests are taking place around the country today in many towns and cities, from Plymouth to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The government vision of a rail industry with deserted stations, closed ticket offices and trains with no staff is one that appeals to train operators seeking to cut costs and maximise profits – but train passengers are appalled.
“The public wants the help, reassurance and safety that rail staff provide, which is why so many passengers have responded to our campaign and have expressed their anger at the plans to cull the rail industry workforce.”
Bob Crow warned that the strength of the protests meant that industrial action on a nationwide scale could now follow unless the Government modifies its proposal to make wholesale staff cuts.
He told Railnews: "It is going to happen until people change it. We will defend our industry and our members. And passengers need to know they are facing the prospect of paying higher fares for a worse service.
"If any employer comes along and tries to make any of our members compulsorily redundant, or worsen their terms and conditions then, yes, we will ballot for industrial action."
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
Philip Russell, Carlisle
No one wants to see the unions crushed Murdoch style, but if the railway is to be prosperous they must surely realise changes and modernisation to working practicies must happen sometime,British Rail was very good at communicating and achieving this especially in its latter years ,but the successor train companies have not been nearly as effective at this preferring to avoid any controversial changes to keep trains running and peace with unions. This has resulted in a hardening of the unions stance on many issues and making change now even harder.
Steve Alston , Crewe
Not often do I agree with Bob, I still think he is an idiot who has lead the RMT down a far left political path. I do think that with this, for once he's right, in that attempting a modern day Beeching cut was an expensive pointless exercise. If the booking offices close and evening services are reduced, the rest of the railway will suffer.
If McNulty had any sense he would have looked where the real expenditure and wastage was, not just the easy savings which ultimately will cost more. Run correctly with the franchisees / contractors kicked out, and the greedy consultants within Network Rail eliminated, this railway would certainly pay for itself once again.