Brussels, 09/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - Almost one in ten French railway workers are reported to have taken industrial action on Tuesday against EU provisions aimed at further fragmentation, separation and liberalisation of the railways. Their Austrian, German, Belgian and Luxembourg counterparts also answered the call of the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF), joining French workers for demonstrations in Sarrebruck (Germany), on Tuesday 8 November. Recasting of the railway package aims to speed up liberalisation of public railway services, which remain among the last bastions of nationalisation. The text proposed by the Commission, which amends and blends three existing European directives, was broadly amended by the European Parliament, which is to discuss it with a view to its adoption during next week's plenary session.
Call on trade unions. As a last resort, railway workers have therefore sought to voice their fears that the railway will be liberalised and quality public services brought to an end. Although the ETF states it is grateful to the Parliament for having done away with the proposal for a minimum service in the event of strike, the association of transport trade unions, speaking through its deputy general secretary, Sabine Trier, deplores the fact that “the call for legislation in favour of total separation and passenger transport liberalisation promotes fragmentation and facilitates social dumping in the railway sector. The ETF therefore calls on the European Parliament to strongly reject such a proposal”. Railway workers began their campaign in May this year, and “the campaign will continue as long as the European Commission and European decision-makers plan to destroy the railways”, Sabine Trier concluded.
Controversial amendment. A last-minute amendment caused controversy after winning a very low majority, as it would open the possibility of various capital transfers, even from public funds. This substantial change runs counter to what was advocated by the rapporteur, Debora Serracchiani (S&D, Italy) - that the accounts of the different railway stakeholders should be kept separate (see EUROPE 10485). According to internal European Parliament sources, a new amendment was submitted on Wednesday 9 November for better definition of cross financing. It is expected the issue will also be covered at the European Parliament plenary debate on Monday 14 November. (MD/transl.jl)