Protest greets Prescott launch
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.AN ATTEMPT by the Government and the privatised rail industry to show a united face ahead of a meeting on train performance this week was hijacked yesterday by a protest over a sacked trade unionist.
John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, was heckled as he launched an initiative by Virgin Trains to recruit and train 2,000 new locomotive drivers.
Supporters of Steve Hedley, a staff representative of the railway union RMT, drowned out a speech by Brian Barrett, Virgin Trains' chief executive, at Euston station in London yesterday. Mr Prescott offered to meet the handful of protesters after the event, but they had dispersed by the time it ended.
The RMT wants Mr Hedley reinstated by GTRM, the railway maintenance company, which sacked him during a separate industrial action over pay and conditions. A criminal prosecution against Mr Hedley was dropped earlier this month.
Mr Prescott is to meet the heads of all 25 train companies and Railtrack on Thursday to discuss the "appalling" level of performance. He said yesterday: "I want a better quality of service and to work in partnership to see how we can achieve that."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments