RAIL UNION RMT today launched a confidential email hotline for members amid growing concerns over planned maintenance cuts by Network Rail which have put over 2500 – nearly 20% of the total workforce – at risk.
Briefings for RMT safety reps have confirmed that the cuts will be spread across the whole Network Rail maintenance operation including track, signalling and overhead lines.
As part of a campaign strategy for opposing the plans, RMT is compiling a dossier of where the proposed cuts are hitting maintenance works along with an assessment of the safety risks.
Today, all RMT Network Rail maintenance members have been sent by text and email details of a confidential email address where they can feed through local details of the impact of the cuts the length and breadth of the UK.
Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said today:
"RMT has warned repeatedly of the serious impact that the cuts being considered by Network Rail will have on both safety and reliability. The company briefings to our safety reps have confirmed those fears and that's why we have launched this hotline to begin the process of assembling a dossier exposing the hard facts.
"While the politicians are talking about future cuts they are already a reality on railway lines up and down the country and we are determined to ensure that both staff and the travelling public know exactly what impact they will have.
"With the billions spent bailing out the banks it is disgraceful that essential maintenance services on the railways are under massive pressure to cut corners, increasing the risk of another tragedy on the tracks."
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