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RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may/june 2012 :: RMTnews 8 More than 100 MPs have signed an early day motion (EDM) 2299 criticising government proposals for the future of railways based on the McNulty report. The EDM, put down by John McDonnell MP, warns that the McNulty review “will worsen passenger services through the loss of thousands of frontline workers from trains, stations, ticket offices and safety- critical infrastructure and operational roles”. The TUC joined forces with rail unions for a day of action on May 28 to distribute postcards to passengers at key railway stations warning of the impact of McNulty. Trades councils have also been holding public meetings opposing the government’s proposed cuts to jobs and services in the rail industry. New research has found that while fare prices are going through the roof, investment by train operating companies in the railway network has been halved over the last five years. There has been an 80 per cent reduction in investment in stations – while there has been over twice as much spent on back office functions such as IT and web costs. There has also been a 15 per cent reduction in private investment in new rolling stock and a 100 per cent reduction in funds spent on track and signals. On the tenth anniversary of the Potters Bar disaster, RMT has warned the government that another tragedy on Britain’s railways was "inevitable" if plans to bulldoze through the McNulty Rail Review proposals go ahead. McNulty’s key recommendations - massive job cuts, de-staffing both on trains and on track along with opening up infrastructure to private companies through the creation of a series of mini-Railtracks - now form the basis of a Government Command Paper RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said that under the McNulty plans adopted by the government, rail infrastructure was going to be run for profit, setting up the same poisonous set of conditions that led to the disasters of the past under Railtrack. "We have witnessed the lethal truth at Potters Bar and Hatfield that when profit is the motive, repairs and maintenance work gets ignored and delayed because companies want to maximise returns for shareholders. “This is what happened in the run-up to previous tragedies, corners were cut and the government cannot be allowed to simply ignore the facts in the interests of a pro- privatisation ideology. "Though the ConDems are not going for full-scale privatisation of Network Rail, they're pushing through localised “deep alliances” where effectively the train- operating companies are calling the shots. “The first of these ill-conceived, mini- Railtracks kicked off on South West Trains only last month and RMT is in no doubt that the end result will be further unnecessary deaths and injuries on the railways,” he said. TUC Deputy general secretary Frances O’Grady said that MPs from across the political spectrum were voicing the concerns of thousands of their constituents who feel ripped off by private train operators who inflict heavy fare rises while cutting staff on trains and stations and keeping investment in decent facilities on trains and stations to a minimum. ASLEF general secretary Mick Whelan recalled the previous transport minister, Philip Hammond, warning last year that the railways could become ‘a rich man’s toy’. “The Command Paper is a detailed blue- print of how to deliver that scenario,” he said. TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said that passengers were being told that they are expected to stand for further fare increases, fewer trains which will be more overcrowded and fewer staff delivering a less safe and more confusing environment in and around stations. It is a national disgrace designed to benefit shareholders and allow government to deny responsibility,” he said. RMT holds meetings with trade councils across the country to highlight the threat to rail network OVER 100 MPS SLAM MCNULTY