Circular number: NP/210/10/MC

26^th November 2010

To: - All Branches, Regional Councils, Regional Offices, Regional Organisers, Executive & HO Officers.

Dear Colleague,

Future public transport: “Nationalisation not Privatisation”

I am writing to invite RMT members to participate in an international open conference of fighting transport unions.

Transport workers’ unions will come together in London on Monday, 31 January, 2011 at the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London) to discuss the continuing liberalisation and privatisation of transport industries across Europe as a result of the policies of the European Union and the alternatives that we are fighting for.  

The European Commission recently ‘re-cast’ its First railway package, to establish “a single European railway area”, demanding complete liberalisation of the rail sector.  A Fourth package liberalising domestic passenger rail services is planned for 2011.

The EU drive to privatise lifeline ferry services has led to protests to defend ferry services from Greece, to Corsica, to Caledonian MacBrayne services in Scotland. 

Corporate takeovers, such as Germany state railway Deutsche Bahn’s acquisition of Arriva, are creating EU-wide transport monopolies across the bus, rail and light rail sectors.  Instead of rebuilding public transport through investment in ‘just transition’ to carbon-neutral systems with skilled jobs, the EU is privatising public transport. 

‘Future public transport:“Nationalisation not Privatisation”’ is an opportunity to discuss the deepening political crisis in the public transport sector and how to resist the privatisation drive. If you wish to participate in this conference please contact Mick Carty on m.carty@rmt.org.uk

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary