Brussels, 13/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - The Unions have expressed their concerns about the 4th railway package in a resolution. The European Transport Federation (ETF) called, in this resolution, on the European Parliament and Council to reject the liberalisation of domestic passenger transport, and also the separation of infrastructure managers and service operators. The unions are keen to encourage the strengthening of the European Railway Agency (ERA) but only if the ERA is responsible for safety, “rather than becoming the agent only pushing for more competition”
Published at the beginning of May, at the same time as the Parliamentary transport committee (TRAN) meeting on the railway package (see EUROPE 10842), the resolution looks at the social aspects that the 4th railway package should include. The ETF is insisting that member states should be able to impose a common basis of social conditions on competing companies by way of guidelines and a social clause, as well as guarantee the transfer of staff and their rights when there is a change of operator. The ETF reiterates its concerns about social dumping in the compulsory tender system that might encourage “cherry picking”. The unions also denounce the continuing disregard for the social repercussions opening up the market will bring. The unions argue that account should be taken of the downstream effects of privatisation on bringing down wages, the more frequent use of subcontracting or temporary workers (which also means greater job insecurity), as well as the increase in workload and flexible working hours. They also argue that, with possible lower investment in maintenance, technical inspections, training or maintenance personnel, there could also be a possible impact on health and safety. The ETF says that the 4th railway package must be synonymous with quality public transport and integrated companies. (MD/transl.fl)