Labour MPs including Newcastle Centrals Jim Cousins, Dave Anderson and John McDonnell have supported an early day motion opposing the privatisation, as well as a public meeting supported by the RMT and Northern TUC read more here
see letter here from Stan Hershell RMT below
31st July 2008
RMT
Keep the Metro Public Campaign
Dear All
On Wednesday 30th July the Department for Transport issued a press statement announcing that Rosie Winterton would be at Newcastle Central Station on Thursday the 31st of July to make announcement on Metro funding (privatisation)
That announcement took place at 9.45 pm today.
The press and media were invited to witness this deplorable event.
Nexus management were there basking in their glory.
The first I heard of this was via Tyne Tees TV followed by various calls from journalists.
We are dealing with a shower of shite and this only makes us more determined to put a stop to this despicable act of betrayal.
Our campaign must now be notched up.
Having met with RMT General Secretary we will proceed on the following lines.
• Commission Opinion Poll
• Organise Petition – including exploring possibility of on line registration.
• Production of 100,00 + leaflets aimed at public
• Letters to all councillors (again)
• Lobby Labour Party Conference
• Lobby Council Meetings
• Lobby PTA
• Lobby Nexus
• Total involvement of all groups and individuals – meeting to be called as matter of urgency
• Request meeting with Northern Labour Group of MP’s
• Set up campaign fund under the umbrella of TUC
• RMT to kick start fund with £5,000 and request other Metro trade unions to do like wise. It is agreed that this kind of money is nowhere near what is required but it is simply a way of declaring a commitment.
• There is no such thing as a safe seat in politics and any elected represented who is against the wishes of the majority can expect to be challenged.
It is now evident, if we did not already know it, that we are dealing with underhand politicians and Management, therefore, the gloves must come off and we get in the gutter with them.
Until such times as action is coordinated then if you want to make representations or demonstrate then feel free to do so, but, please keep me advised of all activities.
I hope to find suitable venue for early meeting and will advise accordingly.
On the industrial front then RMT will be asking the other Metro trades unions to support the following principles and demands.
• Guarantee no compulsory redundancies now or in the future
• Retain one collective bargaining procedure
• Staff remain in current pension scheme and this to include all new entrants
• No compulsory transfers
• Guaranteed staffing levels
• Guaranteed travel facilities, including new entrants
Should these demands not be met then we shall be in dispute and take “appropriate action”.
Full details of the act of betrayal can be seen on the NEXUS web site
Haste La Victoria Siempre
Stan Herschel
RMT Regional Organiser
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