RMT: Network Rail workers lobby MPs over job cuts (27.1.10)

RAIL UNION RMT today (January 27, 2010) handed a dossier of safety failures and maintenance cuts to MPs as rail workers lobbied parliament in protest at plans by Network Rail to axe a further 1,500 safety-critical jobs.

Hundreds of rail workers have contacted a confidential RMT email line to say lives could be put at risk. The dossier highlights the worst examples of where the scaling back of work and changing standards in preparation for the job cuts are already leading to a serious deterioration in safety.

These first-hand accounts make for extremely disturbing reading. Examples include: -

· Reduced track safety inspections

· Delaying the repair of faulty level crossings

· Reduced safety checks on railway signals

At 12.30pm today (27th January) rail workers from across the UK will be outside Parliament sending out the clear message that Rail Cuts Cost Lives and calling on MPs and the Government to demand that Network Rail call a halt to the maintenance job cuts plans.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

We are sending a clear message to MPs that the rail maintenance job cuts are a lethal gamble, creating the perfect conditions for another Hatfield, Potters Bar or Grayrigg railway tragedy.

The jobs to be axed are of those workers responsible for inspecting and repairing the track, signals, level crossings and overhead lines. They work 365 days a year, day and night in all conditions to keep the railway safe. Now they are going to be sacked as part of a so-called efficiency drive and we are calling on MPs of all parties to join us in a campaign to stop these fatally flawed cuts from being bulldozed through.

interviews by GEOFF MARTIN
video filmed/edited by CHRIS KASRILS

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• rmt
• network
• rail
• bob
• crow
• john
• mcdonnell
• hatfield
• potters
• bar
• grayrigg
• strike
• picket
• line
• dispute
• labour
• solidarity
• iain
• coucher
• corporate
• greed

[MegaTrainspotter]

As someone who regularly uses trains i would like to thank the railworkers for highlighting these safety issues....shame on you management.........

[MegaTrainspotter]

As someone who regularly uses trains i would like to thank the railworkers for highlighting these safety issues....shame on you management.........

[whitsthecraic]

I used to work for NR until they paid me off with no redundancy payment after the constant driving in my job injured my back. It amazed me how a company could promote such idiots to management grades. I'm not bitter, this isn't about being passed over for promotion because I didn't conform. To be honest, I saw the management structure and didn't want any part of it. F*cking idiots ruining what was a decent job. I now work outside the rail industry and I would NEVER go back to it.

[formidable38]

Who takes on these jokers in the first place? Give us railway people to run the railway!

Whilst im on the subject of jokers, why could a Featherstone sidekick be heard to snigger in the backround during a recent phone conferance call involving the futures of PW suppervisors?? Disgusting behaviour, sooner your gone the better Mr F.

The world class tag is a joke where i am, more like 3rd world would be more apt. The way your taking us, the 3rd world will probably have more skilled men than UK

[formidable38]

Featherstone and coucher know f***all about running a railway, they think its the same as running their local bloody Asda. We need railway people running this railway, not these high flyers that care about nothing but how they can best line their own pockets. I suspect these clowns will be gone soon anyway as soon as a more lucritive "job" comes along with even more money. Not before they wreck this industry though!

[babboyme]

i work on the railway and travel every day to work via railway i want to be safe to and from work so i can be with my daughter ever day

[MrWorkersunite]

Network rail more like NOTWORK & FAIL..

They don't know they're arse from they're elbow. I've work for over twenty two years and these cants, tell up from down. Go ahead Mr Featherstone "press the nuke button" and see what happens. Give up my "T's & C's" FOR 5% kiss my oil can.

Remember what happen at "grayrigg" oh sorry you were f##king up british gas at the time and look at them now, worst company. We will never be a world class company with idiots like you and this goverment running us.