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RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2017 :: RMTnews
12
R
MT launched the Safe Trains
for All campaign on London
Midland last month across the
region.
The campaign was launched
following the recent Department
of Transport announcement
regarding the future of train
service throughout the West
Midlands and West Coast routes.
RMT believes that government
plans to a widespread attack on
services.
This will include reduced
service levels, reduced passenger
safety, increased fares,
introduction of Driver Only
Operation (DOO), cuts to
staffing, reduced safety
standards, attacks on terms and
conditions of employment,
slashing pensions, reduced
mobility and access, limited
investment in new rolling stock
or maintenance to be followed
by the introduction of a
casualised workforce.
Protests took place from
Birmingham New Street to
Watford Junction and Milton
Keynes to Leamington Spa.
The campaign will focus on
five key areas to save services
and station, engineering,
maintenance and cleaning staff
RMT general secretary Mick
Cash said that passengers on
London Midland faced ever
rising ticket prices, yet
privatisation had led to a much
reduced, over-crowded, poorly
maintained, dirty and less safe
railway service.
“Unfortunately worse is yet
to come if the Department of
Transport’s plans for the West
Midlands and West Coast routes
aren’t exposed and opposed.
“The Safe Trains For All
campaign will highlight the fact
that London Midland is there to
provide a safe and efficient
essential service to local people,
not to increase profits with an
increase in dividends to
shareholders, bonuses for senior
executives and ultimately
subsidising the owning French
or Dutch railway networks,” he
said.
RMT regional organiser Ken
Usher called on commuters and
regular rail users, communities
groups, disability support
groups, together with local and
regional politicians to support
this long-term campaign to
protect transport networks as an
asset for all.
MIDLANDS SAFE TRAINS FOR
ALL CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF