RAIL FRANCHISE RESTRUCTURING

RMTnews :: december 2005 10 What is RMT asking for and why? The current train operators will see the Department of Transport’s announcement as an opportunity to carry out their own restructuring exercises in advance of the new franchise structure. This will mean attacks on terms and conditions (including pensions) and changes to staffing levels. RMT is therefore making five demands of the operating companies now to protect members’ jobs and terms and conditions in the run-up to the new franchise structure. These are: • No compulsory redundancies • Full pre-1997 PT&R entitlements • No worsening of pension entitlements • No changes to terms and conditions unless agreed by RMT • No changes to staffing levels or numbers unless agreed by RMT RMT is demanding that your current employer puts these RAIL FRANCHISE Your questions answered The Department of Transport has announced a new structure for rail franchises. This is all part of a relentless drive to cut subsidies to the industry and that in turn will mean cuts in services, routes, jobs and terms and conditions. Pension contributions are set to go through the ceiling. Around 8,500 RMT members need a strengthened contract to protect jobs, basic rights and pensions. They work in South Eastern Trains, Great Western, Great Western Link, Wessex, Thameslink, WAGN, South West Trains, Island Line, Centrax l Trains, Midland Mainline, Silverlink and Virgin Cross Country. The new structure is due to be brought in between now and 2007 for most train operators-but could take place any time for South Eastern Trains. FRANCHISE REPLACEMENT TIMETABLE Current Franchise Operator New Franchise Shortlisted Bidders Successful Bidder New Franchise announced Begins South Eastern Trains South Eastern Integrated Kent Franchise 1.DSB/Stagecoach November 2005 April 2006 Trains/DfT 2. GNER/MTR Govia 3. First Group 4. Govia Great Western First Group Greater Western 1. National Express December 2005 April 2006 2. First Group 3. Stagecoach Great Western Link First Group Greater Western As Great Western December 2005 April 2006 Wessex Trains National Express Greater Western As Great Western December 2005 April 2006 Thameslink Govia Thameslink 1. National Express December 2005 April 2006 Greater Northern 2. First Group 3. Stagecoach 4. MTR/John Laing 5. DSB/EWS WAGN National Express As Thameslink As Thameslink December 2005 April 2006 South West Trains Stagecoach South Western No bids shortlisted to date Autumn 2006 February 2007 (inc Island Line) Central Trains National Express Franchise to be broken Autumn 2007 up between East Midlands, West Midlands X Country, Chiltern & TPE franchises Midland Mainline National Express East Midlands April 2008 Silverlink National Express West Midlands Autumn 2007 Cross Country Virgin Cross Country Autumn 2007