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RMT News – Essential reading for today ’s transport worker 5 RMT renewed its called for an end to the privatisation of Tube infrastructure last month following the leaking of documents showing that the private sector is failing to deliver improvements. The call has been backed by over 60 MPs who have signed up to Early Day Motion 383 which urges the government to renegotiate the public private partnership contracts and bring all maintenance and renewals under the direct control of London Underground. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the only winners from the PPP were the contractors who were pocketing £2 million a week in profits at our expense. “Several reports have already shown that shows that privatising work on the Tube infrastructure has brought nothing but delays, excuses and increasing safety concerns. “How many more do we need before the government accepts that the PPP is not the solution but a growing part of Leaked report reveals PPP has failed to deliver the problem?” Bob said. The call to end PPP on London Underground is part of the Rail Against Privatisation campaign. Under PPP performance has deteriorated, essential improvements have been delayed. However, the private sector infracos, Metronet and Tubelines, continue to receive public subsidies and have banked profits of over £100 million in the first year alone. Network Rail has brought rail maintenance back in-house and booted out these same companies to end the chaos. The time has come for the same thing to happen on the Tube. KEY FREIGHTLINER port staff and drivers at Southampton and Felixstowe docks have voted overwhelmingly to strike in a dispute over pay and conditions. The union has told the company to work towards a settlement or face the prospect of strike action that could bring operations to a standstill. RMT general secretary Bob Crow pointed out that Freightliner chiefs had made £30 million between them out of selling off the company, but when it came to pay and conditions staff are supposed to be grateful for what they’re given. “The company should stop trying to divide, intimidate and victimise our members and get round the table to negotiate a settlement that reflects the contribution the workforce have made to Frieghtliner’s success. “Our members have voted by four to one for strike action and the clock is now ticking away. “We have told the company that failure to negotiate seriously with us will result in strike action,” Bob Crow said. In a separate dispute, also over pay and conditions, around 100 Freightliner road motor drivers at inland terminals around the country are presently voting on strike action. Freightliner port staff and drivers back strike action New Heathrow Express branch launched RMT OPENED a new branch at Heathrow Express last month at a meeting attended by general secretary Bob Crow. Unveiling the new branch banner, Bob expressed delight at the decision of a growing number of workers at Heathrow Express (HEX) to join the RMT family. Members present discussed the recent history of events at HEX and desperate attempts by management to prevent people joining RMT. Members reaffirmed their commitment to building the new branch and stressing the positive purpose of the union – better pay, conditions and health and safety for all grades. END PPP www.rmt.org.uk rap railagainstprivatisation