Millions of pounds in taxpayers’ money will be used to fund the Conservative government’s bid to smash rail unions so that firms can impose the widespread use of driver-only operated (DOO) trains, rail union RMT warned on January 12.
Research by the union shows that government ministers were inserting new clauses in franchise agreements to allow train-operating companies to claim back any revenue lost to industrial action over the plans to get rid of guards.
This would ensure that operators make a profit of more than £1 billion over the next 20 years, according to the Railway Safety Standards Board.
Private operator Southern Railway’s contract means the company has not lost any revenue as a result of strikes over DOO. The bill, in the region of £60 million, is set to be paid by the taxpayer, according to RMT.
The Northern Rail franchise agreement, which contains a government directive to introduce DOO, also contains a clause promising that public funds will be used “to reimburse or ameliorate net losses of the franchisee arising from industrial action (however caused and of whatever nature).â€
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “As with Southern, the government is inserting clauses into new franchise agreements which will mean the taxpayer will bankroll [Prime Minister] Theresa May’s war on the unions.
“It is clear that rail disputes are nothing to do with modernising our railway and everything to do with old-fashioned union-busting and cost-cutting.â€
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling also condemned Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s support for striking railway workers. Corbyn said he would join rail worker picket lines.
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