Received from: RMT
Merged into composite 17
Congress believes the collapse of Carillion, a major rail contractor; the failure of Virgin/Stagecoach on the East Coast Line; the rail timetable chaos (which also led to increased threat of assaults against rail workers); the cancellation of rail electrification projects; and loss of skilled rail jobs has shown again that the privatisation and fragmentation of our railways and public services has been an abject failure.
Even though these rail policy disasters have taken place under Chris Grayling he has refused to take any responsibility and Congress supports the growing calls for Chris Grayling to resign.
Congress also notes the government has been behind protracted disputes to introduce Driver Only Operation and has persistently attacked rail unions, including shamefully seeking to blame hard-pressed rail workers for massive fare hikes.
Despite these attacks, rail workers, who remain constant public servants while privatised rail companies come and go, have continued to do their best to protect safety and service on the railway. This includes taking principled action to keep guards on trains.
Congress pays tribute and sends full solidarity to these workers.
Congress therefore reiterates its support for nationalisation of the railways and agrees to campaign for properly funded, integrated, publicly owned rail and tube networks, which also:
i. ends outsourcing, bringing core functions such as catering, cleaning and renewals and track/train maintenance in-house
ii. makes for optimum access for older and disabled passengers
iii. ensures the involvement of rail workers through their unions in overseeing the running of the railway.
National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers