DEFENDING RAIL JOBS AND SERVICES Over20,000 rail workers take action in July as privateers continue to profit from the network

RMT members working on every grade of 14 train operating companies took three days strike action in July in the national dispute over working conditions, pay and job security.

The strike came as rail bosses announced over 2,000 job cuts and the closure of 1,000 ticket offices across the network (see overleaf). Ticket office closures under Schedule 17 will mean that there will be no regulations on staffing levels at stations whatsoever.

This means companies will be unhindered legislation to de-staff stations across the country, affecting dispatch and non-ticket office staffing grades.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that he was proud of RMT members for showing such fortitude and resolve in this long running dispute.

"Our national dispute is about pay job security and working conditions. The recent attack on ticket offices and the threat to de-staff our railways, has galvanised a huge groundswell of public support which we are grateful for.

"This union will not be cowed by rail bosses or government ministers and our dispute will continue until we can reach a negotiated settlement.

"We remain steadfast and are available for talks 24/7 with the train operating companies," he said.

As strike action began RMT released a report revealing that between 2006 and 2022, the train operating companies only invested just one per cent of the money spent on the railways.

It revealed that train operating companies took little risk with their capital but had benefited from profits before tax of 126 per cent of the capital invested by rail operators.

65 per cent of profits are locked away in shareholder dividends instead of being redistributed into improving the railway or upping workers’ wages and improving conditions.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that the train companies invested little or nothing into the railways yet make completely unjustifiable profits which they squirrel away in shareholder dividends and bosses pay packets.

"It is a scandal that the travelling public is being ripped off by greedy rail privateers while at the same time the government oversees a corrupt system and prolongs a rail dispute for political reasons.

"It is high time this profits bonanza gravy train was halted, a deal done with the RMT and the railways returned to public ownership for the good of the country and railway workers,” he said.