RMT is campaigning to put passengers before profit on Northern Rail and Transpennine Express trains by exposing the lies and hype around Tory Chancellor George Osborne’s “northern powerhouse” claims.

These promises of a northern powerhouse are fast becoming a sick joke, with new warnings that thousands of skilled rail jobs and passenger safety are under threat in the north.

My union is taking the fight right to the heart of the shadowy Rail North operation made up of 29 local northern councils and combined authorities which have significant control of railways in the north.

Rail North will be deciding on many important issues that affect passengers, including train service levels and what station and train staff will be available to assist passengers and protect their safety.

One of Rail North’s first big decisions will be to help determine with the government the rail franchise agreements for Northern Rail and Transpennine Express Trains services. These agreements start in April next year, shortly before the local elections in May.

Following the cancellation of rail electrification plans in the north, the union has warned that the latest threat to jobs comes in proposals for these new franchises.

In a letter to Rail North councillors our union has warned that train guards will be axed from rail services across the north resulting in driver-only trains: “At the moment railway regulations guarantee that passengers in the north always have a guard or conductor on their train. In addition to the driver, passengers know there will always be a highly trained guard to protect the safe operation of the train and deal with emergencies such as fire, derailments and driver incapacity. 

“The guard also provides general assurance to passengers, ticket and travel advice and revenue protection.

“Astonishingly the proposed rail franchise agreements mean passengers will no longer have this protection.”

My union is also warning there is no guarantee that current ticket offices and station staffing will be retained on the new franchise.

Over 12,000 passengers have already written to protest against the cuts and in polling three-quarters have expressed concern about safety on trains if guards are removed.

The union held a protest outside a meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, a key member of Rail North, at Stockport Town Hall last month.

According to Rail North’s own estimates passenger demand for the north’s railway will soar by 50 per cent over the next 15 years.

This will also mean a huge increase in revenues which should be used to take on more much-needed rail staff, not cut them.

Rail North also needs to speak out against the region being last in the queue for decent rail services, new rolling stock and electrification. Good modern communication links are essential for passengers, the economy of the north and our local communities.

Councillors should also support the opening of new routes and oppose the government’s proposals to scrap the Transpennine Express services from Windermere, Barrow-in-Furness and Blackpool North.

My union is sending out the message that it is not only passenger safety and service that will be affected, so will our economy and communities.

Thousands of decent rail jobs will be under threat, deskilled and casualised.

Cuts to rail jobs are always a false economy and make a nonsense of the government’s hot air about a northern powerhouse.

• Mick Cash is general secretary of the RMT.