RMT TO BALLOT NETWORK RAIL MAINTENANCE STAFF

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: january 2010 :: RMTnews 8 RMT is balloting members on Network Rail infrastructure for national industrial action against threatened redundancies which are part of the planned axing of around 1,500 rail maintenance jobs. The national ballot for action will begin this month. RMT is also fighting attempts by Network Rail to rip up existing agreements and unilaterally impose new working arrangements. RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said that the plan to axe 1,500 maintenance jobs across the rail network is a reckless gamble with rail safety which would create the conditions for another Hatfield, Paddington, Potters Bar or Grayrigg disaster. “We saw under Railtrack the lethal consequences of cutting back on maintenance and Network Rail now want to turn the clock back to those dark days by forcing staff out of the door in order to hit budget targets. It’s outrageous and we have no option but to ballot for action. “Many of the problems that have hit the railways due to the freezing conditions have been down to not enough engineers being available to unfreeze points and tracks. “The 1,500 planned job cuts will hit services and safety with dire consequences for staff and passengers alike,” he said. RALLY ON JANUARY 27 The union has called a national rally and lobby of Parliament on Wednesday January 27, details on the back of this magazine. RMT is asking that people arrive promptly for 12.30pm for a demonstration outside Parliament, which will be followed by a rally at 2.15pm and RMT members can lobby their MPs from 3.30pm. The union has called for a maximum turn-out. “We want individual members to play as active part as possible in this campaign and I recommend that you visit the RMT website to find out how you can participate. “You will be able to download model letters, find out who your MP is and it is important that if you wish to meet them on the day of our lobby, that you contact them in advance,” he said. Visit http://www.rmt.org.uk/networkrail for further information. DAY OF ACTION The union held a day of action across Britain in December under the banner “Rail Cuts Cost Lives” against the axing of 1,500 safety critical jobs. RMT members distributed 25,000 postcards to passengers across more than 40 stations from Glasgow to Cardiff and from Edinburgh to Southampton and made a splash in the media – TV, radio and newspapers, right across the country. Stations were leafleted with postcards, enclosed in this magazine for members of the public to send to their MPs to demand that they sign early day motion 80 ‘Network Rail and Safety’, tabled by Linda Riordan MP. With the assistance of the RMT Parliamentary Group, this early day motion has been supplemented by a series of regional EDMs detailing where the cuts will fall. RMT TO BALLOT NETWORK RAIL MAINTENANCE STAFF Union calls for a Yes vote to save 1,500 jobs and in defence of national agreements being undermined by Network Rail