RAIL COPS MERGER PUTS LIVES AT RISK
Workers to issue stark warning at union’s conference as threat of strike action looms
RAIL workers have warned a proposed police merger puts passenger and staff security at risk.
TSSA union members, who hold their annual conference in Liverpool today, say a strike is on the cards over plans to bring British Transport Police officers into Police Scotland.
The Scottish Government hope to pass the controversial legislation in a vote at Holyrood tomorrow.
They insist the plan will improve safety and make policing “more accountable”.
But concern about the move has already been raised by officers in the BTP federation, who warn expertise will be lost.
Last night, TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “This is no way to run a railway and the SNP should have no part in helping Theresa May take out more essential security staff.
“BTP have suffered enough cuts. They are part of a counter-terrorism strategy and deserve better respect.”
The first officer at the scene of the Manchester bombing was BTP community support officer Mark Renshaw, a TSSA member.
The union will host a tribute dinner in his honour tonight.
The motion for debate at the conference, written by TSSA’s West Scotland branch, claims: “Scotland will be losing a specialised force and safety implications will arise, including dealing with fatalities, cable theft, other railway crime and the heightened security threat.
“We have also been given information that dealing with a fatality will take up to six times longer after the integration.”
Police have flatly denied claims that rail lines will be closed longer after deaths following the merger.
Labour and Conservative MSPs opposed the Railway Policing Bill at its first stage. It was supported by Lib Dems and Greens.
Superintendent Stuart McGregor of Police Scotland said if the merger went ahead, they would ”look to build on the good work of BTP to ensure continued performance and delivery of services”.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Police Scotland plan to build on the railway policing knowledge of BTP by maintaining a specialist railway policing division within its structure. There is no reason activities should take longer under the new arrangements.”