The great train robbery

http://mondediplo.com/2016/06/13railways
Date Written:  2016-06-01
Publisher:  Le Monde diplomatique
Year Published:  2016
Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX21925

Privatised networks of European railways have neglected safety, community and environmental issues in pursuit of profit.

Abstract: 
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Excerpt:

Competition has harmed wages as well as impacting the environment, as is apparent in Switzerland, a transport hub for north-south traffic. Crossrail AG, which has taken advantage of the opening up of the Swiss network, pays its drivers under the terms of Italian law: 3,600 Swiss francs ($3,685) a month, 2,000 francs ($2,050) less than the salaries of Swiss national operator CFF. In 2016 a federal court found in favour of the transport workers' union, SEV, which claimed Crossrail’s pay policy breached railway law, stipulating that access to the Swiss network is contingent on observing prevailing employment conditions.