RMT calls for urgent meeting with Transport Secretary over London transport cuts

RMT calls for urgent meeting with transport secretary over cuts, safety and services.

Transport union RMT today called for urgent talks with re-appointed transport secretary Chris Grayling over the axing of guards by train companies, the impact of budget cuts at Transport for London and the threat to safety of major cuts at Network Rail. The union is also calling for top level talks on the future of Britain's maritime industry.

General Secretary Mick Cash said;

"Despite their protests in the past everyone knows that Government ministers have been calling the shots on the axing of the guards on rail franchises like Southern, Northern and Merseyrail. With no parliamentary majority to hide behind Chris Grayling should be called to account for his actions and RMT wants urgent talks with a reversal of the guards threat, along with the safety-critical cuts at TFL and Network Rail, right at the top of the agenda.

"RMT is sick and tired up ministers ignoring their transport staff and treating the unions like dirt. They have connived to prop up greedy, failing rail companies, doling out austerity cuts that threaten public safety while protecting private profit. Chris Grayling has not lifted a finger to help resolve the guards' disputes to date.  The idea that this nonsense can continue after last Thursday is ludicrous.

"RMT also wants an urgent ‎meeting over the state of our maritime industry in the UK which has been hung out to dry by successive Governments. That has also got to stop and RMT's plan for quality jobs and conditions, and an end to social dumping and the Ships of Shame, should be treated with the ‎seriousness it deserves rather than the contempt of the past."

> RMT National News

Wednesday, 13th March
Scotrail workers will be balloted for strike action over Driver Only Operation (DOO) trains, RMT can reveal.
Friday, 8th March
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “This report confirms that both passengers and the taxpayer have been victims of the government’s shambolic management of our railways.
Wednesday, 6th March
Maritime union, RMT today remembers the 193 crew and passengers who lost their lives in waters off Zeebrugge on 6th March 1987 when the Herald of Free Enterprise capsized.
Wednesday, 6th March
Responding to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's budget statement, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said:
Tuesday, 5th March
Rail union RMT, has called on Mark Harper to reverse the Avanti train service cuts which will mean there will be no direct train between Shrewsbury and London from June 2024.