RMTnews :: april 2006 :: www.rmt.org.uk 12 After a detailed study of the Invitation to Tender document which RMT requested from the Department for Transport under the Freedom of Information Act, the union has discovered that bidders were asked not to exclude any extension of Driver Only Operated Trains and to have a industrial relations plan for removing guards from trains. “The document reveals information that will be of great concern to passengers and workers alike,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said. The union also found that the Invitation to Tender required bidders to consider changes to station staffing policy, when only at the end of last year the government had overruled previous efforts by South Eastern Trains to scrap 100 station staff jobs. “At the height of public concerns for passenger safety and security on trains it is unbelievable that these sorts of cuts are being considered,” said Bob. The winner of the Franchise, Govia, will receive over half a billion pounds in public subsidy and the union demanded the company comes clean on what their intentions are for staffing stations and trains. NEW KENT FRANCHISE THREATENS SAFETY AND JOBS Incorporating The MacPhail Lawrence Partnership. 65 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 2DD. e-mail: mail@drummond-miller.co.uk website: www.drummond-miller.co.uk > Injuries at work > Post traumatic stress disorder > Repetitive strain injury > Road traffic accidents > Vibration white finger > Criminal injuries claims Experts in Employment Law, Accident and Injury Claims > Asbestos related diseases > Unfair dismissal > Discrimination > Conveyancing - Estate Agency > Wills & Executries > Family Law Telephone 0141 332 0086 - Glasgow Drummond Miller Drummond Miller ARE PLEASED TO OFFER OUR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO THE RAILWAY, MARITIME & TRANSPORT WORKERS’ TRADE UNION. Legal services helpline for Scottish members - freephone 0800 328 1014 The new Integrated Kent Franchise which begins this month could result in the removal of staff from stations and guards from trains WARNING: RMT has long-warned that the re-privatisation of South Eastern Trains would led to service cuts and job losses