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RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: june 2009 :: RMTnews
26
NORTHERN TUC BACKS
TYNE AND WEAR METRO
ANTI-PRIVATISATION
FIGHTBACK
L
ast month’s Northern TUC
conference unanimously
backed a motion from RMT
calling for continuing support
for the campaign against the
fragmentation and privatisation
of Tyne and Wear Metro and for
the renationalisation of the
railways already in private
hands.
Moving the motion, RMT
northern regional organiser Stan
Herschel thanked delegates for
their support over the past
twelve months which had set
the scene for a magnificent
campaign against the Metro
privatisation plans which he
said was far from over.
Stan went on to pay a special
tribute to the Keep Metro Public
campaign group, who he
described as a great bunch of
volunteers covering all trades
unions and political groups who
have worked hard throughout
the year to keep the anti-
privatisation message in the
headlines.
The key points of the RMT
motion, which was seconded by
Unite, are that the Tyne and
Wear Metro privatisation plans
will result in:
• Poorer value for money –
vital funds will in part be
used to subsidised private
sector profits. Fragmentation
and new bureaucratic
contractual arrangements will
increase costs and
inefficiencies.
• Threats to quality of service
and safety – the Metro will
be fragmented into different
sectors meaning there is less
effective control .
• Attacks on pensions, jobs and
conditions as the private
sector seeks to maximise
profits at Metro workers
expense.
RMT general secretary Bob
Crow said “RMT is delighted at
the continuing trade union
support for the fight to keep the
Tyne and Wear Metro out of the
hands of the speculators and rip
off merchants from the private
sector. This fight will continue
until the plans to privatise the
Metro are dropped.”
RMT general secretary Bob Crow speaking at a recent press conference in Newcastle-upon-Tyne alongside council of
executives member Bob Potts
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