Hackney TUC has written to every member of Hackney Council asking their views on East London Line privatisation. The text of the letter is below, and responses from Councillors will be posted as comments at the end of this article.

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Dear Councillor

Last month, Transport for London (TfL) announced that once extended, the East London Line will be privatised.

Hackney TUC opposes this decision, and would like to know your views on it.

We believe that:

• Public transport should be run as a public service, not a source of private profit.

• A private Train Operating Company (TOC) would put profit first, and would compromise service standards, safety and workers’ rights.
• Rail privatisation has been one of the least popular policies of the last two decades, and should not be extended.
• The railway jobs that will be created at Hackney’s new stations should be secure, and with decent pay and conditions, rather than insecure and low-paid. London Underground station staff jobs are significantly better on this count than private-sector station jobs.
• Hackney has campaigned for years for the Tube, and that is what the borough should get – a London Underground line, not another TOC line.

[To Labour Councillors only: We would also remind you public ownership of the railways is Labour Party policy.]

Councillors are the elected representatives of local people. The stance you take on this issue will influence TfL as to whether it pursues this decision or sees sense and reverses it.

So Hackney TUC is asking you – and all Hackney Councillors – a straightforward question. Do you support the privatisation of East London Line passenger services? Or would you prefer the line to remain part of the publicly-owned London Underground?

Thank you.

Yours,

Janine Booth


President


Hackney TUC

If you require more information, please feel free to phone me on 07957-217639.