CHALLENGING EU RAIL PRIVATISATION

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may 2013 :: RMTnews 20 Labour MPs have been out in force to argue against the fourth rail package unveiled by the European Union would lead to the break up and privatisation of railways including a requirement for member states to compulsorily tender passenger services. The package unveiled by EU transport commissioner Siim Kallas in January would also remove the rights of member states to have control over their own safety arrangements and pave the way for a single European infrastructure manager. Numerous Labour MPs spoke against the package. RMT Parliamentary group member Kelvin Hopkins MP warned that the core intention of the fourth railway package was designed to visit the mistakes made in Britain on the rest of the EU. “Railway privatisation in the UK is a laboratory experiment that was designed in the EU. “It has been an expensive failure which continental governments would be foolish to imitate. “Separating trains from track and privatising train companies to set up liberalised and allegedly competitive rail operations has been massively expensive to taxpayers and passengers. “We have the highest fares in Europe and we know all about the taxpayer subsidies,” he said. Kelvin asked “why on earth is the EU pressing ahead with this package? “It must simply be ideology, dogma, and serving the interests of those who make money out of privatisation. “Incredibly, more than 50 per cent of UK franchises are now operated, or part operated, by European state railways. He said that English, Welsh and Scottish railway had been taken over by the German government.” “There are, of course, good reasons for international co- operation to promote cross- border travel, but that can be done most easily by nationalised railways negotiating at international and national level. “We do not need fragmented private companies trying to do that,” he said. Kelvin referred MPs to evidence provided to the select committee on transport by RMT. “When privatisation came about, RMT submitted evidence to the House and made it clear publicly that privatisation would result in a risk to safety. “Eventually, Southall, Paddington and Potters Bar happened. “I attended the funeral of the driver who died at Southall—he was an ASLEF member and my constituent and I remember the warnings that were given. “As a result of privatisation, people such as that driver sacrificed their lives. “This time, RMT is saying clearly that the proposals will CHALLENGING EU RAIL PRIVATISATION MPs warn that the European Union is demanding the wholesale privatisation of rail networks across the continent