15.05.12
RMT says London Midland making £1.25m profit from cuts
The union RMT has accused London Midland of planning its cuts to stations and staff to save £1.25m in profit each year.
Changes to staffing practices and ticket offices were one of the recommendations of the McNulty value for money study.
The RMT says it has seen leaked financial reports from London Midland, which show that 12 ticket offices will be closed completely, with cuts at 86 others. The documents also provide evidence that 100 jobs will be ‘threatened’, the union argues.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “These leaked documents show that for vandalising ticket offices and destroying jobs across the service London Midland and its shareholders stand to profit to the tune of £1.25m.
“We warned from the leaked DfT emails that this was a ‘cash for closures’ programme and the extent of the money that the company plan to rake in from this scandalous assault on jobs and services is now laid bare.
“Passengers, staff, politicians and user groups will be rightly angry when they see what this trail-blazer for the McNulty cuts means in cash terms for the profiteering private rail companies and we will be using this information to jack up the national campaign of resistance to ticket office closures.”
A London Midland spokesperson said: “We have widely consulted on our proposal to change our ticket-office opening hours. This includes consultation with our staff and the rail unions.
“Our proposals have been submitted to the Secretary of State, who is weighing up the issues and we are waiting for her decision.
“Our proposals will match ticket-office opening hours with local demand and the savings made will provide best value for money for passengers and taxpayers.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]
Image c. Eva Ekeblad