RMT warns of “catastrophic cuts” as Network Rail AGM assembles in Manchester

AS THE Annual General Meeting of Network Rail assembles in Manchester today (21st July), transport union RMT is warning of “catastrophic cuts” to rail infrastructure and operations if the ConDem Government bulldoze through 25-40% cuts to budgets in the autumn as is being widely predicted.

The Network Rail AGM also finds itself embroiled in an on-going row over top bosses bonuses that have sparked outrage amongst both staff and the travelling public at a time when the organisation has been axing jobs and slashing maintenance and renewals programmes.

Meanwhile, the financial chaos at the heart of Government is driving a renewed attempt by old-school Thatcherites to mobilise a campaign for the sell-off of Network Rail – a move condemned by RMT as a lethal rehash of previous failures that would leave us with Railtrack Mark Two.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“The Network Rail AGM assembles at a time of great danger for the railways in this country. If reductions on the scale being projected are forced on the transport budget we have no doubt that it will mean thousands of job losses and catastrophic cuts to rail infrastructure and operations with lethal consequences. RMT will continue to mobilise to fight those cuts.

“In the background, right wing voices are arguing for the selling off of Network Rail and its assets to raise money in what would be a nightmare return to Railtrack Mark Two – a model of rail operation that was a major factor in the Hatfield and Potters Bar disasters.

“Passengers are already being told that they face fare increases of up to 10% this year. With carriage replacements scrapped, and cuts to maintenance and renewals already the order of the day, it is clear that the Government plan to force passengers to pay through the nose to travel on overcrowded and condemned trains running on creaking and poorly maintained track. They should join with RMT in a campaign of resistance to the cuts and for a rail network that’s publicly-owned, properly-funded and where safety is paramount.”