DEFENDING BUS WORKERS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may/june 2012 :: RMTnews 10 F rench transport giant RATP Dev UK has announced the acquisition of Epsom-based bus and coach company H R Richmond, expanding RATP‘s bus operations in Britain. The RATP (Autonomous Operator of Parisian Transports) Group is a state-owned public transport operator headquartered in Paris, France. Formed in 1948, the group has its origins as the public transport operator for the city of Paris. Today is the world’s fifth largest urban transport operator with 14 underground railway lines, three tramway lines, 350 bus lines and the shuttle services to the two Ile-de-France airports. RATP Dev UK is an RATP Dev subsidiary that was established last year to develop the Group’s expansion by exploiting the deregulated transport industry in Britain which is underpinned by EU transport diktats. The company already operates London United Busways Ltd, Bournemouth Transport Ltd (Yellow Buses), Bath Bus Company Ltd and Metrolink RATP Dev Ltd in Manchester. FRENCH MONOPOLY: The RATP Group has its origins as the Paris public transport operator. R MT gave evidence to the Transport Select Committee report into the Competition Commission’s proposals for more competition in the local bus markets where most RMT bus members work. The Competition Commission has taken over two years to produce a 500-page report on local bus markets which boils down to ‘let the market rip’ but with a few regulatory concessions to local authorities. The Commission completely ignores the devastation that the Thatcher government’s de- regulation of non-London bus services in 1985 has caused to local bus services and workers, who continue to be transferred between private operators like possessions. The power over local bus services enjoyed by the big five bus companies, Go Ahead, First Group, Stagecoach, Arriva and National Express, has led to a serious decline in terms and conditions for our bus members and their colleagues. As a result, bus workers have fallen down the pay league table of transport sector workers. RMT’s south west regional organiser Phil Bialyk put the union’s position to the committee, highlighting the damaging effect of a de- regulated bus system on the workforce. He quoted the latest “liberties” being taken by FirstGroup at RMT members’ expense in the south west of England, citing Devon and Cornwall bus workers being passed around between Stagecoach and Go Ahead. RMT also alerted the committee to the situation that coach drivers in Plymouth were faced with when First Group dropped them after losing a local contract and the new operator refused to recognise even the basic TUPE protections for the workforce. The increased casualisation of bus workers was continuing due to the absence of strong regulations to preventing this process becoming more common. Such examples of a fragmented and unregulated bus system impressed upon the committee the reality of working in this vital but undervalued transport sector and the impact that privatisation has had on a generation of bus workers. Areas like the south west, with a predominantly rural population, continue to lose out under a bus system that allows private bus operators free rein to withdraw services at the drop of a hat and hike fares as often as possible. RMT explained to the committee that even the ‘quality contracts’ scheme introduced nearly five years ago would, if any were to actually exist, represent a step in the right direction. “A quality contract and franchising is not the best thing but it would go a long way to providing stability in the network,” Phil Bialyk said. The union’s policy on the need to renationalise the bus industry was also clearly restated. Bus and coach fares have increased in real terms by 20 per cent over the last decade yet wages and conditions of bus workers have continued to stagnate. This is a direct result of a Thatcherite privatisation that should be reversed at the earliest opportunity. FRENCH TRANSPORT GIANT BUYS LEADING BUS AND COACH OPERATOR Union gives evidence in parliament against proposals for more competition in the local bus markets DEFENDING BUS WORKERS