Public services not private profit

As people prepare for the first day back to work, rail campaigners are today (Wednesday) warning that commuters face yet another year of inflation-busting fare increases and service cuts.

Train fares will increase by 3.9 per cent, on average, from today with some passengers facing hikes of up to 10 per cent on their journeys, says the TUC.

Research published last month by the TUC’s Action for Rail campaign shows that average train fares have risen nearly three times faster than average wages since the beginning of the recession in 2008.

Attached is a joint leaflet for your consideration and circulation.

RMT Council of Executives decision: We note the resolution [from London Transport Regional Council] and tthat we are already affiliated to the Health Emergency campaign and that our policies are clearly in support of defending the NHS. We continue to work with broad based movements to defend the NHS and reiterate our support for the founding principles of the NHS and reiterate our policy of opposing the privatisation of the NHS. The General Secretary to obtain appropriate literature to enable Branches and Regional Councils to support campaigning to defend the NHS.

From General Secretary Bob Crow

I write to advise branches that correspondence has been received regarding ‘Market Testing’ notices which have been issued by TfL. This matter has been now considered by the General Grades Committee which has made the following decision:

Preparing for the march
We recommend that you bring some food and a bottle of water although there will also be many shops and cafes open on the route. Be prepared for a long day with appropriate clothing for the changeable weather. Hyde Park tends to get very muddy with a lot of people on the site.

On your arrival
Please head to Victoria Embankment for 11am and look out for RMT stewards near Temple Tube Station.

Nearest Tube stations
Temple tube (which is likely to be closed as the area gets busy)
Embankment tube

RAIL UNION RMT today demanded that the review of franchising in the wake of the West Coast fiasco, being undertaken by Eurostar CEO Richard Brown, examine in full the cheaper and more efficient option of renationalisation. The DfT statement on the franchising review said:

Noting that Tube Lines' cleaning contract with ISS expires on 31 March 2013, we resolve that the union will run a high-profile campaign for the contract to be brought in-house.

We therefore instruct the General Secretary to:

• produce a leaflet for both members and the public urging support for this
• produce a petition (both printed and online) to Tube Lines' owner, TfL
• organise leafleting sessions and protest actions
• arrange a meeting with supportive GLA members and TfL Board members
• raise this issue at the next meeting of our Parliamentary group
  

Reacting to government abandonment of west coast tendering RMT general secretary Bob Crow said;

"The whole sorry and expensive shambles of rail privatisation has been dragged into the spotlight this morning and instead of re-running this expensive circus, the West Coast route should be renationalised on a permanent basis. Those ministers who have presided over this fiasco should also be called to account.

RAIL UNION RMT today demanded that the Government call a halt to the 18 month long saga of the Siemens/Thameslink fleet contract after it emerged that it has been stitched together by the same group of Ministers and Government officials responsible for the collapse of the West Coast main line franchising deal.