Composite E (covering Motions 22 & 23)
Growing Scotland’s Railways & GBR
“That this Congress reaffirms its support for publicly owned railway in Scotland but is concerned the Scottish Government’s management of rail in Scotland has undermined the objective of a safe, affordable, reliable and accessible railway for all.
“Concerns include:
- attempts to extend driver only operation, which were defeated by RMT and ASLEF members; plans to cut ticket office hours at 101 of 143 staffed stations, despite these plans being universally opposed by passengers in the public consultation in January 2022;
- scrapping the off-peak fares pilot despite evidence that the trial increased passenger demand;
- the continued prevalence of violence and anti-social behaviour on the railway and its impact on rail workers and passengers, particularly women and girls, who are more vulnerable to problems created by a lack of adequate staffing; and
- a failure alongside Network Rail and the UK Government to act to protect jobs in the railway supply chain, resulting in the loss of vital rail skills.
“Congress agrees to campaign with affiliates to ensure the Scottish Government address these concerns and develops a safe, affordable and properly staffed railway.
“Congress further notes the UK Government’s commitment to create a single, publicly owned unified and nationally integrated GB rail network.
“Congress acknowledges that the English Devolution Bill will enable directly elected mayors in England to request the devolution of rail services, alongside their statutory role shared with devolved leaders in Scotland and Wales in the rail network under GBR. It is essential that the voices of leaders of devolved nations are given the weight and respect that they deserve when carrying out their statutory role.
“Congress must not allow any devolved rail powers to be removed from Holyrood under Great British Railways (GBR) and calls on the General Council to raise concerns with the potential for English devolution to impact on cross-border rail services and seek assurances that the needs of a nation will be given precedence over the needs of an English region
“Congress agrees to work fully with affiliates to develop a campaigning response to the introduction of Great British Railways (GBR) including:
- ensuring the creation of GBR significantly increases and enhances powers for the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government over rail services in Scotland, to enable Scotrail to grow internal and cross border passenger and freight services in conjunction with a publicly owned GBR;
- ends outsourcing, absorb open access operations and rail freight, ends the profiteering of the rolling stock leasing companies and develops publicly owned rolling stock; and
- increased investment and expansion of capacity, services and staffing.”
Mover: National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers
Seconder: Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen
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