NETWORK RAIL is trying to spin its way out of controversy over dangerous cuts to its track-renewals programme, Britain’s biggest rail union charges today.
As the government-funded rail-infrastructure company launched a media campaign emphasising its spending plans, RMT renewed its call for a reversal of a dangerous squeeze that demands 22 per cent “efficiency” savings up to 2014 – including a 28 per cent cut in track renewals this year.
The union has welcomed a parliamentary motion tabled by Stroud MP David Drew and signed by 45 others to date, which calls for a reversal of the cuts, a moratorium on job losses across the railway industry and a strategy to manage the industry in a way that helps to cushion the effects of the recession (text below).
“No amount of spin can disguise the hard reality that Network Rail is under a huge financial squeeze and has shelved nearly a third of the track renewals projects it had already scheduled for this year,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.
“Added to cuts in track-inspection and signals-maintenance frequencies, that not only threatens to undermine safety, but it also puts at least 1,000 skilled engineering jobs at risk, and there will be no let-up in our campaign to get these cuts reversed.
“That would be simply wrong at any time, but during a recession it is scandalous – not least when NR is government funded and the government has said it will help the economy weather the worst of it by spending money on public projects,” Bob Crow said.
ends
Note to editors: Early Day Motion 794
NETWORK RAIL AND THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
Tabled by David Drew and signed by 45 others at March 31 2009
That this House welcomes efforts by the Government to lessen the impact of the recession and save jobs by intervening in the private sector industries, such as the car industry; notes with concern that Network Rail, which is heavily reliant on billions of pounds of Government subsidy is deferring 28 per cent. of rail renewals work, such as track and signals replacements; notes that Network Rail has confirmed in its 2009-10 business plan that this huge reduction in track renewals expenditure will have a major impact on the supply chain with 20 to 30 per cent. less heavy materials resulting in supply chain redundancies; is appalled that this will mean massive job cuts and supports the view of the rail unions that Network Rail's actions undermine the Government's stated intentions to use infrastructure projects to boost employment; further notes with concern that Network Rail is cutting the frequency of track inspections and routine signals maintenance which, combined with the reduction in renewals work, will significantly raise safety risks to passengers and workers; urges the Government to use its power as funder of Network Rail immediately to intervene to ensure that this essential rail renewals work is not deferred, to introduce a moratorium on job cuts and to develop an industry-wide strategy to ensure that railways can be managed in a way which mitigates rather than exacerbates the effects of the economic downturn.
For the latest list of signatories, please visit:
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=37854&SESSION=899
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Fire Precautions (sub-surface railway stations) England Regulations.
BRITAIN’S BIGGEST rail and Tube union hailed today’s scheduled tabling in parliament of new fire-safety regulations for sub-surface stations as vindication of a five-year campaign to retain standards imposed in the wake of the 1987 King’s Cross fire, which claimed 31 lives.
The new Fire Precautions (sub-surface railway stations) England Regulations, which should come into force in October, represent a “huge victory for common sense”, retaining the key provisions of regulations introduced two years after the fire, says RMT
The government had planned to scrap the 1989 ‘Section 12’ regulations altogether, replacing them with the less specific 2005 ‘Fire Safety Order’ which would have relied in part on a voluntary system based on risk-assessment.
However, in the wake of a massive RMT-led campaign, the government postponed scrapping Section12, and finally incorporated its key provisions in a new regulatory framework.
An early-day motion tabled by Hendon MP Andrew Dismore and signed to date by 40 MPs (text below) also welcomes the new regulations and the extensive consultation that has resulted in the key elements of the Section 12 regulations being retained.
“This is a huge victory for common sense which recognises that fire-safety in underground stations should not be down to the discretion of employers but requires strict regulation and enforcement,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.
“RMT members who campaigned long and hard to retain the 1989 sub-surface fire-safety regulations will be delighted that their key provisions will remain in place
“The King’s Cross Fire stands as a constant reminder of the need for the best possible safety regime, and it is fitting that after a rigorous process we have reached a regulatory framework that will maintain the essential standards put in place after the tragedy.
“Thanks largely to consultation with unions whose members are on the front line, provisions for safe staffing levels, training, means of escape, construction methods and other safety aspects will remain firmly in place.
“John McDonnell, the MP whose intervention in the Regulatory Reform Committee in 2004 first stopped the Section 12 regulations being scrapped, deserves thanks, as do the very many Tube and rail workers and others whose determination has borne fruit,” Bob Crow said.
ends
Notes to editors: The 1989 Regulations were made under Section 12 of the Fire Precautions Act 1971, and were added on the recommendation of the Fennell Report into the 1987 King’s Cross fire. They cover ‘sub-surface stations’, including those on underground systems, but also national rail stations which are ‘sub-surface’, including Birmingham New Street and several in Liverpool. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, was introduced alongside the Section 12 regulations in 2007.
The new regulations – the Fire Precautions (sub-surface railway stations) England Regulations – were scheduled to be laid before parliament today, and will come into force in October.
Until then the Section 12 regulations and 2005 Fire Safety order will continue to operate in tandem.
Early Day Motion 118
Railway Fire Safety Regulations
Tabled by Andrew Dismore and signed by 39 others at March 31 2009
That this House notes the forthcoming introduction of new regulations which update and strengthen fire safety regulations at sub-surface railway stations; further notes that the original regulations were introduced after the tragic King's Cross fire in 1987, and welcomes the fact that key aspects of the original regulations have been retained, including minimum staffing levels and adequate staff training; further welcomes the fact that the new regulations are being introduced following extensive consultation between the Government, trades unions, the Fire Brigade and transport operators; and congratulates the trades unions for their vigorous campaigning in standing up for the safety of the public and their members.
For current list of signatories, please visit:
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=38229&SESSION=899
The new Fire Precautions (sub-surface railway stations) England Regulations, which should come into force in October, represent a “huge victory for common sense”, retaining the key provisions of regulations introduced two years after the fire, says RMT
The government had planned to scrap the 1989 ‘Section 12’ regulations altogether, replacing them with the less specific 2005 ‘Fire Safety Order’ which would have relied in part on a voluntary system based on risk-assessment.
However, in the wake of a massive RMT-led campaign, the government postponed scrapping Section12, and finally incorporated its key provisions in a new regulatory framework.
An early-day motion tabled by Hendon MP Andrew Dismore and signed to date by 40 MPs (text below) also welcomes the new regulations and the extensive consultation that has resulted in the key elements of the Section 12 regulations being retained.
“This is a huge victory for common sense which recognises that fire-safety in underground stations should not be down to the discretion of employers but requires strict regulation and enforcement,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.
“RMT members who campaigned long and hard to retain the 1989 sub-surface fire-safety regulations will be delighted that their key provisions will remain in place
“The King’s Cross Fire stands as a constant reminder of the need for the best possible safety regime, and it is fitting that after a rigorous process we have reached a regulatory framework that will maintain the essential standards put in place after the tragedy.
“Thanks largely to consultation with unions whose members are on the front line, provisions for safe staffing levels, training, means of escape, construction methods and other safety aspects will remain firmly in place.
“John McDonnell, the MP whose intervention in the Regulatory Reform Committee in 2004 first stopped the Section 12 regulations being scrapped, deserves thanks, as do the very many Tube and rail workers and others whose determination has borne fruit,” Bob Crow said.
ends
Notes to editors: The 1989 Regulations were made under Section 12 of the Fire Precautions Act 1971, and were added on the recommendation of the Fennell Report into the 1987 King’s Cross fire. They cover ‘sub-surface stations’, including those on underground systems, but also national rail stations which are ‘sub-surface’, including Birmingham New Street and several in Liverpool. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, was introduced alongside the Section 12 regulations in 2007.
The new regulations – the Fire Precautions (sub-surface railway stations) England Regulations – were scheduled to be laid before parliament today, and will come into force in October.
Until then the Section 12 regulations and 2005 Fire Safety order will continue to operate in tandem.
Early Day Motion 118
Railway Fire Safety Regulations
Tabled by Andrew Dismore and signed by 39 others at March 31 2009
That this House notes the forthcoming introduction of new regulations which update and strengthen fire safety regulations at sub-surface railway stations; further notes that the original regulations were introduced after the tragic King's Cross fire in 1987, and welcomes the fact that key aspects of the original regulations have been retained, including minimum staffing levels and adequate staff training; further welcomes the fact that the new regulations are being introduced following extensive consultation between the Government, trades unions, the Fire Brigade and transport operators; and congratulates the trades unions for their vigorous campaigning in standing up for the safety of the public and their members.
For current list of signatories, please visit:
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=38229&SESSION=899
GREEN ACTION AT WORK CAMP 2009
Unions and the environment
Trade unions are responding to the challenge of climate change by actively promoting sustainable policies at work. Workplaces burn energy, consume resources and generate waste – they are the most obvious starting point to tackle climate change and
sustainable development issues.
How can we live and work more efficiently, get more from less, and re-use resources? What can trade unionists do to change how we work now?
Trade unions face difficult decisions and have to represent workers across all sectors of the economy.They have taken up the cause of sustainable development and join with environmental groups for international action.
But unions have their own contribution to make. The unique role played by union reps can be harnessed to promote change at work.
The Tolpuddle Green Action atWork Camp aims to provide practical help for trade unionists who want to make a difference at work.
Participants will hear from experts as well as sharing ideas and learning from case studies.The format will be a mixture of structured discussion groups and
workshop sessions.
The camp itself
The camp will be in the field next to the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Museum and Cottages in the small village of Tolpuddle in Dorset. Participants are expected to provide their own tents. Toilets and hot showers are provided.
Programme
The camp will start at 1pm onWednesday 15 July. The programme will be a mixture of short presentations and discussion groups. Sharing ideas and learning from each other will be encouraged.
Food
Participants will have to pay for their own food.Vouchers will cost £55 per person to
cover arrival on Wednesday to lunch-time on Friday. Catering will be provided by Henry’s Beard, a local organic supplier. From Friday evening there will be a wide
range of festival food stalls.
Martyrs’ Festival
On Friday evening the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival begins and will include a wide range of activities, entertainment, politics and music. The big day of the Festival will be Sunday 19 July when thousands of people from all over the country come to
celebrate trade unionism and the part played by the six farm labourers of Tolpuddle who dared to form a union.
For the programme see www.tuc.org.uk/tolpuddle
Who should attend?
The camp is open to trade union members who wish to develop their understanding in
climate change and ways to protect the environment through change at work.
It is intended as a way to develop environment champions or representatives.
What to do next
You will need to make sure you are able to attend by arranging time off work. We would expect your union to pay your travel costs. The nearest rail stations to
Tolpuddle are Moreton, Dorchester South and Dorchester West. We can provide bus and taxi details and will try to pick you up from the station once we know your time of arrival. Some introductory materials will be sent to you before the camp starts and you will receive a more detailed programme.
Want to know more?
To find out more about this unique opportunity contact
the SouthWest TUC on 0117 947 0521 or email southwest@tuc.org.uk
Trade unions are responding to the challenge of climate change by actively promoting sustainable policies at work. Workplaces burn energy, consume resources and generate waste – they are the most obvious starting point to tackle climate change and
sustainable development issues.
How can we live and work more efficiently, get more from less, and re-use resources? What can trade unionists do to change how we work now?
Trade unions face difficult decisions and have to represent workers across all sectors of the economy.They have taken up the cause of sustainable development and join with environmental groups for international action.
But unions have their own contribution to make. The unique role played by union reps can be harnessed to promote change at work.
The Tolpuddle Green Action atWork Camp aims to provide practical help for trade unionists who want to make a difference at work.
Participants will hear from experts as well as sharing ideas and learning from case studies.The format will be a mixture of structured discussion groups and
workshop sessions.
The camp itself
The camp will be in the field next to the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Museum and Cottages in the small village of Tolpuddle in Dorset. Participants are expected to provide their own tents. Toilets and hot showers are provided.
Programme
The camp will start at 1pm onWednesday 15 July. The programme will be a mixture of short presentations and discussion groups. Sharing ideas and learning from each other will be encouraged.
Food
Participants will have to pay for their own food.Vouchers will cost £55 per person to
cover arrival on Wednesday to lunch-time on Friday. Catering will be provided by Henry’s Beard, a local organic supplier. From Friday evening there will be a wide
range of festival food stalls.
Martyrs’ Festival
On Friday evening the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival begins and will include a wide range of activities, entertainment, politics and music. The big day of the Festival will be Sunday 19 July when thousands of people from all over the country come to
celebrate trade unionism and the part played by the six farm labourers of Tolpuddle who dared to form a union.
For the programme see www.tuc.org.uk/tolpuddle
Who should attend?
The camp is open to trade union members who wish to develop their understanding in
climate change and ways to protect the environment through change at work.
It is intended as a way to develop environment champions or representatives.
What to do next
You will need to make sure you are able to attend by arranging time off work. We would expect your union to pay your travel costs. The nearest rail stations to
Tolpuddle are Moreton, Dorchester South and Dorchester West. We can provide bus and taxi details and will try to pick you up from the station once we know your time of arrival. Some introductory materials will be sent to you before the camp starts and you will receive a more detailed programme.
Want to know more?
To find out more about this unique opportunity contact
the SouthWest TUC on 0117 947 0521 or email southwest@tuc.org.uk
Friday, 27 March 2009
RMT demands end to cuts after rail that should have been replaced breaks!
BRITAIN’S BIGGEST rail union today demanded immediate reversal of cuts to a third of essential track renewals after a broken a rail was discovered on the mainline near Swindon – a month after the stretch of line should have been replaced.
RMT said the incident highlighted Network Rail’s recklessness in allowing pressure to save money to dictate the shelving of essential works, including rail replacement, and demanded the re-instatement of all deferred work.
According to NR’s own log (attached), a ‘near vertical break’ was discovered on February 14 by a maintenance team at Knighton, near Swindon on a stretch of line that was scheduled for renewal in January, but had been put off at least until next year in a bid to save cash.
The log, known as the Safety Environment Assurance Report, reveals that the line was immediately blocked while an emergency repair was carried out – and that NR’s track maintenance engineer is now awaiting confirmation of a “revised date for renewal to take place”.
Renewing its call on Network Rail to reinstate the 28 per cent of planned renewals it has deferred, RMT also demanded to see risk assessments for every location that has seen work shelved and the reversal of cuts in frequencies of track inspections.
“A broken rail is a potential derailment and rail workers and passengers alike have every reason to demand that Network Rail stop this madness,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.
“When we highlighted the scale of these cuts, Network Rail accused us of scaremongering, but if you put off essential work and then inspect the track less often you are lowering safety standards and increasing risk, and there can be no excuse for it, least of all saving money.
“Railways are the safest form of transport, but we need to keep them that way. We know to our tragic cost that corner-cutting is potentially lethal, and no-one wants to see another Hatfield, Potters Bar or Grayrigg”.
“At the same time as undermining safety Network Rail is jeopardising jobs, and that cannot be acceptable in the current economic climate, not least when the government says it will fund public works to help ride out the recession,” Bob Crow said.
ends – notes and early day motion follow.
For further information contact Derek Kotz on 020 7529 8803 or 07939 595 092
Note to editors: Earlier this month RMT revealed nearly 200 locations in three NR regions where essential renewals, including works to replace rails, sleepers and ballast, have been deferred in order to save money, despite having been agreed and placed with contractors last year. The locations are only a part of the 28 per cent of work that NR has postponed.
On May 5 rail workers will lobby parliament against cuts in jobs and services in the industry.
Early Day Motion 794, tabled by David Drew MP on February 11:
NETWORK RAIL AND THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
Tabled by David Drew and signed by 36 others at March 26
That this House welcomes efforts by the Government to lessen the impact of the recession and save jobs by intervening in the private sector industries, such as the car industry; notes with concern that Network Rail, which is heavily reliant on billions of pounds of Government subsidy is deferring 28 per cent. of rail renewals work, such as track and signals replacements; notes that Network Rail has confirmed in its 2009-10 business plan that this huge reduction in track renewals expenditure will have a major impact on the supply chain with 20 to 30 per cent. less heavy materials resulting in supply chain redundancies; is appalled that this will mean massive job cuts and supports the view of the rail unions that Network Rail's actions undermine the Government's stated intentions to use infrastructure projects to boost employment; further notes with concern that Network Rail is cutting the frequency of track inspections and routine signals maintenance which, combined with the reduction in renewals work, will significantly raise safety risks to passengers and workers; urges the Government to use its power as funder of Network Rail immediately to intervene to ensure that this essential rail renewals work is not deferred, to introduce a moratorium on job cuts and to develop an industry-wide strategy to ensure that railways can be managed in a way which mitigates rather than exacerbates the effects of the economic downturn.
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=37854&SESSION=899
RMT said the incident highlighted Network Rail’s recklessness in allowing pressure to save money to dictate the shelving of essential works, including rail replacement, and demanded the re-instatement of all deferred work.
According to NR’s own log (attached), a ‘near vertical break’ was discovered on February 14 by a maintenance team at Knighton, near Swindon on a stretch of line that was scheduled for renewal in January, but had been put off at least until next year in a bid to save cash.
The log, known as the Safety Environment Assurance Report, reveals that the line was immediately blocked while an emergency repair was carried out – and that NR’s track maintenance engineer is now awaiting confirmation of a “revised date for renewal to take place”.
Renewing its call on Network Rail to reinstate the 28 per cent of planned renewals it has deferred, RMT also demanded to see risk assessments for every location that has seen work shelved and the reversal of cuts in frequencies of track inspections.
“A broken rail is a potential derailment and rail workers and passengers alike have every reason to demand that Network Rail stop this madness,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.
“When we highlighted the scale of these cuts, Network Rail accused us of scaremongering, but if you put off essential work and then inspect the track less often you are lowering safety standards and increasing risk, and there can be no excuse for it, least of all saving money.
“Railways are the safest form of transport, but we need to keep them that way. We know to our tragic cost that corner-cutting is potentially lethal, and no-one wants to see another Hatfield, Potters Bar or Grayrigg”.
“At the same time as undermining safety Network Rail is jeopardising jobs, and that cannot be acceptable in the current economic climate, not least when the government says it will fund public works to help ride out the recession,” Bob Crow said.
ends – notes and early day motion follow.
For further information contact Derek Kotz on 020 7529 8803 or 07939 595 092
Note to editors: Earlier this month RMT revealed nearly 200 locations in three NR regions where essential renewals, including works to replace rails, sleepers and ballast, have been deferred in order to save money, despite having been agreed and placed with contractors last year. The locations are only a part of the 28 per cent of work that NR has postponed.
On May 5 rail workers will lobby parliament against cuts in jobs and services in the industry.
Early Day Motion 794, tabled by David Drew MP on February 11:
NETWORK RAIL AND THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
Tabled by David Drew and signed by 36 others at March 26
That this House welcomes efforts by the Government to lessen the impact of the recession and save jobs by intervening in the private sector industries, such as the car industry; notes with concern that Network Rail, which is heavily reliant on billions of pounds of Government subsidy is deferring 28 per cent. of rail renewals work, such as track and signals replacements; notes that Network Rail has confirmed in its 2009-10 business plan that this huge reduction in track renewals expenditure will have a major impact on the supply chain with 20 to 30 per cent. less heavy materials resulting in supply chain redundancies; is appalled that this will mean massive job cuts and supports the view of the rail unions that Network Rail's actions undermine the Government's stated intentions to use infrastructure projects to boost employment; further notes with concern that Network Rail is cutting the frequency of track inspections and routine signals maintenance which, combined with the reduction in renewals work, will significantly raise safety risks to passengers and workers; urges the Government to use its power as funder of Network Rail immediately to intervene to ensure that this essential rail renewals work is not deferred, to introduce a moratorium on job cuts and to develop an industry-wide strategy to ensure that railways can be managed in a way which mitigates rather than exacerbates the effects of the economic downturn.
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=37854&SESSION=899
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