RMT News Alert - Your Job. Your conditions. Your Safety. Please support your union's demonstration and lobby of Parliament on 5th May

Dear Colleague

Your Job. Your conditions. Your Safety. Please support your union’s demonstration and lobby of Parliament on 5th May

This week I met with Secretary of Transport, Geoff Hoon, to urge him to intervene to stop the huge jobs losses that are taking place on the railways.

He was told that in last few months almost 4,000 job losses have been announced in every sector of the railways. These jobs are under threat despite the rail companies receiving big government subsidies and continuing to make huge profits.

Thousands of more jobs are under attack and rail bosses will also be using to recession to have a go at pay, conditions and pensions.

The cuts mean safety is also under threat. Network Rail is cutting back on the frequency of track inspections and has postponed a third of its planned track renewals. I have warned Geoff Hoon that conditions are being created for a serious derailment. There is the real danger of another Hatfield Potters Bar or Grayrigg.

We have now twice asked Network Rail to publish their report on whether the postponement of the track renewals programme raises safety risks and they have refused. What are they hiding?

And as the Train Operating companies cut back there will be less staff at stations and on trains with passengers, especially women more vulnerable. And we know all too well that the cuts will leave the public feeling angry and frustrated and when that happens it is often rail workers who end up as the punch bag.

Please support the demonstration and lobby of parliament on 5th May

If you want to make an appointment with your MP on 5 May, it is not too late. You can email them at http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/commons/l/ or call the House of Commons on 020 7219 3000.

Remember, if your MP is not free to meet you on 5 May it will be just as effective to ask to meet your MP in their constituency office. More information on the campaign can be found at, www.rmt.org.uk/peoplesrailway

I hope to see you on 5 May

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow

General Secretary