GUE/NGL MEP Sabine Wils said today's European Parliament vote on the establishment of a single European rail area "paves the way for private profiteering in Europe's railway sector".
With possibilities opened up for privatization of marshalling yards, maintenance facilities, operating services and subcontracting, the notion of integrated public railway companies where safety rules are paramount has been destroyed.
"Although the practice in the UK already shows that this is the wrong policy, the further liberalization of the railway sector and the further separation of rail and operating services to the detriment of employees, passengers and safety measures is now being implemented in Europe," said Wils.
"Fortunately, a parliamentary majority was found to defeat the Commission's proposal to introduce "minimum service" rules during strikes. Had this passed, the right to strike would have been severely damaged in Europe. The GUE/NGL group fought from the beginning, together with the trade unions, against the erosion of this right" added Wils.
The Commission has announced that in 2012, it will propose further "unbundling" of railway companies. "Again we will stand firmly with the trade unions to resist this" said Wils.
German version
Railway package sends the wrong signal
by Sabine Wils - 23 November 2011
The further privatisation of the European railway system will threaten safety, social cohesion and employees income, argues MEP
The recast of the First Railway Package, voted through by the European Parliament in Strasbourg on November 16, aims to promote more competition in the rail transport market. In other words, more privatisation and fragmentation in the railway sector – which threatens safety, social cohesion and employees' incomes. Public service obligations risk being definitively subordinated to commercial principles.
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