Memorandum from the National Union of
Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) (TS 49)
I am writing to update the Committee on discussions
held between the rail unions and the Association of Train Operating
Companies (ATOC) in relation to Transport Security.
You will know that during the oral evidence
session on 10 May 2006 both RMT President Tony Donaghey and Gerry
Doherty, General Secretary of our sister rail union the TSSA,
raised serious concerns that following the 7 July terrorist attacks
no national discussions about transport security had taken place
between the rail unions and ATOC.
I can report to the Committee that on 19 June
2006 Derek Twigg MP facilitated a meeting between the TUC, the
rail unions, ATOC, the train operators, Network Rail, the British
Transport Police and Transec. One of the agenda items at the meeting
was the issue of transport security.
The discussion was positive and agreement was
reached in principle that the rail unions should be represented
on the Rail National Security Committee, along similar lines to
trade union representation on the Committee that deal with security
issues in the Maritime and Aviation sectors.
I hope that this information is useful to the
Committee during the course of it's deliberations.
July 2006
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