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Look to the future now it’s only just begun 6

his time of year is, traditionally, a time for 8 T reflection about where we are – and where we want to be. We are a nation in News 4 decline where one in four of our children is living below the poverty line, homelessness is growing, and the bedroom tax and zero hours contracts set  Ed’s pledge list for general election 4 new lows for a so-called civilised society and the  neil and Katy to get scotland back on track 5 world’s sixth richest nation. free speech is under attack from the gagging law and legal redress for  south yorkshire freedom Riders in court 6 ordinary workers – in employment and personal  Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori 7 injury – is being priced out reach. We don’t want to live in that sort of world and, as trade unionists, we  Best in ClAss and man from team Pru 8 fight each day to retain the rights won by those who sacrificed everything in two world wars. in our industry perverse decisions are being made that challenge the future shape and safety Features 10 12-13 of the railway and many roles within it. our officers and reps, as always, will be at the forefront to ensure this does not happen. the strength of this  Mick Whelan and Dave Calfe Down under 10 union has been demonstrated by the fact that we  Roy luxford reveals the truth about ttiP 11 have not seen the sort of prolonged attacks on pensions, salary and recognition that have  simon Weller on 27 years as a train 12-13 happened elsewhere under the dogmatic guise of driver and trade union activist austerity.  howard Kaye and nigel gibson report 14 We want to live in a world where employers on the year in District 5 pay the right rate for the job and workers are not subsidised through welfare; where education and  shirley handsley on AslEf education 15 the nhs are available to all at no cost; and our children have a future in safe, regulated industries. the future should always be one of hope and aspiration so my heartfelt thanks go to the 17 executive committee, officers, representatives and Regulars 16 branch officials who have this year, as in the past, strived to ensure that we always look forward and deliver for our members.  Branch news and 100 years of union 16- 17 And i thank you, once again, for your solidarity  obituaries 19 and support and wish you and your family a happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous new  letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21 year.  last Word: Christmas Books 22 yours fraternally  Prize Crossword and legal services 23 Mick Whelan , general secretary  Christmas cover: Martin Rowson 22

T ASLEF Journal published monthly by AslEf U

O u 77 st John street, london, EC1M 4nn 020 7324 2400

b ¤ A ASLEF 6 020 7490 8697 : [email protected] : www.aslef.org.uk ASLEF JOURNAL l EDITOR Mick Whelan l PRINTED BY tu ink, london, EC2A 4Qs l GRAPHIC DESIGN Michael Cronin ADVERTISING ten Alps Media, 1 new oxford street, high holborn, london, WC1A 1nu l DISPLAY ADVERTISING Contact [email protected] tel : 020 7878 2319 MEMBERS’ CLASSIFIED ADS email [email protected] or call 020 7324 2400 More than the acceptance of an advert 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 just a union 4 news the ASLEF JOURNAL Ed’s pledge ahead of general election

ith just five months to hold millions back. i will force go before the general energy companies to freeze gas W election, labour leader and electricity bills until 2017. i Ed Miliband has spelt out some of will give power back to those who the policies which will appear in rent their homes, by scrapping the party’s manifesto in May. letting fees and stabilising ‘first, i will undo the damage tenancy agreements. i will raise the tories have done to our money from tobacco companies, country,’ he said. ‘i will scrap the tax avoiders, and a mansion tax to Ed Miliband had plenty to smile about at the Labour Party conference bedroom tax, which unfairly fund more doctors, nurses, care until Andy Botham asked him why he wasn’t talking about punishes the disabled and the workers and midwives for our renationalising the railways vulnerable. i will scrap the health nhs. i will reform our banks so and social Care Act, which that they properly support small giving tax breaks to companies by getting 200,000 homes built undermines our nhs. i will scrap businesses. And i will stop that pay it. i will ban exploitative every year.’ the gagging law, which limits our recruitment agencies hiring only zero hours contracts. i will bring in there was one glaring freedom of speech and our right from abroad. a lower 10p income tax rate, omission from Ed’s early list – a to campaign. And i will reverse ‘third, i will start to rebuild a cutting taxes for 24 million promise to bring Britain’s railways the tories’ £3 billion tax cut for fairer, better Britain. i will raise the workers. i will support working back into public ownership. And millionaires, so we get the deficit minimum wage, to ensure that parents with 25 hours of free that’s curious because that’s a down, but do it fairly. everyone who does a hard day’s childcare for three- and four-year- pledge which, polls repeatedly ‘second, i will take on the work is properly rewarded. i will olds. And i will help more young show, would be a vote winner in powerful vested interests that promote the living wage by people get on the housing ladder every seat across the country.

faster than a speeding bullet QUOTE … ‘HS2 is crucial to the long-term The first passengers have Maglev trains are much prosperity of this country.’ – Robert travelled – at speeds of 500kph faster than Japan’s famous bullet trains, which travel at goodwill , parliamentary Under (311mph) – on the new generation of super fast 320kph (200mph). They use a Secretary of State for Transport Hi-tech Japanese maglev maglev trains in Japan. More form of magnetic levitation, …UNQUOTE trains are much faster than than 2,400 men and women, hence the name, to ‘float’ the famous bullet trains chosen by ballot, were carried above the tracks, which on board the Central Japan minimises friction and allows Trains on the HS1 line connecting London to the SpENdiNg MORE TiME – ANd MORE Railway Company’s them to travel quicker. The trains will comprise 16 Channel Tunnel through Kent MONEy – gETTiNg TO WORk experimental Shinkansen train for a series of 27 mile test carriages, carrying 1,000 achieve speeds of 186mph the time – and money – commuters spend journeys between Uenohara passengers, and will be and, on the planned HS2 line, getting to and from work has shot up over the and Fuefuki. brought into service by 2027. are expected to reach 225mph. past five years, according to a tuC analysis of official figures. Workers in the East Midlands are worst affected, spending an extra 18 hours on the bus or train or in their car. slower than stephenson’s Rocket lee Barron, Midlands regional secretary of the tuC, said: ‘When workers are already nigel harris, in his comment column in Rail magazine, working longer for less, it’s a blow that they are argued that the ‘case and numbers’ for a high speed 3 giving up more of their own time commuting. trans-Pennine railway ‘are compelling.’ And he went on to the East Midlands has been hit really hard by tell this story. ‘i came to this report [of the City growth the economic down turn and people are Commission] just hours after a meeting with leading rail travelling farther to make ends meet.’ thinker Paul salveson, who told me as we parted that he was giving a talk that night before going home by train to huddersfield on the trans-Pennine line the CgC is so Our smart ASLEF disillusioned with. “My train will achieve an average 18mm diameter The Rocket: state of the art speed of 28mph!” said Paul. that’s 2mph less than the enamel crescent technology two centuries ago 1830 top speed in liverpool of stephenson’s Rocket !’ stud button hole badges are just £4 (including p&p); NORThERN LiNE ExTENSiON gETS gO AhEAd email [email protected] or visit our Patrick McLoughlin, the Secretary of State for Transport, has given the green light to a £1 online shop at www.aslef.org.uk billion project to extend the Northern line from Kennington to Nine Elms and Battersea. Transport for London says it should be running by 2020. the ASLEF JOURNAL DECEMBER 2014 news 5

AslEf backs neil and Katy Off the to get scotland back on track rails pEOpLE LOVE lists and the Daily Telegraph , in AslEf is backing neil findlay to its travel supplement’s recent rail special, listed become leader, and Katy Clark to what it considers the world’s finest luxury train become deputy leader, of the journeys. The top ten? The Venice Simplon scottish labour Party now Johann Orient Express; the Rocky Mountaineer in lamont and Anas sarwar have Canada; the Maharajas’ Express in India; the stepped down. Blue Train between Cape Town and Pretoria; the Eastern & neil, 45, a former bricklayer, Oriental Express from Bangkok to Singapore; the Trans- housing officer, and English Siberian Express from Moscow to Vladivostok and ‘the teacher, was elected to the We are supporting Neil Findlay arguably more spectacular’ Trans-Mongolian from Moscow scottish Parliament as MsP for (left) and Katy Clark to lead the to Beijing via Ulan Bator; the Desert Express in Namibia; the lothian in 2011. he is shadow Scottish Labour Party Kyushu Seven Stars in Japan; the Hiram Bingham from Cabinet secretary for health and Cusco to Machu Picchu in Peru; and El Transcantábrico from Wellbeing. Mick Whelan said: ‘We men and women in scotland.’ León to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. What’s your are supporting neil in his bid to Katy, 47, joined the labour favourite (luxury or non-luxury) journey? become leader of the scottish Party at 17, and was a solicitor in labour Party and, we hope, first Edinburgh and then the legal hOWARd kAyE , executive committee Minister in 2016, because he has officer of unison before being member for District 5, is standing against the character, the vision, the elected MP for north Ayrshire and Jeremy Hunt in South West Surrey at the talent and the ability to deliver for Arran in 2005. Mick said: ‘We have general election in May. Howard, out on the the people of scotland. neil been a long-standing friend and stump in Aldershot, Farnham and Godalming understands what labour has to supporter of Katy because of her got into a discussion about the merits of Labour vis à vis do to win back the hearts, the passionate and powerful political the Socialist Workers Party. ‘The trouble with the SWP,’ minds, and the votes of working convictions. Katy’s vision for the future of the labour Party, and for smiled Howard, ‘is that they’re not socialists, they’re not the future of the country, is one workers, and they don’t know how to party!’ that we share. she knows what QUOTE … we need to do to get this country ThE bEST thing about the Scottish Left Review – a bi- ‘The cost of a Travelcard for back on track.’ monthly magazine with some interesting articles but a zones 1-6 has increased by neil is one of three candidates desperately dull layout – is the column at the back of the £440 since Boris became for leader – the others are Jim book by the stand up comic Vladimir McTavish. In the mayor. Tube fares have gone Murphy, MP for East latest issue Vladimir, which is possibly not his real name, up by way above inflation Renfrewshire, and sarah Boyack, muses that one reason the Yes campaign lost the every year.’ – Sadiq khan , MsP for Edinburgh Central – independence vote in Scotland ‘was down to the throwing Labour Mp for Tooting while Katy is up against Kezia of eggs at Jim Murphy,’ adding, ‘It didn’t happen often …UNQUOTE Dugdale, MsP for the lothians enough.’ Vladimir feels the incident ‘illustrates the degree region. to which New Labour has lost its working-class roots. When John Prescott had an egg thrown at him, he didn’t go bleating to the press about “intimidation”. He reacted with SUiCidES Up dignity. By panelling the guy who did it.’ New figures from the Rail Safety and Standards Board show that suicides on the railway have risen sharply – 10 per cent up year on ANdy bOThAM , the East Midlands year – with 155 reported from January to June. Trains driver standing in Derbyshire Dales against Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin at the general CONFERENCES 2015 election, isn’t dropping the left-wing The Welsh Labour Party conference will be held from Friday rhetoric as some candidates do when they get a whiff of 13 to Sunday 15 February in Swansea. The Scottish Labour Westminster in their nostrils. Far from it. Councillor Botham Party conference will be on Saturday 7 March. The Scottish has pinned up a poster of Che Guevara on his office wall at TUC is from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 April in Ayr. ASLEF’s county hall in Matlock. And Roo was spotted on a train (as a annual assembly of delegates is at the Park Inn, Southend, passenger, not a driver) reading Bill Brand: The Screenplays from Tuesday 12 to Friday 15 May. The Durham Miners’ Gala is by Trevor Griffiths, the Spokesman Books edition of the on Saturday 11 July. The Tolpuddle Martyrs’ festival, near celebrated TV series (starring Jack Shepherd, Cherie Dorchester, is from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July. The Burston Lunghi, Geoffrey Palmer and Alan Badel) about a left-wing strike school rally is at Burston, near Diss, in Norfolk on firebrand trying to influence a right-wing Labour Sunday 6 September. The Trades Union Congress is at the government back in the 1970s. Brighton Centre from Sunday 13 to Wednesday 16 September and the Labour Party conference is at the Brighton Centre diCk TUCk , a Democrat and political prankster, after from Sunday 27 to Wednesday 30 September. running in 1966 for the California state senate, and losing, was asked for his reaction and uttered the immortal words: ‘The people have spoken... the bastards!’ That’s politics, and 500 CLUb: J Robson, with number 47, won the November draw, that’s democracy. Merry Christmas… scooping the RMS prize money jackpot of £350. 6 news the ASLEF JOURNAL i’m gonna ride on the freedom train i ain’t gonna live this way again

osh M cDonAlD , AslEf’s vice- president, will lead a delegation of T train drivers to a lobby organised by Barnsley trades council outside sheffield magistrates’ court on 8 December when retired teacher george Arthur, 64, and tony nuttall, 66, a former health service manager, appear on charges of obstructing the police and not having a valid ticket to travel. george and tony were brutally manhandled by British transport Police during about intimidating protesters. a peaceful protest by south yorkshire freedom ‘some of the officers completely lost Jen Dunstan (left) will be joining Tosh to Riders at sheffield station on 23 June. video control,’ said george. ‘it appears that northern lobby on behalf of George (above left) footage of burly officers, aided and abetted by Rail and the police decided to “teach us a and Tony (above), who was brutally northern Rail managers and private security lesson”. the result was one of the most manhandled by British Transport Police staff, ‘getting stuck in’ to pensioners and disgraceful scenes ever seen at a British at Sheffield station disabled people went viral. Blind people were railway station.’ knocked to the ground, and one man was Passengers were protesting about a ‘But we fight on to win back free travel for pushed out of his wheelchair, as police set decision in february by the south yorkshire pensioners,’ said Dave gibson, chair of Barnsley Passenger transport Executive to scrap free trades council. ‘As graham Kyte, a former travel on off-peak trains because of savage syPtE member, told me, “the only reason you spending cuts imposed by the Conservative- have won some concessions is because of your QUOTE … liberal Democrat coalition. campaign”. ‘Sir James Mathew, an Irish judge at the campaign, by the freedom Riders, ‘We hope to turn the demo in December the turn of the 20th century, is said to based on the civil rights protests in the Deep into a large trade union solidarity protest to have quipped that justice, in England, south of the united states in the 1960s, has show how popular the idea of free train travel is open to all, “like the Ritz Hotel”.’ – been partially successful, persuading the for older people is in the wider movement. The Economist county transport committee to restore free And to show how shocked people have been …UNQUOTE travel for disabled people and half fares for by seeing clips of the arrests of george and older passengers. tony on youtube.’

TOC CALLS COpS AS FLybE you can bend but never break me pOAChES pASSENgERS ALiSON MiLLER of the Women’s Representative one of the privatised train Committee reports from the 87th Women’s STUC operating companies called in the conference in perth police when a low budget airline put ‘its tanks on our turf’ and tried Dave Moxham, deputy general secretary of the stuC, gave conference an update, to poach its passengers. explaining that what trade unions do is important because ‘better work leads to a first great Western staff at better society.’ Conference then moved on to motions, which this year included items Exeter were at first nonplussed, on maternity, pensions, austerity, benefit cuts, and privatisation. As AslEf’s delegate, i and then furious, when flybe reps moved the composite motion on the gender stereotyping of toys and spoke in turned up at Exeter station and support of a motion relating to staff cuts in the transport sector. Keith Brown, tried to tempt travellers to switch transport Minister in the scottish government, addressed conference on day two and from rail to air with free coffee and spoke at length about the new franchise agreement for scotRail and the sleeper offers of promotional return service. he was then questioned by conference and AslEf, the RMt and tssA cross- flights for £70. the resulting row examined him on the franchising system currently in place. the national library of ended when British transport scotland gave a presentation on leading female trade unionists in the history of Police were called after fgW scotland. And to close conference we were treated to some light hearted management complained that entertainment from comedian and activist susan Morrison. flybe were causing a disruption. Andrew McConnell of flybe said: ‘it is regrettable that, in a commercial free market, first UNdERWATER TRAiN TO iRELANd great Western, a company which A think tank has called for an underwater train tunnel, like the Channel likes to talk about enterprise and Tunnel between England and continental Europe, to link Wales with competition and the market, felt it Ireland. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Cymru Wales Alison Miller (above necessary to contact the police to says the 75 mile tunnel, from Holyhead to Dublin, would be ‘a £15 billion left) was ASLEF’s try and protect themselves from major engineering and investment project of European significance.’ delegate to the flybe’s offer of free coffee in a Women’s Scottish TUC public space.’ the ASLEF JOURNAL DECEMBER 2014 news 7

they shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old

District 3 organiser Colin smith Merseytravel in 2010 after a long joined councillors Marion campaign by AslEf. Atkinson and Mark Dowd on ‘the plaque, with the names of Remembrance sunday as men the brave men and women from and women, young and old, the railways, was put up after gathered at a memorial plaque at pressure by Marion and Mark, who old Roan station on Merseyside has over 50 years’ loyal service to to pay their respects to rail AslEf and the labour movement workers who lost their lives and who pushed for this plaque to during the first and second World be placed in the open where the Wars. public can see it,’ said Colin. the plaque, displayed with ‘the local community takes artwork by year six pupils at holy care of the site where the plaque Colin, Marion and Mark at Rosary school in Aintree, was is and it is kept to a pristine the railwayworkers’ unveiled by Merseyrail and condition.’ memorial on Merseyside

Twitter storm that followed was phenomenal,’ said Debbie QUOTE … Just a Reay, branch secretary, ‘When you go home, tell them of us and Northern life north. ‘People say, for your tomorrow, we gave our were really moved by the little today.’ – John Maxwell Edmonds minute lad.’ …UNQUOTE Wayne Hughes, a train operator on the London QUOTE … Underground, and big Arsenal ‘I felt then, as I feel now, What a waste of money fan – he trades on Twitter as that the politicians who Mick Whelan has hit out at transport for WayneTheGooner – posted took us to war should london for wasting taxpayers’ money after it this picture of his football- have been given the coughed up £80 million to a company which loving son Charlie on Saturday guns and told to settle failed to deliver on an important contract. 8 November as Little Lad their differences ‘three years ago Bombardier were awarded Completes His Remembrance paid his own tribute to the themselves, instead of the contract to replace and upgrade the Day Minute’s Silence. Wayne, fallen, with his Subbuteo organising nothing signalling on the sub-surface railway, which who works out of High Barnet, players, in the living room, as better than legalised includes the Circle, District, hammersmith & admitted that when he asked tens of thousands of footie fans mass murder.’ – harry City and Metropolitan lines on the london Charlie what he was doing, his observed a minute’s silence underground,’ said the gs. son told him, ‘Be quiet, dad, it’s before the Saturday games patch ‘By December last year it was clear that a minute’s silence,’ as Charlie right around the country. ‘The …UNQUOTE Bombardier was not going to deliver and the decision was taken to cancel the contract. But i don't understand why tfl wants to reward ROCk ON, TOSh Shining a little light failure rather than success. it’s outrageous that I write to thank Tosh tfl are wasting millions of pounds of McDonald, ASLEF’s vice- on a dark deal taxpayers' and passengers' money.’ president, for his the Campaign for trade union freedom is holding a the london Assembly transport participation at this year’s meeting about the dangers of the hush hush Eu-us Committee has also said it was surprised and miners’ memorial service at transatlantic trade & investment Partnership at 6pm disappointed that tfl paid Bombardier to end Rotherham Minster. We felt on Monday 1 December at unite, 128 theobald’s the signalling contract for sub-surface lines. that he and his good lady Road, london, WC1X 8tn. speakers include steve the committee asked why the company's were at home, so to speak, turner and John storey of unite, John hilary of War on “woeful failure” was rewarded with “a fat with the miners. I guess as a Want, Carolyn Jones of the institute of Employment cheque”. good republican he would Rights, John hendy QC and Mick Cash of the RMt. have preferred We Will Rock You to God Save the Queen Our cool black but the fact that people take RECORd NUMbERS TAkE ThE TUbE baseball caps are the time to remember, and Passengers on the Tube have hit a record high, just £5 (including pay respect, is uplifting and according to new stats released by Transport p&p); email the service was a testament for London. TfL says 26.1 million journeys [email protected] to this. were made on the Underground in the last or visit our online Chris kitchen , national week of September. That beats the previous shop which is at secretary, NUM record set in the run-up to Christmas last year. www.aslef.org.uk 8 news the ASLEF JOURNAL

Going down best in CLASS of the sun Mick Whelan has This year’s poppy badge produced by called on Ed Miliband Trevor presents his cheque to the Bramford Trevor Southgate, LLC to make sure that branch of the Royal British Legion public ownership of rep, Ipswich, to mark the railway – an the 100th anniversary behalf, and helped to It’s a very worthy enormously popular of the outbreak of the raise such a great charity and gives us a policy according to Great War, raised amount,’ said Trevor. chance to give a little every opinion poll – is £3,328. ‘I would like to ‘And ASLEF who, once something back to at the heart of the thank everyone who again, gave me their those who fought for Labour manifesto for bought a badge and support in allowing our freedom in the the general election in Mick shows his CLASS with, from left, Hilary also those members me to produce them past and will continue May. In a barnstorming Wainwright, Cat Hobbs, Clive Lewis and and branches who and by advertising to fight for our speech at the Centre Seumas Milne sold them on my them in the Journal . freedom in the future.’ for Labour and Social are being priced off they walk away. It’s no Studies’ conference at the railway by the way to run a modern Congress House in privatised train railway.’ Man from team Pru London, Mick spelled operating companies. Mick was speaking out how privatisation John Major said there to a packed meeting Lieutenant Prunella Ellwood of funds to help bring her home. has failed the people would be competition on Tackling the Failure the 19th Royal Artillery, ‘Pru’s family want to start of this country and but there is no of Privatisation: The responsible for providing ‘shock bringing her home for short what public competition. The Case for Public and awe’ for the British Army on visits,’ said Mark. ‘The army is ownership can do for Conservatives say Ownership on the modern battlefield, was paying towards structural Britain in the 21st their mates make a Saturday 1 November. returning to barracks in North changes to the family home, century. profit because of the He was joined on the Luffenham in December 2011 while our goal is to raise funds ‘Public subsidy has risk but there is no risk. platform by Cat when her car was involved in a for the specialised medical soared but passengers They make a profit or Hobbs, founder of the serious road traffic accident near equipment she needs. So far we pressure group We Peterborough. The crash left her have raised more than £3,000, QUOTE … Own It; Clive Lewis, in a non-responsive state in with a lot of support from Labour candidate for ‘All political campaigns involve a certain hospital, unable to communicate Basingstoke depot.’ Norwich South; amount of looking voters straight in the eye with, or recognise, family, friends Mark, who weighed 21st in Seumas Milne, and lying to them.’ – The Economist in a of members of her regiment. January, has lost more than 8st associate editor of The Pru, 24, is the daughter of DI leader on the US mid-term elections this year – ‘by eating better and Guardian ; and Hilary Ian Ellwood whose friend Mark running’ – and did the …UNQUOTE Wainwright, editor of Butler, a driver with South West Basingstoke half marathon in Red Pepper . Trains, set up Team Pru to raise October in 1:54:36. Mark and Ian have been interviewed by the Basingstoke Gazette , and by Tony Dead men tell no tales Blackburn on BBC Radio Berkshire, about their fund- MARZ COLOMbiNi in honour of their two raising efforts. For more details reports on a lost brothers which visit www.facebook.com/ memorial to the two included the unveiling of teampru men who died at a commemorative plaque. Be it Clapham, itchingfield Cowden or Itchingfield, Mick Guppy’s daughter Sharon and son Tim, In the early hours of 5 our industry has an Brighton branch chair Steve Chatfield, and John March 1964 at analytical talent for Myles’ sister Joan and half-brother Paul and the Itchingfield junction, reducing rail accidents to plaque with its quote by John Dryden three miles from a collection of facts, the memorial plaque, Bridges, most poignant Horsham, a collision figures, findings and from The Spanish Friar by were the contributions between two goods recommendations. It is John Dryden, ‘Dead men from the men’s families trains tragically left two worth wondering to tell no tales.’ who thanked ‘ASLEF for all ASLEF members, driver what extent, had Mick The memorial event the moral and financial Mick Guppy and fireman and John survived and held at Horsham station support given at the time’ John Myles, dead. Fifty given evidence to the on Sunday 26 October which clearly has not years on, to mark the subsequent inquiry, the was, first and foremost, been forgotten. anniversary, Brighton findings would have about the human side of Branch chair Steve branch held a differed. A question that the Itchingfield crash, Chatfield, NO Simon remembrance ceremony gives rise to the quote on and while ASLEF Weller and DO Graham Pru Ellwood, branches across the Morris invited members daughter of driver Our elegant tie clips are just division were of our brothers’ families to instructor Ian (with £3.50 (including p&p); email represented, including formally unveil the plaque his mate Mark [email protected] or visit Brighton, Horsham, in the booking hall at Butler right), in our online shop at www.aslef.org.uk Barnham, and Three Horsham. uniform and out ASLEF Journal 210x297.qxp_Layout 1 13/10/2014 17:49 Page 1

the ASLEF JOURNAL As an ASLEF member you get FREE expert legal support from Thompsons Solicitors

Contact the ASLEF legal service 'rst for free legal advice and representation on: Personal injury – at work or away from work*, on holiday* or on the roads* Serious injury* and industrial disease Special rates for clinical negligence* Criminal law support for workplace issues (24hr helpline: 0800 587 7530) Employment law (accessed via your ASLEF district organiser) *ASLEF members’ families are also covered Using your ASLEF legal service, provided by Thompsons Solicitors, means you will keep 100% of your compensation within the union scheme. Make the most of your membership. Contact the ASLEF legal service 'rst on 0808 100 8009

www.thompsons.law.co.uk/aslef.htm Stn ng  r  10 Report the ASLEF JOURNAL Can’t you hear the thunder

The challenges facing transport workers are similar right around the world as dAVE CALFE and the general secretary found when they went down under

nE of the tasks of a trade union like AslEf is to forge links with unions in O other countries. Partly because many of the problems we face are similar; and partly because just as companies swap information on how to cut jobs and drive down wages, terms and conditions, so trade unions can share success stories on how to Mick and Dave with the RTBU in Sydney (above) and the RMTU in get the best deals for our members. Wellington (top); the Indian Pacific runs 2,600 miles from Sydney to that’s why AslEf accepted an invitation to Perth (right); and the Midland line takes coal from Greymouth to the conference of the Rail and Maritime Christchurch (below right) transport union in Wellington, new Zealand, from 14 to 16 october. the RMtu has 4,600 our sister trade unions should be doing more members, with 24 delegates to conference, of here in the uK. who are elected machinery representatives, to give a small comparison on pay, their plus 23 observer delegates (who can speak, Metro passenger drivers earn $34 per hour for but not vote). a 40 hour week (80 hours over a fortnight) with a five day week; five weeks’ annual leave A pRAyER iN MAORi plus bank holidays; 6:30 minimum turn length; they opened with a prayer in Maori, and then 9:45 maximum turn; five days’ sick pay per year in English, in memory of members who have and no workplace pension. union subs are died. the conference venue had many posters $36.40 per month. underlining the importance of health & safety and, as Port lyttleton had three workplace pASSENgER ANd FREighT time while looking for a parking space! fatalities in the last year, that made the prayers on 20 and 21 october we met the new south Drivers’ terms & conditions in Australia are rather poignant. Conference was conducted Wales Rail tram & Bus union at the quarterly negotiated between the employer and the in a relaxed and informal way, with delegates meeting of their drivers’ divisional council in trade union and cover only those employees – and the top table – liable to a $10 fine for sydney, Australia. Delegates and reps meet who are members of the union. Called being late or using mobile phones. quarterly at their offices to develop policy and enterprise agreements, they can last from one they may be on the other side of the discuss developments. they have just changed to four years and if, at the end, no new world, 11,500 miles from the uK, but RMtu their structure to make sure they have agreement is reached the existing EA remains members have the same workplace issues as guaranteed passenger and freight reps on in place; but if there is no increase in salary or we do, which was demonstrated during the their executive committee, elected by the improvements in t&Cs, the union can give international Q&A sessions where our gs relevant section. notice of industrial action. spoke about the issues facing train drivers in When we met them, along with our Britain. colleague Derrick Marr from the RMt, the ENTERpiSE AgREEMENTS Railways in new Zealand were re- issues raised were again very similar to those one EA for drivers in nsW is with the Pacific nationalised in 2008 but still have their we hear at our branches and depots on a daily national freight company. it has an annual difficulties; the latest being the purchase of basis. for example: rosters; proposed in cab contract of 1,976 hours (190 hours included for more than 40 locomotives from the Dalian CCtv monitoring; forward facing cameras; five weeks annual leave) managed over a 16 locomotive & Rolling stock Company of fatalities; pensions; Doo; overtime; members (608 hours) or 20 (760 hours) week cycle for a China, at a cost of $130 million, which have making agreements for themselves; and, er, salary of $81,217. the maximum shift length is been plagued by mechanical problems, and ‘Will you stop sending us British managers?’ 9 hours if single crewed; 11 hours if double have now been found to contain asbestos. the freight industry in new south Wales is crewed. Pensions are provided. union subs are it is shocking that this is happening in the privatised but the passenger companies are $54 a month. 21st century, a major concern to our driver still state run. it was also interesting, given the view by colleagues in the RMtu, and something that the industrial relations landscape in sydney some, larger, uK trade unions, that AslEf we as a trade union must guard against as the and new south Wales is influenced by should become part of a larger trade union, provision of traction becomes ever more whoever is in power politically, with the nsW that in both new Zealand and Australia the global and fragmented. transport minister recently withdrawing all recurring piece of advice offered was for us to the RMtu has been campaigning to have staff car parking spaces, giving them to remain as ‘an independent train drivers’ union.’ their locos and rolling stock manufactured in customers and making it unlikely that drivers A good lesson to bring home from the other new Zealand – something i think AslEf and and train crew will be able to attend work on side of the world. the ASLEF JOURNAL DECEMBER 2014 Commentary 11

Dirty deal that’s a direct attack on democracy

ROy LUxFORd of Three bridges reveals the truth about TTip which neoliberals

AUGUST 2014 TTIP 11 on both sides of the Atlantic The secret EU deal which could undermine us all The Lord Provost at Waverley In the June Journal don’t want you to know station in April 1985; note the we published a TDM equipment on the front of letter by Paul the cab (photo David Christie) Williamson under from the bizarre and erratic (such the headline Trans- as the use of creosote and moth Atlantic Trade Deal balls as barrier repellents) to the is Assault on bizarre and effective (like British Democracy. spreading a concentrated extract Here KATY PROCTOR, ASLEF’s of lion dung along the perimeter). That said, the best way to deter website editor and conference deer remains properly erected organiser, sheds a little more light and maintained fences. With this – on a treaty that threatens us all and recent incidents like Letterston Junction – in mind, What do you know about the Network Rail has put standards in HAT IS THE TTIP? place to mitigate the different W The Transatlantic Trade types of fence-related risk evident & Investment at different locations. Partnership is a free trade and Animal incursions are a investment treaty being standing item at Network Rail’s negotiated in secret between the transnational corporations. to public services, the regular boundary risk European Union and the USA. As Already much of our health and environment, and even the food transatlantic trade & investment it is, the EU and USA enjoy a education sectors are we eat. If it is allowed to proceed, management liaison meetings, and will be covered by an ‘objects strong trade and investment undergoing gradual we will see a shift of power from on the line’ deep dive review, relationship and tariffs between privatisation – from children’s national governments to which started in July and ends in the EU and the US are already at social services to care homes for multinational corporations, with September. minimal levels, so why are the elderly and from ambulance little or no chance of individuals What does all this mean? For companies and business services to the railways – and being able to challenge or affect Partnership? not a lot? Well, here’s regulations to protect people one thing, the cab’s a much safer lobbyists so keen to see this new TTIP would accelerate this change by democratic means.’ The #noTTIP Times reports that place for a driver than it was in deal signed? ASLEF’s executive transformation of public services 1984; for another, the rail industry committee is keen to promote into new privately-run sectors. REPERCUSSIONS can have a degree of confidence awareness of the dangers of this The aim is to make a private Mick Whelan, ASLEF’s general that the risk from animal incursion proposed treaty, and to mobilise profit at public expense. secretary, explains that TTIP has been reduced by industry opposition against it. could lead to higher levels of improvements in fence UNDERMINE PARLIAMENT unemployment and a a crash course to bring you up to would take precedence. ttiP management, cab-to-shore DEREGULATION One of the most worrying downgrading of labour slovakia was forced to pay €22 communications, and rules for The main aim of the TTIP is to aspects of the TTIP is that it will standards in Europe. ‘It would reporting incidents. But while we remove those barriers which enable foreign investors to sue make it easier for companies to continue to monitor the situation, restrict the profits that governments for loss of potential source goods and services from we know that the occasional transnational corporations can profits resulting from public the USA, where labour standards incident can still cause harm, and make. The problem is that what policy decisions. The Investor- are lower, and for them to delays to passengers and goods. global corporations perceive as State Dispute Settlement demand the eradication of would entrench in law effectively transfers power from labour rights, like collective speed. We need to be concerned barriers include vital, and million to the insurer Achmea That’s why we need to look beyond the trend lines and our entirely sensible, regulations the government to transnational bargaining and the right to own borders when considering protecting our labour rights, companies by allowing them to organise, on the grounds that where to focus our limited safety food safety, digital privacy laws seek compensation for social they restrict their business resources, and why – if you see a and banking safeguards. While it and environmental regulations model and profit margins. Trade large animal up a bank chewing might be handy for profit-driven which stand in the way of their unionists, civil society groups because this is one of the most privatisation – allowing a few to grass – it’s important to report it as corporations if they didn’t have voracious business interests, and and politicians need to be aware when it tried to introduce public soon as you can. to comply with social and could deter governments from of what is going on and voice environmental regulations – passing legislation on their opposition before many would like to live in a free employment rights, health and businesses replace governments  Greg Morse is the Rail market Wild West with no rules environmental protection, or both in providing services and in Safety and Standard Board’s or regulations at all – but it human rights. controlling regulatory operational feedback would definitely not be in our standards.’ dangerous, and invidious, trade exploit for private profit what specialist and the rail editor interest. WAR ON WANT health insurance. Egypt is being of Right Track magazine. Jackie Simpkins works for the The RSSB’s special topic PUSHING PRIVATISATION charity War on Want, who have  ASLEF is looking at ways report on the risk from big Another aim of the TTIP is to been running a national tour to of campaigning against animals can be found at open up public services and raise awareness of TTIP and build TTIP. For more information www.rssb.co.uk government procurement a campaign against it. She says: visit www.waronwant.org deals ever done. sued by veolia for $80 million for should belong to us all – and the contracts to competition from ‘TTIP poses an enormous threat ttiP is a proposed free trade raising the minimum wage. capitalist model of running an agreement between the European Argentina has coughed up more economy which has failed most of union and the united states of than $1 billion after being sued by the people of this world. we rely for everything we buy will America which would hand water and electricity companies Medicines will become much be put at risk by ttiP as will the enormous powers over to big (including EDf) for freezing utility dearer as companies act to energy and climate policies business, threatening public prices. Australia is being sued by prevent inexpensive generic needed to save our planet. Ditto services, workers’ rights, food Philip Morris for protecting public treatments being produced and the new financial regulations safety and the environment. it is a health by introducing plain brought to market. Data designed to prevent banks from direct attack on our democracy. cigarette packets and the tobacco exclusivity will mean that clinical gambling with our money and giant has threatened to sue the trial data can only be used by the creating another global economic SECRET COURTS uK government if it follows suit. company that paid for the trial. A crisis. But all our political parties, except And Canada is being sued for similar rule forced the Jordanian the world’s biggest industrial the greens, support this $500 million by the us drug government to spend an conglomerates, agribusinesses agreement on the grounds that it company Eli lilly because it additional $22 million on brand and financial service providers will ‘make us better off’. the refused a patent on one of the name drugs between 2002 and want to rewrite these safeguards labour Party backs the idea, but firm’s drugs (it doesn’t do what 2006. and enshrine ‘corporate rights’ not the right of companies to sue the company claims) and is, behind closed doors. so if governments, and the liberal consequently, ‘depriving us of STANdARdS AT RiSk genetically modified frankenstein Democrats are adopting the same expected future profits.’ it’s ttiP will also allow the big food doesn’t make it through stance. But the hypocritical outrageous! pharmaceutical companies to sue formal negotiations, ‘regulatory Conservative Party, which wants countries that use their legal right co-operation’ will give to repatriate laws from the Eu, NO pUbLiC OWNERShip to access generic medicines in a agribusiness a permanent including those that gave us the And it means we would be unable health emergency. Countries mechanism for promoting these working time directive, paid to bring industries, like the utility around the world are already dangerous products. holidays, and the right to sickness companies, and our own railway facing lawsuits for implementing Please contact your MP and leave not counted as holiday, is industry, back into public proper public health policies from MEP and make your views known, prepared to enter into an ownership as the companies that multinationals more interested in as if this goes ahead, as currently agreement being negotiated in own or operate these industries making money than saving drafted, we might as well not secret by the very bureaucrats would be off to the secret court to people’s lives. bother electing any they like to criticise on a daily stop it. the safety standards on which representatives ever again. basis. the Council of Europe would this trade agreement, if it goes give big business, and their oily through as drafted, will give multi- lobbyists in Brussels, the right to  We published a letter from Paul Williamson, headlined national companies based in be involved in the law-making Trans-Atlantic Trade Deal is Assault on British Democracy, in offshore tax havens and us process long before any public the June edition of the Journal . In August, in her article The corporations the right to sue democratic debate takes place. Secret EU Deal Which Could Undermine Us All, Katy Proctor democratically-elected food safety, consumer shed a little more light on the treaty about which politicians governments which pass laws protection, the environment and are loathe to come clean. And last month we reported how which, they think, will affect their many other areas would be Tosh and Nicky McDonald joined a demo in Doncaster to profits or shareholders. And such jeopardised because ‘free trade’ protest about the media silence on the proposed dirty deal claims will, shamefully, be heard in and the right of capitalist between the European Union and the United States. a secret court with no right of companies ‘red in tooth and claw’ appeal. What price democracy? to ride roughshod over 12 Agenda the ASLEF JOURNAL I, I WILL BE KING AND YOU, YOU WILL BE QUEEN WE CAN BE HEROES, JUST FOR ONE DAY

National organiser move on memories, as a child, of enjoyable family holidays in the area is possibly not the SiMON WELLER most mature approach to a career move. joined british Rail in it was a very unusual depot at the end of a branch line that seemed to move back in time as 1987. here he it progressed to the Welsh coast. unusual and reflects on the changes he’s retro to the extent that there were still steam challenged – wherever it lay. engines on the narrow gauge line out of the disconnect between what was preached seen, and some of the Aberystwyth operated by British Rail until 1988. in East germany and what was actually inspirational characters he’s their sell off precipitated the depot’s closure in happening made me more determined to effect 1989: perhaps the first taste of rail privatisation. change at home. those experiences gave met, in a life on the there were some great AslEf stalwarts at Aber direction and conviction to my approach to footplate as a train driver amongst the establishment of ten drivers, who AslEf. provided an incomparable education for a 19- and trade union activist year-old like me. the fact that Aberystwyth was a A FRiENd’S FLAT iN bERLiN holiday destination, university campus and had a As i write this, sat in a friend’s flat in Berlin, it is hy do some members become AslEf nurses’ training hospital also had certain appeal the weekend celebrating the 25th anniversary of W activists or politically active in any for a young second man about town. the wall coming down, an event i ridiculously form? this was a question i was asked missed by two hours back in 1989 (although i recently and, in many cases, it is hard to say. But, TRAdE UNiON yOUTh CAMp may have one of the last stamped exit visas from for me, it was an accident, nothing planned, no But let’s fast forward nearly 28 years, leaving that particular day) but it serves to draw a neat great design; just a sense of ‘that’s not right.’ behind the misty-eyed nostalgia, and return to parallel. it also has to be said at the outset that there the original question. Why, when you’ve got the the last 25 years have been tumultuous for was a great deal of encouragement from a job, do some people become activists and where AslEf – preparation for privatisation, and particular member: Dave griffiths, who made it do they come from? privatisation itself, changing the fundamental his business to ensure that the young upstarts at for me, it was the encouragement of Dave nature of the railway here in Britain. the Aberystwyth were encouraged ‘to get involved’ griffiths, who suggested i attend a trade union imposition of new bargaining machinery in an and have their say as well as ‘have a go’ as branch youth camp, very common things back in the attempt to break the union’s hold on officers. there was also Mick Richards, another day. in many ways, this event shaped my political negotiations and a total shift in the footplate AslEf man through and through, who showed outlook and trade union activism. grade’s demographic could have meant the end me how to handle a train. A tale in itself… it was a ten day youth camp for young trade of what was, in many ways, an old fashioned, unionists from around the world, held in the traditional, craft union. TRACTiON TRAiNEE AT WATERLOO german Democratic Republic (East germany, as it was not the end because we used the My entry into the footplate grade was nothing was) to see ‘socialism in action.’ it is at this point changes to create a seismic shift away from the unusual – i was at a bit of a loss for a job after my that one of life’s lessons was learnt. never trust a culture of the past with huge improvements in initial choice fell apart (light engineering was not country with Democratic in its name for they are salary from £11,500 then to an average now of such a great career choice in the mid-1980s as usually anything but ( cf the Democratic Republic £44,000; from one rest day every eight weeks to the recession bit deep) – so i stumbled into a job of Congo, the People’s Democratic Republic of the four day week we enjoy now; and the as a traction trainee at Waterloo at the giddy pay Korea, the lao People’s Democratic Republic, abandonment of an unfair and non-guaranteed rate of £72.40 a week. ‘this will do for a couple of etc). bonus system to clean salaries. months,’ i thought… seeing the destructive effect of an We now had a bargaining machinery led by it was not a bad job (although drivers would authoritarian stalinist state up close, through the lay reps who knew their areas, who took always say it would get better, one day) and a eyes and the experiences of citizens from the ownership of the drivers’ charter, and decision to move as a driver’s assistant from gDR, some of whom became lifelong friends, responsibility for their actions. the industry’s Waterloo to the small depot at Aberystwyth was changed my perception of authority. it was not attempt to localise the nature of negotiation one of my better ones. Although basing a career something to defer to but something to be allowed the reps, as part of an overall strategy, to the ASLEF JOURNAL DECEMBER 2014 union 13

control overtime. And we used that control as a lever to create new jobs and improve long-term conditions across the whole of our profession.

NExT gENERATiON OF dRiVERS in addition, despite the nature of the railway changing following accidents, reorganisations and outside ideological interference, we have fought ferociously to defend our members and the security of our employment. Although there were what could politely be described as adventures, distractions and disagreements along the way, there was always clear direction in the form of the AslEf charter and commitment from the reps at all levels to ensure the creation and defence of good jobs for the next generation of train drivers. however, what of the next generation of AslEf activists, where are they coming from? With the demise of the driver’s assistant the supply of young workers joining the railway in their teens is no more and neither, fortunately, are the politics of the Cold War. so how do we Clockwise from top left: Simon on the footplate react to the generational change within our in 1987; the last days of steam; the membership that has quietly occured over the Aberystwyth crew (back row: Bob Perry, Mick last 25 years? Richards, Mike Elkins, Graham Beck, Stuart Hill, spiteful. the broad political understanding of Simon Roderick, Steve Clements, Eirwyn James, SpACE TO MAkE MiSTAkES the past has given way to a narrow economic Jim Teague; front row: Dave Griffiths, Murray i think we still need to take a leaf out of Dave orthodoxy that is short term and unfair in its Dodds, Steve Jones, Simon Weller); east west griffiths’ and Mick Richards’ book and give nature. Heroes standing by the wall: Peggy Bauch encouragement and support to those who show We might be seeing ever more people (GDR), Graham Mackenzie (Bristol), Simon and an interest. they may not be kids straight out of tricked into voting against their own interests at Mark Thompson (Brighton) in East Germany in school nowadays but the next generation still the next general election but we must ensure 1989; Simon’s exit visa on the day the Berlin need the support and space to make their that whoever is representing AslEf members wall came down; addressing the TUC; at Castle mistakes and learn their lessons through doing – 25 years hence does so from a position of Cary in 1992; Mick Richards looks worried (and none of us has a monopoly on what is right or strength. We must all give consideration to who unimpressed) as Simon proves it is possible to wrong. will be standing in our shoes in the future – the break a steam engine (‘There was a great deal We all still have huge battles ahead, graveyards are full of indispensable men – and of BR top brass in the vicinity but we managed particularly as the wider politics of the day we all need to be preparing and encouraging to fix it without anyone finding out’; Dave become increasingly unequal, small minded and the next generation of AslEf men and women. Griffiths takes a break 14 Report the ASLEF JOURNAL stay put, i want to go hard work, bad show EC member hOWARd kAyE and district 5 Organiser NigEL gibSON hand in their end of year report for a district that covers London, the East Midlands and East Anglia

E ARE seeing many liverpool street. changes in the the depot at gidea Park, along W passenger world with with all driver grades, around 56, franchises being carved up, will tuPE to Crossrail as of 31 May rehashed or renewed. While it along with approximately 33 may be naïve to expect those at drivers from ilford. Crossrail will the Department for transport and be operated by MtR on behalf of transport for london to consider tfl; they will look to increase their the men and women who have a establishment of drivers to Howard and Nigel with one railway career it is, nonetheless, around 400 in the coming years in of the district’s branch banners; frustrating to see the effects of order to meet their service trains from two of the companies these decision makers. Whether it commitment by 2019. on their watch; and the Kursaal is talk of the norwich to liverpool in Southend, the town where service being transferred to pROdUCTiViTy pACkAgE AAD is to be held next year northern, the creation of the Earlier this year our members on tsgn franchise, the the former first Capital Connect that Parkeston branch is likely to labour Party, that we should help implementation of Crossrail, or showed their solidarity following close, the other 20 branches in the those candidates who support the transfer of West Anglia inners the dismissal of one of our district continue to thrive and we our policies as a trade union. At to london overground, our members from the district and, by will attend as many as possible in norwich branch recently we had members suffer as a result of the doing so, AslEf managed to 2015. this year we organised a the opportunity to listen to Clive uncertainty. establish a satisfactory number of successful events lewis who talked about his resolution. including seminars on passion for improving the lives of ShOWEd SOLidARiTy in the freight industry, when employment law and health & working people. there are some After national Express, through contracts are won or lost our safety, and the district was excellent candidates in our c2c, won the Essex thameside members suffer. But we have represented at the traditional May region; as well as Clive, there is franchise, they announced their some positive achievements in Day march in london; the lisa forbes in Peterborough, Polly intention to implement 12 car the last year: the ringfencing of Durham Miners’ gala and Billington in thurrock, and lara Doo working, which was part of rest day payments and an above tolpuddle festival in July; the 100 norris in great yarmouth. We their invitation to tender, along inflation increase at freightliner year celebration of the Burston need re al people from real with a significant change to heavy haul; an agreement with strike school in september, and backgrounds representing our service patterns. We were amazed freightliner intermodal to the tuC’s Britain needs a Pay Rise region in parliament; it’s time to see the list of stakeholders implement an employer justified rally in october. We also organised that red came back to the map of consulted while the trade unions retirement age, subject to ballot; and attended the 30 year East Anglia. representing those whose careers, improvements in conditions, such commemoration of the miners’ in 2015, AslEf’s annual and livelihoods, depend on their as the introduction of salary strike at orgreave. assembly of delegates, the decisions, were not invited to protection following removal parliament of our proud trade have a say. tuPE discussions have from driving through REAL pEOpLE union, will be held in District 5 for been concluded and we will competence or ill health, at gB District 5 will be represented at the first time since 1966. We continue to work on behalf of Railfreight; and the introduction the labour East conference in would encourage members to members to ensure their best of a productivity package ipswich with a full delegation, take the opportunity to visit and interests are served. negotiated by AslEf, led by the Mark Reynolds and Mark Daniels, see how policy is created in a on Abellio greater Anglia national organiser, which with les Bennett and Wendy hurst democratic trade union in the there is wholesale change with delivered a significantly improved also having seats on the board; 21st century. West Anglia inners being moved salary at DB schenker. Mark steele continues to work on sometimes, perhaps, we focus to tfl, meaning 86 Chingford We have worked closely with our behalf as a member on the too much on our shortcomings drivers will be tuPEd across, with the district’s Representative executive committee of the south rather than on what we have the service being operated by Committee members, looking at East Regional tuC. We have been delivered. We would like to place loRol from 31 May. those new ways of engaging our represented on the trade union on record our thanks to all the Chingford drivers remaining members, and the wider industry, labour organisation by Mark hard working reps throughout with Abellio greater Anglia will on equality and diversity. Daniels. the district who have achieved so almost certainly be relocated to While it is saddening to report We believe, as an affiliate to the much for members this year. the ASLEF JOURNAL DECEMBER 2014 Education 15

on which Kerry had enrolled him. staff who left school with few or no formal qualifications, All the cats are at the and who now want to learn so they can help their children or grandchildren with schoolwork, are asking her for help. Kerry’s work is not only having a positive impact in high school rocking the workplace but is also reaching out into the community.’

‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ – ‘Nelson Mandela Darren Routledge, who works for East Coast, has been driving trains for 13 years. he left school with no academic qualifications and had never considered learning again until two years ago when he saw English and Maths courses being promoted by the education project at his depot in newcastle. ‘i left school without any qualifications, but it didn’t seem to matter much at the time. i would never have given a thought to trying to gain qualifications, or develop my full potential, had it not been for the education project at newcastle Central. When i heard about the courses i decided to give it a go. ASLEF education Although i thought my Maths wasn’t too bad co-ordinator ShiRLEy the course opened my eyes to how much easier life could be with good Maths skills. i hANdSLEy reports on the can now understand graphs and pie charts, success of a union project too! ‘the course had such an impact i wanted to slEf is a trade union that help my work colleagues improve their skills, ‘ understands the importance, and too. i could see lots had never had the A promotes the idea, of lifelong East Coast main line staff pick up their opportunity to fulfil their potential. that’s why learning. that’s why our education project certificates from chief executive Karen i became an AslEf ulR. to give others the supports union learning reps in setting up Boswell (top); Kerry Cassidy at Bristol Temple chance to achieve. activities, in and around the workplace, to Meads (left) and (right) getting her degree ‘i’ve got sunderland College on board and provide members with an opportunity to learn am currently promoting English and Maths and develop their skills at whatever age – and structure to enable Kerry to grow and develop courses at newcastle. i’ve really got the stage – they are in life. under the supervision of an education project learning bug now. i’ve never stood for any our ulRs are backed by our project worker. she receives ongoing one to one position in AslEf before but am so excited workers – ian Beckett, Chris nutty, Emma support and guidance. AslEf organised a about my role as a ulR. i know from my own Penman, Alan Reid, Julie Rutter and Mike stage 1 and 2 residential training course, experience that i have not really fulfilled my tansey – as well as Kevin lindsay, the district providing opportunities to learn from tutor- potential. i wanted to change that and help organiser who oversees the education project led discussions as well as from fellow drivers others do the same. some people think the for the union, and is passionate about its work. from different toCs. same as i did, that they are too old to learn. With our encouragement Kerry has grown the main thing that drives me is now i know ‘Education is not the filling of a pail, but the in confidence and helped people from all you are never too old to learn or consider lighting of a fire.’ – Wb yeats grades to find and fund suitable courses, for a personal development.’ ‘ mixture of enjoyment, career progression and Kerry Cassidy, a driver with first great Western, future security. she has built trust with was virtually written off at school, despite colleagues who have seen her study hard for EdUCATiON STATiON getting good gCsE grades. the struggle of her degree at break times over the years. she ‘ASLEF played a key role in juggling school and living on her own, on is also a mum and knows first hand about the establishing the Education Station benefits, became too difficult and, at the age challenges of bringing up a child, working at Newcastle Central and in of 16, she dropped out of sixth form. shifts and continuing to study. establishing a culture of learning on in 2008 Kerry joined the railway as a train Kerry knows that nothing is certain. no job Tyneside, working in partnership driver but in 2009 she was diagnosed with a is guaranteed for life. ill health can come out with East Coast, training providers long-term medical condition. Concerned that of nowhere and have a serious impact on your and the other rail unions,’ said Mike she may not be able to continue driving trains, career and life choices. that’s why she has Tansey. ‘The drive and enthusiasm she put together a business case to her been actively enrolling learners at Bristol of the ULRs has seen 55 colleagues employer and secured funding for a degree temple Meads. gain English, Maths and IT course through the institution of Railway ‘one of her learners has already had a qualifications at Levels 1 and 2. operators. promotion,’ said project worker Emma Further courses are being planned.’ Kerry graduated in 2014 and became a Penman. ‘Managers were impressed he was union learning rep. AslEf provided the studying for the team leader level 2 certificate 16 Branch news the ASLEF JOURNAL Upcoming events

 ThREE bRidgES – SUNdAy 7 dECEMbER All current and retired members are welcome at an informal gathering following our AGM at Three Bridges football club, Jubilee Walk, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1LQ. From 2pm with buffet provided. Details from Roy Luxford (07778 Mick, Dave and Dicky with the Birmingham crew 870937) [email protected] or Paul Eden (07952 482443) was a buffet for all and [email protected] Bolder to Birmingham then the usual drinks in the bar and lots of The chair of The GS then tales of old! Birmingham New presented long In the picture Thanks, brothers Street (incorporating service awards above are, from left to Birmingham Snow Hill including three 40 right, Lee Henderson, and sisters and Coventry) year badges to Martin Phil Bennet, Phil on 26 february 2013, i had a welcomed GS Mick Bromage-Griffiths, Cowell, John Healey, Whelan, Dave Calfe, Mick Naughton and massive stroke, which left me in a Gary Bramble, Bill wheelchair and out of work. After EC member for Bill Hayden. There Hayden, Martin District 6, and our were other badges 24 years on the railway, i have Bromage-Griffiths, made some great friends and, District Secretary presented, ranging Alan Ball, Kevin Young, Dicky Fisher to our from five to 35 years’ with thanks to AslEf, i retired on Dicky Fisher, Mick ill health grounds in June this year branch. Mick gave us service, and we also Whelan, Darren Parker, a state of the nation said goodbye to two at the age of 46. i had to put pen Gary Ward, Dave Calfe, to paper to show my appreciation speech and reminded Coventry drivers – Noel O’Rourke, Steve us that only a Labour Mick Heaton (after 12 for everyone who supported me. Watts and Pervais to my colleagues from all over the government, elected years) and Mick Baines Elhai. next year, will be (11 years) – who are uK, and AslEf, your get well driver greg lee, top bloke and good for the railways retiring on health Martin bromage- messages and financial support friend, ex-drivers Kenny hewitt, and to spread the grounds. After the griffiths , branch was outstanding. My family – my now driver manager, Chester, and word! presentations there reporter partner lisa and our one year old Martin tumath aka the ferryman, son Dean – were amazed at your cheers, lads! And to Colin smith, unity. thank you very much! to District 3 organiser, whose my home depot, Chester, and experience and knowledge was everyone on the north Wales invaluable – a special man and coast, all depots under the AtW friend who stood by me 24/7, umbrella and the DEvA railway come rain or shine. if you get a fund, your generosity has gone chance to join AslEf, do it! if they above and beyond the call of can help you, they will, in a big friendship and will never be way. if you want to join a union forgotten. to my old depot, which is run for people like you, Simon, Dicky and Nigel with the Saltley crew Birkenhead – great depot with by people like you, then this is the and (right) David Hines, who managed to great people – thank you for all of union for you. miss the group shot your support. special mention for Martin Murtagh , Chester Salt of the earth Gareth Evans was Marz Colombini, EC A well-attended h&s rep); Alan presented with his 50 member District 1, Saltley branch Tregenna and Ray year medallion and presented District 1 welcomed national Willcock all received Dave Millward Organiser Graham organiser Simon their 50 year received his 10 year Morris with his 35 year Weller and district medallions. Paul badge. Two further 50 badge at Southampton organisers Nigel Adlam and Phil Kirk year medallions were Northam, with Gibson and Dick were presented with presented at a permission from Fisher. Simon outlined their 40 year badges. retirement event, held Graham’s branch London the importance of the Further badges went at Tyseley Railway Bridge. Graham started as a traction trainee in 1978, political fund to ASLEF to Stuart Edwards (35 Club, to ex-DO Fred worked as a second man at Bedford and Peterborough, and its members. It years); vice-chair Alan Orton-Jones and John gaining driver status at London Bridge in 1983. Graham was a night for Priseman (30); Nigel Pritchett. In total that’s has held various positions in ASLEF, including LDC and presentations. Retired Attwood, Raj Kumar, 680 years of ASLEF company council, and is currently branch chair at London members Ian Clarke Neill Pearson and membership proudly Bridge. He opened Northam branch in July 2003 and has (ex-XC company Dave Whiles (25); Dave honoured! been a regular visitor since, and we would like to express council); Michael Hines (15) and Simon Michael our appreciation for his support. Farkas; Stuart Howells; Heeley (10). At the Clatworthy , Alan Loughlin, Southampton Northam branch secretary Steve James (ex-XC following branch, branch secretary the ASLEF JOURNAL DECEMBER 2014 100 years of Union 17

Mick holder looks back to december 1914 and a Christmas at war Late night line-up: Andy Hudd, George Heslop, Brian Stone, Vicky Bentnall, Kevin Cannon, Alan Sheppard and Brian Corbett while (right) Sooty hands Alan Sheppard his 50 year sweep dANgER OF ThE bATTLEFiELd attended our beer and badge followed by Brian stone and the new editor of the Journal reported: session afterwards. it was Peter sprules (15) and Kevin ‘the war still drags its weary and horrible Fifty up good to see them because Cannon (25). length along. But there appear some Reading is a large depot, with We then came to Alan signs of hope that the Prussian military for Shep just over 200 drivers and sheppard, now retired, but monster may yet be scotched. the trainees, and more coming still an AslEf member in the railwaymen are doing their share in Reading branch held its usual into the grade in the coming RMs, receiving his 50 year providing fighting men. i understand that monthly meeting on months. the beer and badge medallion and, finally, JD up to september over 57,000 railwaymen Wednesday 29 october at the session was held to present heslop, better known as had joined the colours. so it would gWRsA. in attendance were members with AslEf long george, who retired after appear that men engaged in the various Do Brian Corbett and newly- service awards, ranging from completing over 25 years as a lines of mechanics are also largely elected EC member Andrew five to 50 years, and one driver, on top of 22 years in imbued with the military spirit. or is it hudd, who gave both reports retirement. first up was the Royal navy. that their conditions of service and low on current – and future – branch chair vicky Bentnall paul Sedgebeer , wages make it more easy for the men to events in District 7 and for her five year badge, secretary exchange them for the roar and danger of the battlefield?’

Leicester branch was attended by 18 CyFARCh gyMRy members with guest speakers Richard Hurst the new editor started a Welsh language (Toton) who gave a DB Schenker company page, Cyfarch gymry, (greetings Wales) council report, and DO Dicky Fisher who by tegid and the union’s new general gave a report and presented branch chair Ian secretary, J Bromley, went to Port talbot Farnfield with a retirement gift. Ian has been branch ‘to present the incapacitation a loyal ASLEF member for 40 years and grant, £100, to Brother R Brew, who, branch chair since 1999. He is retiring early to unfortunately, has lost the use of his right enjoy quality time with his wife Sue. I would hand by an accident of duty.’ Mr Bromley like to take this opportunity to thank Ian on pointed out that despite the accident behalf of the branch for all of his hard work preventing ‘him from following his and we wish him the very best for the future. Dicky Fisher, Ian Farnfield and branch occupation as engineman, how fortunate Matt Fowkes , branch reporter secretary Mick Poultney it was that he was wise enough to belong to a trade union that provides for such accidents.’ It was a great honour and a Andy Movember privilege for Portsmouth & Isle SiLENT TRibUTE of Wight branch to witness the Nottingham ULR Andy Colwick branch reported: ‘Before the presentation of 40 year ASLEF Wakefield has an usual business members rose and paid a badges to Martin Corcoran, Dave impressive upper lip silent tribute to the memory of the brave Simmonds and Gary Daish. appendage and those of dead who have fallen on the battlefield.’ Between them, they have us who know him see him And after business was concluded: ‘But accumulated 120 years’ constantly fiddling with it hark! A round of applause. We look round. membership. All three have been and grooming it. So it was What is it? A stalwart figure in khaki, loyal to ASLEF throughout their no surprise when he Brother leonard skelton, of the south railway careers. Their railway entered the British Beard & notts hussars, come to have a look at us knowledge is outstanding and Moustache before leaving for france in a few days. they are always willing to give Championships in Bath, in god speed the lad and bring him back great advice. the, er, freestyle category, Andy (left) boxing clever safe to see us again is the wish of all his John glazebrook , which means you can wax comrades.’ Men weren’t only dying on the world championships in branch secretary it any way you like. He also fields of flanders. Dick fuller, of severn Austria next year. And he dressed to impress, as a tunnel branch, ‘was working his train raised a lot of money for turn pf the century boxer! from london, and while attending at bowel, prostate and Andy did us proud, stoke gifford, proceeded to go round the testicular cancer along the coming home as runner- cab to oil when he fell off and his head fell way. up, and now has his eyes, over the rail of the next siding on which Nottingham LLC and tweezers, on the wagons were moving. the wagons passed over his neck, and the  Please send your branch news to [email protected] consequences are too sad to relate.’ Working for railway people 1RWIRU3URÀW2UJDQLVDWLRQ

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FREEDOM 50% OFF RIDERS Subscribe to the Morning Star electronic edition at the special price of Show your support for the Freedom Riders in South just £99.99 for the year or monthly for £9.99 Yorkshire who are The Morning Star is pleased to oer all ASLEF members access demanding that Northern to the e-edition at half the normal price. Rail stops persecuting The Morning Star is the only paper to report on The e-edition is available as an app for your pensioners and the the industrial and political issues that matter to Android or iOS mobile or other disabled (and wasting trade union members and champion the mil- hand-held device, and as a high-resolution PDF £5,000 a day on heavy- lions of people in Britain who believe a better to download or print. world is possible. Containing all the same news, features and handed security whose For many people it is not always possible or sport as the printed paper, the e-edition is bully boy behaviour has convenient to buy the print edition each day. available at the touch of a button wherever you been condemned as Now with the Morning Star e-edition you need are in the world. ‘disgraceful and never miss a copy. outrageous’). Q ReadRead oine Q EEarlyarly birbirdd accessaccess – The Freedom Ride t-shirt is availableavailable atat midnightmidnight on available in L/XL/XXL and thethe dayday of publicationpublication costs just £5 (plus £2.80 Q p+p). Payment by cheque or YourYour ownown personal e-archivee--ararchive Q postal order payable to 24 back issues freefree with Barnsley Retirees Action eeachach new subscrsubscriptioniption Group at 7 Church St, Jump, Barnsley, S74 0HZ. Or call To take advantage of this oer please go to www.morningstaronline.co.uk/subscribe George on 07985 028003 or and enter one of the following voucher codes: email travelpass2014 ASLEFOFFER-ANNUAL ASLEFOFFER-MONTHLY @gmail.com Vouchers are valid until 14/02/15 The annual and monthly vouchers entitle ASLEF members to 12 months’ access to the e-edition at the reduced rate, after which standard rates will apply. DECEMBER 2014 obituaries 19

MATTy dALEy dRiVER WiTh ASLEF iN hiS bLOOd attending the retired driver’s forum at scalby Matthew Daley, BEM, 1943 after obtaining a brake which he loved and where, at 93, he wasn’t the alderman, JP, and retired mutual exchange. i thought was a waste of senior hand! driver died on 13 Matty had AslEf in his money. once on a work his funeral service saw september at the ripe old blood. he was passionate to rule (one of many in a full church with iain age of 94. Matty started about improving working the 1970s) he refused to Wright, labour MP for on the railway as a boiler conditions for working take me as i was wearing hartlepool, previous lad at old hartlepool in class people, and was jeans and was told to go mayors, and the 1935 and then became a branch secretary for 28 home; but Matty ensured hartlepool Male voice cleaner at West years until he retired in i was paid for the day. knocking on doors for the Choir. Matty was widowed hartlepool. he moved to 1983 when the depot on retirement he labour Party, organising twice and leaves a stockton-on-tees, closed. i recall many a row spent much of his time the biannual hartlepool daughter Anne. returning to hartlepool in with him over the EQ bowling, inside and out, railwayman’s reunion and Martin Joyce , RMS dAVid TAyLOR FRiENdLy SMiLE FREd MAggS OLd SChOOL hated wearing yellow hv vests. A number of times Knottingley depot was shocked by the sudden and fred Maggs died on 27 when instructed to wear tragic loss of David Taylor, 51, a DB Schenker driver, to June. he was 76 and had such clothing by a heart attack whilst working a service to Drax. On the been ill with cancer for management he would night the whole railway pulled together. Special some time. his funeral was swear profanities under thanks to the Freightliner driver who was first on the well attended at Weston- his breath, throw the vest scene and tried so hard to save Dave before the super-Mare crematorium over one shoulder and paramedics reached him. on 18 July. continue up the walking Dave was the depot’s definitive quiet man, a no fred began his railway route until he was out of fuss, no bother character, with a 100% perfect career as a cleaner at st sight. he would then attendance record. He joined the railway as a TOPS Phillips Marsh. he joined throw the offending vest clerk for EWS in 2000 and became a driver in 2007. I AslEf in April 1965, was Bristol Barton hill in 1996. into the bushes! worked with him, both in the offices and as a driver promoted to fireman and he was now a senior fred will be much myself, and in all those years I never heard Dave raise relief driver and eventually driver keeping the mail missed by his family, sister his voice or exchange an angry word with anyone. A got his driver’s job at Bath trains running on the fran and brother-in-law true gentleman with a quiet manner and a friendly Road diesel depot in the Birmingham-Derby route Dave, friends and former smile. His great passion in life was football, and he mid 1980s. At privatisation as well as teaching work mates. followed Sheffield Wednesday and England all over he opted to go and work younger drivers the road. the world. At the funeral service at Rose Hill for Rail Express systems, fred was strictly old bernard kennedy , crematorium, the building was full and standing, with eventually moving to school and particularly bristol more in the corridors outside, such was the respect and affection with which he was held. One of his fellow Mexborough Owls recounted their football gERRy gEyTON WiNdiNg Up hiS WORk MATES related adventures, the room was full of blue and Gerry Geyton died on 8 September. He was 82 and had been ill with cancer for some time. white shirts, a Mexborough Owls flag covered the His wife Barbara died shortly afterwards and their joint funeral was held on 30 September at coffin, and the final music was Hi Ho Sheffield Taunton Deane crematorium. Gerry was well known at Bristol Bath Road and enjoyed Wednesday with everyone joining in the rousing winding up his work mates. He would goad fellow drivers in a full mess room on snowy or chorus. Dave leaves his long term partner Karran, a foggy mornings by stating loudly that they were all too scared to get out and work! He also sister and his mother. They were all very touched to enjoyed winding up the guards on the Severn Beach line by getting them to search at the see so many of his railway family at the service. Keep Horseshoe Bend for golf balls! Gerry and Barbara will be much missed by their family, friends smiling, Dave. and former work mates from Taunton, Bristol and Exeter. darren Fawcett , knottingley LdC bernard kennedy , bristol branch

ROy bANd A pLEASURE TO WORk WiTh JAMES hEpbURN SMiTh harry Roy Band has died at 80. he came to King’s Cross from Wales via ThE FLyiNg SCOTSMAN southall and old oak. A great person, with a smile and an endless stream Jim, who has died at 84, came to King’s Cross from of jokes, a pleasure to work with. When he retired he set up Bandies Do Scotland. We called him the Flying Scotsman, due to where retired and working KX colleagues meet on the first friday of an incident when, one frosty morning, he was the March, June and December to have drink and keep in touch. he will be driver of a class 31 heading to Hertford North to sadly missed, but not forgotten, as his funeral showed. it was standing room only. work a commuter train. peter Smith , king’s Cross On arrival at Hertford he was turned in to the bay platform. The loco picked its wheels up, every time LES bOSkETT A TRUE gENTL EMAN Jim applied the brake, and it slid the full length of the funeral of les Boskett, a true gent, was held at tewkesbury Abbey. les was the bay and collided with the stops and demolished tewkesbury born and bred, but upped sticks at 20 to stratford where he became a them. second man and, later, a driver. When stratford closed 25 years later he transferred to Unfortunately, on the other side of the stops is an gloucester, where ill health prematurely ended his career. les became diabetic – side embankment and the loco leapt over the top and effects were colour blindness and the amputation of one of his lower legs – and down it, fortunately coming to rest on its nose at the finally he suffered from the big C, but all this never changed les. Always a cheerful bottom of the bank before reaching the road. guy, he was liked by all and will be sorely missed. May he RIP. dave pizzie , RMS peter Smith , king’s Cross 20 le tters the ASLEF JOURNAL

We welcome letters, either by email to [email protected] or by Royal Mail to ASLEF Journal at 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN . Each month the writer of our star letter wins a rich range of ASLEF regalia.

JUST A NUMBER TO EMPLOYERS Wasn’t great britain then ‘it’s incredibly rare for me to feel i want to offer BUT UNION IS EXTENDED FAMILY my opinion,’ says Bro smith ( Journal , october). it’s rare for me, as well, so here are my Many thanks to all who attended the thoughts. i think Bro smith should ask his Feltham Electric branch meeting on 2 senior drivers what it was like to be around in October and especially to Mick the thatcher era. it certainly wasn’t a great Whelan, Graham Morris, Nigel Britain back then. Also, it’s not that long ago Cummins and my two boyfriends that a train driver’s wage wasn’t much more Shaun Seymour and Gary Weller. than that of a conductor/guard/train manager Thanks for the unexpected, but very (delete as appropriate). Remember when a much appreciated, spray of flowers. Although Fred attends all the branch driver’s salary was made up of night shift GS Mick Whelan, Sooty and Fred, and meetings he had no idea he was to be enhancements, mileage, or Doo payments DO Graham Morris celebrate 50 years presented with a 50 year membership and most of them were given, quite rightly, to of ASLEF membership the senior drivers, leaving other drivers on medallion and thought he was there to basic money. celebrate Steve Rutter receiving his 40 diagnosed with cancer which left me our union has stayed strong over the years year badge! devastated but, as usual, support in negotiations for better terms and Mick mentioned that the families of came from the LDC and drivers at conditions, not forgetting salaries. some members share their lives, all the ups Feltham Electric. I was told to contact drivers nowadays don’t realise the pittance the and downs experienced by drivers, the LDC for any help I needed but grade was once worth and come into the job and this was greatly appreciated as we never received one phone call from looking at the £££ signs rather than the job do support our husbands, wives and South West Trains management itself. so, yes, let’s move forward, but let’s not children during the whole of their inquiring about Fred’s condition or to forget where our present salaries have come careers, in good times and bad. During offer any help. We may only be a from. the past 23 years Fred was number to our employers but we shall david Chapman , gateshead & unfortunate enough to be the victim cherish the support and fond Newcastle branch of persecution and harassment by a memories of his workmates over the vindictive management which tried to years, and the closeness brought force him to end his career. It was only about by belonging to a trade union, Man’s inhumanity to man due to Fred’s willpower, and his little an extension of our family who can be Indeed, Bro Worboys, we are fortunate to purple book, that he managed to fight relied on to help whenever needed. live in a civilised society with free speech, for his right to stay until he retired at Although you may not always agree thus allowing a response to your opinion 65. The disgusting treatment meted with everything your union reps say, (Journal , November) regarding wars – ‘the out by very senior managers, and everything they do is with the best of causes lie in religion’. There is a rule book inhuman resources, caused great intentions and for the betterment of for my sect called the Ten Commandments, heartache, not only to Fred, but to his all workers. ASLEF has a very proud unfortunately not policed. Currently we are family. Fred could not have done this record of standing up for the rights of killing 3,000 people every year on the alone, without the full support of all and protecting those who need highways and, since the Right Honourable ASLEF, functional council, Strawberry protecting, and this is why Fred Men in Suits voted in 1967, the medical Hill LDC and the drivers at Strawberry continues to support the branch and profession has been given the thumbs up to Hill and Staines who knew Fred’s only will do so for as long as he can. terminate life before it starts. Beware. Lord fault was to be medically restricted. yvonne green (my friends call me Falconer, syringe at the ready, desires to see The day after Fred retired he was Sooty), Feltham, west London us retirees off asap. No, Bro Warboys, we must look elsewhere. I suggest it is, basically, man’s inhumanity to man. W potter , Liverpool ago. today’s politicians, of all colours, are having to resort to food banks. this is not the exactly the same. usually from a rich result of the coalition, this is the result of years background, most have never been out in the of ‘We’re all right, i’ll address it once i’m back politicians are all the same real world and done a proper day’s work in from my fact finding trip to Mauritius’. i’m with My father was a lifelong labour voter, their life! they say what the party faithful want Phill Amies. We, AslEf, have more power than passionately so, to discuss any other option to hear (not just labour, the tories and lib the idiots in charge in parliament and we when it came to voting was not worth Dems, too) but do not follow through on their should be using that strength to help, not just considering. they were the party for the promises in office. ourselves, but the nurses resorting to food working man, after all! But that was 30 years We have nhs staff in my local hospital banks rather than helping to fund fact finding the ASLEF JOURNAL DECEMBER 2014 letters 21

missions! And that means being open to not colours of this union which is supposed to site of the new station at ilkeston in Derbyshire just labour politicians these days. have no political affiliations. were discovered and rescued before their Tony barrett , Virgin West Coast, I will continue to answer questions, not colony could be destroyed by building works preston, Lancashire only via the union, but to other bodies, as (Journal , september). it confirms he is aware this is becoming a simple discrimination that loss of biodiversity is one of the greatest issue and is, therefore, against the law. threats facing mankind, up there with many of Tar, brush and politicians Please educate yourself by reading about the other serious issues for which AslEf I cannot agree with Chris Dodd ( Journal , discrimination at work and realise this campaigns. the Woodland trust says hs2 will November) who blames Labour, action is a blatant discriminatory practice lead to the loss of 41 irreplaceable ancient Conservative and the Liberal Democrats for and, therefore, illegal. woodland sites. the ‘greedy, selfish and aggressive’ John hardesty , Earls Court peter Reynolds , deiniolen, Caernarfon attitudes of the bankers who brought the world’s financial system to the brink of  Mick Whelan says: ‘it’s not a discrimination collapse. You, Chris, being a retired member issue, John, and it’s not against the law. And Thanks, Terry of ASLEF, like me, will I’m sure appreciate our rule book, to which you signed up, states I would like to express my appreciation of that every state benefit we enjoy as that AslEf is affiliated to the labour Party and the exceptional representation I have pensioners (free prescriptions, eye tests, that one of the union’s objects is to assist in the received from our union and, in particular, hearing aids, bus travel, TV licences and the furtherance of the labour movement towards a executive committee member Terry winter fuel allowance) all came from a socialist society.’ Wilkinson. In what was, and continues to Labour government. Please don’t tar all be, a very problematic situation for me, parties with the same brush and remember, health wise, Terry and ASLEF supported me when you call for a new political party to be do the woodland rock and my family continuously throughout a formed, to be careful what you wish for… it was pleasing to learn that company council very difficult period and I’ll be forever John priseman , RMS rep Andy Botham went to the pub to celebrate grateful. the fact that the great crested newts on the J Fenwick , East ham branch Support i received i have recently been involved in an individual CLASSiFiEd AdVERTiSEMENTS grievance procedure with the company and was represented by AslEf. i want to express to advertise please phone 020 7324 2400 or send an email to [email protected] how happy i am with the support i received from my llC, terry greenwood and Chris BANBURY branch 103 has a HAMPTON 150 limited Carey, with their advice and guidance, and also number of badges for sale at £5 edition mugs (100 made) Dave sullivan who represented me through plus p&p, proceeds to Katherine to mark 150 years of the stage two and stage three of my grievance. his House Hospice for looking after Brother Chris railway coming to Hampton. £5 plus £3 p&p. professionalism was unquestionable and, on Farmer during his final months. Contact Jim Cheques, made payable to Network South both occasions, he more than proved that i Browne on 07717 847057 or East Railway Society, to NSERS, 100 Whitley had been aggrieved by the company. [email protected] Road, Eastbourne, BN22 8ND. Although the result of my grievance was I hand make and hand paint unsuccessful, i am aware that sometimes SOUTHAMPTON NORTHAM BESPOkE CUSHIONS (40 x 160 branch has a limited number decisions are made before meetings have 40cm) depicting railway engines taken place and i believe this to be the case of 10 year badges available, £5 or carriages or any other form of including p&p, please contact here. transport of your choice. Feather pad included. John Edwards , CrossCountry, Andy White on 07964 818943 or £40 each. Call Abi on 07954 659849 or email email [email protected] Cambridge me at [email protected]

COWDEN CRASH BLAND ENCOUNTER by Questions? Answers! commemorative badges, Donald Wightman is a comedy Re Karen Tily’s response ( Journal , price £5, to mark the novel about risqué encounters on November). This is becoming quite farcical. 20th anniversary of the the railways. A donation from the Not once has my question been answered. accident in which two members of Norwood sale of each book will be made to All I have received is the typical rhetoric Junction train crew, a Selhurst conductor and a the Royal British Legion and that does not give simple answers to simple member of the public tragically lost their lives. Help for Heroes. Paperback £7.99 questions. Contact Mick Green at [email protected] if ebook £3.95 from www.amazon.co.uk I am unable to attend branch meetings you are ex-Norwood train crew. because of personal problems which I am LONDON UNDERGROUND not willing to broadcast to every Tom, Dick ISLE OF WIGHT 150th rail 25 year strike badge to and Harry. I have asked if I could raise the anniversary commemorative commemorate the successful subject by letter at the branch and been badge. £4.99 inc post and wildcat dispute of 1989. £5 inc told no. The branch isn’t always accessible packaging. Contact Fratton driver p&p, call Jim on 07903 617771 for members and, in those circumstances, John Glazebrook on 07823 881495 for details. or email him at [email protected] as a duty of care issue the union should allow every individual the ability to have GATESHEAD & ASLEF DRIVER offers questions raised and dealt with fairly. NEWCASTLE (082) badge professional engraving at I am not, and have never said, I’m a produced to complement our reasonable prices. I can engrave struggling worker and suggesting that I new branch banner. Limited number available. anything you wish, such as the should march against a government from a £5 inc p&p. Contact Rob Porter on 07769 ASLEF logo on the pint tankard. Contact Paul socialist standpoint is showing the true 644686 or [email protected] Potts by email at [email protected] 22 Christmas Books the ASLEF JOURNAL

And in the frosty season, when the sun was set, and visible for many a mile the cottage windows blazed through twilight gloom

Whether you’re looking for a present to give, or to receive, there are lots of books (some of them railway-related) on the bookstore and Amazon shelves this year. kEiTh RiChMONd slips between the Christmas covers…

s Anthony Powell dryly put it in A Dance to the Music of Time , his twelve A volume cycle of state of the nation novels, Books Do Furnish a Room and lots of us will be happy to open a book – a real, On the write lines: traditional, dead tree version, printed on Karl Davis, Stewart paper, or an electronic version downloaded for Sutherland, Andrew Kindle fire – on Christmas Day. Martin, Christopher the British – the English in particular – have Vine and Ana long idealised the beauty of our landscape; Sampson serve up before and, especially, after the industrial some splendid Revolution which saw most of the people of Christmas pudding these islands leave the land and the scythe for the looms of the towns and cities. Pastoral may well romanticise its subject – where is the grinding poverty of peasant life, the back Rudyard Kipling; Edward thomas; Rupert breaking toil in bad weather and animal dung Brooke; ts Eliot; laurie lee; Dylan thomas; – but it has always had a powerful pull on our Philip larkin; and ted hughes. collective imagination as Ana sampson points Most homes have – or should have – a Trackman and is a thriller, set in london, out in her introduction to Green and Pleasant poetry anthology or two on the shelf. But if newcastle, and hull, about a detective trying Land (Michael o’Mara, £9.99) the fourth you don’t – or if your old copy of Palgrave’s to track down a cold-blooded killer who sparkling anthology of poetry she has edited. Golden Treasury is falling apart, invest in this ruthlessly targets railway employees. ‘i started book. it makes a perfect present (or you may writing a short story during my counselling, ‘A room without books is like a body want to keep it yourself). one word of following a fatality in 2002,’ says Karl. ‘that without a soul.’ – Marcus Tullius Cicero warning, though. once you dip in and plunder story changed, and morphed, over the years, ‘ a poem or two you won’t want to stop... until it became a finished 142,000 word e- the title of this collection about the British book!’ The Trackman is available to buy on countryside comes from William Blake – ‘till we ‘A book is a gift you can open again and Kindle (£2.51) from Amazon and Kobo. have built Jerusalem / in England’s green and again.’ – garrison keillor pleasant land’ – and there are lots of other ‘ ‘A house without books is like a room lines here you will remember, or half Andrew Martin, whose fiction includes the without windows.’ – horace Mann remember, including John of gaunt’s speech Necropolis Railway series of Edwardian thrillers ‘ from shakespeare’s Richard II – ‘this royal featuring the railway policeman, Jim stringer, if you’re looking for a little something to pop in throne of kings, this sceptr’d isle … / this and whose non-fiction includes Underground, someone’s stocking, i can recommend Greed blessèd plot, this earth, this realm, this Overground: A Passenger’s History of the Tube , by stewart sutherland (haus, £7.99). in what is England’ – John Masefield’s ‘i must down to the goes in search of lost times, and lost journeys, really an essay, rather than a book, the seas again’ and Robert Browning’s Home in his new book Belles & Whistles (Profile, academic, and crossbench peer, examines his Thoughts, from Abroad – ‘oh, to be in England / £15.99). he recreates five famous journeys subject from the age of David hume who, in A now that April’s there’ – and thomas gray’s from the golden age of rail – the golden Treatise on Human Nature in 1739, argued Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard , ‘the Arrow; Brighton Belle; Cornish Riviera; flying ‘avidity is destructive of society’ to gordon curfew tolls the knell of parting day…’ scotsman; and Caledonian sleeper – by gekko who, in oliver stone’s 1987 film Wall Although it is not her intention to plot the travelling on their modern equivalents. Martin Street , famously claimed that ‘greed is good.’ great tradition in English poetry, there is work has a good eye, a good ear, and a lovely, And if you want something for the little here by some of the greatest poets writing in languid style. And, like the best travelling ones, look for the revamped Peter’s Railway English, including geoffrey Chaucer; Edmund companions, he tells lots of interesting little series. Holiday at Lunan Bay (£4.99) with words spenser; John Milton; Alexander Pope; William stories along the way. by Christopher vine and watercolours of an Wordsworth; samuel taylor Coleridge; Percy Karl Davis, a driver with DB schenker, AslEf East Coast hst and an old lnER v2 class loco Bysshe shelley; John Clare; John Keats; Alfred, activist, and prolific blogger, who has written by John Wardle will keep the young ones, and lord tennyson; Matthew Arnold; thomas several articles for the Journal , has now the old ones, entertained while you wash up, hardy; gerard Manley hopkins; AE housman; knocked out his first novel. it’s called The walk the dog, or sleep off the Christmas turkey. the ASLEF JOURNAL DECEMBER 2014 Christmas Crossword 23

Prize Crossword number 104 by Zebedee Across 22 odd (8) restraints (9) 3 Attract strongly (9) 23 visage (4) 14 lad (3) 8 soon (4) 24 stem from (9) 15 Wariness (7) 9 Brown sugar (8) 18 Brimless cap (5) 10 Baby’s toy (6) Down 19 legal successor (4) 13 summons (5) 1 Predatory fish (9) 20 Breathing organ (4) 14 inflatable rubber 2 good for nothing (9) bag (7) 4 Appended (5) 15 Mountain pass (3) 5 in name only (7) 16 Exhibit (7) 6 Conservative (4) 17 Blood vessels (5) 7 Ride waves (4) 21 City district maze about 11 law enforcer (9) to cause infection (6) 12 lacking moral

The winner of this month’s crossword will receive Marks & Spencer vouchers to the value of £25

name......

solution to prize crossword number 103 which appeared in the november edition of the AslEf Journal Address......

Across: 6 unprincipled 8 snigger 9 nudge 10 Alto 12 Bolero 14 Augur 15 Direct 16 Wild 19 nurse ...... 21 taffeta 22 Contrariwise Down: 1 splinter 2 virgo 3 scorn 4 sponsor 5 vend 6 upstanding 7 second-rate 11 gut 12 Bus 13 Epidemic ...... 14 Accepts 17 stray 18 Affix 20 Riot ...... Postcode...... Congratulations to Keith Smith of Top Valley , Nottingham who was last month’s winner.

Thanks for all your responses to the 103rd ASLEF crossword in the November edition. If you successfully complete this month’s crossword please send the solution to the Editor, ASLEF Journal , 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN by 14 December ASLEF’S legal services – your rights for their wrongs!

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1. Applies to Family Roadside & Relay cover at first year only. Other levels of cover are available and varying discounts apply. Offferer only available to ASLEF members by calling the number given, quoting the stated reference and paying annually by direct debit under a reecurringcurring transaction arrangement. Enrolment offerfer available to new Members for their first 12 months of Membership only. Offer not available in conjunction with any other offer/discount or on any other AA product/service. Details correct at time of issue. 2. Renewal offerfer available to ASLEF members who are existing AA Members, or who join under the enrolment offerfer,, and will be available at each renewal date until they cease to be ASLEF members or the withdrawal of this scheme. 3. Mintel – UK Vehicle recovery report,eport, September 2013. 4. Based on AA Case Repair Rate Dec 13-Jan14. Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: Fanum House, Basing Viewew,, Basingstoke RG21 4EA. Registered in England & Wales, number 2414212.