STOP THE NETWORK RAIL JOB CUTS

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: january 2010 :: RMTnews 7 Pulling Together gives members an engaging and colourfully illustrated window on the history of the union up to the present day. It tells the story of how the union developed under very difficult circumstances against very powerful opponents and maintained itself as a democratic, fighting organisation that today represents members in all sectors and grades of the transport industry. Pulling Together is available free to members from Unity House, 39 Chalton Street, London NW1 1JD with a stamped, addressed envelope or by e-mailing bdenny@rmt.org.uk What you can do... Send the postcard enclosed in this magazine to ask your MP to support Early Day Motion 80 (below) or e-mail your MP direct Join the lobby of Parliament on January 27 against Network Rail plans to slash 1,500 safety-critical jobs (details on the back of this magazine) Email your MP asking that they meet you at the lobby of Parliament on January 27 Email Network Rail chief executive Iain Coucher Full details of how to help the campaign are also on the RMT website www.rmt.org.uk PULLING TOGETHER A Popular History of RMT New free union publication gives an insight into the struggles, defeats and victories of members over 150 years STOP THE NETWORK RAIL JOB CUTS EARLY DAY MOTION 80 - NETWORK RAIL AND SAFETY That this House notes the decision of Network Rail to announce the loss of thousands of frontline maintenance jobs by spring 2010; believes that this will mean that in a matter of months there will be a drop of up to20 per cent. In the number of rail workers carrying out essential inspection and maintenance work; further believes that these deep and rapid cuts raise genuine and urgent concerns as to whether Network Rail will be able to ensure the safe and efficient running of the railway, including the adequate inspection and repair of track, signals, overhead lines and other infrastructure; is deeply concerned that Network Rail is failing to consult the trade unions on the safety implications of the proposals; further notes that the cuts are in part due to the fact that the economic rail regulator, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), has asked Network Rail to make efficiency savings of 21 per cent. over the next five years; is further concerned that because the ORR is both the safety and economic regulator it will be difficult for an objective view to be taken as to whether the safety of passengers and workers will be put at risk; believes the cuts cannot be justified; and calls on the Government to use its power as the primary funder of Network Rail to intervene to ensure that Network Rail directors put safety first. Linda Riordan MP