FOREIGN GRIP ON UK RAIL TIGHTENS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2019 :: RMTnews 12 Italian-Scottish firm First Trenitalia will take over from Richard Branson’s Virgin Trains on the West Coast Main Line from London to Glasgow in December. The announce-ment means that more than three-quarters of rail franchises in Britain will be overseas controlled, with the inclusion of the Abellio takeover of East Midlands Railways, by the end of the year (Full table opposite). RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that under the Tories any state can run our railways other than the British state. “It is a scandal which means that British passengers are directly subsidising rail operations across Europe and beyond as profits are shipped overseas starving the UK of desperately needed investment. “Instead of following the popular public-sector route, the Tories are taking yet another gamble on the crucial West Coast lines with one of the dwindling number of private operator consortia left in the game, in a move that RMT believes is doomed to failure and sure to result in yet more rail chaos. “RMT will take whatever action is required to protect members pay, jobs, working conditions and pensions on these vital inter-city routes. “The only solution to this racket is public ownership and it's now no longer a question of if, it's a question of when,” he said. RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2019 :: RMTnews FOREIGN GRIP ON UK RAIL TIGHTENS RMT slams franchise chaos on Britain's railways as Southeastern granted a government extension