SAVE OUR RAILWAYS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2011 :: RMTnews 7 T he catastrophic decision not to award Bombardier the Thameslink trains manufacture contract illustrates the bleak future for rail workers under the ConDem government. Since the publication of the McNulty report the railways are under intense pressure. Rail workers and passengers are being asked to pay the price for privatisation and all jobs, pay and conditions are threatened. RMT is fighting back and mobilising for a huge ‘Save our Railways’ rally in Westminster followed by a lobby of parliament on Tuesday October 25. Get this date in your diary now. Assemble 12.30 sharp in Methodist Central Hall, a few minutes’ walk from parliament across Parliament Square. The government is producing a Rail White Paper this autumn. If it decides to implement the McNulty report, it would further fragment the railway and shift even more power to private train operators. Train manufacturing has already reached a critical point and there are proposals to break up Network Rail. Job cuts and pay freezes will be the order of the day. Regional train services are under threat and fares, already the most expensive in Europe, would become even less affordable. It amounts to the biggest attack on passengers and rail workers’ jobs, pay and conditions since privatisation. The Save our Railways rally is a crucial part in campaign to influence any decisions in the White Paper. Every available RMT member should attend and stand shoulder to shoulder with colleagues on October 25 to Save our Railways. Branch secretaries should note that attendance at the rally is a legitimate item for branch expenditure. 12.30pm October 25 2011 Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, London RALLY AND LOBBY OF PARLIAMENT SAVE OUR RAILWAYS: