RAIL union RMT steamed into the EU referendum campaign yesterday, urging members to break with Brussels to “end attacks on workers’ rights.”

The union set out six key reasons why it is advising members to support an exit left from the EU in the referendum on June 23.

It warned that new EU rail policies will “further entrench rail privatisation and fragmentation” which will make it impossible to bring Britain’s railways back into public ownership and lead to worse pay and conditions for staff. And the union said it was a “myth” that the European Union had improved workers’ rights.

The TUC published an independent legal opinion this week which warned paid holiday was among rights which could be “diluted or scrapped” if Britain left the EU.

But the RMT said: “In fact the EU is developing a new policy framework to attack trade union rights, collective bargaining, job protections and wages.

“This is already being enforced in countries which have received EU ‘bailouts’.”

Leaving the EU would help end austerity, protect the NHS from the threat of TTIP and boost democracy, ensuring all laws are made in Britain, it said.

General secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT is proud to stand up for the tradition of progressive and socialist opposition to the European Union, an organisation wedded to privatisation, austerity and attacking democracy.”

The Musicians Union issued a statement yesterday declaring its support for remaining in the European Union.

“European legislation which has protected musicians in the areas of copyright, health and safety and workers’ rights would be watered down or removed entirely if Britain were to leave the EU,” it said.

See the RMT six key points at http://tinyurl.com/jrab2k4