Public services not private profit

Demanding the return of the railways and other privatised indutstries to public ownership; opposing further privatisations

Executive decision: Fares Increases

Submitted by Janine on 22 February, 2011 - 18:10

We note the resolution from our London Transport Regional Council, and agree with its sentiments.

Transport providers - in London Transport and elsewhere - charge exorbitant fares while often providing substandard services, which can lead to abuse and assault against our members. While claiming that they "can't afford" cheaper fares or better pay and conditions for our members, the companies continue to pay fat-cat salaries and bonuses to their top bosses and allow private companies to cream off obscene profits. Fares should be substantially lowered, funded through public subsidy raised by taxing the rich and big business, and ending fat-cat payouts and private profiteering.

TfL Free Travel To Be Provided By Wonga.com - Get a Loan at 2689% APR

Submitted by Peter on 22 December, 2010 - 04:02

TfL have accepted Wonga.com as sponsors of free travel on New Year's Eve.

Wonga is a 'pay day loan' company with a typical APR of 2689%. If you were to borrow a fiver from them for one day - enough to cover a single journey on the tube, you'd owe them £10.60.

For many Londoner's, these loans may seem to be the only way to access funds, more so as decent jobs are cut and employee rights eroded following the ConDem goverments and bosses attacks on working class people - as can be seen at LU where 800 positions will be cut.

Camden Trades Council Public Meeting: Building resistance to the cuts

Cuts for us, business as usual for them

Venue: Council Chamber, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street WC1 Click '1 attachment' / file name to download a leaflet advertising this meeting.

Speakers so far:

  • Alex Gordon President, RMT Transport Union
  • Andrew Baisley Secretary, Camden National Union of Teachers (NUT)
  • Imran Khan Human Rights Lawyer, People’s Charter
  • Tracy Edwards Youth Officer, Public & Commercial Services union (PCS)
  • Candy Udwin Central London Right to Work
  • Raj Chada Chair of Holborn & St Pancras Constituency Labour Party (pc)

RMT slams “Budget for the Rich” and warns of widespread public and industrial resistance to ConDem cuts agenda

Submitted by Admin on 22 June, 2010 - 21:35

TRANSPORT UNION RMT today slammed what it described as “the ConDem’s budget for the rich” – warning of widespread community and industrial resistance once people realise the full scale of the impact of the Government’s cuts plans for public services and the true cost for jobs and standards of living.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

Tube Lines and Metronet: What They Said About Themselves

Submitted by Janine on 14 June, 2010 - 15:36

This is what our two failed Infracos said about themselves before they signed their PPP contracts ...

"Tube Lines believes that it will add value to the vital public service provided by LUL by delivering on time and to budget."

"Metronet has the skills, the knowledge and the ability along with sound financial backing to help turn London Underground into a system fit for the 21st century."

If anyone had to eat their words, the bosses of these consortia would have alphabetti spaghetti on the menu for years to come ...

Video: RMT Protest Outside Whitechapel Station To Renationalise London Overground

Submitted by Peter on 28 May, 2010 - 10:20

RMT members recently protested outside Whitechapel Station. The East London Line which runs through Whitechapel has reopened, but this once publicly owned railway is now making profits for privateers. Whilst RMT welcomes the extension of the line, we want it brought back under government control as a public railway, where profit is fed back into the service.

You can see more RMT videos at RMTv.

East London Line Protest and Leafleting

On Sunday 23rd May the extended East London Line will re-open, as part of private company, LOROL (London Overground). Obviously we support the extension but not when part of the tube network has been privatised through the back door. The whole of LOROL should be integrated with London Underground and owned and run by the Greater London Authority, elected by Londoners, which is RMT policy.

The privatisation of railways has been a total mess, with one company after another getting in trouble, including Metronet and Tube Lines.

Left and trade unions organising coalition to defeat cuts by ‘neoliberal coalition government’

Submitted by Admin on 9 May, 2010 - 18:42

From the Labour Representation Committee ...

The left and trade unions have started organising a broad coalition against the incoming coalition government and its plans to cut public services, jobs, pensions and benefits. There is no popular mandate for cuts and, as in Greece, any attempt to impose them will be firmly resisted.

John McDonnell MP, LRC Chair, said: