Amicus joins Freight on Rail
25 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 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
that: "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
