RMT general secretary Bob Crow, European Transport Workers' Federation general secretary Eduardo Chagas, Kelvin Hopkins MP and John Hendy QC will be among the keynote speakers at the event, which will be attended by trade unionists from 15 European countries.

Frank Keoghan from the People's Movement, which campaigned for a No vote in last wek's Irish referendum, will also now address the conference on the campaign's historic victory and the threat posed by the EU Constitution to workers' rights.

The conference will analyse the origins of rail liberalisation and privatisation, including EU directives, the various EU rail 'packages' and policies implemented by national states, will look at their impact on the industry and its workforce and will explore how European rail unions can work together to reverse them.

It will also look at the serious implications for workers' rights posed by the recent Viking and Laval rulings by the European Court of Justice.

"The timing of this conference couldn't be better, coming in the wake of the stunning defeat by the Irish people of attempts to impose an undemocratic Constitution that would have accelerated privatisation throughout the EU," Bob Crow said today.

"The defeat of that Constitution should be welcomed by railway workers already living with the consequences of privatisation and fragmentation, and by all those living under its long shadow.

"The Irish referendum result will give fresh heart and impetus to our campaign, because the Irish people have shown that the agenda of those who would turn Europe's railways into a herd of cash cows can be defeated.

"It is deeply disturbing that the British government, which in opposition pledged to reverse the privatisation and resulting fragmentation of Britain's railways, is now acting as a missionary for it among other EU countries," Bob Crow said.

ends

For further information and for media credentials to attend the conference (space limited), please contact Derek Kotz on 020 7529 8803 or 07939 595 092

Notes to editors: The conference for European rail trade unionists on campaigning against rail privatisation and liberalisation in Europe will be held from 10:00 to 17:00 on Tuesday June 17, at the London headquarters of the International Transport Workers' Federation, 49-60 Borough Road, London, SE1 1DR

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The event will be attended by railway trade unionists from Spain, Turkey, France, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Hungary, Romania, Austria, Latvia, Bulgaria and Britain.

Translation for the conference will be in English, French, German and Spanish.

Agenda

Conference for European Rail Trade Unionists:

Campaigning against rail privatisation and liberalisation in Europe

10.00 - 1700, Tuesday June 17, 2008, ITF Headquarters,

10.00 -1015: Registration

10.15: Opening of conference and introduction: John Leach, RMT President

10.30: Overview: Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary

10.45 - 12.00: Analysis of the origins of rail liberalisation and privatisation

Chair: Steve McGiffen, Editor Spectrezine (Journal of the EU-critical left in Europe)

Speaker: Rene Roovers, Trade Union Liaison officer for GUE/NGL group of left MEPs

Contributions and discussion from participating trade unions

12.00 - 1.30: The impact of liberalisation and privatisation on rail workers and society

Chair: John Leach, RMT President

Speakers: Kelvin Hopkins, UK Member of Parliament and member of the European Scrutiny Committee;

Frank Keoghan, People's Movement (Timing subject to change according to travel schedule)

Contributions and discussion from participating trade unions

1.30 - 2.30 Lunch (A buffet lunch will be provided)

2.30 - 4.30 Strategies for defeating liberalisation and privatisation

Chair: Alex Gordon, RMT Council of Executives

Speakers: Eduardo Chagas, ETF General Secretary; John Hendy QC

Contributions and discussion from participating trade unions

4.30 - 17.00 Summing up and closing of conference and issuing of statement endorsed by RMT Council of Executives.