Rail unions have launched a legal move to challenge the UK Government over the awarding of franchises – including the north and north-east’s crucial East Coast line – to train companies.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, Aslef and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), said their members’ jobs and conditions, as well as the interests of passengers and taxpayers, were threatened by a lack of consultation.
The unions are seeking a judicial review after accusing the coalition Government of “rushing through” the privatisation of the East Coast so it is completed before next year’s general election.
Three bidders are currently fighting to win the Aberdeen-London contract – Aberdeen’s First Group; a joint venture between Sir Brian Souter’s Stagecoach and Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Trains; and a tie-up with train operators Keolis and Eurostar, both owned by the French state.
Officials said ministers had “cut corners” and had not carried out a proper consultation of passenger groups and unions. They are also challenging extensions to the Thameslink and Great Northern franchises.
Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “It is imperative that we raise the genuine concerns of all stakeholders but, especially, the employees before this is rushed through. We cannot, in good conscience, allow the mistakes of the past to happen again.”
RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash said: “After the scandal of this government robbing the British taxpayer of a billion pounds in the scramble to privatise the Royal Mail it is shocking that they are engaging in the same tactics to try to hand the East Coast Mainline back to their friends in big business.
“The British public have a right to openness and transparency when it comes to the ideologically-driven attempt to sell off Britain’s most successful rail-route to the specu- lators and chancers after two previous private sector failures on the same line.”
TSSA leader Manuel Cortes said: “The coalition knows only too well that rail franchising is not fit for purpose. Rail workers are at a loss to understand why the government insists on going forward with a broken system which threatens the interests of passengers and taxpayers.
“We can only conclude that the ideology which saw Royal Mail flogged off on the cheap continues to thrive.”
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: “We will vigorously defend this claim and remain committed to the franchising programme.
“As these legal proceedings are ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.”