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DfT Lobbied on Grayrigg Anniversary
February 23 2010:
THREE YEARS to the day after the fatal Grayrigg crash, RMT rail workers lobbied the Department for Transport in London to demand an end to plans to axe 1,500 safety critical rail jobs and for safety recommendations arising out of the crash to be implemented in full.
Following the union's successful lobby of parliament in January 128 MPs have now signed a parliamentary motion calling on Network Rail to reverse the job cuts it intends to implement as part of a massive cost-saving plan.
The MPs express their concern that these deep and rapid cuts raise genuine and urgent concerns as to whether Network Rail will be able to ensure the safe and efficient running of the railway.
During the lobby the union handed in a letter of protest to Andrew Adonis, the Secretary of State for Transport, asking that him to intervene to stop the cuts.
Interview with Craig Johnston (RMT Executive). Video filmed and edited by Chris Kasrils.
Lobby of Parliament on Rail Safety
January 27 2010:
RAIL UNION RMT today 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 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.
Network Rail Noses in the Trough
December 2, 2009:
RAIL UNION RMT has blasted senior Network Rail chiefs as it emerged that they are holding meetings in the five star opulence of Londons Langham Hotel while multi-billion pound cuts have left 1,500 essential safety maintenance staff facing the sack.
The Network Rail board met at the Langham Hotel on Wednesday 2nd December with the job cuts package one of the items under discussion.
The hotel's website it describes itself as a sublime choice among London luxury hotels." and. "impeccable 5-star luxury accommodation stating that .this luxury London hotel is the epitome of elegance and poise".
Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said: "While 1500 emergency track maintenance staff face the prospect of being slung on the dole this Christmas, their Network Rail bosses are strutting around in the five star luxury of the Langham Hotel.
"The top bosses at Network Rail are making multi-billion cuts to the rail infrastructure with the maintenance jobs of RMT members in the firing line. At the same time they are paying out wads of cash to enjoy the opulence of the Langham Hotel. Our members are furious and will not take this insult without a real fight."
