South West trains announces 480 job cuts
The unions are this evening outraged at plans to axe 480 jobs with South West trains only days after the company announced substantial fare increases for passengers. There is concern that the rail providers are using the current downturn as a way to trim their costs and trim their staff numbers when in reality they are faring better than average.
It is also worth reminding ourselves that the UK rail network still receives substantial taxpayer funding even though it has been many years since the various sections were privatised. The unions are already talking about industrial action as they believe the management of South West trains should have discussed the situation with them first prior to announcing the job cuts.
After a fairly quiet period, the various train networks around the UK have come in for some severe criticism after fare increases which were well above inflation. The fact that South West trains has now stepped out from the shadows and announced job cuts is sure to prompt similar moves in other networks and further possible confrontation with the unions. At a time when the UK government is pushing the advantages of public transport this latest move has not done a great deal for the public persona of the industry.
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