Amicus joins Freight on Rail
26th July 2006
Amicus, the largest private sector trade union with a membership of 1.2 million, has thrown its weight behind the influential campaign group, ‘Freight on Rail’.
‘Freight on Rail’ is a partnership between transport trades unions, the rail freight industry and Transport 2000 who work together to promote the social, economic and environmental benefits of the transfer of freight on to the Rail Network.
Bob Rixham, Amicus’ Lead Industrial Officer for Railways:
“The case for increased freight traffic is made every day as our roads become evermore congested, we are keen to work with our industry partners to encourage an improved understanding of Rail freight issues at not only local and regional levels but also to take the message and argument to the heart of government. We see ‘Freight on Rail’ as the ideal means to foster the dialogue and education that is clearly required.”
Freight on Rail's campaigner Philippa Edmunds, expressed her delight at Amicus’ affiliation:
"Freight on Rail concentrates on working with regional and local authorities which set the framework for rail freight. Without the appropriate national, regional and local planning framework, the rail freight industry can neither obtain planning permission to develop new rail freight interchanges nor justify long-term investment to increase freight carried by rail."
“Rail freight is vital to our economy to alleviate congestion and protect the environment and society. Rail has a crucial role to play in the climate change debate; tonne for tonne carried rail produces one tenth of the carbon dioxide emissions of HGVs [i] transport. Simply visualize that an aggregates train can remove 120 HGVs [ii]from our roads to understand that rail freight offers a key alternative mode at a time when Britain's roads are increasingly congested, resulting in longer journey times and more unreliable road transportation.”
All three of the transport trade unions, who are existing members of Freight on Rail, endorse Amicus's involvement.
ASLEF's General Secretary, Keith Norman, says:
“ASLEF looks forward to working with Amicus to promote the issue of Freight on Rail. When a union like Amicus gets on board with a campaign decision makers listen.”
RMT’s General Secretary, Bob Crow, says:
“RMT is delighted that Amicus is joining the Freight on Rail partnership and we anticipate working closely together in order to promote the clear environmental benefits that rail freight can and does deliver.”
TSSA General Secretary, Gerry Doherty, says:
"TSSA
welcomes and looks forward to Amicus's involvement in Freight
on Rail. It is yet another indication of the support that is growing
for the partnership and the importance of rail freight to the
economy and the environment."
Notes to Editors:
1. Freight on Rail is a partnership between ASLEF, TSSA, RMT, Amicus, EWS, Freightliner, Network Rail, the Rail Freight Group and Transport 2000.
2. [i] AEA
Technology for SRA October 2004 [ii] Network Rail 2006
For further information contact please contact Philippa Edmunds at Freight on Rail on 020 8241 9982 email: philippa@freightonrail.org.uk: web site www.freightonrail.org.uk or Catherine Bithell, Amicus Head of Media and Campaigns, 020 7420 8909 or 07958 473224