This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26909713
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
East Coast Line: RMT in legal battle over franchise | East Coast Line: RMT in legal battle over franchise |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Rail unions have launched a legal battle over the way the government is proceeding with three rail franchises. | Rail unions have launched a legal battle over the way the government is proceeding with three rail franchises. |
They want a judicial review into the reprivatisation of the East Coast line, and the extensions to the Thameslink and Great Northern awards. | |
The RMT, Aslef, and TSSA say members' jobs and conditions, and the interests of the wider public, are at risk because of the lack of consultation. | The RMT, Aslef, and TSSA say members' jobs and conditions, and the interests of the wider public, are at risk because of the lack of consultation. |
The Department for Transport said it would "vigorously defend" the claim. | The Department for Transport said it would "vigorously defend" the claim. |
'Ideologically driven' | 'Ideologically driven' |
The three unions are seeking a judicial review, as they believe the Coalition government is rushing through the privatisation of the East Coast line before the 2015 General Election. | The three unions are seeking a judicial review, as they believe the Coalition government is rushing through the privatisation of the East Coast line before the 2015 General Election. |
The franchise is due to start in February 2015 and is expected to run for a maximum of 11 years. | The franchise is due to start in February 2015 and is expected to run for a maximum of 11 years. |
FirstGroup has been shortlisted to run the franchise, along with a joint bid from Eurostar and French firm Keolis, and another from Virgin and Stagecoach. | FirstGroup has been shortlisted to run the franchise, along with a joint bid from Eurostar and French firm Keolis, and another from Virgin and Stagecoach. |
But union officials say that ministers have "cut corners" and have not carried out a proper consultation with themselves or passenger groups. | But union officials say that ministers have "cut corners" and have not carried out a proper consultation with themselves or passenger groups. |
"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 speculators and chancers after two previous private sector failures on the same line," said RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash. | "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 speculators and chancers after two previous private sector failures on the same line," said RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash. |
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." | 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." |
The line has been publicly run since 2009 - by Directly Operated Railways, an arms-length company overseen by the Department for Transport - after National Express handed back the franchise amid financial problems. | The line has been publicly run since 2009 - by Directly Operated Railways, an arms-length company overseen by the Department for Transport - after National Express handed back the franchise amid financial problems. |
It meant that two successive operators had failed to make the line - which runs between London and Edinburgh, with connected services to Inverness and Aberdeen - commercially viable, and its improved performance in recent years has come under public ownership. | It meant that two successive operators had failed to make the line - which runs between London and Edinburgh, with connected services to Inverness and Aberdeen - commercially viable, and its improved performance in recent years has come under public ownership. |
'Invest and innovate' | 'Invest and innovate' |
In October, as part of the franchising process, the government released data which suggested total passenger journeys on the line had increased by a million to 19.1 million under public ownership while revenue had risen by 11% to £692m. | In October, as part of the franchising process, the government released data which suggested total passenger journeys on the line had increased by a million to 19.1 million under public ownership while revenue had risen by 11% to £692m. |
The government has previously said the line has now been "stabilised" and they want to "rekindle the spirit of competition". | The government has previously said the line has now been "stabilised" and they want to "rekindle the spirit of competition". |
And in January rail minister Stephen Hammond said: "Giving passengers more will be at the heart of the new East Coast franchise. | And in January rail minister Stephen Hammond said: "Giving passengers more will be at the heart of the new East Coast franchise. |
"For our railways to continue to grow we need strong private sector partners who can invest and innovate in ways that deliver a world class service." | "For our railways to continue to grow we need strong private sector partners who can invest and innovate in ways that deliver a world class service." |
Previous version
1
Next version