Stop EU Rail Privatisation!

To: All Branches, Regional Councils and Regional Organisers

20th September 2013
P16
Circular No. NP242/13


Dear Colleague

STOP EU RAIL PRIVATISATION!

ACTION FOR RAIL / ETF DAY OF ACTION - 9th OCTOBER 2013

Email / write to your MEP

Demonstrate outside of the European Commission Offices in
London, Cardiff and Edinburgh

I am writing to urge you to support the RMT backed Action for Rail and European Transport Workers day of action against EU rail privatisation on 9th October.

The European Union’s so called “Fourth Rail Package” aims to enforce the fragmentation and privatisation of domestic rail services across the European Union, including the compulsory competitive tendering of rail passenger services and separation of infrastructure and operations.

The EU’s proposals to create a “Single European Rail Market” will entrench privatisation in the UK and reverse what gains have been made recently. For example the publicly owned East Coast will have to be put out to tender under this proposed EU law.

And make no mistake the intention of the Single European Rail Market will be to encourage a widespread attack on the jobs and conditions of rail workers and to use social dumping to encourage a race to the bottom of rail workers conditions.

The date of the day of action on 9th October has been called to coincide with important votes and debates in the European Parliament’s Transport Committee that will be taking place around that time.

Materials will shortly be produced to enable members to write to their MEPs and consideration is also being given to demonstrations at MEPs offices. 

You are also urged where possible to support the following demonstrations at 08.00 outside the offices of the European Commission.

London: Europe House, 32 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3EU

Cardiff: 2 Caspian Point/2 Pentir Caspian,Caspian Way/Ffordd Caspian, Cardiff/Caerdydd, CF10 4QQ

Edinburgh: 9 Alva Street Edinburgh EH2 4PH

I will write with further details shortly but in the meantime please put this date in your diary and prepare to support the day of action.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow
General Secretary