RMT lobby of parliament over cuts threat from new Northern and Trans-Pennine Express franchises

Big turn-out in successful RMT lobby of parliament over cuts threat from new Northern and Trans-Pennine Express franchises

Scores of RMT members from services "threatened" by the new Northern and TPE rail franchises have held a lively and successful lobby of Parliament today.

RMT says the franchise moves are “a kick in the teeth for the travelling public and staff alike on Northern and Trans-Pennine Express franchises , reinforcing the importance of the community standing alongside rail workers in the fight to stop the destruction of rail services right across the North”.

RMT has also pointed out the "rank hypocrisy" of Government ministers talking up plans for an un-costed and vague proposal for a northern “HS3” service, light years off in the future, while at the same time their current franchise plans on existing routes would rip apart services, jobs and safety.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “Today we have been out in force at Parliament taking on the sheer hypocrisy of Government ministers and their Rail North allies who are talking up grand and un-costed plans for HS3 while at the same time, in the here and now, they are driving through proposals that would decimate rail services and rail jobs across the whole of the North.

"The fight to stop the outrageous carve up of jobs and services under the Northern and TPE franchise plans is gathering pace by the day and is sending out the clearest possible message to the Government and Rail North that they need to scrap this attack on transport services."