NORTH RAIL FIGHT OVER JOBS AND SAFETY

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: october 2015 :: RMTnews 11 The union’s campaign to put passengers before profit on Northern Rail and Transpennine Express Trains kicked off with a protests around the Tory Conference in Manchester, exposing the lies and hype around George Osbornes ‘Northern Powerhouse’ claims. Promises of a Northern Power House is fast becoming a sick joke with a new warning that thousands of skilled rail jobs and passenger safety are under threat in the North. Following the cancellation of rail electrification plans in the North, the union said that the latest threat to jobs comes in proposals for the new Northern and Transpennine Express rail franchises due to start in April shortly before the local elections in May. The franchises will be jointly managed by a new body ‘Rail North’ - chaired by Sir Richard Leese - and comprising of representatives of 29 northern councils / combined authorities and the Department for Transport. In a letter to Rail North councillors the union has warned train guards will be axed from rail services across the north resulting in Driver Only Trains (DOO) The letter states, “at the moment railway regulations guarantee that passenger’s in the North always have a Guard/Conductor on their train. In addition to the driver, passengers know there will always be a highly trained Guard to protect the safe operation of the train and deal with emergencies, such as fire, derailments and driver incapacity. The Guard also provides general assurance to passengers, ticket and travel advice and revenue protection. Astonishingly the proposed rail franchise agreements mean passengers will no longer have this protection.” The union also warns that there is no guarantee that current ticket offices and station staffing will be retained on the new franchise. Over 12,000 passengers have already written to protest against the cuts and in polling three quarters have expressed concern about safety on trains if guards are removed. In the letter the Union has called on Rail North Councillors to also oppose the cuts warning. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that according to Rail North’s own estimates passenger demand for the North’s railway will soar by 50 per cent over the next fifteen years which should mean more, much needed rail staff, not less. “Rail North also needs to speak out against the region being last in the queue for decent rail services, new rolling stock and electrification. Good, modern communication links are essential for passengers, the economy of the North and our local Communities. “Councillors should also be supporting the opening of new routes and opposing the government’s proposals to scrap the Transpennine Express services from Windermere, Barrow-in-Furness and Blackpool North. “The union is sending out the message that it is not only passenger safety and service that will be affected, so will our economy and communities. “Thousands of decent rail jobs will be under threat, deskilled and casualised. Cuts to rail jobs are always a false economy and makes a nonsense of the government’s hot air about a ‘Northern Power House’,” he said. NORTH RAIL FIGHT OVER JOBS AND SAFETY Union targets Northern councillors as it distributes briefing on the Northern Rail and Transpennine Express Trains campaign to members Cumbria RMT Organiser Craig Johnston and Barrow-in- Furness and Northern Rail Company Council Rep Steve Nott prior to talks with Cumbria County Council on Rail North and the RMT campaign to Defend Rail Services, Safety and Jobs