Comprising Motion 70 plus amendments
Congress welcomes that train operating companies (TOCs) will be brought into public ownership and, alongside Network Rail, brought under Great British Railways (GBR). Congress also reaffirms the commitment to lobby for GBR to absorb open access operations and rail freight services.
However, Congress notes with alarm that unnamed sources from the Department for Transport have suggested thousands of jobs may be lost in the transition due to duplication of roles; and further notes that terms, conditions and benefits have already been threatened in negotiations over TUPE from TOCs to the Department for Transport Operator.
Congress strongly believes that GBR is the opportunity to level-up pay and conditions for rail workers and should involve an expansion of investment in our railways, making them more efficient, more passenger friendly, and upgrading infrastructure – making redundancies unnecessary. Congress believes that this opportunity should extend to any future insourcing of operations and services into GBR.
Congress resolves to campaign to:
i. protect jobs and ensure there is a just transition for transport workers with access to training and redeployment where necessary
ii. level-up pay, terms, and conditions in the transition and implement collective bargaining arrangements for all workers, across the industry
iii. invest in a safe and accessible railway for all – reducing violence and harassment on the network, reversing cuts to BTP, maintaining safety standards and adequate staffing levels
iv. put passengers and workers at the heart of GBR, integrating ticketing systems and timetabling across the entire transport network while simplifying fares and refunds, and putting worker and passenger representation on the board
v. expand investment in rail, putting it front-and-centre in plans to upgrade our infrastructure and make the whole-economy transition to net zero
vi. the London and Liverpool City Region mayors to take rail services they are responsible for into public ownership
vii. support RMT’s ‘Better Jobs Better Services’ campaign which demands the ending of outsourcing of essential rail services including cleaning, station staffing, catering, security, infrastructure and engineering services.
Mover: Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association
Seconder: National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers
Supporter: Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen