RMT steps up rail fares and renationalisation campaign

Rail Union RMT pledged today to take the campaign over rail fares, and the case for renationalisation of the railways, into the marginal constituencies this autumn as a parade of Tory MP’s emerged over the weekend fighting to save their own political skins as the reality of the massive public backlash over rail fares hits home.

RMT is drawing up plans to hit main rail stations in marginal seats this autumn exposing the hypocrisy of MP’s who have voted in the past against a tighter cap on fares while supporting the continuing exploitation and greed of the train operating companies.

RMT will also be working with sister unions and commuter groups to take the fight to the main party conferences in a few weeks time as the issue of rail fares and the great rail robbery moves towards the top of the domestic political agenda. The union will release further details of the campaign shortly.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: “This weekend we have seen right-wing Tories, Lib Dems and the rest of the political elite emerging from their holiday villas to shout the odds as the public backlash in their own constituencies forces them out into the open and RMT now intends to keep the pressure on right through to the fares increase day in January.

“This is Tory and Lib Dem Home Counties and marginal MP’s fighting to save their political skins over fare increases while still supporting their governments policy on privatisation that is at the root of this rail rip off and while giving their backing to the McNulty Review’s attack on jobs and services. This bunch of hypocrites deserve a one way ticket to political oblivion and not a single one of them will have a chance to wriggle off the hook as we take the campaign to their doorsteps throughout the autumn.”