When is privatisation not privatisation?

Diana Udall, President, London Transport Regional Council RMT, attacks Labour's plans for London's tube.

In 1996 John Prescott stated "Railways will be publicly owned and publicly accountable...a public service meeting a public need". In the run up to the General Election, Glenda Jackson said that London Underground wouldn't be privatised. Lots of Londoners and London Underground Limited (LUL) workers voted Labour on the strength of that.

Now the Government is putting forward a scheme which hands over the infrastructure and workforce to private companies. Almost everybody except the Government knows this is privatisation. However it is dressed up, LUL workers will be working for the private sector.

The RMT recognised the dangers and campaigned against the proposals. We sought guarantees on jobs, conditions and pensions. That's why we took industrial action in the summer. The action was suspended pending negotiations with LUL and discussions with John Prescott. Both proved fruitless so the action was reinstated. Dates were set but LUL went to court.

Other, less expensive and better supported, options to finance the Underground are available. The present proposals are unpopular. Peter Ford (ex LT chairman) says they are the most expensive, the Transport Select Committee is highly critical and so is the London Evening Standard. To add insult to injury the Minister of Transport for London has just confirmed that LUL have already spent £10m on consultancy fees on the scheme.

For socialists there are two main issues: privatisation and the anti-trade union laws. The laws give employers and judges, who are accountable to no-one, the right to interfere with the democratic rights of workers. Organising a ballot or calling off an action should be up to the workers involved.

Raise the issue of LUL privatisation and repealing the anti-union laws whenever possible, putting pressure on MPs, Labour Party NEC etc.

Contact the Campaign Against Tube Privatisation, c/o Flat 2, 235 Queens Lane, London, N10 1DN 0181-883 7075.

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