ASLEFJOURNAL MAY 2018 The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen Wales on the Rails Inside this issue: A special report on the state of the railway in Wales The train drivers ’ plus join us for the big march and rally in London on Saturday 12 May union since 1880 GS Mick Whelan ASLEFJOURNAL MAY 2018 We will not be shy The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen 8 Mick: ‘Companies have to stick to agreements’ WANT to thank our members at Acton Town for the unity and solidarity shown in 4 I the action taken over the abrogation of recognised and agreed process and procedure and News virtual blackmail of a colleague into another role. This is not, as misrepresented in the press, about l Jonathan Doughty and the Metro Meanderer 4 defending the indefensible, and poor safety of the l Lilian Greenwood says it’s high time this 5 line, but ensuring the methodology for dealing with country had a national transport strategy such issues is the agreed and tested one. We are balloting elsewhere on imposition rostering and l Andy Jones reports on a trip to Spain to 6 hope that common sense prevails because we will remember those who died at Tarancón not be shy in responding when companies refuse to 11 honour agreements and operate in bad faith. l DfT’s claims are just ‘smoke and mirrors’ 7 We attended the STUC and Welsh Labour Party l Mind the pay gap but train drivers look good 8 conferences at the end of April, speaking out on issues – such as freight, DOO, infrastructure, and affordable housing – that impact on our members, Features their families and futures. The decision on the future of the East Coast franchise will be made Key Worker: Colin Smith looks back on 10-11 l soon. We know what we would like to see but, life as a train driver, district organiser, whatever happens, the uncertainty for those rugby player (and coach) and Everton fan employed and who use it must end. l Men of Harlech: Brian Corbett, Andy 12-13 12-13 Trade unions are internationalist and, while it is Hudd, Ian Thompson and David Jones right to challenge countries that use chemical weapons, we must be sure of the facts and a vote of l Stephen Austin on GWR; Ian Thompson on 14 Parliament, before taking action, is part of the ATW; Wayne Hurlow on the Heart of Wales democratic process. The Prime Minister may think l What life was like on an ambulance 14-15 this is her ‘Maggie and the Falklands’ moment but train during the Great War 100 years ago being a puppet of the US, and staying silent about Yemen, is not a good look. We are gearing up for our annual assembly of Regulars delegates when members analyse what we are doing and create the policies, based on items from l Branch News and 100 Years of Union 16-17 branches, that drive our agenda. We have 176 14 branches and will have 100 representatives present l Obituaries 19 – it is worth reminding each other that we carry out l Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21 the policy of the trade union – and look forward to the Young Members’ fringe and their growing voice l Last Word: As the sun comes out it’s time 22 in ASLEF. It is appropriate that AAD is in Liverpool to put up your feet and read a good book where we will say goodbye to District 3 Organiser l On Track, Prize Crossword, ASLEF’s 23 Colin Smith and thank him for his long service to Legal Services and Change of Address the union and its members and the movement as a whole. He will be greatly missed but I am sure Andy Hourigan will fill those large shoes and make the The ASLEF Journal is published every month by: role his own. We are replacing an Evertonian with a ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN Man City fan but this has not seemed to impact on Tel: 020 7324 2400 l email: [email protected] their abilities in the past (joke!) and wish both of website: www.aslef.org.uk l twitter: @ASLEFUnion them the very best. 22 Finally, I hope to see you at the TUC’s march and rally in London on 12 May. Please come and join us! EdItoR Mick Whelan l dESIGNER Michael Cronin l PRINtER College Hill Press, London, SW19 4HE AdvERtISING ASLEF Journal, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN. Contact Keith Richmond on 020 7324 2407 Yours fraternally or [email protected] l ClASSIFIEd AdS [email protected] or call 020 7324 2400. The acceptance of a Mick Whelan, general secretary 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 May 2018 l The ASLEF Journal 3 News Fog on the Tyne is all mine, all mine SLEF’s Tyne & trains, such as the Wear Metro stock transfer line A branch typically used for secretary, Jonathan empty coaching Doughty, and stock.’ colleagues helped ‘Michael Darling raise £6,500 for good and I took the BLS causes when they group around the the BlS: ‘the Metro gave 128 passengers a system, going into Meanderer tour was special tour of the many different sidings, led by 4060’ light rail system avoiding lines, talking serving Newcastle, them through the on day to day Gateshead, history of the system, operations.’ Sunderland and and taking them to l The Branch Line Tyneside. Passengers – places where usual years as a train driver the North Tyneside Hazel Mitchell, Jonny Society, founded in all members of the passenger service isn’t that the train has Steam Railway Doughty, Michael 1955, is the largest Branch Line Society – allowed,’ said come back cleaner Association. Kev Darling and Simon amateur railway study got ‘a complex tour of Jonathan. ‘It was a than it was when it Adlam of the BLS said: Whitelaw who did an group in the UK. the Metro, completing very enjoyable day for went out!’ ‘We are indebted to excellent job looking Membership costs £12 a series of unusual both staff and The trip raised the professionalism after us and liaising per year and you can moves not normally passengers and it’s £6,500 for the St John and dedication of the with control to ensure visit the website at visited by passenger the first time in my 15 Ambulance, Mind and on board team of there was no impact www.branchline.uk Join us on the march QUOTE… ‘Forgive me if I do not join in with the The TUC, which represents 5.5 ‘We’re marching because comparisons between Russia and million workers in 49 trade real wages are still lower than Nazism. They are not accurate. Nazism unions in Britain, is organising before the financial collapse was a hateful ideology that sought the a march and rally in London of 2008,’ said Simon. ‘Because death of millions. We are not dealing on Saturday 12 May to three million workers are with that in today’s Russia.’ – Tom demand a new deal for stuck on zero hour contracts, Tugenhadt , Conservative MP for working people. ASLEF in agency work, and in low Come and join Mick and Tonbridge & Malling activists are invited to join GS paid, and artificial, self- Simon on the march and rally …UNQUOTE Mick Whelan, AGS Simon employment. Because Weller, executive committee hardworking public servants and despair.’ members and district haven’t had a proper pay rise Mick said: ‘Please come TWEETS OF THE MONTH organisers on Victoria for eight years. Because our and join us on the march, and embankment, between NHS is at breaking point. And at the rally, to show solidarity A concept doomed to failure from a Hungerford Bridge and because years of cuts have with every other worker in bunch of millionaires, pushed by a Blackfriars Bridge, at 11am. led to poverty, homelessness Britain.’ failed leader of a party he left in ruins, a smokescreen purely designed to try and split Give me Monet – SHARKS CIRCLING FIRST the Labour Party. Mr Clegg supported & FirstGroup, which runs Great Western, tPE, hull propped up a disastrous Tory coalition of that’s what I want trains and South West trains, as well as Greyhound doom. I don’t fear any ‘new party’. coaches in the States, is fending off a takeover bid Angela Rayner by the aggressive private equity group Apollo. First, from its head office in Aberdeen, described At least these people are honest that the bid as ‘opportunistic’. the sole aim of a new party isn’t to win power – they know it never would – but just ANGIE, YOU CAN’T SAY WE NEVER TRIED to keep the Tories in power. AGS Simon Weller went head to head with Angie Owen Jones doll of GtR on BBC Sussex last month on Southern Rail’s recent – and indecently hasty – pledge to Hundreds attend Westminster service recruit more women to work on the railway. A in memory of union legend Rodney The Gare Saint-Lazare , painted in common aim, of course, but we’ve heard it all before Bickerstaffe, with speeches by @johnprescott 1877 by Claude Monet, is on display and Simon won the bout on points. @DavePrentis @jeremycorbyn at the National Gallery until 29 July @MPeakeOfficial as part of the Monet & Architecture our hip, hot and happening black Alan Jones exhibition.