HALT TSGN CUTS!

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: sept 2014 :: RMTnews 17 RMT activists have been handing out postcards to passengers warning of plans to introduce driver-only operated trains (DOO), axe all guards, de- staff stations and remove train repair staff on the new Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise (TSGN). Rail privateer Govia has won the contract to run the new franchise sparking protests as the public will be put at risk, with clear implications for those with disabilities, the elderly and women travelling at night. The new franchise will operate under the name Govia Thameslink Railway. The government also has declined to comment as to whether the new franchisee is legally bound to honour members’ terms and conditions. RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash announced a rolling campaign opposing the new franchise’s proposals. “Passengers can now expect to see fares go up and a less safe service as the franchisee tries to squeeze as much profit as it can from the operation,” he said. The invitation to tender states that the franchisee must maintain DOO on services on First Capital Connect and roll it out on Southeastern and Southern and “implement DOO on all services that operate on the Core Thameslink Route. Under this agreement Govia can meet ‘key staffing challenges’ by outsourcing and use of agency staff and station staffing can be maintained at ‘such hours to be proposed by bidders’. Rail campaigners staged protests at stations along passenger routes that the government plans to bring into a new super rail franchise covering London, as well as areas of the south and east which charge some of the highest fares and are some of the busiest in Britain. Govia was formed in November 1996 as a joint venture between Go-Ahead and Keolis – an arm of French state railways – to bid for rail franchises during the privatisation of British Rail. “In handing this franchise over to a consortium involving the French state operator SNCF, the government is allowing fares in London will subsidise fares in Paris. “It seems that this government is quite happy to have state ownership of our railways as long as it isn't the British state. “The full force of the McNulty cuts programme is to be unleashed on all these services and well as on the infrastructure side at a time when what is required is increased capacity. “We need a publicly-owned railway system that provides a quality service, protects jobs and gives a fair deal to taxpayers and passengers,” Mick Cash said. of the government’s future plans for Northern and TPE is to axe jobs, throw the guards off the trains and jack up fares while capacity to meet surging rail demand in the area is left to stagnate. “That attack on the fare- paying public has already begun and only an all-out and coordinated fight can stop the savage assault on rail in the North,” he said. A new postcard, following on from the 10,000 cards collected in opposition to the plans under the franchise consultation, is now be distributed urging the public to pressure MPs to sign EDM 174, opposing the Northern and Trans-Pennine Express proposals, and calling for councillors and Local Authorities to register their opposition. “RMT is now launching the next phase of the fight to both inform the public and fight the savage cuts being lined up for these Northern rail franchises and to get MPs signed up to EDM 174 opposing this carve- up,” said local RMT regional organiser Craig Johnson. “We're still hearing numerous reports from passengers that they were totally unaware of the DfT and Rail North's disastrous proposals before the RMT campaign raised their awareness of the threat. “After contacting over 3,500 local councillors across the North, RMT now knows that many local councillors do not support the proposals that have been jointly put forward by the DfT and Rail North - even though their councils are supposedly part of Rail North. “It is absolutely essential now that we keep up the pressure,” he said. Early day motion 174 NORTHERN AND TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS RAIL SERVICES That this House is concerned at the contents of the consultation document for the Northern Rail and TransPennine Express rail franchises; is dismayed that the proposals will result in fare rises, service and timetable cuts and the loss of hundreds of essential rail jobs; is further concerned that not only will there be the loss of hundreds of decent, relatively well-paid, skilled jobs in the north but also that passenger service and safety will be worsened by the introduction of driver-only operation, the sacking of train guards, conductors, station destaffing and ticket office closures; is also concerned that these type of cuts will particularly impact on disabled, older and women passengers; supports the numerous passenger surveys and research which demonstrate that passengers value highly proper staffing of trains and stations; and calls on the Government and local authorities, including those that constitute Rail North, to stop these cuts and protect the interests of passengers and the communities who rely on these rail services. Alex Cunningham Labour MP Stockton North The Government and “Rail North” (an obscure coalition of Northern councils) have presented proposals for rail services in the north which will mean cuts to funding, fare rises and service and timetable cuts. Passenger service and safety will be worsened by the introduction of driver only operation, the sacking and reducing safety role of train guards/ conductors and station de-staffing and ticket office closures. In response to a Government consultation thousands of passengers have called for a stop to the cuts and now it’s vital that Members of Parliament get the same message. Please send this FREEPOST card to your MP and ask that they oppose rail cuts and fare rises and we will send it onto them. Please fill in the name of your MP but if you can’t remember their name we can work it out from your postcode. Ticket Offices Closed Station Staff Cut Fare Rises Guards Sacked Service Cuts SAVE YOUR RAILWAY! HALT TSGN CUTS! Union launches postcard campaign against mass job cuts at new Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise