Our ref: SH/CI

28 July 2009

KEEP METRO PUBLIC CAMPAIGN

Most of you will now be aware of a petition being circulated by Alvin Dimes of UNISON.

This petition in isolation is supportive of the campaign.

However, if you read the petitioners rationale behind it all, then we in the RMT find it objectionable.

The petitioner makes it quite clear in his correspondence that he wants everyone to support the in house bid (regardless of what's in it) in the hope that we may reclaim Nexus back into full public ownership in 9 years time!!!

Sorry, but we in the RMT do not support any bid, no matter who wins - in house or private operator - it is privatisation.

As I stated earlier, nothing wrong with the petition, but find the motives behind it all objectionable.

Stan Herschel
Regional Organiser
RMT

www.rmt.org.uk

NEWS RELEASE

June 22, 2009

Key bidder pulls out of Tyne and Wear Metro tender process as RMT reveals that £1 million of tax payers money has been wasted

SPECIALIST TRANSPORT union RMT revealed today that one of the four approved bidders for the privatisation of Tyne and Wear Metro – MTR Rail from Honk Kong – have pulled out of the process leaving just the in-house operation and two private companies still in the frame.

RMT have also calculated that around £1 million of tax payers money has been spent on an in-house tender for a privatisation that the overwhelming majority of people are opposed to, money that could have been invested in improvements to Tyne and Wear Metro

Newcastle MP Jim Cousins has tabled a motion in the House of Commons saying that:

“the tendering process can play no useful purpose and that the best interests of passengers will be served by the Metro remaining as a unified railway in the public sector, where every penny of funds invested is spent on improving passenger services.”

RMT, working with MP’s and the high profile campaign to Keep Metro Public, have warned that privatisation would mean job cuts and the milking of the contract by a private company to pump up returns for their shareholders. The contract is due to be awarded in November.

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said:

“The withdrawal of MTR Rail shows just how shaky this whole privatisation plan really is. It’s pressure from the campaign which has sent out a signal to the private sector that Tyne and Wear Metro is not going to be sold off for a fast buck and that they will have a fight on their hands every step of the way.

“The Nexus passenger transport executive and the Government should pull this privatisation plan before more money is wasted and before irreparable damage is done to Britain’s most successful railway in the name of greed and profit.”

Ends

For further information contact Geoff Martin on 07818 513 435 or 0207 255 9146