Rail unions raise safety concerns

25 Jul 14
Railway workers are concerned that government cuts to Network Rail are putting passengers and workers at increased risk.

A report published today by the Trades Union Congress’s Action for Rail campaign, and based focus group interviews with maintenance workers, highlighted safety concerns.

Budget cuts had resulted in staff shortages, less frequent inspections and wider use of zero hours contracts, the report said, and union leaders warned that a major accident was increasingly likely to occur.

Commenting on the findings, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: ‘When track workers – who see with their own eyes when safety corners are being cut and where crucial maintenance jobs are delayed – warn that a major accident could be just around the corner, it’s surely time for ministers to wake up and act.

‘Government spending cuts have meant a significant reduction in the funding available to Network Rail for it to carry out vital maintenance work and essential safety inspections. The situation will get worse as resources continue to be squeezed.’

Mick Cash, acting general secretary of the RMT union, added: ‘With surging rail demand, RMT has warned repeatedly that maintenance cuts on the tracks are on course to drag us back to the days of Railtrack, Hatfield and Potters Bar if the government and the authorities don’t wake up pretty sharpish.’

A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'Safety must be a top priority, and we look to Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation to ensure that the rail network is run in a safe and reliable way.

'We are investing record amounts in the biggest programme of rail modernisation since Victorian times, with £38bn being spent on upgrading and maintaining the network over the next five years. These improvements will deliver more trains, more seats and better services, and ensure passengers benefit from a rail network fit for the 21st century.'

The four unions behind the TUC’s Action for Rail campaign are: RMT, Aslef, TSSA and Unite.

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