RMT LOBBIES OVER NEW FRANCHISE CUTS IN THE NORTH

RMT members from services threatened by the new Northern and Trans-Pennine Express (TPE) rail franchises descended on parliament recently for a lively lobby to halt the planned carve up. RMT blasted the franchise moves as “a kick in the teeth” for the travelling public and staff alike, reinforcing the importance of the community standing alongside rail workers in the fight to stop the destruction of rail services right across the North. RMT has also exposed the rank hypocrisy of government ministers talking up plans for an un-costed and vague proposal for a northern “HS3” service, light years off in the future, while at the same time their current franchise plans on existing routes would rip apart services, jobs and safety. Supported by Labour MPs at the lobby including Kelvin Hopkins (right), RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that the fight to stop the Northern and TPE franchise cuts was gathering pace, sending out the clearest possible message to the government and Rail North that they need to scrap this attack on transport services. “The core of government plans is to axe jobs, restrict services, 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 with the abolition of a wide range of off-peak fares and only an all-out and coordinated fight can stop the savage assault on rail in the North,” he said. RMT members had also tried to lobby rail minister Claire Perry in York during a proposed visit to the National Rail Museum in the City. However she cancelled the visit at the last minute Claire Perry would have had an embarrassing conflict with Northern boss Alex Hynes who has publicly contradicted the plans to remove the guards and conductors; "We've got no plans to do DOO [Driver Only Operation]", he told the influential Rail Business Intelligence magazine , pointing out that the Class 319s transferring to the route from Thameslink in the south and which are set up for DOO "will be modified for conductors to open and close doors". RMT also welcomed news that Sheffield has become the latest big city to publicly pass a motion opposing the Northern and TPE franchise plans, heaping further pressure on the government. RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2014 :: RMTnews 8 RMT LOBBIES OVER NEW FRANCHISE CUTS IN THE NORTH Members rally outside parliament to demand end to Northern and Trans-Pennine Express franchise carve-up Labour MP Kelvin Hopkins