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ASLEFThe ASSOCIATED SOCIETY of LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS & FIREMEN J NOVEMBER 2017 Power to the people – Labour in Brighton

The train drivers ’ union since 1880 railway enginemen’s tax free saver plans

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Mick: ‘Comments at the Conservative conference raise more questions than answers’

No scab force here 5 7 UCH has been made of recent comments made in or around the Tory M Party conference in relation to rail, particularly in the media. But they raised more News questions than answers. The announcement of £300 million for connectivity from the Trans  TfL axes plan to upgrade Tube lines 4 Pennine region to HS2, for example. Not sure this Thomas the Tank Engine rebooted for C21 5 is new money? More likely it was made to offset  11 all the criticism of the culling of electrification  Tosh McDonald on Rodney Bickerstaffe 6 across the East Midlands and Wales.  Young Workers’ Forum, new driving school 7 After the second announcement, of a national train drivers’ school, some said it’s an initiative for  Nicholas Hourigan on the Tolpuddle Martyrs 8 full employment, which this trade union has strived for decades to achieve. More sinisterly, though, others saw it as a strike breaking entity Features based on the very poor and redacted Gibb Report. The truth is that the DfT and the TOCs  Matt Wrack of the FBU on Grenfell and 10 have not delivered the establishments we agreed, Andy Hourigan on a joint D3 & D8 council 12-13 and demand, for a safely operated railway. If we do agree a national school, then it will be based  Brighton rocks: ASLEF in action at the 11 on agreed requirements and because the trainees Labour Party conference on the south coast will get the route training at the company. There Mick Whelan, Tosh McDonald and Andy 12-13 will not be a scab force to hand. More  Botham speak up for ASLEF at conference importantly, they will, of course, be our members and, as trainees dedicated to the company, will  Partying at conference; Rachael Maskell; 14 be balloted in accordance with legislation. But if Kelvin Hopkins; Mick a model for the NEU the government wants to scupper our buy-in to any proposals they are going the right way and,  Richard Leonard: Why I’m standing to be 15 15 let’s be clear, any attempt to introduce the HGV leader of the Scottish Labour Party model to our industry will be met with total resistance. This trade union was formed on democratic Regulars principles 137 years ago after splitting from the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. Those  Branch News and 100 Years of Union 16-17 principles still apply today; to use every tool at  Obituaries 19 our disposal to fight and campaign on behalf of Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21 our members as an industrial and political  pressure group. That is how we achieve our aims  Last Word: Gregor Gall on the challenges 22 and have our voice and, after the core work on of unionising sex workers in Britain terms and conditions, safety and wages, we campaign on all the things that impact on our  On Track, Prize Crossword, ASLEF’s 23 members and their families. Then we battle for Legal Services and Change of Address 22 workers in other industries at home and abroad Cover photos by Andrew Wiard as part of the great trade union tradition we were  established to carry out. Every year more and more items come to your parliament, AAD, for The ASLEF Journal is published every month by: discussion to be the policy platform for this generation to proudly take forward. It is not ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN Tel: 020 7324 2400 enough to affiliate and donate; we have to stand email: [email protected] website: www.aslef.org.uk up for what our members tell us to do.

Yours fraternally Editor Mick Whelan l dEsignEr Michael Cronin l PrintEr TU Ink, 5 Wythburn Place, London, W1H 7BU Mick Whelan, general secretary advErtising ASLEF Journal, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN. Contact Keith Richmond on 0207 324 2407 or [email protected] l CLassifiEd ads [email protected] or call 020 7324 2400. The acceptance of a display or classified advertisement does not necessarily imply endorsement of that product or service by ASLEF ChangE of addrEss Please post your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN

November 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 3 news

cannot afford to return TfL axes plan to to the decades of Buggy rolls into stop-start investment that did so much upgrade Tube damage in the past. If freight train we are to have a safe and efficient public HE next example of making transport system, planned medium-term savings these cuts need to be T upgrade that damage the long- reversed.’ finn fears the phase for the term ability of the G ASLEF has northern line will, Northern and Jubilee Tube to cope with suspended its strike once again, become lines on London London’s growth. As action on LU. Finn the misery line for Underground has TfL board papers explained: ‘I am millions of been cancelled. The make clear, any delays pleased to say that our Londoners plans – originally said to this project weaken negotiating team to be vital to the the business case and new trains, believes we have success of the make outright overcrowding will get made sufficient the pushchair rolls into the freight train network – involved cancellation more worse and the progress in talks at buying more trains to likely.’ Northern line risks ACAS to recommend Dramatic CCTV footage of a child’s buggy increase capacity. The upgrade returning to the days to the EC that the rolling across a station platform, being sucked Now, officially, these involved the purchase when it was known to strike be suspended. into the slipstream of a freight train passing plans have been put of 17 trains so the millions of Londoners We have always been through, before smashing into the side of one on hold. They have, Northern line could as the “misery line”. prepared to keep of the wagons, has been released by the RSSB. publicly, in the run a 30 trains per ‘The removal of talking to resolve this No child was in the buggy on Nuneaton euphemism hour service. The LU’s operating subsidy dispute but ASLEF station in July but the RSSB says it’s a stark employed by LU, been Jubilee line would by George Osborne always has, and always warning to parents to keep a tight hold of ‘paused’. But senior have had 10 new and the continued will, insist that pushchairs at all times. managers admit, trains to operate a 36 government squeeze management stick to privately, that the TPH service. on TfL’s budget is agreements they TWEETS OF THE MONTH project has been ‘The Northern line having a devastating make with us. Our ‘disbanded’. is one of the most impact on future ballot remains live and Excellent speech by JC. The centre Finn Brennan, overcrowded parts of investment. Short- we will not hesitate to ground has moved and is being ASLEF’s organiser on the Underground and term savings damage call action in the shaped by Labour. Great platform on London Underground, passenger demand is the long-term future future if needed to which to build. said: ‘It is deeply projected to grow by of the Underground ensure all the Ed Miliband disappointing and a further 25% by 2023,’ and risk the prosperity commitments made looks like a classic said Finn. ‘Without of our capital city. LU are fully delivered.’ Huge blocks of empty seats at the Con conference, sections closed off WELSH GOVERNMENT for want of bums on seats. Labour was COMMITS TO WALES & packed. BORDER STAFF hopes and dreams Kevin Maguire the gs has welcomed the Welsh Socialism & Hope (Luath Press, As general rule Foreign Secretaries government’s commitments to £12.99) is a cracking political should not be egomaniacal, lying, rail staff in Wales and called for and personal memoir of the puerile, disloyal, total twats. I suggest similar consultation across the turbulent last six years, since @theresa_may finds a new one. industry. Mick said: ’We neil findlay, a good friend of Alastair Campbell commend the Welsh asLEf, was elected to government for recognising the holyrood as MsP for Lothian in Hi @BorisJohnson, I gave Theresa her importance of consulting with 2011. a review will appear in P45 just like you asked. the rail unions. our members the Christmas Journal but you Simon Brodkin are the people who deliver the can get a copy now by visiting www.luath.co.uk service on a daily basis and their voice must always be She’s been given a P45 and a cough heard when deciding how the sweet. She’ll get a pizza delivered I industry moves forward.’ RADIO ON soon. What a mad conference speech this GS Mick Whelan appeared on The Week in Westminster on is. #CPC17 Radio 4 talking with Alison McGovern, Labour MP for Wirral Pete Wishart asLEf's 2017 South, and Sam Coates, deputy political editor of The poppy badge is Times , about the implications of Brexit ahead of the Labour CWU members vote massively for now available - Party conference. strike but Royal Mail still obtains high price £5 (inc court injunction! Ludicrous! p&p) - just I VIRGIN SOLDIERS Tony Burke email [email protected] or Richard Branson has never been short of chutzpah but this visit our online shop at takes the custard cream. Rail staff got a message saying Judge Supperstone also found www.aslef.org.uk. all ‘Virgin Atlantic needs your help in the fight to cut air against ASLEF in #SouthernFail proceeds will be donated to passenger duty.’ Of course they do. But, funnily enough, no dispute. British judiciary anti-union non- the royal British Legion's one was killed in the rush to make a multi-billionaire – who shock. poppy appeal. plunders the public purse with VTEC and Virgin West Coast Simon Weller and pays as little tax as possible – even richer.

4 The ASLEF Journal l November 2017 news

Thomas gets a refit off the rails for the 21st century MEL THORLEY , Longsight legend, fondly LL change recalls a warm Sunday evening in Greater for Thomas Manchester, in 1991, his first summer as a A the Tank driver. ‘I was working 2K22, the 18.19 Engine . The popular stopper from Stockport to Crewe. I’d tipped children’s TV series off a few mates who would be enjoying a based on the books pint in Cheadle Hulme. It was lovely to see them on the up by the Rev W Awdry – tarmac as I ran in. They’d even brought their pint glasses onto condemned by the platform to remind me how un-social this turn was. parents and teachers Around 7pm my guard and I rolled into platform 1 at Crewe. for being sexist, Not due to leave until 22.30, working 2H29 back to irredeemably middle- Stockport, we made our way to the chip shop. Consuming class, and the contents of our greaseproof paper bags, sitting on a wall, environmentally we then retired to the Royal Hotel on Nantwich Road for two unfriendly – is being and a half hours of story sharing about football matches we’d brought bang up to seen. Whilst my mates back in Cheadle Hulme were shelling date with two new out for their beer, my three pints of cider were “paid for” by female engines. nia, one of the new locos, is ‘an adventurous London Midland Region! Cracking little job that, mixing The new series, to and fun engine who teaches thomas the business with pleasure…’ be broadcast next tank Engine a lesson in the meaning of year, will feature Nia, friendship’ according to makers Mattel ANGIE DOLL , head of service quality and an orange engine the 26 episodes will never goes anywhere.’ passenger service director at GTR – it’s a from Africa, and take place abroad. The Fat Controller bit like being head of values at the Beeb in Rebecca, a bright ‘We’ve listened to stays, but is to W1A – does not suffer from shyness and is yellow engine, in parents, carers, and become ‘less gruff and not burdened by an excess of humility. place of Henry (the children’ said series more endearing’. She’s upset other senior managers by asking minions, much green engine) and producer Ian McCue. There’s a lesson, there, too loudly and much too frequently, ‘So what are we doing Edward (the blue ‘They said trains can for Chris Grayling, the for Brand Angie today?’ And at a recent presentation she engine) and half of go places but Thomas DfT, and the TOCs… chose to write just three words on the whiteboard before getting up to speak: ‘Fuck the unions.’ With this sort of attitude, it’s no wonder passengers, other TOCs – and even Theresa the human sandbag the DfT – all refer to the company as Southern Fail. Tim Shipman, political editor of DAVID LAWS , the investment banker turned the Sunday Times , in his new Liberal Democrat MP who lost his seat in 2015 book Fall Out: A Year of Political and is now executive chairman of the Education Mayhem , quotes a former Policy Institute, a neoliberal right-wing think member of Theresa May’s staff tank, recalls a Conservative-Lib Dem coalition moaning: ‘It’s like the scene in cabinet debate about the honours system, with a that Bruce Willis movie when the theresa May: What the f? presentation by Bob Kerslake, head of the civil service. ‘Even terrorist who’s already been shot point B. That is what the Bob Kerslake must admit that civil servants get far too many is used as a human sandbag to Conservative Party is doing with honours,’ complained Nick Clegg. The official glanced up. ‘It’s help him get from point A to Theresa at the moment.’ Sir Bob Kerslake, actually,’ he said.

slogans around the Labour Party conference hall summed ARMANDO IANNUCCI , the man behind On the up what this year’s bash was all about. they included: Hour , The Day Today , Alan Partridge , The Thick of extending democracy; healthcare for all; a more equal It , and The Death of Stalin , thinks we’ve forgotten, society; creating an economy that works for all; and, of collectively, about the importance of voting. ‘It’s course, for the many, not the few. not a telly game,’ he says dryly. ‘That came home with Brexit. Which is why a lot of young people voted at the last general election. They didn’t vote in the EU referendum, CONFERENCES & RALLIES and then woke up thinking, “Ah, I see. It does matter. Can I The scottish Labour Party conference is at the Caird Hall in Dundee vote, please?” Er, no. That was yesterday.’ from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 March. The Welsh Labour Party conference is at the Venue Cymru in Llandudno from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 March. NO L? Time to put our cards on The scottish trades union Congress is at the Macdonald Highlands the table or, as Brucie used to hotel, Aviemore, from Monday 16 to Wednesday 18 April. Workers’ say, play your cards right. Memorial day is Saturday 28 April. asLEf’s annual assembly of Because the Old Ship left a card delegates is at the Marriott Hotel, Liverpool, from Monday 21 to Friday on every guest’s bed during 25 May. The durham Miners’ gala is on Saturday 14 July. The conference asking: ‘Can we help tolpuddle Martyrs’ festival , near Dorchester, is from Friday 20 to you whist you’re here?’ Sunday 22 July. The 150th trades union Congress is at the Manchester Central convention complex from Sunday 9 to Wednesday 12 September. The Labour Party conference is at the Arena & Convention 500 CLuB: D Piggott, with number 117, won the October draw, Centre in Liverpool from Sunday 23 to Wednesday 26 September. scooping the RMS prize money jackpot of £390. November 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 5 news A giant of our movement EC president TOSH McDONALD pays tribute to Rodney Bickerstaffe, left- wing firebrand and general secretary of the National Union of Public Employees (1981-1993) and then Unison (1993-2001) after NUPE merged with NALGO and COHSE rodney Bickerstaffe (1945-2017) as a young man; with tosh Mcdonald; and accepting ODNEY Bickerstaffe, who honorary membership of asLEf earlier this year died on 3 October at the R age of 72, was a great Whelan, a patron of the IBMT. friend, comrade and inspiration. Rodney was a great friend of QUOTE… He was, in fact, an inspiration Jack Jones (also an honorary ‘What was supposed to be before I even met him because ASLEF member) and veteran of a triumph turned into the trade unionists in Doncaster were the Battle of the Ebro and we will most humiliating 65 so proud to have one of our own commemorate the 80th minutes of Theresa May’s leading the fight for workers, not anniversary of that fight next year. career.’ – Gordon Rayner just locally, but on the national Jack’s son Mick painted the ASLEF in the Daily Telegraph and international stage, too. triptych that hangs in reception at …UNQUOTE As a young rep I first met groups with words that would head office and, when Mick died a Rodney in the 1980s and, from make serious points with passion, few years ago, Rodney sat with then, he would always make time always championing the cause of him in hospital to the end. spent time with each group, to talk if our paths crossed, either working people. Our RMS had Rodney as a captivating all around the tables at meetings, rallies, or a chance Rodney was GS of Unison speaker at their weekend forum and others in the pub, as well. encounter at Doncaster station, when it was the largest trade two years ago and they were Rodney was also a good friend, outside the Cumberland (our local union in Britain and, prior to that, captivated by his contribution. from childhood, of former ASLEF pub) or in town. GS of NUPE. On the international Not one to rush off, he stayed to president Martin Samways. He He often joked he was the only stage he showed support for watch the Ken Loach film The was a freeman of Doncaster and, person in the world with a holiday workers around the world. He had Spirit of ’45 with us and talked on the day of Rodney’s funeral, all home in Doncaster and this was a real passion for the brave men about it afterwards. Next morning the public buildings flew their typical of his sense of humour as and women who went to Spain to RMS members were buzzing that flags at half-mast. Our thoughts anyone who had the privilege of fight fascism in the 1930s and was Rodney joined them in the village now are with his widow Pat, hearing him speak will know. A a founder member of the pub in Scalby. Our contingent was always a tower of strength for fantastic orator who could International Brigades Memorial in two groups on different tables him. We have lost a giant of our captivate large crowds or small Trust and, like our GS Mick and, Rodney being Rodney, he movement. No pasaran!

I LORRY PLATOONS NOT THE ANSWER NR’s top 20 firms Philippa Edmunds, manager of freight on rail, has condemned proposals to give lorry platoons the green light. she said: ‘it’s hard Network Rail has revealed where it spends most of its money, listing not to be sceptical about the marginal pollution benefits of lorry the top 20 companies that get their private snouts in the public platooning when rail freight is so much cleaner and greener. Lorry trough. They include Costain £541 million; Carillion £372m; Siemens platooning, with driverless rear trucks, might cut costs for road Rail Automation £291m; EDF Energy £287m; ABC Electrification hauliers but putting more freight on the railways would bring £206m; Colas Rail £204m; Balfour Beatty Rail £204m; AMCO £184m; bigger and quicker reductions in congestion and pollution.’ J Murphy & Sons £175m; Amey Rail £174m; Alstom Transport £143m; BAM Nuttall £133m; Babcock Rail £131m; Morgan Sindall £110m; I SNCF SELLS 50% OF ORIENT EXPRESS AmeyInabensa £100m; Capita Business Services £95m; Geoffrey snCf has sold half its stake in the orient Express to french firm Osborne £90m; Atkins £83m; VolkerFitzpatrick £83m; Skanska BAM accor hotels. announcing the deal 134 years since the first trip was Nuttall JV £79m. These 20 firms together account for 50.1% – £3.6 made between Paris and istanbul, the state french railway said it billion – of Network Rail expenditure. was time for fresh ideas to develop ‘this historic brand’.

Carry all your stuff – papers, keys, I TRUMPETING THE PRESIDENT sandwiches – in style with our smart black donald trump, unimpressed by media coverage of his presidency, documents bag. Price £10 (inc p&p); email has launched his own news service to trumpet his triumphs. ‘Want [email protected] or visit our online shop to know what President trump did this week?’ asks his facebook at www.aslef.org.uk page. ‘Watch here for real news!’ a list of his achievements follows from his daughter-in-law, Lara trump.

6 The ASLEF Journal l November 2017 news All the young dudes

SLEF set up a Young O’Grady. ‘It’s an opportunity for Workers’ Forum in reps to reach out and inform A January – with one young workers about unions and elected member from each of our ensure there are sufficient eight districts – to promote the opportunities for young people to voices of our younger drivers and get involved and play an active encourage them to get involved, role in shaping the movement. industrially and politically, in our ‘It’s also a chance for unions to union. demonstrate to young people that ‘Given that the age we are campaigning on the issues demographic of train drivers is, they care most about and are typically, older than in most relevant to their lives – in the industries, ASLEF classes anyone workplace and beyond.’ aged 35 or under as a young ASLEF is holding its first young member, in line with International members’ conference at the Transport Federation organising International Transport Workers’ structures,’ said Lee James, ASLEF’s Federation offices in Borough antony holdsworth (d6 and equalities officer. ‘About one in Road, London SE1, on Tuesday 28 London Midland), tom taylor (d7 QUOTE… eight – 12% of the ASLEF November. Speakers include and gWr) and Matt france (d8 ‘Throughout speech after membership – fit this category.’ Danielle Rowley, who took and London underground) lethargic speech, the hall November has been Midlothian from the SNP in June at the Tory Party designated Young Workers’ Month and is, at 27, the youngest Labour giant that likes to pay employees conference was devoid of by the Trades Union Congress. MP; Craig Dawson, chair of the as little as possible. energy, of spirit, of life.’ – ‘The purpose is to promote trade TUC’s Young Members’ Forum; ‘Every young member has Michael Deacon in the unions to young workers and to Deniz Akdogan of the ITF; and been sent an invitation to attend,’ Daily Telegraph highlight the issues they face,’ said some of the McStrike workers who said Lee. ‘It would be great to get …UNQUOTE TUC general secretary Frances organised to take on the fast food a good turnout.’

I DFT TO TRAIN DRIVERS The Department for Transport, with the help of the National Skills Academy for Rail, the Rail shadow Chancellor John Mcdonnell Supply Group, and the Rail Delivery Group, is to set up a new national driving school for train got a standing ovation when he told drivers. The college will establish an apprenticeship equivalent, according to the DfT, of an A- delegates at the Labour Party level, that will offer ‘basic tuition in the skills needed to drive a train’. Classroom courses using conference that the party, in simulators will be followed by on the job training at one of the train operating companies. The government, will bring Britain’s DfT has briefed journalists that the failure of the TOCs in England, Scotland and Wales to recruit public utilities and public services enough drivers has forced it to act. back into public ownership. ‘rail, water, energy, royal Mail – we’re I BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE OFFICER RAPPED taking them back!’ he said. A British Transport Police constable has been found guilty of gross misconduct and given a final warning after BTP officers attacked a peaceful demonstration by South Yorkshire Freedom Riders on 23 June 2014. ‘PC Stefan Money was in breach of standards of professional behaviour and tea and coffee tastes discreditable conduct’ and a statement he provided was ‘misleading and inappropriate’. better in a red and white asLEf mug! Price £3.50 I ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN (inc p&p); email A Network Rail whistleblower has described the Wallows Lane level crossing near the Bescot [email protected] or visit stadium in Walsall where a 14-year-old schoolgirl was killed on 26 September as ‘an accident our online shop at www.aslef.org.uk waiting to happen – it dates back to Victorian times and there is no safety system in place.’ What can you get for your new, shiny £1 coin? TBF membership... just £1 a week covers you, your partner and dependent children. 0300 333 2000 www.tbf.org.uk

Transport Benevolent Fund CIO, known as TBF, is a registered charity in England and Wales, 1160901, and Scotland, SC047016.

November 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 7 news

the lively festival held annually in their home town of Tolpuddle – or By the light of a Tolpiddle, as they knew it – but you would be forgiven for not knowing the full story of their thousand candles struggle. The men – and they were mostly men, then – who NICHOLAS HOURIGAN reviews They were sentenced at owned the land, and the MPs they a new book about a key moment Dorchester Assizes to seven years’ controlled in Parliament, and the in labour movement history transportation for having the magistrates and judges who temerity to stand up for represented their interests in the LAN Gallop’s new book themselves – for standing courts, were determined to make Six for the Tolpuddle together and forming a Friendly an example of the six agricultural A Martyrs – the title is a Society of Agricultural Labourers labourers who had the brass neck line from the subversive left-wing – to fight against poverty and to challenge the status quo. That’s folk song Red Fly the Banners, O austerity and to argue for better why they were arrested, found sung to the tune of the old terms and conditions. guilty, and sent to the other side English ballad Green Grow the Gallop vividly describes their of the world in 1834. Rushes, O – gives us a detailed and years as farmworkers and the the tolpuddle Martyrs – george Their story is inspiring and, fascinating account of the lives destitution to which they were Loveless and his brother James; here, entertainingly told, with and the legacy of the six men reduced by the rich and powerful thomas standfield and his son illustrations used to aid our from Dorset whose names are people who owned the land, their John; James hammett; and understanding of the lives and now synonymous with the fight decision to form a trade union James Brine the legacy of those six radical for justice for ordinary working and ‘swear an illegal oath’, their Dorsetshire farmworkers that we people in England. arrest and sentence to the arrest of the martyrs, the have come to affectionately call They were charged by the transportation, the fight for their Swing Riots and Luddite the Tolpuddle Martyrs. authorities with making an illegal liberation and justice, their release movement, and the fear which oath but their real crime was and return home, and how their these events inspired. G Six for the Tolpuddle Martyrs: The forming a trade union to protest efforts live on in the labour The Tolpuddle Martyrs is a Epic Struggle for Justice & Freedom about their pay being cut from movement in the 21st century. He name which still resonates in the by Alan Gallop (Pen & Sword, nine to six shillings a week. also gives us the background to minds of trade unionists. There is £14.99).

CHARITY NIGHT IN DONNY Crossrail named and shamed in blacklisting storm A great evening of entertainment is promised by EC president Tosh McDonald at a cancer Workers are still being blacklisted at one of charity night in the concert room of the Trades Britain’s largest construction sites – but & Labour Club in Doncaster from 7pm on ministers refuse to hold a public inquiry. Chuka Saturday 11 November. Tickets are just £5 per Umunna, Labour MP for Streatham, said he has person and available from ASLEF reps Mark ‘compelling evidence’ that blacklisting is ‘still Wright (07825 955831) and Andy Rowley going on’ between ‘Crossrail and three of its (07709 156360). ‘Everyone is welcome,’ said contractors.’ Tosh. ‘It’s a good cause and is going to be a Chuka told MPs emails proved that workers very good night.’ had been ‘closely watched’ and sub- contractors had been discouraged from Crossrail is running a blacklisting operation, MARK IN THE MONEY employing union activists. He said the ‘very says streatham MP Chuka umunna Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne is set strong inference’ of the documents was that to pocket a bumper bonus this year despite the companies were operating ‘some kind of more than 3,000 workers. Some files ran to the company’s poor punctuality record over vetting operation.’ dozens of pages and included personal details the past twelve months. He’s in line for a Last year a raft of major construction that Chuka said had clearly been gathered £50,000 bonus, on top of a £683,000 salary, companies were forced to apologise in the with ‘the collusion of the police and/or the according to the company’s annual report. This High Court for using an illegal database of security services.’ despite NR admitting it must up its game with so much dissatisfaction from commuters. LORRY DRIVER JAILED FOR CROSSING CRASH ISIS SUPPORTER JAILED FOR tencho hristov, 30, a lorry driver from immingham in QUOTE … PLANNING TO BOMB RAILWAY Lincolnshire, has been jailed for eight months after ‘Vince Cable, as Zahid Hussain, 29, a supporter of the radical crashing through the barriers of a level crossing near Business Secretary, Sunni group the Islamic State of Iraq and the roydon station in Essex – causing £23,000 worth of introduced the Bill Levant, has been jailed for life for planning to damage – and then fleeing the scene. he was found raising tuition fees. blow up railway lines in Birmingham. guilty of obstructing an engine or carriage using the Videos of him making railway, wilful omission or neglect, and failing to report that speech in a road accident. Parliament will kill any chances of the Lib Dems INFRASTRUCTURE SURVEY ‘GAME CHANGER’ breaking through to the Our woolly hat will keep you Plowman Craven says its revolutionary new drone-based young.’ – Bagehot in warm this winter. Price £5 Vogel R3D rail survey system will prove to be a ‘game The Economist (including p&p); email changer’ for the rail industry as it can comprehensively …UNQUOTE [email protected] or visit our examine the busiest and most inaccessible rail infrastructure online shop at www. aslef.org.uk safely during traffic hours.

8 The ASLEF Journal l November 2017 The government is trying to take away your right to free or affordable legal representation if you’re injured at work or anywhere else.

Why? They’re prioritising

If government plans go ahead, nearly one million people will lose their right to free legal representation. Meanwhile it will cost the NHS and the government at least £150 million of your taxes every year and fat cat insurers will be rewarded with multimillion pound profits.

Visit www.feedingfatcats.co.uk to take action and stop the government #FeedingFatCats.

#FeedingFatCats is a campaign run by Thompsons Solicitors. Thompsons is proud to stand up for the injured and mistreated. @feedingfatcats Platform

Grenfell – the fire that should never have happened

MATT WRACK , general secretary of the We demand a vigorous, thorough, and Fire Brigades Union, who electrified robust public inquiry with the survivors, the Labour Party conference when he victims and local residents all involved to hold spoke about the fire at Grenfell Tower, to account the people who made the decisions which allowed this atrocity to occur. says the tragedy was the result of They say don’t politicise this fire, but behind political decisions made by people in Grenfell lies a chain of political decisions made power locally and nationally by people in power, at local and national level, who deregulated public housing and the fire EDNESDAY 14 June 2017 is a dark and rescue service, creating a perfect storm for day in modern British history. A the atrocity we now call simply ‘Grenfell’. W nightmare date of death and Firefighters were sent to fight a fire that destruction. I am sure everyone reading this should never have happened. The normal will share my sense of horror at the appalling procedures they would follow for a tower loss of life at Grenfell Tower that night. block fire, developed over decades in order The accounts of the victims are painful to that firefighters can deal professionally and read and listen to. Accounts of loved ones effectively with this kind of fire, could not be speaking to their families for the last time put into practice as the magnitude of Grenfell this is what knowing they could not escape the flames are was unprecedented. trade unionists heart breaking. The terror of people not Firefighters became split from their look like, says knowing whether their friends and family teammates whilst navigating the burning Matt made it out of the building in time. building, with fire crews re-entering the But how was this atrocity allowed to burning building multiple times, breaking happen in one of the richest boroughs in the procedure at great personal risk to themselves. by the press and politicians for the audacity of heart of the capital of one of the richest They did this to save as many lives as possible. asking for a fair pay rise, we need to remind countries in the world? We appear to be a I am proud that practically every firefighter people of the queues of firefighters in country unable to keep people safe in their who responded to Grenfell is a member of the breathing apparatus waiting to be sent into own homes. Now it’s time for the tough FBU and I am honoured to represent them. Grenfell Tower. Because that is what a trade questions. The next time trade unions come under attack unionist looks like. This could be Rotterdam or anywhere

EC3 ANDY HOURIGAN reports on a joint D3 and D8 council meeting in Manchester on 4 September

N A Manchester and Joint council predictably Salford. delegates; Mick O grey and The museum is a Whelan (left); and wet day in monument to the afzal Khan (above) Manchester, two history of working district councils who people in the UK. It singer Paul Heaton, McDonalds; and GS Mick Whelan have never highlights how we no stranger to Afzal Khan, Labour gave his speech with combined before fought for socialist politics. The MP for Manchester the passion and met in a unique democratic rights, bar staff were Gorton, spoke about verve we have all event and location. and for equality, and saw ASLEF’s first outstandingly Brexit, Jeremy come to expect. District 3, who traces the rise of LGBT flags on the friendly as our group Corbyn, and what a The occasion was usually have council trade unions in the top floor of the gathered to escape privilege it is to be a huge success – meetings in 19th century. The museum. the weather. Shadow Immigration thanks to the hard Liverpool, and museum has proud After the After lunch in the Minister in the work of the two District 8, who meet displays about the museum tour, we King’s Arms, DO8 Shadow Home district council in London, met at Peterloo Massacre, walked across the Finn Brennan spoke Office team. secretaries, Darran the outstanding the women’s bridge over the about how much he Both Matt and Brown and Debbie People’s History suffrage and co- Irwell into Salford to had enjoyed his visit Afzal stayed behind Reay, who organised Museum on the operative the King’s Arms to the museum; Matt after speaking and it all – and it was bank of the River movements. And which is owned by Collins of Hope Not spoke to everyone suggested that, next Irwell which divides there was a feeling of ex-Housemartin and Hate spoke about individually. And our year, District 3 visits the cities of real pride when we Beautiful South the strike at very own evergreen District 8.

10 The ASLEF Journal l November 2017 Labour Party

Brighton rocks for Mark, dave Calfe, tosh, andy, Brighton beat Mick, Marz, SLEF sent four delegates – Mick Collette, Phil, Whelan, general secretary; Tosh simon, Ed, Julian A McDonald, EC president; Andy and dave Bowen Botham of Derby branch; and Mark Daniels of  Conference Barking main line – to the Labour Party photos by conference in Brighton from Sunday 24 to andrew Wiard Wednesday 27 September. Simon Weller, assistant general secretary; Dave Calfe, EC vice- president; executive committee members Marz Colombini and Howard Kaye; district organiser Dicky Fisher; and local reps Tom with the ‘widest possible participation’. Corbin (Salisbury) and Julian Vaughan The mood at conference – the biggest in (Northern Line North) attended as visitors. Labour’s history – was distinctly upbeat after Dave Bowen was a delegate for Henley-on- the gains at the general election in June and Thames constituency Labour Party; Phil delegates were delighted that the signage was Graham for Islington South & Finsbury CLP; in iconic socialist red rather than the washed Andy Hudd for Bristol North-West CLP; Becky out pink – optimistically described by Labour Kaye for South West Surrey CLP; and Nikki Party press officers as a ‘contemporary McDonald for Doncaster Central CLP. Ed colourway’ – we have seen in recent years. Mayne, of Waterloo Nine Elms, attended as ex- officio Labour councillor for Hounslow. Collette Gibson of Shenfield branch, who QUOTE… works for Crossrail, and Angela Geddes-Brown, ‘What a difference a year makes. Labour wants to fight the Tories, not each of Birmingham New Street, who works for East other. The general election dramatically changed the mood among Labour Midland Trains, attended the Labour Party MPs. Jeremy Corbyn isn’t going anywhere. Alongside the traditional fish and women’s conference in the Oxford room of the chips, the sea front cafés of Brighton ought to be serving up large helpings of Hilton Metropole on Saturday 23 September humble pie to Labour MPs.’ – Jon Craig of Sky News in Politics First where Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he …UNQUOTE wanted a ‘more open, more democratic, party’ Changing the world GS elected to the NEC tosh Mcdonald made a typically Mick Whelan – who passionate speech on the steps of is already chair of the Friends Meeting House at the TULO – was elected Campaign for Labour Party to the national Democracy fringe meeting on executive Saturday night. ‘Hasn’t it been an committee of the amazing couple of years?’ he Labour Party on asked rhetorically. ‘Haven’t we Monday in a sign of come a long way? When I joined the growing the railway in 1979 I looked up to ‘If one could but go to importance and who supported me,’ Brighton!’ observed a comrade in ASLEF called Bill influence of ASLEF said Mick. ‘It’s a Ronksley who told me, “It can take Mrs Bennet. in the Labour Party great privilege for – Pride and a long time to change the world and the labour me, and my union, but, when change comes, it tosh, in Prejudice by Jane davey movement. ‘I want to be elected to this Austen comes very quickly.” And he was to thank all those position.’ right!’ Tosh, wearing a ‘Davey hopper tee- Hopper working class hero’ tee- Tosh up! They shirt, was asked to entertain all said he was Tory austerity is so last year those who couldn’t get into a still talking 35 venue packed to the rafters. Steve minutes in…’ tosh Mcdonald Turner, assistant general secretary More seriously, NEC member Pete spoke at a Labour of Unite, also came out to talk on Willsman said, ‘We want this Assembly Against the steps and began by joking, ‘I conference to be a success for Austerity rally in the was told I was coming out to shut Jeremy. The right wants it to be a Charlotte room of the Grand Hotel on Sunday afternoon. He was on a panel, russell Brand, speaking at Momentum’s chaired by Unite grassroots the World transformed festival on AGS Steve Turner, Abbott; Shadow Justice Chris Williamson; and the fringe of this year’s Labour Party conference, which included Secretary Richard Cat Smith, Shadow observed: ‘in a way, addiction is just amplified Shadow Chancellor Burgon; Shadow Minister for Voter consumerism. the idea that you can make John McDonnell; Business Secretary Engagement and yourself feel better by buying something…’ Shadow Health Rebecca Long Bailey; Youth Affairs. Secretary Diane Shadow Fire Minister

November 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 11 agenda Power to the people

ICK WHELAN set out the importance of the Labour-trade union link at the M annual reception given by TULO, the Trade Union Group of MPs, Unions Together and Thompsons solicitors in the Viscount room of the Hilton Metropole on Sunday night. The GS said: ‘The trade union movement has always been an anchor for the Labour Party – the party grew out of the union movement – and I believe Labour’s affiliated unions should and will remain an anchor for the party. ‘Because the link between the Labour Party and the trade union movement is one of our Proud to be union – Jeremy Corbyn, Mick Whelan, and Jo stevens most precious assets. It’s the channel through which the views and experiences of millions of Others speakers included Labour leader working men and women are heard across the Jeremy Corbyn – who said, to cheers, ‘I am proud Too frightened to travel party. From the branch to the GC to the shadow to be a trade union member!’ – Ian Lavery, MP cabinet to the leader. The Labour-union link for Wansbeck; Eleanor Smith, MP for NDY BOTHAM keeps all of us rooted in the issues which matter Wolverhampton South-West; Jo Stevens, MP for A from ASLEF’s to working people. Cardiff Central; and Maria Exall, vice-chair of Derby branch ‘Jeremy’s election as leader was a landmark TULO. told the Labour Party for the Labour Party and for British politics in the conference that more 21st century. It’s led to a re-energisation of I Mick is chair of TULO – the Trade Union & and more women are Labour’s grassroots and a re-alignment of the Labour Party Liaison Organisation – which co- too frightened to travel national debate. The result of the general ordinates the activities of the 13 trade unions at night because they election in June gives us a platform on which to which affiliate to the Labour Party – ASLEF; feel vulnerable without build for the future. Colleagues, we stand here BECTU; the Bakers, Food & Allied Workers’ guards on our trains. andy at the podium together to secure a Labour victory at the next Union; Community; CWU; FBU; GMB; Musicians’ Speaking from the on sunday morning general election, whenever it comes.’ Union; NUM; TSSA; Unison; Unite and USDAW. platform during the transport debate on when you have women Sunday morning, he who are too frightened said: ‘When you’ve got to travel at night Tories always break promises a 12-car train with more because they feel than 1,000 people in vulnerable travelling on OSH McDonald damned this there, paying the public transport in Conservative government – and highest fares in Europe what is the fifth richest T previous Conservative administrations for travelling on a train, nation on this planet.’ – by telling conference ‘The Tories always break surely we can afford to As well as arguing their promises.’ have one extra person passionately against The EC president, speaking from the platform on that train to help us? DOO, and for on Tuesday afternoon, on a contemporary ‘I concentrate on investment in Britain’s motion, composite 7, about rail, moved by driving – that’s what I railways, Andy Doncaster Central CLP and seconded by do – and I expect there slammed the Tories’ Peterborough CLP, said: ‘The Tories always break to be somebody there failure to deliver the their promises. Talk to people at the Department to help me look after Northern powerhouse, for Work and Pensions. Talk to people on tosh at the podium on tuesday afternoon the passengers. And and electrification, and Southern Rail, and talk to people on Northern Tosh also let rip at Chris Grayling, the that’s not only on the condemned the way Rail. Talk to the people in the north of England Secretary of State for Transport, and the secret train but on the that successive and the Midlands and Wales who were promised part he is playing behind the scenes in the stations, too, where we Transport Secretaries electrification and whose economies are Southern Fail debacle. ‘Make no mistake, Chris need station staff, and Patrick McLoughlin and significantly dependent on an improved, Grayling and his ideology is behind everything in the ticket office, Chris Grayling ‘sat on electrified, railway network. The truth is they that’s gone on at Southern.’ where we need ticket their hands’ as lied. And they always lie. You can tell they’re As Tosh sat down the GS tweeted: ‘Tosh raises officers. problems mounted in lying because you can see their lips moving!’ temperature at Lab17.’ ‘It’s a sheer disgrace the freight sector.

QUOTE… Ethical foreign policy ‘Not for more than 20 years can I Mick Whelan spoke at a Palestine solidarity Campaign fringe – remember a Labour conference marking 100 years since the Balfour declaration – chaired by hugh where there was such a sense of Lanning in the renaissance suite of the Jury’s inn hotel on sunday optimism, and even excitement, night. Mick said it was time to deliver an ethical foreign policy for among delegates.’ – Nigel Morris , Labour – and Britain – in the Middle East which recognised the political editor, The Independent rights of the Palestinians as well as the rights of israelis. …UNQUOTE

12 The ASLEF Journal l November 2017 Labour Party

A railway fit for off message the 21st century LABOUR met this year in Brighton, a place which, according to the journalist and author Keith Waterhouse, ICK Whelan, ‘looks as though it is a town helping the police with their M in a carefully inquiries.’ The ASLEF crew stayed at the Old Ship on the considered, seafront, where our annual assembly of delegates was thoughtful, and well- held in 2014. In Vanity Fair , William Makepeace Thackeray has his received speech at the main characters escape from London to what he calls the Ship Inn at Labour Party Brighton – actually the Ship Tavern when he was writing his novel in conference, called for 1847 – and now the Old Ship Hotel. Why? Because, as the feisty Becky joined-up thinking, Sharp tells her husband Rawdon Crawley, ‘A comfortable inn in long-term planning, Brighton is better than a spunging-house in Chancery Lane.’ and a modern, Mick at the podium on Monday morning properly integrated DELEGATES played a new parlour game this transport policy for growth, and national And that is wrong. We year – conference bingo! The idea was to tick off, 21st century Britain. prosperity. need to put the one by one, the conference clichés trotted out by The GS, speaking ‘The Labour Party is wheels and steel back speakers at fringe meetings as well as in the from the platform committed to the together and create a conference hall including: thought leadership; cutting edge; starting during the debate on nationalisation of the vertically integrated the conversation; going forward; fully funded; blue sky thinking; the economy on railways and that is the railway fit for the 21st connectivity; direction of travel; the digital future; boom and bust; Monday morning, said: right thing to do. century. Bringing the evidence-led; and addressing the real issues. Bingo! ‘Investing in Because at the railway back into infrastructure is moment investment in public ownership will JOHN McDONNELL dryly pointed out the difference essential for the our railways – in mean we have secure between his meetings with City money men and the economic success of a infrastructure, investment, a secure ‘prawn cocktail offensives’ of Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and nation. Britain needs innovation and rolling railway, and a secure Peter Mandelson by saying he does not break bread with bankers significant investment stock – comes from the future. It will be the and hedge fund managers. ‘I’m strictly a cup of tea man, because because the ability to government. The foundation on which there’s no such thing as a free lunch. But I will accept a cup of tea…’ move people and taxpayer makes the we build our goods around the public commitment, economic success and GAVIN STRANG , MP for Edinburgh East from 1970 to country is the way to while the company a country fit for 2010, left the CLPD fringe on Saturday night in no doubt deliver employment, takes a private profit. everybody. Let’s do it!’ where he stands on nationalism. ‘I’m against Scottish nationalism, Welsh nationalism, Irish nationalism and English nationalism,’ he said on the steps of the Friends Meeting The new centre ground House. ‘At best, nationalism is a political cul-de-sac. At worst, it’s a stepping stone to fascism.’ EREMY centre of gravity of J Corbyn, in his British politics now. We RACHAEL MASKELL admitted she’s suffered ‘a JC leader’s are the political experience’ on VTEC because, ‘on principle, I always travel speech on Wednesday, mainstream.’ standard class’ and there have been times, on overcrowded pitched Labour as the As delegates in the trains between London and York, when she has had to sit party of the ‘political hall rose to give Jeremy on the floor of the carriage. mainstream’. He told a standing ovation, 4,000 activists in the John Lennon’s top ten CHRISTIAN WOLMAR confessed over a coffee that he’s Jeremy addresses conference hall, who hit Power to the People writing a new book about driverless cars and autonomous conference gave him a rapturous was played through vehicles – ‘one of the great scams of the 21st century.’ reception, that the was 20 or 30 years ago. the speakers and centre ground in British A new consensus is activists sang along, SEEMA MALHOTRA , the Labour MP for Feltham & Heston, politics has shifted, to emerging from the clapping their hands parodied the Labour Party’s love of initials by thanking, for the left, since Tony Blair, great economic crash, and stamping their their support, ‘the CLPD, the LRC – [and after a Pinteresque Gordon Brown, and and the years of feet in time to the pause] – MFI, KFC…’ Peter Mandelson austerity, and people music. ‘Well get on created New Labour have started to find a your feet / And out on BOUTIQUE , a bar just round the corner from the conference centre, and dragged the party, political voice for their the street / Singing hung a bright red neon sign above its door: ‘No drugs or nuclear kicking and screaming, hopes for something power to the people…’ weapons allowed inside.’ to the right in the different and 1990s. He said that, something better. with the Tories in ‘We need to build a QUOTE… disarray, without a still broader consensus ‘It is not anti- MiCK WhELan wrote an article – under the headline ‘asLEf majority in the around the priorities Semitic to calls for investment in infrastructure’ – on tuesday in the Commons, and at each we set out at the criticise Israel.’ – Yellow Pages , a daily conference briefing produced for other’s throats, Labour election, making the Mike Katz , delegates by the Campaign for Labour Party democracy, Left is now a government- case for both Jewish Labour futures and Labour Briefing , ahead of the debate that in-waiting. compassion and Movement morning on investing in infrastructure and the composite ‘Today’s centre collective aspiration. …UNQUOTE motion on rail in the afternoon. ground is not where it Because this is the real November 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 13 agenda I walk the line

EREMY Corbyn was in a allowing me to speak, usually J relaxed mood, among soon after I arrive, if only to get rid comrades, colleagues, of me; I want to thank Tosh, for his and friends, at the joint passion; and I want to thank Roo ASLEF/Co-operative Party Botham, for being my personal reception in the Alfresco train driver chauffeur!’ After restaurant on Brighton beach on speeches by Mick, Co-op Party GS Sunday night. The Labour leader Claire McCarthy, and Jeremy, paid warm personal tributes to delegates danced to Kevin Lovatt, time to party – Mick Whelan, Jeremy Corbyn and Claire McCarthy Mick Whelan, Tosh McDonald and aka the Man in Black, a Johnny Andy Botham, saying, ‘I want to Cash tribute act, who was ‘Because we wanted live rather a singer with a guitar, and Johnny thank Mick, as general secretary booked, Co-op Party political than recorded music, but weren’t Cash is rather more upbeat than of ASLEF, and as chair of TULO, for manager Joe Fortune confided, allowed drums, so it was, basically, Bob Dylan.’ Rail at heart of Labour’s transport strategy Peace in our time rachael Maskell , the on freight because the TSSA, argued, Shadow Rail Minister, the free market ‘New technology is says: ‘I believe that approach to freight being used to boost major rail routes hasn’t worked. There profits and cut staff should be at the has to be a better and that’s not what heart of our transport way to meet business passengers want. We strategy.’ She was demands for delivery want a railway that speaking at a around our country. meets the needs of breakfast round table As for DOO, we know passengers, not discussion on the that a guard is not shareholders.’ Mick prepares to speak at the JfC fringe future of rail and just to see the safe And Tony Berkeley ‘free market hasn’t Mick Whelan spoke at a Justice for Colombia wider transport worked for freight’ dispatch of the train of the Rail Freight policy chaired by but is what I call a Group, attacked the fringe meeting in the Wye room of the Hilton Stephen Joseph of morning. passenger champion, DfT, saying, ‘All they Metropole on Tuesday evening. The event – the Campaign for ‘We will promote to look after the do is give a great deal called Imagining Peace in Colombia – Better Transport in rail because we know safety and security of of money to celebrated the landmark deal between the the Kielder room of that rail is so much passengers.’ consultants to tell government of Colombia and Fuerzas the Hilton Metropole safer than road. We Manuel Cortes, them what they Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (the Hotel on Monday need to have a focus general secretary of should already know.’ Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia aka FARC). He was joined on the platform by Tim Roache, general secretary of the GMB, Jo Stevens, Labour MP for Cardiff Central, and Steve Cavalier, chief executive of Thompsons New ideas solicitors. Mick Whelan told a Campaign for Labour Party Democracy fringe meeting in the Queen’s Hotel on Monday night that, under the dynamic leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, the party is moving in the right direction. ‘It’s Theresa May and the Tories who are in disarray,’ said the GS, just ahead of the disastrous Conservative Party conference in Manchester. ‘While we have a Labour Party responding to Comrades in arms the real needs of people and the real problems – Mick and Kelvin of this country with new ideas and the real (left); while Jon answers and solutions we need.’ trickett waits in the wings G Overheard at the CLPD fringe before Mick listening to Mick got up to speak: ‘This isn’t the Momentum speak (above) meeting, is it?’ ‘No, it’s CLPD. But you’ll only be upset if you thought it was Progress…’ niamh sweeney, joint president of following the election in June, the the national Education union, party is being taken more seriously tweeted a picture of Mick Whelan QUOTE … by business than it has been for with a new nEu tote bag: ‘so cool ‘There’s far too much month left at the years. the number of businessmen seeing our amazing new logo all over end of my money.’ – Unison delegate and women attending conference #Lab17 & #Brighton @nEunion great …UNQUOTE has leapt by more than 50%. modelling @MickWhelanasLEf’

14 The ASLEF Journal l November 2017 Manifesto

Why i’m standing to be leader of the scottish Labour Party

RICHARD LEONARD is one of service, and the starvation of investment two candidates – Glasgow which inhibits the role our public transport MSP Anas Sarwar is the infrastructure could play in supporting other – standing to sustainable economic development. become leader of the FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM Scottish Labour Party. Here Richard, The problem is fundamental. The duty of these who has been endorsed by ASLEF, private companies is to act in the interests of reveals what he will do if elected on shareholders – that is the primary duty of the success of the re-opening of the Borders rail 18 November to replace Kezia Dugdale directors of those companies, too. So as long link. This is carrying twice the number of as this service sits in the private sector, passengers predicted and helping to support AM standing to be the leader of the directors will put the interests of shareholders sustainable local rural communities and Scottish Labour Party because we – not those of passengers, or freight users, let halting depopulation. Our ambition must not I have an opportunity to change our alone those who work in the service – first. simply rest on maintaining what we have – we party and, through that, to fundamentally So Scottish Labour, under my leadership, must seek ways to replicate the success of the change our society in favour of the many will bring our railways back into public Borders rail link. rather than the privileged few. ownership. In Scotland today the richest 1% own more I am also clear that our rail network has a A SENSE OF HISTORY personal wealth than the whole of the bottom major role to play in tackling climate change. If Amongst the greatest achievements of the 50% put together. we are serious about getting cars off our roads 1945 Labour government was the creation of and freight off our motorways then we need the National Health Service, the construction RADICAL AND REAL CHANGE to drive the public and freight users on to the of tens of thousands of council houses, the That is wrong and, if I am elected to lead the rail network. This has the advantages of creation of the welfare state, and the Scottish Labour Party, it will be my mission to maximising the use of our rail infrastructure, nationalisation of the mines and the railways. make our society more equal, to redistribute and helping our roads last longer, so saving on I want to build a Scottish Labour Party with wealth and power, tackle poverty, inequality road maintenance, improving road and rail a sense of history, an understanding of where and injustice, and to promote public efficiency, and increasing jobs in the rail we came from, and who we are, again. If ownership. It is only that wholesale, radical and industry. Labour is to win again we need vision in our real change that will help Scottish Labour The UK and Scotland need governments politics and the restoration of trade union regain the faith and trust of people in Scotland that are bold and radical – which believe in, values and democratic socialist principles and so win power again. promote and deliver public ownership for the consistently applied. For too long politicians have tried to common good. We have had enough of the People like principles and idealism in position themselves according to focus privatisation agenda. We have seen the politics – and I believe they will also vote for it. groups, honing and managing the message until it becomes so bland that voters don’t know what they stand for. I do know what I stand for. I stand for public  richard Leonard, 55, is MsP for Central scotland. he was born and brought up ownership – state ownership – of both our rail at Buckrose in the East riding of Yorkshire, studied politics and economics at the infrastructure and operation of our rail university of stirling, and then worked for alex falconer MEP from 1985 to 1991. network. I was the secretary of the Scottish he was an economist at the stuC from 1991 to 1996 before moving to the gMB, Save Our Railways campaign when we first as an industrial organiser, representing workers in manufacturing and public opposed the Railways Act in the 1990s. Today services, and then as political officer. he won a seat at holyrood in 2016 and is we do not need to speculate about the scottish Labour’s economy spokesman, helping draw up the party’s industrial disadvantage of privatisation of the rail strategy. he is secretary of the Keir hardie society, vice-chair of the scottish Labour network. We see it daily – the never ending history society, a member of the Campaign for socialism, and has served on the attack on the terms and conditions of staff, the executive committee of the scottish Labour Party since 1997. he lives in Paisley above inflation increase year on year of fares with his wife Karen and their children. for passengers, the reduction in the quality of

November 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 15 Branch news

upcoming e vents

 HITHER GREEN – WEDNESDAY 8 NOVEMBER Hither Green reunion from 11am at the Richmal Crompton (Wetherspoons) opposite Bromley South station.

 RIPPLE LANE – THURSDAY 7 DECEMBER Beer and Ripple Lane Christmas soirée from 13.00 at the old LT Club in badges Hornchurch. Party hats and poppers are optional.  WILLESDEN – THURSDAY 7 DECEMBER ROVE PARK The 22nd Willesden 1A reunion will this year be held from 14.00 G had the to 18.00 at Watford Ex-Services & Social Club, 12-14 St Albans pleasure of Road, Watford (5 minutes walk from Watford Junction). All ex- welcoming GS Mick railway personnel and partners with an association are Whelan, AGS Simon welcome. Contact Mick Humphrys 07771 672992 for details. Weller, DO1 Graham route, which gave us a badges to Michael Morris, EC1 Marz chance to get the Taylor (5 years); Chris  NORWOOD JUNCTION – SUNDAY 10 DECEMBER Colombini and local business done Warrell and Colin Our branch meeting and AGM starts at 12.30 with the retired Southeastern DCC and dusted, giving Sparrow (10); Andy members’ buffet starting at 14.00 at Selhurst Railway Club. This Martin Brooks to our Mick the floor on Bishop (15); and Ray year with actual food! Details from Daniel Bound. long service/beer & arrival for a passionate Garland (25). Thanks to badge evening. address to the packed all our guests and Thanks to the usual room. After questions members for making poor Southeastern it was time to it a special evening. Farewell, brother! service our guests celebrate long service. Ray Garland , were delayed en Mick presented branch secretary

Thanks, Hoppy then Leamington Spa in 1996, becoming Leamington Spa LLC, branch secretary branch was very and, finally, branch surprised at our latest chair. All your meeting to learn of colleagues want to the upcoming thank ‘Hoppy’ for his Graham Russell, VTEC KX LLR rep retirement of our tireless work towards presents Tony Kocks with his 15 branch chair Richard the success and year union service badge. Well Hopkins. Anyone security of our little tireless: richard done, Tony! who has been on the depot, and hope he hopkins PJ Smith , branch reporter railway in the enjoys his well- At a standing room only Midlands in the last transferred back to earned retirement September branch, Hammersmith 40 years will know the Midlands, to after almost 40 years & City 267 said a fond farewell to Richard. He started in Stratford-upon-Avon, on the footplate. long-standing ASLEF activist, Lee September 1978 as a until 1994, where he More time to spend Darnton, who has been heavily driver’s assistant and was LLC and branch on his extensive involved with the union as a local relief driver at Saltley secretary. When Range Rover rep, regular at district council, and until 1985, moving to Stratford closed he collection now! also chair at AAD. From all your relief driver at Euston moved to Nick Walker , branch colleagues, Lee, we say ‘farewell, until 1986. He Wolverhampton, and reporter brother’. Keith Dale celebrated 28 years in our union; George (Alex) Mayers 25 and Lee 29. All three ‘at the Wembley do and people Cutter and clan were presented with their awards are claiming this is the only by our very hard working DO Finn picture of me driving a train,’ A good turn out for the King’s Brennan. said the gs. ‘not true!’ Cross 2017 reunion at Hatfield Social Club. Branch secretary Richard Sullivan and RMS national AN EVENING WITH TOSH MCDONALD, PRESIDENT, ASLEF secretary Les Muir got the show fundraising event, supported by hartlepool tuC, organised by on the road before we were joined hartlepool CLP at south durham steelworks Club, Westbourne by Nigel Gibson, district 5 officer, road, hartlepool from 7pm on friday 10 november. Mike hill, MP and Howard Kaye, EC member for for hartlepool, will be in attendance for a Q&a. tickets are £5 district 5. There were retirement which includes refreshments, quiz, bingo and raffle from Chris presentations to Felix Gomes (GTR nigel’s ready for runrig simmons ([email protected]); Carl richardson (carl.richardson@ GN); Adam Farmer (GTR GN); and hartlepool.gov.uk); Edwin Jeffries ([email protected]). Come Nigel Elston (VTEC); 40 year Barstow (RMS); and a 25 year along and bring your friends for a good socialist night out with badges for Keith ‘Blackadder’ badge for Paul French (GTR GN). like-minded colleagues. Maidment (GTR GN) and Mick PJ Smith , branch reporter

16 The ASLEF Journal l November 2017 100 Years of union

Mick & Marz gs Mick Whelan and EC1 Marz Colombini attended Eastbourne branch, giving an update on the current dispute with gtr/southern and also what is happening around the Mick Holder turns back country. Mick made long service badge presentations to titherly with his asLEf time to November 1917 members ranging from 5-25 retirement certificate. years, and presented Bro a Mark Jenkins , branch secretary New technology Great War style and protecting members were hot Old Oak Common topics in the Journal 100 years ago PASSING SIGNALS AT DANGER More than 100 active and retired ‘We are trying to remove a long- staff attended this year’s Old Oak standing grievance,’ writes the Slade Common reunion on 13 June. GS Green branch secretary, ‘namely, the Mick Whelan made presentations signal locking apparatus being pitted to the recently retired Paul Mason, against the corroborated evidence of and 25 year badges to Neil Grant driver and fireman re alleged passing and Dean Holloway. Special of signals at danger. The men welcome thanks to Paddington branch and rather than condemn any apparatus all who help support this event. that tends to safe working, but they Mark Urpeth , Old Oak are not prepared to admit the locking Common apparatus as being infallible, or to be the deciding factor at inquiries where it is alleged that signals have been Jolly boys passed at danger.’

A line-up of old reprobates from ERRORS MADE IN THE BOX the recent Ripple Lane jolly boys’ The editor reports on the reliostop, a outing to Clacton. I don’t think mechanical device which turns a stop the other guy worked on the signal into a fact by stopping the train railway but he must have heard at danger. It would not, however, we were coming! operate in the case of a signalman Cliff Blackwell , RMS giving a ‘clear’ line when he should not have done so. It would correct errors due to a driver’s oversight, but not Euston branch held our annual reunion on 16 protect the driver or passengers from september, commandeering the Prince arthur errors made in the box. ‘It is a pub in Eversholt street. a very good turnout of mechanical contrivance placed at the comrades old and new, and the general, Mick side of the line, near to the metals, and Whelan, popped in to make a couple of made to come into contact with an presentations. My thanks to Cliff holloway and the apparatus clamped to the engine. committee for another well organised event. Cliff These engage each other according to rounded things off by making presentations of the signals, and a train can be brought asLEf service awards and EC5 howard Kaye and up by the brake application. It would Les Muir of the rMs presented felix gomez, ex- be of special value during fogs but, as Watford, with his asLEf retirement certificate. stated, only confirms the state of the Peter Smith , RMS reporter signals. It would not rectify errors for which the driver was not responsible.’

Picture this OUR MEMBERS NOT TO BLAME I am writing about classic steam push-pull Organising Secretary A Mason reports operation in the UK and someone kindly sent looking out for ‘the interests of two of this photograph. In my many years, I have seen our Staveley Central members who thousands of railway pictures, mostly three- were concerned in a fatal accident to a quarter front shots, the vast majority showing female painter employed by the Great just the railway. This goes high on my list of Central in the wagon shops at top 25 railway pics. It’s different. It’s animated. Staveley. At the early stages of the It shows the train in its urban setting. You can inquiry it became evident that our almost feel you are there, waiting for the train loco is propelling. He is driving the train in co- members were in no way to blame for to cross, the gates to re-open, to get over the operation with the driver and looking forward the sad occurrence and were crossing. The pic is of the Selby-Goole push- to note progress. The exhaust is drifting consequently dismissed from the pull train crossing Boothferry Road, Goole, en backwards. From the BT logo, pedestrians, and inquiry.’ route for Selby. The fireman is alone in the cab, car, I think it was taken in the early 1950s. as the driver is up front of the train, which the Eric Stuart

November 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 17 Qualified Train Drivers

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18 The ASLEF Journal l November 2017 obituaries

GLEN SOUTHALL WIRRAL LEGEND wound him up about RAY WORTHY the LMS Glen Southall died on closed in 1967 he replacements he had THE MANNEQUIN 1 August. He was 80. moved to 8H to suffer his replies Ray Worthy, affectionately known to colleagues Glen was born and Birkenhead were waspish. as the Mannequin because of his immaculate brought up in the Mollington Street on ‘Stanier 2-6-2 tanks appearance, and as the Jailer due to his county town of the Wirral peninsular wouldn’t boil an egg.’ trademark shoe segs and keychain, started his Cheshire, and began which was right up Derby Fours? ‘Station railway career at Leicester Beal Street in 1964; his career as a cleaner his street. He said you pilot.’ Stanier 5X working his way from cleaner to fireman, at 84K Chester West. could judge how Jubilees? ‘You can passed fireman and, finally, registered driver in In 1958 the depot good a depot was by get more steam out 1984. Ray was an active member of ASLEF and moved into the the drivers’ golf of Val’s iron.’ Class served on the LDC at Leicester for many years. Chester group, was handicaps – Glen’s 90s? ‘Ah, the Skoda. During the 1980s he was also a JP at Leicester given the new code was eight! When glen southall Coming out of magistrates’ court, finally relinquishing these 6E, and the glorious Mollington Street 1937-2017 Euston in the wet, duties when he was made redundant and Swindon machines closed in 1985 he wheels screeching moved to Rugby depot in 1988. Ray was were removed and became one of the early because, after a like an Argentine immensely proud to have been selected to replaced with ex- boat people of Class 31 was football crowd.’ drive the royal train in the late 1980s. LMSR stock. When Ellesmere Port. His mentioned, he DVTs? ‘Skoda estate. He spent over 20 years at Rugby, finishing the shed closed in final move was to shouted out, ‘A Like driving a bus his career in 2009 with early retirement at the 1960 Glen transferred Liverpool Lime thairty-one wouldn’t with no seats, rear age of 60. Ray became a member of the Syston to 6A, the LMS stable, Street. pull a soldier off a engine, and a 750ft model railway club, helping to run numerous on the other side of I met Glen on a prostitute!’ throttle cable.’ exhibitions. He and his wife enjoyed many Midland station. In Sprinter course at Glen had a deep Glen always said foreign holidays and also tried to visit as many the early hours of 8 Ladywell House, affection for the he was ‘a plastic Wetherspoons pubs around the country as August 1963 Glen Preston, in 1991. Our Great Western. His Scouser, a they could, managing to tick off more than 230. was firing south on tutor was Potter favourite engines woollyback from the In retirement Ray remained an avid ASLEF the WCML when a legend Arthur from the halcyon Wirral.’ He had a supporter and played his part in organising red signal finished his Pepper, there were days of Chester West railway career of 50 regular get togethers, including the annual shift. A bobby said he lots of brew breaks, were 1022 County of years, less two for reunion and in June 2015 received his award couldn’t tell him and plenty of Northampton; 6817 national service, then for 50 years membership of ASLEF. what it was (the mail humour. Glen was Gwenddwr Grange; 20 cruising the canals Ray sadly passed away on 17 March at the robbery) but he funny, and the more 7922 Salford Hall; and with his wife Val on age of 67 and will be sorely missed by his wife wouldn’t be going we laughed, the 5061 Earl of their narrow boat Chris, children Laura and Scott, and all who anywhere anytime funnier he got. One Birkenhead, ‘the and playing golf. A knew him. soon. day we broke for finest locomotive in Wirral legend. Si Goode , Virgin Trains West Coast When Chester lunch 30 minutes the world’. When I Mel Thorley , RMS company council

ERNEST WHITE FRED KETCHER TONY LYFORD Retired Redhill driver Ernest Fred Ketcher was born in Sad to report the sudden passing of retired White passed away on 28 July Edmonton, north London. Didcot driver Tony Lyford on 11 July at the age of at the age of 97. Ernest was He was called up to serve in 83. Tony was an active ASLEF member, secretary born on 8 July 1920 and the army and, on being of our annual reunion, and a steam enthusiast, started cleaning at demobbed, joined the driving many steam specials from Didcot. Tony Dorchester in 1937. He was railway at Hornsey loco. spent most of his career at Didcot, apart from a stood off the first winter and While travelling home on the spell at Old Oak Common, and his popularity then called back. After a spell Tube from a day out to the was shown by the number of colleagues who cleaning at Weymouth and Festival of Britain in London attended his funeral at Garford crematorium. He Bournemouth he transferred in 1951, he struck up a fred Ketcher 1928-2017 will be much missed on Thursday afternoons to Three Bridges in 1941 as a conversation with a young pleasure of working with when the retired section meets to reminisce and fireman and then became a lady called Betty Hicks. Fred in the Leeds link. In enjoy a wee dram. driver there. He passed for When Fred got to his stop retirement he met up Alwyn Evans , Didcot RMS driving on what was meant to she got off as well; when regularly with his old be D-Day (put back a day Fred boarded his bus she got colleagues at the Royal because of bad weather) on as well; and when Fred British Legion club in FINAL JOURNEYS making him one of Britain’s got off at his stop she got off Hatfield where they became Bernard ‘Crazy Horse’ Davies has died youngest drivers at the time. as well. It turned out she known as the railway aged 88. He began his career at 9B In 1958 he moved to Redhill lived not far from Fred, so he children. Betty predeceased Stockport Edgeley shed in 1946 as an from where he retired in 1985. walked her to her house, and Fred. Their daughter Debby engine cleaner, retiring from Longsight He was a great gentleman while standing talking and grandson Rob invited us in the early 1990s. And Brian Perrin has and was at the retirement of outside her father came out to celebrate Fred’s life at a died at 77. He started on the railway as his son Steve White at Three and invited him in. In due committal at Harwood a cleaner at 24B Rose Grove (Burnley) Bridges. There are not many course Betty Hicks became crematorium and afterwards in 1955. He went to Blackburn station fathers and sons who are Betty Ketcher. at the Horse & Groom in BOP, then Longsight, retiring from both retired train drivers They were building lots of Hatfield, where they Virgin West Coast. Had both pals as my (although I have hopes of council houses at Hatfield in thanked Geoff Fitzjohn, driver when I was a ‘slop coat’ at the joining the club in around Hertfordshire, so Fred Fred’s old second man, who camp; good memories. four years!) applied for a transfer to continued to visit him. Mel Thorley , Longsight David Heydon , Redhill Hatfield loco. I had the PJ Smith , RMS

November 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 19 Letters

We welcome letters, either by email to [email protected] or by Royal Mail to ASLEF Journal at KEEPING PEOPLE IN 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN . The writer of our star letter wins a rich range of ASLEF regalia. THE DRIVING GRADE

i read, with interest, the article by Mick Health holder about diabetes ( Journal , Drivers and diabetes Palestine – what about the What should you do if you are diagnosed with diabetes? And what are october). as someone who has a the implications for your employment as a train driver? With numbers predicted to grow sharply in the next two state solution, Nigel? few years MICK HOLDER, of ASLEF’s family member with type 1 diabetes i health and safety department, offers some timely advice and how it can be monitored. Diabetes is Winston Churchill, addressing the apparently EING diagnosed as a diabetic by your covered by the disability section of the know first hand the effect this can GP does not – and should not – in Equalities Act which requires employers to B most cases mean automatic Type 2 diabetes is when the body doesn’t make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to assist the suspension from driving or the end of a career. make enough insulin, or the insulin it does individual. intractable problem of the Cold War in 1954, Whilst that may be the outcome in more make doesn’t work properly, meaning glucose Members are advised to talk the matter have on all aspects of the lives of those serious cases, where loss of consciousness is a again builds up. Up to 58% of type 2 cases can over with their ASLEF health and safety rep real threat, or your eyesight degrades beyond be prevented or delayed by a healthy lifestyle and, if they feel it necessary, have their rep an acceptable standard, most people, helped – diet and exercise, primarily. About 90% of accompany them when discussing matters observed that ‘jaw-jaw is better than war-war’ by a sympathetic employer, will be able to people with diabetes have type 2. with management. Should a member feel the affected. Whilst type 1 is, normally, manage the condition safely for the industry In general terms, the predicted increase in outcome of any discussions means they have and the individual. diabetes arises from people leading more been unfairly treated they should put the Diabetes is a condition where the amount sedentary lives, together with a poor diet – matter formally into the machinery. and he was right. So it was very disappointing of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high both hazards for train drivers. Some people will, sadly, not be able to drive something people have from because the body can’t use it properly. If left If a member is diagnosed with diabetes he on diagnosis because their condition presents untreated, high blood glucose levels can or she should report this to their manager who a real risk to the safety of the railway, and some cause serious health complications. There are should complete a risk assessment (which is people’s health will degenerate to a point to note that Nigel Gibson’s report ( Journal , two main types. done on a case by case basis). If the driver has where it becomes unsafe, but most are likely to childhood it can be diagnosed later in Type 1 diabetes generally occurs early in been driving without problems to that point be able to manage the condition throughout life when no insulin is produced which causes and there is no risk of loss of consciousness their career. glucose levels to rise in the blood, can cause and their eyesight is of an acceptable standard In the past being insulin dependent was a August) after a fact finding mission to very serious health conditions, and is treated then there should be a discussion about how barrier to driving trains but there are drivers life. in this respect we should do by regular injections of insulin without which the individual is to manage the condition, now who have managed the condition and the individual can die. what the employer can do to support them, kept driving.

Palestine failed to mention the two state everything we can to maintain people solution. Because jaw-jaw is the only way this in the driving grade where proper

equally intractable problem will be solved procedures are put in place. the dvLa

without resort to war-war. The two state allows insulin-controlled diabetics to

solution – one for Palestinians, one for Israelis, gain a group 2 bus and lorry licence

two states for two groups of people – is what when strict parameters are met. Let’s

steven: ‘no need f o r di ab ete s to

right-minded people worldwide support. remember that buses and lorries don’t

be career ending’

The question, of course, is how we get from have the same safety equipment

where we are to where we want to be. I do not designed to bring them to a stand prov i d e acce ss t o a healthier option – a doubt Nigel’s sincerity. I do not doubt his should the driver become sta1 ff frui t sc heme would be one idea. shock. But there was nothing in his emotional unresponsive! access to gyms and cycling to work are descriptions of razor wire and shortages that as stated in the article the nature of great but we need adequate facilities even a quick look at the PSC website wouldn’t our job puts us at risk of type 2 at work to shower and change. have told me. I read the article again, to make diabetes. this is something that has to Possibly the hardest thing to address is sure I hadn’t missed something, and came be raised with each company through the nature of shift patterns and the away even more disappointed. Disappointed health & safety reps and collective impact they have on our health. one that the Journal would print a piece of bargaining. Whilst there are some thing that could help would be access propaganda, so one-sided, it reads as if it positive actions from train companies, to proper quiet rooms where emanated from the PSC press office. such as cycle to work and corporate colleagues can rest and switch off No mention was made of the fact – and it is gym membership schemes, there is a without the buzz of the bothy. a fact – that Israel is the only recognisably lot more that could be done. Most there is no need for type 1 diabetes functioning democracy in the Middle East. No depots and bothies have vending to be career ending and things can be mention was made of the fact that Israeli machines filled with sweets and crisps done to help prevent type 2 diabetes citizens can vote every few years for a dove like and are surrounded by fast food from occurring. Shimon Peres as easily as a hawk like Benjamin outlets. We need to find a way to Steven Nimmo , Edinburgh Netanyahu. No mention was made of the innocent Israeli children dying every day like their Palestinian counterparts. Nigel, and the Journal , failed to tell me which parent I should Waving a magic wand can have his or her say. getting active feel sorrier for. The mother of the 11-year-old I write in support of train operator Liam internationally, supporting workers in Palestinian whose death was described, or the Mariscotti and his letter ( Journal , October) other countries in their fight for the things mother of an 11-year-old Israeli child killed by regarding how ASLEF should be more focused we fight for here, is what we do after we a random rocket attack or bus bomb in Tel on train driver issues in the UK rather than have done the day job – looking after our Aviv. constantly involving itself with ongoing members, industrially, in the workplace, 24 No mention was made of the fact that the complex global issues such as the hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks of state of Israel was created by the United Palestinian/Israeli conflict. In nearly every copy the year.' Nations, and as such has a right to exist. No of the Journal space is dedicated to various mention was made of the fact that the first global political struggles in countries as far Missed opportunities duty of every government is the defence of its afield as Cuba, Sri Lanka and Palestine. I am all citizens who are under attack every day. And for keeping abreast on global politics and if I Employer Justified Retirement Age no mention was made of the fact that Israel – could wave a magic wand to make the world a agreements appear, to me, to be at least a uniquely – is surrounded by nations better place I would but the vast majority of third missed opportunity to drag ASLEF closer constitutionally committed to the annihilation drivers pay their dues so ASLEF can carry out to the 21st century. The first being the failure of the state of Israel and the genocide of the its fundamental role of protecting and of one man one vote in this era of electronic Jewish people. improving train drivers’ pay and conditions in communications, and continued use of branch Palestine has become a cause célèbre for the UK! meetings to formulate local policy – a system Western European progressives, a politically Steve Hill , Manchester Piccadilly No 1 clearly no longer fit for purpose, considering expedient mechanism for lazy virtue- that many employees do not live close to their signalling among the Islington dinner party gs Mick Whelan says: 'this is the policy of workplaces and cannot easily attend classes. our trade union – which members make meetings, especially when there is only one, Tom Burns , Perth each year at aad – in which every member when they are operating a three shift system

20 The ASLEF Journal l November 2017 Classified advertisements

CLASS 15 locomotive (D8233) enamel badge on sale to raise funds for restoration of the sole surviving THE TRUE VALUE OF OUR SUBS Class 15 loco by the Class 15 Lindsay and I would like to say a sincere thank you to my Preservation Society. £5 + £1 p&p local reps Dave Shannon and John Swain for all their help from Ipswich driver Clive Whiting. Payment can and support throughout the last year while suffering with a be sent via PayPal to [email protected] (friends & family to avoid fees). personal illness which caused much stress and anxiety, especially waiting six months for my pension to be agreed. ASLEF BRANCH 111 After nearly 30 years on London Underground I was retired ASLEF branch 111 is 111 on ill health in January. Without Dave being present at years old and has a limited meetings and fighting my corner I would, basically, have edition numbered badge to been sacked! Being a member for 30 years, and a rep for 10, I celebrate the introduction of saw the true value of our subs and representation. I would the Class 387 on KL services. Proceeds to the also like to thank EC8 Terry Wilkinson who has always been King’s Lynn branch welfare fund. £7.50 inc p&p there for me, whatever the situation, and was there, until the from Mark Steele,1 Rosecroft, South Wootton, last, at my leaving do! Apologies for slow thank yous but I King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 3WX. needed to be in a better place. SOUTH WESTERN Andy Butler , train operator, Edgware Road andy and Lindsay Suburban 707 limited edition 35x30mm enamel badge £5 + £1 p&p from Martin Thompson (Wimbledon Park) or similar. The second is failure by ASLEF cannot contest being told to retire, email [email protected] management and ASLEF to consider because he or she would not have access to introduction of part-time working for those our solicitors. You also imply ( Journal , October) CLASS 40 Preservation Society who want it, except for ‘trials’ that seem to last that drivers of a ‘certain age’ are not capable, high quality enamel badges indefinitely. and I quote; ‘which will sustain a driver £5.50 each or £10 for both (50p What is to be celebrated about the workforce that can maintain the levels of p&p for one badge or £1 for curtailment of individual freedom of choice? professionalism and competence to the both) email [email protected] or Why should not someone who is fit and able highest standards required by the rail industry’ text 07788 240088. All funds and capable of performing a particular – I find this statement personally quite raised will go towards the maintenance of our function be free to choose to work beyond insulting. What could be done is to stop rest three Class 40 locos. some arbitrary age imposed by guesswork day working – to which you have been CLASS 31 /Brush type two 60 year (because that is what it is)? agreeing for years – and stop TOCs and FOCs badge at £6 inc p&p with £1 going I chose to work beyond 65. At that time, it under manning depots, then perhaps you to the repaint of the last Phase One 4 was necessary to apply to stay. I wrote a six- would get somewhere. CIG 1753. Send cheques payable to page paper explaining the benefits not just to Andrew Tyrrell , Gillingham Dave East, 41 Highfield Road, Suffolk, IP1 6DD. me but to the company and stayed for five gs Mick Whelan says: 'the government years. I retired last April. There are many drivers WOKING branch 50 year in the company where I was employed who took away the agreed retirement age. so commemorative badge. can’t wait to retire. That is as it should be. where does it stop? if we want to achieve Slam door & Class 455. £6 My message is simple: do not oblige able, our aims? We have to have a policy on this. + £1 p&p each. Contact competent people to retire when they do not Every day of every week your elected Chris Smith, branch secretary, on wish to. The waste to businesses and the officers carry out the policy of this trade [email protected] nation is calculable – and enormous. No EJRA union created by members at aad.' is set in stone. An EJRA is an EJRA only until it DERBY branch 125 year large has been challenged and either struck down Preserving the Saltley past commemorative badge £8 + £1 or reinforced by an employment tribunal or I retired from Saltley motive power depot, p&p from Eamonn Tague (07500 099190) or court of law. So if you don’t want to be forced Birmingham, in 1993 after a lifetime on the [email protected] to do something you would rather not do – footplate. During the last two years of service I challenge it. Remember, justifying an EJRA is took a video camera to work and captured BESPOKE CUSHIONS Hand extremely difficult. Choosing a retirement age many of my colleagues. Included are made 40cm square cushions of the same as the state pension age is not supervisory staff, drivers, guards, LDC, railway engines and carriages. £50. sufficient justification. Not only must the storemen and cleaners at what was a huge Call Abi on 07954 659849 or email me at employer justify the particular choice of depot. Shots of men at Tyseley, New Street and [email protected] retirement age, it has also to explain why some Snow Hill are also included. I also recorded an other age was not chosen; and whatever the ASLEF retirement presentation for 40 drivers at THREE BRIDGES branch strike decision, to show that the decision is a Highfield Road social club and the Saltley badge 2016/17. £5 inc p&p (proceeds ‘proportionate means of achieving a legitimate welfare fund dinner at Villa Park. Footage of to charity) from Paul Eden (branch aim’. the 1997 Great Western MAS reunion at the BR secretary) email [email protected]). Philip Baxter , RMS Tyseley staff association club is also on record. To me, these recordings are priceless nostalgia PROFESSIONAL ENGRAVING at sensible prices. I can engrave anything and I was concerned that, at my age, they may Time to stop rest day work you wish, such as the ASLEF logo on get lost. I have, therefore, uploaded short the pint tankard. Contact Paul Potts by As ASLEF has allowed members to vote to videos onto a Facebook page. As time allows, email at [email protected] bring back forced retirement, against the more will be added, as the footage includes so Equality Act 2010 (ageism), there is now a many friends and colleagues I worked with To advertise please phone 020 7324 2400 conflict of interest. Members belonging to a who, sadly, are no longer with us. or send an email to [email protected] TOC or FOC that has an EJRA agreement with Dennis Herbert , retired driver

November 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 21 Last Word

I met a gin-soaked bar room queen in Memphis GREGOR GALL , Professor of Industrial Relations at the University of Bradford, on the challenges of unionising sex workers

SLEF created controversy at this year’s Trades Union Congress when, A with the GMB, the union put forward a motion on rights for sex workers. Essentially, and notwithstanding those who have been physically coerced, the motion argued that providing sexual services is an act of labour and, as such, these workers should be accorded the rights of workers like other workers. The motion was defeated. If sex workers are designated as workers, the next logical step is to consider how they Yet, despite these challenges, sex worker ‘no bad can be unionised so, like other workers, they activists have succeeded in persuading fellow women, can come together collectively to advance and workers to unionise (either by joining existing just bad defend their interests. unions or creating new ones) in 30 countries laws’ including Australia, Britain, Cambodia, TAKE ME UPSTAIRS FOR A RIDE Germany, India, the Netherlands, and the accorded employed status in the US. Before looking at attempts to unionise sex United States. They have been spurred on by After initial successes, energy levels have workers, it’s worth noting that how ‘best’ to their realisation that sex work is work much waned. Organisational development has regulate the sex industry is a frequent topic of like any other, and that sex workers want and stalled and many sex worker unions have discussion. Some focus on abolition but most need rights. folded. Along the way, there have been some recent discussion focuses on moves by bitter disputes among sex workers over governments to criminalise people who pay GIMME THE HONKY TONK BLUES whether managers should be members and for sex. France recently joined a long list of In common with other workers they have which groups of sex workers (men, women or countries, including Sweden, Iceland, Norway problems over holiday pay, fines for bogus transgender) should be prioritised. and Northern Ireland, in making it illegal to infractions at work, being compelled to do Yet, despite these problems, when one purchase a sexual service. unpaid overtime, bullying by managers and organisation folds another often emerges to Yet this runs contrary to the views of many being forced to work long hours without take its place. This demonstrates the who work in the industry. If their voices were breaks. And there are different problems such continuing demand for collective listened to, we might see a very different as having to pay fees to work and purchasing representation and the willingness of activists approach to regulating sex work. In France, items from their bosses. to step up to the plate to provide it. the representatives of sex workers Sex workers want to add a political voice to Unionisation is a work in progress and a battle campaigned against criminalisation, saying it their economic voice and have used being fought across the world. endangers the safety of sex workers, as the unionisation to amplify their public position selling of sex will continue but be driven on the legal status of sex work. But AND THEN SHE BLEW MY MIND underground. Their slogan is ‘nothing about us unionisation is not an easy task. The numbers My research – in the form of three books on without us’; no policy should be devised involved have been small, progress in making the matter – suggests that developing an without the full and direct participation of the substantive gains has been limited, and many occupational form of labour unionism is the workers involved and their representatives. unions have folded. Notable highlights have best way forward. Instead of trying to gain Forming unions is one of the ways that sex been collective bargaining over contracts for bargaining rights in each individual sex work workers are attempting to challenge the way terms and conditions of work (remuneration, establishment, which is an arduous process, the industry in which they work is regulated. working hours, grievance and discipline sex workers should seek to regulate their Activists favour decriminalisation and a large procedures, and so on) as well as industry as a whole by controlling the number have sought to create a representation. standards and practices within it, as well as representative body to campaign for this. Formal collective bargaining has taken entry to it. One way to do this is by creating a Unionising sex workers typifies many of the place in Australia, Britain, Germany and the US, sense of industry identity, at the same time as sharpest challenges facing the labour while individual representation has also taken organising through their union. It will be a movement. These include organising self- place through the sex work establishments’ difficult task but, potentially, more rewarding employed workers with no regular or fixed grievance procedures as well as through legal in the long run. place of work, high levels of turnover and, action in many more countries. Political effectively, zero hour contracts – in a labour representation has involved campaigning and market expanding due to migration. And, lobbying to reform the legal regulation of sex  gregor gall is the author of Sex unlike other workers, sex workers also face work. Informal collective bargaining, assisted Worker Unionization: Global moral opprobrium from inside and outside the by legal recourse, has also taken place, Developments, Challenges and labour movement as a result of the work they especially with regard to fees levied to work for Possibilities (Palgrave, 2016). do. exotic dancers and their campaign to be

22 The ASLEF Journal l November 2017 on track Prize Crossword

Prize Crossword 139 by Tom Williams across down 1 Mini farm 1 Rich crumbly FEUDS, FRAUDS, 7 Request for a biscuits restaurant meal 2 Renounce the DIRT AND DEATH 8 Contented cat throne like sound Edward VIII F YOU can get over the 10 Sedate disco 3 Pantries (admittedly high) hurdle that 11 Military-like 4 Citrus fruit I Dangerous Days on the facial hair 5 Trick or deceive Victorian Railways (Weidenfeld & 13 Exertion 6 Neither Nicolson, £9.99) has been written by 15 Skilled painter 9 Large black Terry Deary, author of the Horrible 17 Unfasten German dog Histories series, in the same jokey style, 18 Country with 12 Television with some God-awful puns and capital Madrid adjustment for dreadful jokes, then this is a bloody 19 Closed variance of light good read for anyone interested in 21 Speak in a slow 14 Person who industrial or, specifically, railway sleepy manner establishes a society history. 22 Domestic food- 16 Beverage A warts and cooling appliance pouch (3, 3) all (mostly solution to Crossword 138 18 Move around with warts) account across: 1 Bishop 7 Trace 8 Chop suey 9 Libra a spoon of the first 10 Nuts 12 Cube 13 Whir 14 Knob 15 Buoy 20 Long-handled hundred years 17 Edit 19 Noise 20 Vicarage 21 Eagle 22 Severe weed remover of Britain’s down: 1 Bacon 2 Shortcomings 3 Plunge (steam) railways, 4 Style 5 Carbohydrate 6 Repair 11 Sub 13 Woe it attempts to 14 Kennel 15 Braces 16 Seven 18 Theme put our history Name...... straight. George Congratulations to Mark Address...... Stephenson thompson , of sittingbourne , (who stole ideas Kent , who was last month’s ...... from his winner. The winner of this competitors) traditionally gets far too month’s Prize Crossword will receive ...... much credit while Richard Trevithick Marks & Spencer vouchers to the value of £25 (robbed by guess who) usually gets ...... too little credit and Robert  You can see more of Tom Williams’s Stephenson (son of George) emerges crosswords, word games and puzzles at Postcode...... as the real father of the railway. wordgames.co.uk The story runs from steam engines pumping water down tin mines in Thanks for all your responses to the 138th prize crossword in the October edition of the ASLEF Cornwall to a national railway network Journal . If you successfully complete this month’s crossword please send the solution to the in less than 100 years. Not many of the Editor, ASLEF Journal , 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN by 14 November early rail entrepreneurs come out smelling of roses. In fact, they quickly made the term ‘entrepreneur’ a dirty word. The boom and bust bubble of ASLEF’s legal services get rich quick private investment is here, with all the trimmings. if you are being harassed at work, bullied or discriminated against, and The appalling working conditions if your local, branch or district rep is unavailable, call the industrial of those who built the railways, the relations department at union headquarters (020 7324 2400) or email navigators, or navvies, are described in [email protected]. if you are arrested or interviewed by police and need detail. As are the so-called accidents, legal assistance – day or night – call the members’ emergency hotline on with thousands of men killed building 0800 587 7530. asLEf also provides first class legal advice free for the railways to be remembered members and dependents. alongside those killed working on the permanent way as well as the drivers, firemen, guards and passengers killed in train crashes. There are lots of fascinating facts, too. Signallers used to be called Changed your address? Please let us know! Just fill in this form policemen. And being a shunter was the most dangerous job in Victorian Name...... Britain, as being crushed between Address...... wagons or stepping into the path of an oncoming train were all too ...... common events. Like I said, a bloody good read about the dirt and deaths, Postcode ...... Telephone...... feuds and frauds, robberies and riots Branch...... Membership No...... of the Victorian railway. Mick holder Please return coupon to: ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN

November 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 23 HEALTH SAFETY R P POSSESSION M MANAGEMENT L H S SE E I O A A N COMPETENCE E L A N S

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