RMT backs Derby Rally to Support UK Train Manufacturing

After a high-profile and sustained campaign, the Bombardier train manufacturing plant at Derby has been awarded the contract to build the new fleet for the Crossrail trans-London line. This was an important victory both in terms of securing work for large numbers of skilled jobs, but also as a vote of confidence in UK manufacturing. At least 10,000 jobs rely on the continuation of train-building in Derby, both directly at the Bombardier plant and in the wider supply chain.

At the time of the Crossrail award, RMT’s late General Secretary Bob Crow said that it was “a fantastic and deserved result, coming after a long running campaign led by RMT and the local community in Derby in the wake of the Thameslink fleet shambles, which will go a long way to saving the future of train building in the nation that gave the railways to the world.”

To mark the award of this contract and keep up the campaign to defend all rail jobs and for a publicly owned railway, there will be a rally on Friday 30 May. The rally will be held between 5:30pm and 7:30pm at The Waterfall pub (www.party-waterfall.co.uk) near Derby station - and will be preceded by leafleting at Burton station (3pm - 4pm) and at Derby station (4:15pm - 5:30pm). RMT President Peter Pinkney and local MP Chris Williamson, a member of the RMT Parliamentary Group, will be among the speakers.

RMT Acting General Secretary Mick Cash said:
“It has been a long, hard fight to keep train building alive in Britain and after the shambles of the Thameslink fleet award it was the determination of the workers at Bombardier, and the people of Derby, that kept the flame burning and who have been rewarded with the securing of the Crossrail work.

“Working together we have to continue the fight to secure a future for our long and proud tradition of manufacturing trains in the UK. Through events such as the rally in Derby on 30th May everyone concerned about the future of skilled manufacturing jobs and apprenticeships in this country has a chance to show their support.”



ENDS