Labour plan for publicly owned rail network 'in best interest for rail workers and passengers'

Labour have announced that they plan to 'bring train operators under public ownership and control'.

Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary said:

"Labour's commitment to bring the train operating companies into a new unified and publicly owned rail network is in the best interests of railway workers, passengers and the taxpayer.

"We strongly welcome these bold steps to fix 14 years of Tory mismanagement of our privatised railways and Labour's promise to complete a transition to public ownership within its first term in office.

"For too long private companies have made millions in profit from taxpayer subsidies and in return provided appalling levels of service.

“This announcement however should be a first step to completely integrating all of our railway into public ownership.

"It is time for a railway fit for the 21st century that serves the public, not the privateers and shareholders."

Read about Labour's plan here.

> RMT National News

Monday, 28th September
Rail union RMT demanded today (September 28) that Avanti West Coast outsourced staff be bought into direct employment after the government announced the train company will be brought under public ownership by next March.
Monday, 28th September
RMT today welcomed Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander’s announcement that Great British Railways will be allowed to buy and own its trains ‘where it can provide value for money’.
Friday, 25th September
RAIL union RMT will hold protests outside Labour Party conference meeting in Liverpool on Monday September 28 with striking outsourced rail workers to highlight low pay and calling for them to be taken in-house.
Thursday, 24th September
RAIL union RMT called for action against assaults today (September 24) after the latest figures revealed a 12 per cent increase of violence and abuse against rail workers.
Wednesday, 23rd September
BUS union RMT announced industrial action short of a strike from Friday October 2 by members at Go Cornwall over the refusal of the company to recognise the union.