Latest editorial
LABOUR must resist calls to keep the railways in private hands, rail union TSSA said yesterday — as yet another profiteer launched a tirade against public ownership.
After party bigwigs refused to take rail franchises back into public ownership as they expire, Labour’s national policy forum agreed last month that the state should be able to bid against private companies.
Under Labour plans a new “guiding mind” for the railways would also oversee track, franchising, fares, ticketing and rolling stock.
The HS2 debacle exposes what happens when public infrastructure is handed to private contractors – especially when set against China’s state-led high-speed rail success, says CARLOS MARTINEZ
Our members face daily abuse, being spat at, sometimes even deadly assaults, and employers fail to take the issue seriously despite the increasing danger, writes RMT general secretary EDDIE DEMPSEY