RMT to step up fight for jobs and safety

Rail Union RMT said today (Thursday 14 January) that it will be stepping up the fight for jobs, services and safety across the region as it emerged that the current boss of Northern Rail has been hired by the new German-state operators to continue running the franchise.

Alex Hynes, the current Managing Director of the Serco/ Abellio Northern Rail Franchise, part of the Dutch state operation, is to remain managing director of the new Arriva (German state railway) franchise .

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: "Mr Hynes claimed two years ago that there were no plans to axe guards on Northern, and move to driver only or driver controlled operation, but is now gearing up to run the service on behalf of Deutsche Bahn whose bid has exactly that model right at its very core.

“Mr Hynes has presided over atrocious industrial relations, the theme of his leadership has been one of tarnished arrogance and whilst RMT members jobs are under threat on the railway under the new franchise he has succeeded in protecting his own position very nicely indeed.

“That the head of the current Serco/Abellio franchise has now been appointed as boss of the new German-run set-up betrays the reality of the franchise fiasco - this isn't about quality, innovation or service delivery it's about cuts, contracting out, using agency staff instead of directly employed workers, cheap labour, casualisation, DOO/DCO and a continuation of belligerent, dictatorial and aggressive and confrontational style of management.

“RMT’s fight for jobs, services and safety, and against the hammering down on budgets so that more cash can be extracted to subsidise rail operations in Germany, continues.”