
14 August 2019
RMT Press Office
RMT slams West Coast political fix as public ownership is ignored and First Trenitalia are shunted in to replace Virgin/Stagecoach in midst of pension row
General Secretary Mick Cash said;
"The announcement this morning that First Trenitalia are being shunted on to the West Coast Mainline to replace Virgin/Stagecoach in the midst of the rail staff pension row is just another political fix by a Government whose privatised franchise model is collapsing around their ears.
"Instead of following the popular public sector route the Tories are taking yet another gamble on the crucial West Coast lines with one of the dwindling number of private operator consortia left in the game in a move that RMT believes is doomed to failure and sure to result in yet more rail chaos.
"RMT will take whatever action is required to protect out members pay, jobs, working conditions and pensions on these vital inter-city routes."