ASLEFJOURNAL OCTOBER 2018 The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen ASLEF in action in Manchester at the 150th Trades Union Congress

Inside this issue : Steve Gillan reveals how the Tories’ obsession with privatisation is wrecking Britain’s prisons; John Metcalfe reports on the peace process in Colombia; Mick Humphrys recalls the end of the second man; and the secret mistress Charles Dickens feared would be exposed The train drivers ’ when they were involved in the fatal Staplehurst train crash in Kent union since 1880

GS Mick Whelan

ASLEFJOURNAL OCTOBER 2018 Truth about the Tube The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen T THE time of writing this A column, between the Trades Union Congress and the Labour Party conference, we are still in dispute with the Tube. And once more, even though I know the strength of feeling and 8 unity we always get, the solidarity demonstrated News has been truly awesome. This has led Mick: ‘We will continue l Broken railway system now up for review 4 10 to talks continuing, but to fight against the lies’ l Ben Elton’s Bard plea for public ownership 5 we are a very long way apart. of railways in BBC2 comedy Upstart Crow Let me remind those not involved why we are in this position. The company, which has hidden l Grant Murchie reports on a landmark Perth 6 for years behind the company plan when we wish branch; Jim Walsh’s TUC delegate’s report to improve things, chose to obviate the framework l Grand Central wants slave labour on station 7 agreement – the machinery – and announce a start date for Night Tube. No negotiation, no l Grayling’s new wheeze is dead on arrival 8 consultation, but an act of pure malicious bad Features faith. Strange, as none of the unions involved are 11 fundamentally against a properly resourced and l Mick Humphrys’s valedictory article on the 9 funded Night Tube. Having acted in bad faith the 30th anniversary of the abolition of the role company then declares a one-off payment, with of second man (or woman) on the footplate no guarantees or limits on rostering or staffing levels to protect existing agreements, or the Steve Gillan: Failure of privatisation of our 10 l work/life balance, and health and safety is not railways, prisons and other public services even a factor for a system that saw an increase in l ASLEF in action at the 150th Trades Union 11 sexual assaults last year. Congress at Manchester Central Can 20,000 workers all be wrong? According to the press, it’s all about ‘greedy Tube drivers’ and l TUC: Dave Calfe, Debbie Reay and 12-13 comparisons are made with other workers outside Lesley Atkins-Smith at the podium the Tube, in a race to the bottom, which we will l TUC: Simon Weller on the platform and 14 not get into (let’s have other workers paid Mick Whelan speaking on the fringe 16 properly, not false comparisons by those who do not understand the nature of what we do). We l TUC: Debbie Reay and Mick Whelan 15 move motions from the lectern then get the lies that what they are offering is reasonable! Because Boris Johnson, a man with Regulars four jobs, who has just taken a 10% increase in one of them, and signed a contract for £500k in l Branch News, Upcoming Events and 16-17 another, tells us so? 100 Years of Union The other lie being propagated by the l Alan Moss reports from the Hazards 18 Transport Minister, and others, is that this is conference at Keele near Stoke-on-Trent political and we are only on strike because we did 22 not like a Tory election victory. But we were l Obituaries 19 unaware either of the intended dishonourable and l Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21 despicable act of bad faith that was going to take place or of who would win the election. If I had l Last Word: John Metcalfe reports on the 22 been I’m sure I would have placed a bet lack of progress to peace in Colombia accordingly rather than running around the l On Track, Prize Crossword, ASLEF’s 23 country pursuing our policy! Talks continued, and Legal Services and Change of Address we jumped through the hoops of Maggie’s laws, and the timetable for action gets impacted by the The ASLEF Journal is published every month by: state’s rather undemocratic system. ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN Whether on the Tube, or elsewhere in the rail Tel: 020 7324 2400 l email: [email protected] 23 industry, this trade union will continue to fight website: www.aslef.org.uk l twitter: @ASLEFUnion against bad faith, imposed conditions, and Cover photos: Andrew Wiard political lies. Now and in the future.

EditoR Mick Whelan l dESiGNER Michael Cronin l PRiNtER College Hill Press, London, SW19 4HE AdvERtiSiNG ASLEF Journal, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN. Contact Keith Richmond on 020 7324 2407 Yours fraternally or [email protected] l clASSiFiEd AdS [email protected] or call 020 7324 2400. The acceptance of a Mick Whelan, general secretary display or classified advertisement does not necessarily imply endorsement of that product or service by ASLEF chANGE oF AddRESS Please post your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN

October 2018 l The ASLEF Journal 3 News Broken rail franchise system up for review

REVIEW of the rail industry has been deputy chair of the high street chain John conduct ‘appropriate due diligence’ on the ordered by the government Lewis, follows damning criticism by the VTEC bid to run the East Coast main line. A following trenchant criticism from Transport Select Committee of the ‘The franchise system isn’t just flawed, it rail unions, the Labour Party, transport think Department for Transport under Chris has utterly failed, and is broken beyond tanks, passengers, and commuter groups. Grayling. The committee condemned the DfT repair,’ said GS Mick Whelan. ‘It’s time to bring The review, to be led by Keith Williams, as ‘naïve’ and said it singularly failed to Britain’s railways back into public ownership.’

of the artist LS Lowry, a regular here QUOTE… NWA while painting his ‘When politicians are cut off from real pictures of life, they make mistakes – and bad pass On his way into Sam’s Matchstick Men and bad laws.’ – Jess Phillips , Labour MP Chop House in Matchstick Cats and for Birmingham Yardley Manchester, during Dogs . And, on his …UNQUOTE the Trades Union way out of the Congress, Jim Walsh basement bar, Jim bumped into a man bumped into Terry Rosie well in sitting at the bar. He Christian, the Les Bennett, a driver cheers! laurence Stephen lowry, looking politely said ‘Sorry’ Mancunian with Greater Anglia, bronzed, and thirsty, has been called to the bar before realising it was broadcaster who ASLEF’s rep on the East a strikingly realistic made his name on With Attitude on Fortunately, Jim of England Labour 700lb bronze statue, The Word and now Imagine FM in didn’t spill anyone’s Party board, and part- complete with titfer, presents Northerners Stockport. beer… time stand-up comic, target seat of Welwyn with Rosie Hatfield in Newbigging, Labour’s Hertfordshire. ‘She’s OMOV in Wales prosective just what we need,’ Parliamentary says Les. ‘Pro-union DO7 Brian Corbett and district council candidate for the key and very left.’ secretary Ian Thompson, who sits on the general council of the Wales TUC, attended the special Welsh Labour Party conference in Cardiff on Saturday 15 Lest we forget

September to determine the new process This year’s ASLEF poppy badge, – one member one vote or a reformed marking 100 years since the end of 2018 electoral college – for voting for the the Great War in 1918, is available

ASLEF Welsh Labour leader. ‘After much debate in three versions: a traditional red OMOV was selected by 64.1% to 35.9%,’ poppy; a white poppy with the said Brian. ‘Which all delegates accepted ian and Brian with NEc member and cardiff raised me tal detail in black and in a positive and comradely manner.’ county councillor darren Williams gold; and a white poppy with the

detail in gold. Price £5 (inc p&p); TOTON RAILWAY FAMILY REUNION email [email protected] TWEETS OF THE MONTH The Toton old boys’ annual reunion will be held in the function room at The Sportsman pub on the CONFERENCES & RALLIES The number of trains corner of Granville Avenue and Derby Road, Long The StUc black workers’ conference is at the cancelled or significantly Eaton, from 19.00 on Friday 26 October. ‘All ex-Toton Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, Glasgow, late has risen by 50% since the old boys, their partners, and anyone else who would from Saturday 6 to Sunday 7 October. The itF Tories came to power. Labour will like to be there in the company of other members of congress is at the Suntec convention centre in invest in rail & take it back into the railway family, are most welcome,’ says Reg Singapore from Sunday 14 to Saturday 20 public ownership to be run for the Sargeant. October. The StUc women’s conference is at many, not the few. the Caird Hall, Dundee, from Monday 29 to Andy McDonald NETWORK RAIL SELLS OFF RAILWAY ARCHES Tuesday 30 October. The StUc disabled Worried tenants – independent shops and small workers’ conference is at the Golden Jubilee We’ll run our railways for businesses such as garages and craft breweries – fear Conference Hotel, Glasgow, from Saturday 17 passengers, not private rents will soar and they will be ‘turned out onto the to Sunday 18 November. The Scottish trades shareholders. streets’ after Network Rail sold thousands of railway Union congress is at the Caird Hall, Dundee, Jeremy Corbyn arches to two real estate investors – Telereal Trillium from Monday 15 to Wednesday 17 April 2019. and Blackstone Property, famous for ‘sweating their ASlEF’s annual assembly of delegates is at House buyer: ‘Dear bank, assets’ – as part of a £1.5 billion property deal. the Marriott Hotel, Leeds, from Monday 13 to please can I have a Thursday 16 May. mortgage?’ Bank: ‘How much do GTR BOSS GETS BONUS FOR FAILURE you earn?’ House buyer: ‘Nothing, David Brown, the ‘fat cat’ boss of beleaguered rail Our woolly hat will keep you I’m a volunteer for Grand Central.’ operator Go-Ahead, has pocketed a £582,000 warm this winter. Price £5 Bank: ‘GTF!’ Great economy we ‘performance bonus’ on top of his salary of (including p&p); email have! £1,175,000 – despite a summer of chaos on GTR [email protected] or visit our Ghillielad services run by Thameslink, Great Northern and online shop at www.aslef.org.uk Southern.

4 The ASLEF Journal l October 2018 News

All’s well that, off the Rails NEWS THAT SNCF has signed a deal with Alstom, Bombardier, and Bosch to develop a er, ends well project towards a prototype driverless train by 2023 has prompted a few over-excitable, EN Elton, anti-trade union, swivel-eyed loons on the who made right of the Conservative Party to start B his name drooling at the prospect of getting rid of bashing ‘Thatch’ on train drivers. Trouble is – but don’t let the facts get in the way Friday Night Live on of a little wishful thinking – that trains have to be driven. C4 in the 1980s, is They don’t drive themselves, whatever Isaac Asimov – back on form with remember I, Robot ? – and other science fiction writers like to Upstart Crow , his imagine. Even with increased automation, we will still want, sharpest and most and need, a trained driver at the pointy end of the train. Most political comedy passenger planes are now fly-by-wire but airlines and, since Blackadder . especially, passengers still want a pilot, and co-pilot, in the ‘Alas, poor Yorick! there’s no more faith in the It stars David cockpit in case there’s a problem, or when the technology Failing Grayling than there is in a stewed prune’ Mitchell as William breaks down. Which, in the end, it always does. Shakespeare; Liza this sceptr’d isle will nationally organised Tarbuck as his wife endlessly suffer an collective. Run for MARIAN KEARNEY stepped down from Anne Hathaway; under-funded, ill- the benefit of all and her job at head office at the end of August. Paula Wilcox as his run and pointlessly profit of none!’ She joined ASLEF in 2001, working in mother Mary Arden; fractured transport ‘I must say that equalities, education, and then GSP, Harry Enfield as his infrastructure to does seem like a through ‘some challenging times as well as disapproving father; hobble the nation?’ pretty good idea,’ very good times’ and is well-known to Tim Downie as his asks Shakespeare. says Anne. To which members. Her official goodbye was at the friend and fellow ‘That would be mad!’ dad mutters dryly: Yorkshire Grey in Bloomsbury on 19 playwright Kit When his dad ‘Except if ever there September, between the TUC and the Labour Party Marlowe; and Mark says, ‘What do you was such a publicly- conference, but on her last day in the office, 31 August, she Heap as his rival reckon they’re going funded service like picked up a bunch of flowers, shared a chocolate cake with Robert Greene, to do about it, then?’ that the first thing staff, and admitted ‘I’ll miss ASLEF but I won’t miss getting up Master of the Revels, he replies: ‘Why, ’tis the Queen’s at silly o’clock to get on the Hammersmith & Shitty line…’ and the man who certain that, one ministers would do dismissed Will as ‘an day, it will not be a is flog it off to their JOHN McCAIN , the Vietnam veteran and upstart Crow, rag bag of private mates.’ Republican Senator for Arizona who lost the beautified with our companies that run ‘Come now, US presidential election to Barack Obama in feathers, [who] is in the means of father, I hardly think 2008, was witty enough to become a favourite his own conceit the transport in Albion people would be so on liberal America’s favourite programme, Jon only Shake-scene in but the public itself, stupid as to allow Stewart’s The Daily Show , and Saturday Night Live , and had a a country’. in some form of that to happen…’ good line in self-deprecating jokes. When he lost the election The first episode he said: ‘I slept like a baby. I slept for two hours, woke up and of the third series, cried. Then slept for two hours, woke up and cried.’ Out on broadcast on BBC2, QUOTE… the campaign trail he would greet staff – who were famously featured a typical riff ‘If you want a picture of the future, loyal – every morning with the words: ‘Where’s the coffee? on the problems of imagine a boot stamping on a human You’re all fired.’ transport. face.’ – George Orwell , 1984 ‘Do you really …UNQUOTE THE SUN Inn at Feering, close to Kelvedon think the peoples of station, near Colchester in Essex, has a wonderful way with words on its menu, which describes its excellent beers as well as its fine food. To wit 500 CLUB: P Fowles, with number 144, won the September draw, ‘Bishop’s Finger: mouth-filling fruit, prunes, scooping the RMS prize money jackpot of £432. plums and dried apricot spiked with palate- prickling pepper, cinnamon and a soft bitter blood orange finish’ and ‘Whitstable Bay pale ale: a full-bodied fruity ale with a subtle bitterness and glorious grapefruit and pine our new ASlEF mug aromas.’ And then ‘Carlsberg: Everyday cooking lager.’ has images from the Mick Jones triptych LONGSIGHT legend Mel Thorley says that Mr in reception at head Methane – the stage name of former Bury and office. there are four Buxton driver Paul Oldfield who trades as the versions – three have ‘king of farts’ – established a new world record an image on one side at the Great Dorset Steam Fair in August ‘letting and the ASlEF logo on the other; the fourth has off 86 raspers, one after another. Bad Manners front man all three images. £6 each (inc p&p) or £15 for a Buster Bloodvessel collapsed on stage. Not connected to set of three; email [email protected] or visit our Methane’s act.’ online shop at www.aslef.org.uk

October 2018 l The ASLEF Journal 5 News

Fair Maid of Perth

Perth branch secretary GRANT MURCHIE reports on the most recent branch meeting, which was chaired by Donna Williams, making it a first for Scotland

ERTH branch resumed, in some style, after the long, hot, summer recess. P Despite being on the same day as an Old Firm derby which, inevitably, had an impact on the day’s attendance, a reasonable turnout gathered for the chance to say farewell to branch stalwart and 24-carat character Bro Raymond Irving. His official retirement do in early August attracted a three-figure attendance from Kevin lindsay presents Raymond irving with his certificate (top right) and joins the team picture places as far apart as Inverness and in St John’s toun, on the banks of the tay, known as the Fair city after the novel by Sir Walter Scott Tweedbank and all points in between. District Organiser Kevin Lindsay had been invited leaving us with a comprehensive see Raymond off properly – the festivities along to present Raymond with his ASLEF photographic record of nearly everyone who continuing until the following day! retirement certificate long before the Scottish worked at Perth from a mid-1940s seniority There is no doubt that Raymond will be Premier League fixtures were announced, so date on. sorely missed in bothies from Glasgow to the meeting went ahead as scheduled. Bro Lindsay noted in his opening remarks Aberdeen and Inverness to Edinburgh, but Raymond started on the railway in 1979 that it was the first time he had attended a certainly none more so than in Perth itself. It’s and spent his entire career at Perth. In the mid- branch meeting with a female member in the quite sad to think that we’ll never again see a 1980s he took up photography as a hobby chair – Sis Donna Williams, who even new recruit sit wide-eyed and open-mouthed which has, now, resulted in the train crew managed to prevent Raymond from launching as Raymond emits a profanity-laden, high- gallery in Perth LDC room. For years he into one of his trademark rants. A few more volume, monologue about any, or all, of his photographed almost every driver, second branch members joined the celebration post- pet topics. Enjoy your retirement, Raymond, man, guard, and fitter, as well as office staff, match to help boost the takings at the bar and you’ve earned it, lad! Amazing turnaround

JIM WALSH , Glasgow branch and ScotRail company council, was one of six ASLEF delegates – GS Mick Whelan, AGS Simon Weller, EC vice-president Dave Calfe, Lesley Atkins-Smith of King’s Cross, and Debbie Reay of Northern Line North were the others – to the 150th Trades Union Congress in Manchester

HAVE been to one other Adams was the GS, and not too TUC – in Brighton, when happy about me leaving, but I Jim, Simon, debbie and lesley in the conference hall in Manchester I Tony Blair had just been wasn’t going to sit there and be elected Prime Minister – and the lectured like that by the head and saying to him, why can’t we inspiring listening to Debbie, and theme was the visions and values teacher. I gave up my Labour have people like you running the Lesley, a first time delegate, very for a New Labour, and we waited Party membership shortly after Labour Party? His answer was brave, very confident, and she with bated breath. Blair stood at that and joined the Scottish ‘Because they’re all Blairites and came across very well. the podium and told us Labour Socialist Party, but rejoined they don’t want people like me I’m getting old – a lot of us are was now New Labour, Old Labour Labour when Jeremy Corbyn was running the Labour Party!’ To hear getting old, look at the EC – and had gone, there would be no elected leader. This year I felt I him talk about embracing the won’t be here in a few years, so it’s revoking of the anti-trade union could come back to the TUC trade unions, and revoking the good to see young people and laws, and we had to get used to it. having felt, for years, it would be a anti-trade union laws, is an know ASLEF is in safe hands. I was so angry, disgusted, I waste of time. amazing turnaround. l TUC reports start on page 11 stood up and left the room. I was John McDonnell’s speech was Debbie spoke on the GRA. It the first – though not the only the complete opposite of Tony came out of the LGBT+ one – to leave. C5 News was Blair! I remember listening to John conference, led by Maria, and waiting and interviewed me. Lew at AAD in Nottingham in 2009, Darren Brown wrote the motion. QUOTE… It’s important. They know who ‘So we beat on, boats they are, but don’t look like who against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the carry all your stuff – papers, sandwiches, keys – in they know they are. It’s treated as past.’ – F Scott Fitzgerald , style with our smart new sturdy black ASlEF bag. a mental health problem, The Great Gatsby Price £17.50 (inc p&p); email [email protected] or enshrined in the Act, the same …UNQUOTE visit our online shop at www.aslef.org.uk arguments used against gay people 20 years ago. It was

6 The ASLEF Journal l October 2018 News Privatised TOC tweets for ‘slaves’ to run its stations

S MICK Whelan has slammed a Thanks!’ privatised train company for asking English – ‘loves Celtic and Arsenal and (sic) G for unpaid volunteers to provide the all things Yorkshire’ – and Grand Central were services for passengers which it is unwilling to subject to a social media storm. ‘Fat cat rail provide itself. boss wants you to work for nothing. While he ‘It’s outrageous that Grand Central expects picks up his salary as normal. Cheek!’ unpaid volunteers to turn up to work and look Mick said: ‘There are important safety and after passengers at stations which are security issues here. It is important, for the Mick speaks out after Grand central calls for unmanned because the company wants to safety of passengers and staff, that stations are slave labour ‘ambassadors’ to run its stations boost its profits by not employing – and manned. And we know that infrastructure is a properly paying – people to do a job.’ target for terrorists. It is utterly wrong that Sean English, chief operating officer of Grand Central, in pursuit of bigger profits, QUOTE… Grand Central Rail, cheekily tweeted: ‘GC won’t pay for staff at stations like Wakefield ‘Luckily, we’ve got a solution to Tory rail station ambassadors are a team of dedicated Kirkgate. And utterly wrong that Mr English is mayhem #AllChangePlease.’ – John volunteers supporting customers/visitors on touting for “ambassadors” to do a job which McDonnell , Labour MP for Hayes & stations across our routes at weekends. We are should be done by properly trained, and Harlington and Shadow Chancellor looking to introduce a team at Wakefield properly paid, staff. Ambassadors? That’s a line Kirkgate station. If you know of anyone that it they used during the London Olympics. Mr …UNQUOTE is interested in volunteering please DM me. English wants unpaid slaves to man his galley.’ #AllchangePlease New Haines manual Andrew Haines (left) has started work as Ec president tosh Mcdonald joined chief executive of Network Rail. Haines, labour MPs caroline Flint, don valley; 54, says he’s ‘passionate about rail’. He John healey, Wentworth & dearne; and began his career as a left luggage clerk Rosie Winterton, doncaster central; to at Victoria station and later had stints as talk and listen to early morning managing director of South West Trains and First commuters at doncaster station as part Group’s rail division. He was also on the board of of labour’s rail campaign day on the RoSCo Eversholt, a position he resigned to Monday 3 September. ‘campaigning for join NR from the Civil Aviation Authority. Haines public ownership of our railways at has pledged to deliver ‘closer working between donny during rush hour with MPs, track and train, devolution, and the digital deputy mayor, councillors and activists,’ railway strategy.’ He will pick up £588,000 a year, said tosh. ‘Fantastic response from the Britain’s privatised railway makes getting to work plus a possible 9% bonus, 27% less than his public in general.’ a gamble, commuters told tosh at donny station predecessor Mark Carne. Taxi crashed into train after driver ‘lost concentration’ the water of life tastes A cabbie crashed into the side of a train after the driver, Brian Mazey, lost concentration at a level better in an ASlEF crystal crossing. Police told Swansea crown court that Mazey, 45, of Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, whisky tumbler! Price £8 showed ‘a complete disregard for his own safety, and the safety of others’ when his Vauxhall (inc p&p); email smashed into an Arriva Trains Wales service at Beavers Hill, near Manorbier, on 13 April 2017. [email protected] or visit our online Mazey pleaded guilty to careless driving and was fined £500 with £250 costs. Judge Peter shop at www.aslef.org.uk Heywood told him: ‘You should have seen the train, given the size of it.’ What can you get for your new , shiny £1 coin? TBF membership... just £1 a week covers you, your partner and dependent childr en. 0300 333 2000 www.tbf.org.uk

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

October 2018 l The ASLEF Journal 7

News

Failing’s wheeze Anti-fascist footie is dead on arrival ICK Whelan from the steep rail told fare rises announced M presenter later that day. Mishal Husain on ‘Commuters in Radio 4’s agenda- Conservative-voting clapton cFc’s new away kit is a hit in Spain setting news constituencies are Clapton community football club, who play in programme Today fed up with being Mishal (right) the first division of the Middlesex County that Transport ripped off by the interviewed Mick at League, the 12th tier of English football, Secretary Chris privatised train 7.15am on Radio 4’s typically attract 250 fans to home games at Grayling’s proposal operating flagship news show Wadham Lodge in Walthamstow, east London. that rail fare and companies,’ Mick Today But they have shipped an astonishing 2,500 staff wage increases told Mishal on replica away strips – and made £60,000 in the should both be Wednesday 15 summer of process – mostly to Spain. Why? Because the linked to a lower August. ‘That’s why discontent because colourful red, yellow and purple shirt, voted measure of inflation they are calling for he is clearly not on for by members, was inspired by the colours of – the Consumer Britain’s railways to top of his the International Brigades, who fought for the Prices Index, which be brought back department. industry; democratically-elected Republican does not take into into public ‘I wouldn’t trust government is not government in the Spanish Civil War, and account mortgage ownership. him to run a model involved. A point Mr includes the anti-fascist slogan ‘No Pasarán!’ repayments, rather ‘That’s frightened train set – let alone Grayling – and his than the Retail Mr Grayling who’s Britain’s complex predecessor Patrick COLLIER’S WOULD AT THE ORR Prices Index – was a on the ropes – with railway network. McLoughlin – have Declan Collier, 62, who stepped down last year ‘smoke and mirrors’ cabinet colleagues And, anyway, we been quick to make as CEO of London City Airport, will replace exercise designed to calling him Failing have free collective on more than one Stephen Glaister as chair of the Office of Rail deflect criticism Grayling – after a bargaining in the rail occasion.’ and Road. He will start work on 1 January.

Fare freeze would hurt rail users – QUOTE… Have the Tories bizarre claim from Fraggle Rock ‘The destructive Brexit path and TOCs priced being pursued by the James Price of the extreme right-wing free market lobby group the government threatens to TaxPayers’ Alliance said: ‘It would be wrong to announce any kind of rail people off rail? have a hugely damaging fares freeze, as it would hurt rail users as well as taxpayers who subsidise effect on football clubs ‘These prices are starting to deter rail in the UK whether or not they use trains. Taxpayers would be across the country.’ – people from travelling by rail,’ said subsidising wealthier rail users to the tune of more than £1 billion over a Burnley chairman Bruce Williamson of the campaign parliament if fares were frozen and rail users would suffer a worse Mike Garlick group Railfuture. ‘The latest experience from more crowded trains and more delays. Instead, the …UNQUOTE figures show that the rise in trade union-caused bloated wage bill should be addressed.’ passenger numbers we’ve seen over the last 20 years is levelling Silver bullet band off, because people can’t afford to have an ever larger chunk taken The Japanese rail company JR West out of their wallets year after year.’ has been criticised for a The latest government controversial training exercise that statistics show passenger requires rail staff to crouch in a 1 journeys down from 1,729 million metre by 1 metre by 1 metre trench in 2016-2017 to 1,705 million in between the tracks as three bullet 2017-2018. Season ticket journeys trains speed past at 200mph. The are down from 690.9 million to company says it shows ‘the forces at 627.5 million. work’ and ‘underlines the Shinkansen bullet importance of safety inspections’. trains in tokyo NEW BUILD AT NEWTON AYCLIFFE Hitachi has opened a new £5 million building at its plant at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, taking its investment at the site to more than £100 million. our new topical tee-shirt, designed by those It will increase production capacity by providing more storage areas for hoxton hipsters at Philosophy Football, trains. ‘We are proud to add a new chapter to the region’s rail heritage,’ said features Rik Mayall as the obnoxious chief operating officer Ross Nagle. ‘Our long-term investment is making a anarchist Rick in The Young Ones , and this real impact to manufacturing in the north of England.’ classic exchange: ‘he threw us off the train because you said ASlEF was an anagram for SOUTHERN RAIL ARE S*** TATTOO “total and complete bastard”.’ ‘And apart from everything Ruari Barratt, 36, a video producer from Brighton, Sussex, is so fed up with else… it isn’t, even.’ £10 (inc p&p); email [email protected] the service provided by Southern Rail he has had ‘Southern Rail are s***’ or visit our online shop at www.aslef.org.uk tattooed in black and red ink on his torso. Without the asterisks. He said: ‘Getting it done didn’t hurt half as much as a journey on Southern Fail.’

8 The ASLEF Journal l October 2018 commentary Farewell to the second man

The role of driver’s assistant was abolished by British Rail 30 years ago this month. In a valedictory piece Euston driver assessor MICK HUMPHRYS reflects on the job, and on what was lost when the second man became a train man HIRTY years ago, on 2 October 1988, the grade of driver’s assistant was T abolished and replaced with the train (wo)man concept. This signalled the end, as those within the grade passed on to drivers, of the second man in the cab. A feature that had existed, in one form or another, for the previous 160 years. It should be remembered that the ancestry lineage of the role began with fireman, until movements, ferrying, trip work, and ballast 1968, then second man, and, finally, ending turns. In addition, manning agreements still in Ec vice-president Bill Ronksley writes about the with the driver’s assistant, although most of us place required a driver to be rostered a second train man concept in the Locomotive Journal in still used the term second man until the very man if on a turn in excess of eight hours or November 1969; the BR Eastern Region vacancy end. The ‘f’ for fireman, of course, is still the ‘f’ in with no clear rostered physical needs break. list in September 1979 showing Mick our name. We are the Associated Society of humphrys’s appointment on the first rung of the Locomotive Engineers & Firemen. PROGRESSION TO DRIVER footplate ladder (above); and the Stonebridge British Rail had proposals to end the Progression to driver, of course, was still the Park vacancy list in November 1988 showing GS second man role, and introduce the train man, ultimate aim of the second man with traction; Mick Whelan getting his driver’s position (top) as early as 1969. With the end of steam, and no rules and regulations learnt on the job and by longer the need for a fireman, BR had plans to attending, in your own time, mutual for a special working, and was driven by my DA implement single manning as soon possible. improvement classes. A more formal method on that day, our current EC vice-president, But their modernisation plans, in the late of training commenced in 1976 with the Dave Calfe! 1950s and early 1960s, were thwarted because introduction of the MP12 driver’s course, 26 Another nail in the coffin of the grade they introduced main line diesel locomotives, weeks long, in three parts, comprising rules, occurred on 17 January 1987 with the with a heating method which was traction and train handling. A second man was implementation of a revision to the 1965 predominantly steam, which required a boiler, eligible to commence a course when 20 years manning agreement. This removed the operated by a second man. and 6 months old and it was, according to his requirement for a second man on light engine seniority, his turn . The 1970s saw a huge movements and, indeed, a second man only DRIVER ONLY BOILER OPERATION recruitment drive as BR looked ahead at a provided in exceptional or safety BR management did try a system of driver- large retirement profile fuelled by an ageing requirements. only boiler operation, which entailed the driver work force. With an upper age limit of Our union, on a local level, managed to boiler being prepared on the depot by 23 into the grade, the vacancy list above protect some of the work on depots, utilising maintenance staff. On/off buttons fitted to shows my appointment in 1979 at the DA for coupling and uncoupling duties; some, predominantly Class 47, locomotives Stonebridge Park with ten other 16 to 21 year their workload and requirements were, were operated by the driver when coupled or olds. All starting what could be a career for life, however, drastically reduced. uncoupled to the coaching stock. Boiler and in a pension fund, from the start of their I was predominantly on single manned reliability issues, and protests from our union, railway careers. On the same list were 253 turns on local suburban work so noticed little protecting jobs, saw this system abandoned. unfilled vacancies for driver’s assistants at impact on a personal level. This changed when Thus the second man was employed in steam depots the length and breadth of the country; I was appointed an instructor in 1988 and was heating operations right up to the 1980s to have such for the young generation today! involved from the start on the train man driver although, by the middle of that decade, steam My six years as a DA were amongst the D training programme. One of my first trainees heating had been virtually phased out. happiest of my railway career as I learnt my was our current GS, Mick Whelan, having Electric main line traction with an electric trade from some of the best highly obtained his driver’s vacancy on the first train heat supply was, however, altogether experienced drivers. The BR board had other available list in November 1988! different. With this traction, like the numerous plans for the grade and, after the failed strikes suburban lines operated by both electric and of 1982, and 19 years of trying, introduced the DRIVER APPRENTICE ROLE diesel multiple units, single-manned for many train man concept in addition to the abolition Some of the remaining second men were years, a second man was not required. of the eight hour day and the introduction of made to undertake guards’ training as their The first phase came in 1965 with an easing flexible rostering. workload disappeared and, by the early 1990s, of manning agreement which allowed a The train man was not to be introduced for the driver’s assistant was consigned to history. substantial increase in single-manned main another six years so recruitment into the Looking ahead, some railway companies, line operation. Our union fought to protect, footplate line of promotion continued, and as I mine included, are today beginning a driver and did indeed achieve protection of, was promoted to driver in 1985, able to pass apprentice role so, once more, young men and firemen’s earnings. on my knowledge and skills to my own DAs. women will have the chance to enjoy the Double manning also continued on Indeed, the last vacuum brake train I was in career their predecessors had. numerous types of work that required a charge of, the old mark 1 Manchester Pullman l Many thanks to my fellow second men, the second man, including light engine stock as ECS from Willesden New E to Euston Lost Boys, for their help in writing this article. October 2018 l The ASLEF Journal 9 Platform Privatisation of our railways, prisons and other public services has been disastrous

We all know that privatisation doesn’t work but this Tory government doggedly keeps going – like a rambler heading the wrong way who doesn’t have the courage or common sense to turn back to the right route – because it dares not admit its market dogma is wrong and that some services – like gas, electricity, water and rail – are natural monopolies while others – such as the fire brigade, prisons and police – are not the place to try and turn a profit. The government found that out the hard way when it had to take over HMP Birmingham – described by Peter trade union twins – Clarke, Chief Inspector of Prisons, as the worst jail he has Steve Gillan with ever inspected – after it had been run into the ground by the Mick Whelan at AAd private provider G4S. STEVE GILLAN , general secretary of the in Southend in 2015 Prison Officers’ Association, gives us a revealing insight into – and hMP how it’s all gone wrong inside Britain’s prison system Birmingham

GOVERNMENT led by Jeremy Corbyn I believe if there is to be true reform of our There should be proper drug treatment would end the privatisation of our prisons – and not just a cuts agenda – then it programmes and education in our A railways and ASLEF, as an affiliated needs to go back to basics and actually mean communities, along with our schools, about union, has been proud to support Jeremy for something. David Gauke needs to not just drugs and their devastating effects. And there the Labour leadership. The POA is not reflect on HMP Birmingham, where the public needs to be safe staffing levels with better affiliated to the party but we still supported sector has taken back control from G4S, but to paid and better trained prison officers – the Jeremy for leader. The last manifesto has a take time and reflect on the very basics of our very people who keep the public safe. pro-worker and pro-public services agenda. prisons and engage in a meaningful dialogue At last we have a Labour leader who has with the experts who deal with the day to day ONLY INTEREST IS MAKING MONEY departed from the Tory-lite agenda of the past running of our jails – the POA trade union – Until we see a change in attitude by and there is now clear water between Tory who are part of the solution, not the problem. government Birmingham will be the new policies and Labour policies. norm. That’s why it is now time for a public The POA has consistently opposed budget DAVID GAUKE NEEDS TO LISTEN debate on the national scandal of failed cuts and the privatisation of not just prisons He needs to listen because I am afraid the privatisation from our railways to utilities and but our utilities such as gas, water and others didn’t and we have been used as a indeed our NHS. The public owns our public electricity, along with our railways and NHS, political football in a point scoring exercise services and they should not be hived off to because successive governments have not that we have witnessed for far too long. HMP the private sector who have no interest apart cared about the consequences of cuts and Birmingham is the tip of the iceberg and the from making money for their shareholders have had an obsession with private enterprise Conservative Party has overseen this debacle and investors. over public services which, in real terms, is with their cuts agenda – 8,000 fewer prison ASLEF runs great campaigns against always a race to the bottom. staff than in 2010 with a record prison privatisation and getting our railways back population. where they belong, and out of the hands of OUR PRISONS ARE IN CRISIS Privatisation which has failed. Prisons in privateers. I have every sympathy with you as Privatisation – and consequent cuts – have England and Wales overcrowded with two you have an incompetent minister in Chris consequences and our prisons are in crisis. prisoners sharing a cell designed for one. Grayling who doesn’t know the value of Since 2010 we have had Kenneth Clarke, Chris Self‐harm and violence at record levels – anything and appears to blame trade unions Grayling, Michael Gove, Liz Truss, David prisoner on prisoner, and prisoner on staff. for the ridiculous policies of private train Lidington and, now, David Gauke. Six Suicides and murders occurring on a regular operators up and down the country. ministers in eight years with little cohesion in basis. Widespread drug use causing fear, debt, The trade union movement needs to keep policy or direction. POA members want bullying, intimidation and lawlessness as we the pressure on this reckless Tory government, stability and consistency – not policy being have witnessed with many recent riots at HMP propped up by the DUP, to ensure our public made up as reaction to the right-wing media. Birmingham and other establishments across services are not totally dismantled. I am The government plays at a prison reform the country. grateful for ASLEF for giving me the agenda with very little detail or substance and If it wasn’t for the bravery of POA members opportunity to write for your Journal . with the white paper on reform being thrown in Birmingham and jails across the country I hope we continue to campaign and fight in the dustbin and scrapped since the last things would be far, far worse. It isn’t rocket for better public services and I wish all ASLEF general election there is even less direction. science in fixing the problem. There are far too members well in their endeavour to regain a How bad do our prisons need to become many people in our prisons who should have railway service that is run by the public for the before the general public insists on change? been diverted away such as the mentally ill. public.

10 The ASLEF Journal l October 2018 tUc ASLEF in action in Manchester l Congress photos by Andrew Wiard

SLEF sent six delegates – good – was embraced by reps Mick Whelan, general organising to build a better A secretary; Simon Weller, Britain – for the many, not the few assistant general secretary; Dave – of which we can be proud. Calfe, EC vice-president; Lesley Delegates from 48 unions, Atkins-Smith of King’s Cross representing 5.5 million QUOTE… branch; Debbie Reay of Northern members, gathered in the north- ‘Welcome back to where it all Line North; and Jim Walsh of west for the annual parliament of ASlEF delegates at the tUc began! 150 years ago, our Glasgow – to the 150th Trades the trade union movement. There movement gathered for its Union Congress from Sunday 9 to were passionate debates on pay evening, congress offered reps an first ever congress in Wednesday 12 September in bargaining, pensions and opportunity to talk to activists Manchester. We return to this Manchester. Executive committee employment rights; health, safety, from other unions who face great city this year to members Marz Colombini, Andy and regulation; privatisation; similar challenges in different celebrate a century and a Hudd and Howard Kaye, and education; energy; transport; fields. ‘We’re all doing the same half of working together to district organisers Dicky Fisher industrial strategy; social policy, job – representing our members – change the world of work for and Nigel Gibson, attended as equalities, and Brexit. in an often hostile environment, good.’ – Frances O’Grady , visitors. As well as the motions on the while trying to make this country general secretary, TUC The slogan for congress – conference floor, and lots of fringe a better place in which to work …UNQUOTE changing the world of work for meetings every lunchtime and and live,’ said Mick.

Dialogue of fear ‘The thing about Manchester is…it all comes from here,’ Noel Gallagher , S Mick Whelan spoke pointing to his heart, on BBC2 in at ‘Embrace Brexit – 1998. G Rebuild and Transform Britain’, the Trade Unionists Against the EU fringe, at The Briton’s Protection pub – What’s the buzz? a singularly appropriate choice fly. But the idea that if you are of venue – on Great owned – or even partially Manchester – like Bridgewater Street at Monday owned – by a European congress – was a hive of lunchtime on a platform with company then you don’t have activity, with 230 busy Costas Lapavitsas, professor of the right to go on strike bee sculptures buzzing Mick speaking at the aptly- economics at the School of frightens me. about the place, each named Briton’s Protection Oriental and African Studies, ‘And the idea that nation designed by a different London, and Sarah Wooley of bosses and you keep talking states can’t protect their own artist to celebrate one the Bakers, Food & Allied because when you stop talking coal or steel industries frightens aspect of the city, from Workers’ Union. they impose. That’s not a social me. And how can you have a its 19th century ‘The EU we entered in the partnership. situation, as happened in industrial heritage 1970s is not the EU we have ‘We have ended up with a Greece, where the European Beelieve in your through its 20th century now,’ said Mick. ‘The EU was neoliberal model where we Central Bank determines union! Respect, ascendancy at football meant to transform itself – but have to privatise everything. whether your people can eat or justice and dignity to its vibrant 21st what happened to that social We had a contretemps with not? There is no reason why we for working people century music scene. contract? We were promised a GTR Southern, and spent a lot can’t enshrine workers’ rights in ‘The worker bee has been an integral part of better, socialist, way but that of time in the High Court, British law. And we don’t Manchester’s coat of arms since 1842,’ hasn’t happened. Instead we where they were running believe you continue to vote explained a TUC apparatchik. ‘And is have a dialogue based on fear. threads based on Europe. Now, until you get the result you synonymous with the city’s spirit of industry, You talk in a room with the thankfully, those threads didn’t want.’ enterprise, and resilience.’

‘GENERAL INTERESTS OF THE WORKINGWCLASSES’ 150 years ago, in 1868, trade union activists from every corner of the country met at the Doors of perception Mechanics’ Institute in Manchester for the first Trades Union Congress. They passed a The ASLEF train crew was cheered to spot a resolution ‘that the trades of the United Kingdom should hold an annual congress, for the familiar – and friendly – face on the main door purpose of bringing the trades into closer alliance, and to take action in all Parliamentary of the Manchester Central convention matters pertaining to the general interests of the working-classes.’ complex. Bill Baxter, of Southport, has been a ‘150 years on from our founding, while much has changed, the TUC’s mission remains the TUC steward since 2007 and, more same,’ said TUC GS Frances O’Grady. ‘Standing up for working women and men, and making importantly, an ASLEF stalwart since he joined sure their voices are heard.’ the railway.

October 2018 l The ASLEF Journal 11 Agenda

Definition of insaFLAnGSHiItP y An economy for the motion on A public services and the lessons to be many, not the few learned about outsourcing after the OTION 1, on Britain’s industrial periods at very low interest rates” failure of Carillion was strategy, and an economy for has urged them to increase spend passed unanimously. It M the many, not the few, was on public investment projects wh was moved on Monday moved by Tony Burke of Unite; will more than pay for themselves morning by Dave Prentis, seconded by Debbie Reay of ASLEF; report explains that a 0.5% of GDP Unison; seconded by and supported by Steve Nicholson of investment in infrastructure, whic Gail Cartmail, Unite; and Prospect. It was passed unanimously amounts to £9 billion, could boos dave at the podium on Monday supported by Dave Calfe, on Tuesday afternoon. by almost 0.6% and knock 0.2% o ASLEF; Neil Derrick, GMB; ‘We have heard, for many years, nation’s debt as a share of GDP. Th Mark Fairhurst, POA; and Kevin McHugh, PCS. politicians talking about the need for means such a stimulus effectively ‘Time and time again private companies have been brought in to an industrial strategy,’ said Debbie. ‘One for itself. Yet, despite this, the Torie run public contracts,’ said Dave. ‘We are told that the profit motive that shifts the balance of our economy. have done very little to support o will make them efficient and that they have knowledge and One that considers the supply chain infrastructure, including our trans expertise that the public sector does not. And time and time again, and supports manufacturing, network. they fail, and leave chaos and a financial burden on those who work construction and infrastructure. But for ‘They’ve reneged on their prom for the service, those who rely on it, and the taxpayer. too long it’s been just that. Talk. Talk is to electrify the Great Western mai ‘Comrades, you have our support as people who have cheap and we have yet to see anywhere from Cardiff to Swansea, the Midla experienced the same nonsense on our railway. The most obvious near enough investment under the main line, and tracks in the Lake example being the East Coast, where overbidding has meant train Tory-led coalition, the last Tory District. This, despite many assura operators have defaulted and handed back the keys three times government, nor do we hold our breath over the years that the work was g since privatisation. The last failed operator, Virgin Trains East Coast, with this Tory minority government. to happen. avoided paying more than £2 billion in franchise premiums to the ‘The World Economic Forum’s global ‘Electrified rail is faster, greene government. competitiveness index ranks Britain more efficient, and more reliable. ‘To hide embarrassment, the government is rewriting contracts 24th in the world in perceived quality Despite the government’s protest with operators at the cost of the taxpayer. Einstein is credited as of infrastructure. Our transport that bi-mode trains are a better saying, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and infrastructure is ranked 13th and our alternative, we know they are not over again, but expecting different results”. Well, what does that tell railways 18th. Britain is the fifth biggest long-term answer to our transpor us about the decision to constantly outsource? economy in the world. Therefore, needs. This represents short-term ‘Trade unions have consistently warned against privatisation and creating infrastructure to match our and the same old Tory agenda of c outsourcing. But, despite the mounting evidence, and the status could dramatically bolster our Not only would electrified lines ha experiences of our members, and the British public, our politicians economy. improved the transport network, continue to repeat the same mistakes. ‘The OECD points out that work would have brought good q ‘There is only one reason for this. Free market dogma. We must “governments in many countries are jobs, in regions that have not had learn from our mistakes or we’ll constantly repeat them. The market currently able to borrow for long same investment as the south-eas has failed to provide quality public services and value for money. Let us use the evidence and stop the insanity.’

biggest since 1993/94. Seaso sales have plummeted 9.2%. Pricing people off rail is bad for us all tickets represent the steady i ESLEY Atkins-Smith moved such a wonderful job in running trains! which operators are able to w motion 11, on high fares and ‘Congress, it’s time to recognise the expenditure for the year. L the decline in season ticket truth about growth on our railway. Of ‘Are we surprised? In Janu sales, on Tuesday afternoon. It was course ASLEF is delighted that the fares across all operators wer seconded by Mick Carney, TSSA, and pattern over the last 20 years has been higher in real terms than the passed unanimously. one of growth for our industry. More January 1995. Last month we ‘We’ve all heard the narrative. The people on trains means fewer car that fares will be going up by operators, the Rail Delivery Group, and journeys, less carbon emissions, and January next year. Fares have the Tories tell us the privatised railway fewer road deaths. But let’s not kid since 2008 while average we must be brilliant. We have record ourselves that this is down to gone up only 18%. ‘So we’ve hit a tipping po numbers using our railway. privatisation. lesley speaks to congress on tuesday Overcrowding is a sign of success. ‘Most people who commute on trains people are having to conside Stagecoach, FirstGroup, Deutsche Bahn do so because they have little choice. ‘For this reason, the government and it’s worth the cost to commu and the rest are doing such a good job Jobs have become concentrated in city train operators haven’t had to worry railways. Whether they shou that people are willing to pay huge fares centres where housing costs has gone about fares going up faster than pay. for the brilliant service they provide. We through the roof. Working people are What choice do rail commuters have? all know it’s true because, if you go to having to move out of the centres of our Well, congress, there is only so long that QUOTE… East Croydon, Manchester Piccadilly, or cities and commute from further away, holds. Rail passenger numbers in the UK ‘Privatisation, Thatche Bristol Temple Meads, and ask people meaning a train journey is the only fell last year to 1.7 billion in the biggest taking from the needy why they are taking the train, they will viable option. Meanwhile, the industry decrease since privatisation. Usage fell by general secretary, Un tell you it’s because they think Southern, has failed to increase capacity, leading to 1.4% in the financial year 2017/18, the Northern, and Great Western are doing intolerable levels of overcrowding. first annual fall since 2009/10 and the 12 The ASLEF Journal l October 2018 tUc

off message MICK WHELAN , at the Brexit fringe on Monday, coming towards the end of his speech, ended one line of argument by quipping, ‘Before the chair cuts me off.’ Jacqui Johnson, former president of the UCU, piped up: ‘No, keep going, I’m enjoying it.’ Prompting a heckle from the back, where the ASLEF train crew was showing solidarity with the GS: ” and ‘Never, ever, say that to him!’ Cue peals of laughter and a subsequent investigation to ding discover the culprit. The smart money is on Marz Colombini. ich s. Its debbie on tuesday afternoon WH WOOD , secretary of Manchester Trades Council, presided over the first Trades Union P Congress in 1868. Samuel Nicholson, president of the council, should have been in the ch the possibility of apprenticeships and chair, ‘But for his attendance,’ according to AE Musson in The Congress of 1868 , ‘at the t GDP training opportunities. Annual Moveable Delegation of the Order of Druids’ of which he was also general off the ‘Infrastructure investment could be secretary. There were no druids on display in Manchester this year. his an opportunity to stimulate our pays economy through creating quality jobs AS THE Virgin Trains service from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly stopped at es in many sectors such as engineering, Milton Keynes on Sunday morning, the train manager cheerfully announced: ‘Alight here ur transport, and in the growing green if you like concrete cows, roundabouts, Barratt homes – and League Two football.’ sport economy.

Yet, earlier this year, we heard the ASLEF delegates were media magnets in Manchester. Mick Whelan wrote an article for mise stark warning that the UK will miss its the Morning Star on Tuesday and was interviewed by Alan Jones of the Press Association; n line legally binding carbon targets without Raj Syal of The Guardian ; and Conrad Landin of the Morning Star . Delegates lobbied Chris and urgent government action. Hope of the Daily Telegraph ; Kevin Maguire of the Daily Mirror ; Ben Chacko, editor of the

‘The Select Committee on Climate Morning Star ; Iain Watson, political correspondent, BBC News; Jon Craig, chief political ances Change said vague ambitions, such as correspondent of Sky News; and Jon Snow, presenter of C4 News , over coffee in the going banning new petrol and diesel cars by conference centre. 2040, must be turned into solid plans. r, The UK has a target of an 80% PAUL ROUTLEDGE , the veteran political journalist who writes for the Daily Mirror and

reduction in emissions by 2050. This is Huddersfield Examiner (and the ASLEF Journal ) was covering his 50th Trades Union tations not only the right thing to do in order Congress. ‘I remember George Woodcock, general secretary of the TUC, and something of

to ensure our planet remains a philosopher, at my first congress, at the Opera House in Blackpool in 1968, wondering the sustainable. It can also be an aloud, “Why are we here?” Which prompted one wag to call out, “We were hoping you t opportunity to create new jobs, were going to tell us”!’ ism apprenticeships, and industries. cuts. ‘So let us create an economy for the THE PUB where Mick spoke on Brexit, The Briton’s Protection, established in 1806, is ave many, with an industrial strategy that extraordinary. There’s a large mural commemorating the Peterloo Massacre – the protest the promotes quality jobs, sustainability, in 1819 by 80,000 people, listening to Orator Hunt arguing for Parliamentary reform, quality and strong workers’ rights. Let the UK which ended when troops from the Salford Yeomanry and the 15th Hussars charged into the be at the forefront of new technologies the crowd, sabres drawn, killing 15 and injuring 700 more – as well as local Lancashire st, and and the fight against climate change.’ ales and, er, 300 whiskies.

THE GS was a guest of the PFA at their offices on Bishopsgate on Monday night where on ticket alternatives modes, no matter how Fabrice Muamba, the Bolton midfielder who suffered a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup tie . Season inconvenient, or whether it’s worth with Tottenham; Nick Cusack, who played for Oxford, Fulham and Swansea; and PFA boss income by working at all. Gordon Taylor explained how the players’ union is helping footballers prepare for life after they stop playing, and dealing with the growing problem of gambling in the game. work out ‘And it’s not just passengers who suffer. It’s the taxpayer, too. As passenger ASLEF , the RMT and the TSSA usually sit next to each other in the conference hall. Not uary 2018 numbers fall, and revenue goes down, last year. Not this year. The TUC put ASLEF between the CWU and the TSSA, in front of the re 20% train operators are reneging on NAS/UWT, Equity, and Bakers, on the far left of the hall, while pushing the RMT to the ey were in contracts, or looking to do so. And guess back of the room, on the far right, next to Nautilus and the URTU. e found out who picks up most of the bill? y 3.2% in ‘The railway is a social good. It JUSTIN WELBY, the Archbishop of Canterbury, slew the old adage that the Church of e risen 42% benefits the whole of society, not just England is the Tory Party at prayer when he gave a speech on Wednesday morning eekly pay has those who use the service. Pricing prompting hollers from hacks in the media room – who do not write the headlines under people off the network is bad for us all. which their copy appears, that’s what sub-editors do – ‘This is great stuff! Red Bishop oint where So it’s time to end the expensive and Bashes Bosses!’ er whether broken franchising farce, stop money ute on our leaving our industry in profits, and bring JOHN McDONNELL began his address to congress on Tuesday afternoon with a plea: ‘I ld take our network back into public ownership.’ am late because the train in front of us broke down. Please, Theresa May, do not have

Chris Grayling in any government department ever again…’

WE SHALL spare the blushes of the trade union press officer who came into the media r’s baby, nurtured by New Labour, is all about room and handed out drafts of his general secretary’s speech, to be delivered later that and giving to the greedy.’ – Dave Prentis , day, with this guidance to reporters: ‘No need to check against delivery because, if he nison doesn’t say it, no one will ever know.’ …UNQUOTE

October 2018 l The ASLEF Journal 13 tUc

Freight – privatisation red in tooth and claw IMON Weller moved motion 13, about the collapse of rail freight in this country. One company, dangers of rail freight decline for UK which had 2,700 staff, now has 680. And 1,116 S infrastructure, on Tuesday afternoon. In a drivers were served with redundancy notices and passionate speech, made without notes, he told told to reapply for their own jobs with different, congress: ‘I was a rail freight driver for many years. and much worse, terms and conditions. It was And it’s hard. The passenger sector – the shiny, sexy, thanks to ASLEF that the company failed in that rail transport sector – isn’t really privatised. If a attempt at a land grab on our t&cs. franchise fails, staff get a new uniform, the carriages ‘But the truth is that once you lose the capacity, get a new livery, and it all continues as before. that capacity does not come back. And we are Because the franchises are really government losing capacity on freight, and it won’t come back. contracts, run by bus companies, and European And it is the freight sector that carries out the heavy state railways. Because the British government maintenance on the infrastructure in this country. doesn’t have a problem with state ownership as ‘Sending freight by rail is 20 times safer than long as it’s not the British state doing the owning… moving it by HGV. And moving freight by rail, rather ‘But if a freight operator goes under, it’s the job than road, must be part of our drive to reduce centre for train drivers. Because the rail freight carbon emissions by 2050.’ Simon warns congress about sector is properly privatised, it’s red in tooth and The motion was seconded by Manuel Cortes, the dangers for Britain’s claw, and it’s not a pretty sight. TSSA, who warned delegates: ‘Our rail freight sector infrastructure of the decline in ‘Over the last few years we’ve witnessed the is on life support.’ moving freight by rail Failing Grayling’s on Solidarity with Palestine the wrong track again ICK Whelan, industry. supporting an The suggestion that rail M emergency motion fare and wage increases about railway pay on his should both be linked not to third and final trip to the RPI but to CPI, a lower index podium on Wednesday of inflation, was a ‘smoke and Mick, Steve and hugh on the platform for Palestine morning, condemned in mirrors’ exercise designed to Mick slams the tories’ attack on rail workers’ pay ICK Whelan spoke at a Palestine robust terms Transport deflect criticism from Failing Solidarity Campaign fringe in Exchange Secretary Chris Grayling’s Grayling, the DfT, and the £12.6 billion of which staff M 11 of the convention complex on proposed pay cap. train operators. costs are just £2.9 billion Tuesday evening on a platform with Salma ‘Rail workers will not pay It would have little effect, (23%). Rolling stock, leased Karmi-Ayyoub of the British Palestinian Policy for the failings of anyway, because figures from the RoSCos, costs are Council; PCS GS Mark Serwotka; NUJ GS Michelle privatisation,’ thundered the from the Office of Rail and £1.8 billion; DfT payments Stanistreet; NEU president Kiri Tunks; Unite AGS GS, who pointed out that Road reveal that train £3.2 billion; and ‘other costs’ Gail Cartmail; and PSC chair Hugh Lanning. Grayling – and his operators’ total costs are £4.7 billion. ‘My overarching impression of Israel- predecessor Patrick Palestine,’ said Mick, ‘is of one big prison. People McLoughlin – have both QUOTE… who want the same rights of citizenship are being been at pains to point out, ‘If Jeremy Corbyn wants to secure victory at the next denied them. There are four types of citizen in when negotiations between general election he could do worse than heed the one modern 21st century country! Palestinians TOCs and FOCs and unions call of the TUC and promise to legislate for a four work and pay their taxes but don’t have the same have run into trouble, that day week.’ – Will Gore , executive editor, The rights. And the Mayor of Jerusalem said: “If they the government will not Independent want that, they can go back to their own country.” intervene in free collective …UNQUOTE That’s the view! People want to live in peace but bargaining in the rail they have the right to self-determination.’ No one thought it would be easy but… ICK Whelan chaired a packed Justice for Colombia fringe meeting in Exchange 6 at the convention complex on Tuesday lunchtime where the speakers M included Luis Alejandro Becerra Pedraza, president of CUT, the Colombian trade union confederation; Steve Cavalier, chief executive of Thompson’s solicitors, Joe Simpson of the POA; Paul Glover of Unison; and JfC director Mariela Kohon. ‘We all had great hopes for the peace process,’ said Mick. ‘And the landmark deal between the government of Colombia and Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. Although we knew that peace and reconciliation would be hard, none of us expected that most of what had been agreed would be reversed by the Senate; that Juan Manuel Santos would pocket Mick at the mic his Nobel Peace Prize, move on to pastures new, and not stand up for the peace process; (left) and that the FARC would hand in their weapons, and come out of the interior, but get supporters nothing in return. And that Colombia would still be the most dangerous place in the show solidarity world to be a trade union activist.’ Steve added: ‘It’s an asymmetrical peace process with Jesús where the FARC has delivered and the government has not.’ (above)

14 The ASLEF Journal l October 2018 tUc

declaration as a cloak, to access Trans people aren’t deviants these spaces for nefarious reasons, but that is not affected by the GRA. That’s covered by the OTION 41, noting the Unite; and Michelle Codrington- Equalities Act. government’s Rogers, NAS/UWT. It was passed ‘I am pleased to say that the M announcement that it is unanimously. TUC, and the trade union to consult on changes to the ‘Trans people are regularly movement, on the whole, is Gender Recognition Act of 2004, abused,’ said Debbie. A report by supportive of trans people. and calling for a campaign in Stonewall found that 41% have debbie on tuesday morning Because trans people aren’t support of gender self- been victims of a hate crime and deviants, they’re not a blight on declaration, was moved by Maria 46% of young trans people have attacked in the workplace. our society. They are people Exall, of the LGBT+ conference; attempted suicide, because they ‘The press and social media undergoing traumatic and seconded by Debbie Reay, ASLEF; can’t deal with the stigma and the have blown this completely out of sometimes painful transition. and supported by Jackie Green, hate. What is especially proportion. There is outrage They deserve our care, our PCS; Jenny Harvey, Unison; Julia concerning for this conference is about women-only spaces, where compassion and our Georgiou, NHBC; Maggie Ryan, that 1:8 trans people have been some believe men will use self- understanding.’ call and Their historic response – Mick, at the end of his speech, homeland asked delegates to show their N EMERGENCY motion condemning support by Donald Trump’s cuts to the United raising A Nations Relief & Works Agency for Palestinian Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and the flags nation state law, moved by Mick Whelan, discriminatory and puts in law a major block month, the Trump administration announced ASLEF; seconded by Claire Lees, Unite; and to any future peace negotiations. Arabic loses they were dropping all funding to the UNWRA supported by Louise Regan, NEU; and Steven its status as a national language. Israel has 1.8 which supports more than 5 million Swainston, PCS; was passed unanimously. million Arab citizens who already face Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, ‘On 19 July the Knesset passed the nation discrimination. This is going to marginalise Syria and Lebanon, providing health care, state law making Jerusalem the capital of these people even more. education and social services. We must Israel,’ said Mick. ‘It states that “The right to ‘It also contradicts the Israeli declaration of support and give solidarity to the Palestinians exercise national self-determination in the independence which states Israel “will ensure and Israelis who are opposing this law as well state of Israel is unique to the Jewish people.” complete equality of social and political rights as do everything we can to hold the Israeli Self-determination is dependent on ethnicity to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, state to account for is racist discrimination.’ in Israel and the bill ignores the fact that race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of Palestinians also have this right in what is their religion, conscience, language, education and historic homeland. culture”. The nation state law is dangerous for ‘In addition it states that “Jerusalem, potential future peace, is discriminatory and ‘Manchester is the most wonderful complete and united, is the capital of Israel.” racist, and is symbolic of the direction that city of modern times,’ Benjamin But Jerusalem is also the capital of Palestine. To this Israeli government has been moving in. Disraeli in his novel Coningsby . deny this right to the Palestinians is ‘On top of this, at the beginning of the

Free Jesús call to Colombian government SHOULD WE STAY OR SHOULD WE GO? ONGRESS unanimously backed an emergency motion in TUC GS Frances O’Grady, speaking on Sunday afternoon, said: ‘I’m a support of Jesús Santrich, the FARC peace negotiator arrested trade unionist and when we do a deal, we go back to the members and C by the Colombian authorities on trumped-up charges at the have to get their approval. Whether it’s through a general election, or a behest of the United States, moved on Wednesday morning by Josie popular vote, Theresa May should take her deal on the terms of Brexit Bird, Unison; seconded by Mick Whelan, ASLEF; and supported by Mark and put it to the people.’ Fairhurst, POA. ‘Less than a month ago [TUC president and congress chair] Sally Hunt and I met Jesús Santrich as part of a JfC delegation to ONE GOAL, ONE MISSION, ONE VISION Colombia,’ said Mick. ‘We would never have got to the point where we Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell won an ovation from congress on are today without Justice for Colombia and the support it gets from the Tuesday afternoon when he said: ‘Jeremy and I are determined that TUC. ‘Jesús Santrich is a writer, and an artist, and he does have special never again will the link between the Labour Party and the trade unions needs. He cannot see. But all he wants are his books, and his materials. be considered anachronistic. We are one movement – the labour and And all he wanted to talk about was the people who have lain down trade union movement.’ their arms in good faith and have got very little in return. He is a remarkable man and he deserves our support and recognition.’ QUOTE… Simon re-elected to TUC general council ‘The best way to mark the TUC’s 150th birthday is by making our movement fit for the next 150 years. The world of work is Simon Weller was re-elected changing fast and we need to adapt. A new generation need unopposed to the general council our help to win workplace justice and our vital public services of the TUC on Tuesday afternoon. need us to stand up against privatisation and for proper On Wednesday morning he was funding.’ – Frances O’Grady , general secretary, TUC also re-elected to the TUC’s Paul Nowak and Simon Weller executive committee. …UNQUOTE

October 2018 l The ASLEF Journal 15 Branch News

speech, giving us an update on all Massive thank things relating to the railway Upcoming events industry, and what ASLEF is doing to continue to protect its you to Mick n RAMSGATE – THURSDAY 4 OCTOBER members. Reunion from 11.00 at the Red Arrow Club in Ramsgate, Kent. NCE again I have the A minute’s silence was pleasure to report on observed, allowing us to reflect CRICKLEWOOD – FRIDAY 5 OCTOBER O another successful and on the loss of some of our retired n Reunion from 12.00 at the RAFA Club, Ashburnham Road, very well attended Derby ASLEF members, sadly taken from us Bedford (opposite the station). All welcome. reunion. A massive big thank you since our last reunion, including to our general secretary, Mick Bro Roger Warren, Bro Graham Whelan, who attended at the last Cox, and Bro Arthur Stokes. n MARYLEBONE – FRIDAY 5 OCTOBER minute, to be our guest speaker, Mick presented long service Branch reunion from 15.30 at the Allsop Arms, 137 Gloucester due to last a minute cancellation, badges to Bros R Lee (40 years) Place, Marylebone, NW1 5AL. and especially on his birthday! and E Tague (30). The ASLEF I really think as a trade union welfare couldn’t let the GS leave n LONGSIGHT – THURSDAY 18 OCTOBER we are extremely fortunate to empty-handed on his birthday Reunion at the Navigation Railway BRSA Club, next to have a GS who is so hands on and and a good single malt was duly Navigation Road station, from 13.00. Always a great event. ready to go that extra mile for his presented. membership and branches. Not A hot buffet lunch was n FRATTON – FRIDAY 2 NOVEMBER all unions have that relationship. provided followed by the ever Fratton train crew and railway reunion from 12.00 to 18.00 at Mick gave his usual in-depth popular raffle to draw an end to the BRSA Club next to Fratton station. another successful reunion. Arrangements are already being n HITHER GREEN – WEDNESDAY 7 NOVEMBER made for the 2019 bash and I ‘Old farts’ reunion’ from 11.00 at the Richmal Crompton would appeal to any retired opposite Bromley South station. Details from Ray Cooper, RMS. members who have lost contact with us and would like to attend to please feel free to contact me (07812 368782 or email It’s a beautiful day [email protected]) because you are extremely welcome. I would like to place on record my thanks for Mick Whelan attending at such short notice and thank Mrs S Lambert, Mrs Adele Abbott, and Mrs Porter for their help with arrangements. Eamonn Tague , branch secretary

Modfather Finn Brennan unveils the new district 8 banner, complete with RAF roundel, in front of tower Bridge It’s been a good day. Visited City Hall with my old comrades from ASLEF district council 8. Topped off by a resounding result in Labour’s NEC elections for the #JC9 including my Bunhill ward, Islington, colleague Councillor Claudia Webbe. All smiles at the derby reunion Phil Graham , Islington

CLOSE SHAVE AT WOKING the great Woking shave off took place on tuesday 17 July. More than 20 drivers, guards, platform staff, and even a friendly signaller, came together to ‘brave the shave’ in support of the Macmillan cancer support charity. it was organised and inspired by Woking’s very own Sister christine Wilson. christine was recently diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and, rather than let this devastating news get her down, she decided to face it head-on and take the fight to the Big c! So far, donations have reached just over £5,500! Special thanks to Bro dave Johnson for shearing everybody – and keeping blood loss to a minimum – lorraine Beachus and Rose Bray for making the most amazing cakes and everybody who gave up their time, money, hair, beards and blood for this great cause. our message to cancer is simple – don’t f**k with the baldies! Chris Smith , branch secretary Woking branch: We’ve got no hair but we don’t care

16 The ASLEF Journal l October 2018 100 Years of Union

The Armistice was only weeks away and the Journal reports the first whispers of an end to the Great War of 1914-18. MICK HOLDER turns back time to October 1918

ASlEF ALL THE BELLIGERENT POWERS Redemption song members The Locomotive Journal reports, for the first at the time, on a possible end to hostilities by Liverpool was a city built, international noting ‘certain extracts from the remarkable Slavery official note addressed by the Austro- in the 18th century, on the Hungarian government to all the back of the slave trade. It Museum in liverpool belligerent powers and the Vatican, inviting overtook Bristol and them to confidential and non-binding London to become, as the discussions at a neutral centre. It International Slavery Museum, part of mentioned no terms, and made no hint of the Merseyside Maritime Museum on From their first contact, European traders surrender, but through it ran a yearning for Albert Dock, candidly admits, ‘the kidnapped Africans for sale in Europe and the peace dictated by extreme need and an capital of the transatlantic slave trade’. Americas. When the plantation owners in the impossibility of victory. In the past the Americas wanted more and more slaves to HANS EKONJE , Waterloo branch, rejection of less definite peace feelers has satisfy an increasing demand in Europe for been followed by savage offensives by the reports on a thought-provoking visit to sugar, the transatlantic trade became a Central Powers.’ the museum on the banks of the Mersey dominant trade. Traders set out from Europe to West Africa FIGHT WITH THE GOVERNMENT AM originally from Africa and, where they would exchange people for goods The editor writes: ‘Your executive probably like many other Africans, I and then voyage across the Atlantic to the committee will always remember I often ask myself questions about the Americas, where they were sold as slaves. The September of 1918.’ Not for peace but for slave trade since not much is being taught same traders would then return to Europe with the struggle to gain an increase in the war about it in the Western world or even back in goods such as coffee, sugar, tobacco, rice and bonus for members, which led to an EC res Africa. So when a circular from ASLEF about an cotton from the Americas. stating: ‘We accept under strong protest the organised visit to the International Slavery Voyages across the Atlantic lasted between ultimatum of the War Cabinet of the award Museum in Liverpool came through the post, I six and eight weeks, with men packed below of 5s and 2s 6d. We feel the offer does not quickly booked a place and, luckily, my branch the decks in cramped conditions, secured with cover the increased cost of living peculiar to agreed to sponsor my trip. irons. Women and children were kept in our members. We, however, advise our My aim, primarily, was to understand separate quarters and were usually exposed to members to accept it and to conserve their better transatlantic slavery and its enduring sexual abuse and violence from crew strength for that fight with the government impact. Secondly, I was thinking I may find out members. Lack of sanitation resulted in illness and the profiteering classes which will take if one of my great-grandrelatives had been and it is suggested that one in five Africans place in the near future.’ shipped abroad in the appalling conditions died on board those slave ships. No one knows that slaves were transported. exactly how many lost their lives but it was EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK The museum is one of its kind in the world. noted that some traders took out insurance AN Other writes of how ‘the action of It highlights the importance of slavery, with a against dead slaves. female labour, in demanding equal pay for focus on freedom and enslavement, and Countries that took part in the slave trade equal work, caused our members, working provides greater awareness and included Britain, Spain, Portugal, the the Underground Electric by the Great understanding of the legacy of slavery today. Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. In the UK, London Traffic Combine, Railways of Here are a few highlights, what I thought the Royal African Company had the monopoly London, to seriously consider their position, were interesting facts, which I guess some of of British trade, with Liverpool merchants re the safe working of these lines. During you might already know: outstripping all other rivals. the week of 24 August, the female train Prior to the arrival of European slavers, This trip widened my scope about slavery staff started to withdraw their labour in Africa had a very rich and varied history and but not all my questions got answered, which I support of their grievances, and working culture. They had political arrangements, such guess they never will. Interestingly, I learnt that conditions began to look serious, as kingdoms, city states, tribal groups and some slaves also came from the Americas. particularly on the Bakerloo line.’ organisations, each with its own language and Morally, it teaches us how far we, as human culture. beings, have evolved from the slavery era. POSITION OF THE MOTOR MEN Maybe it’s time we openly talked about it, to Africans were especially skilled in subjects The general secretary, Mr Bromley, said he make sure it never happens again. It is worth such as medicine, mathematics, astronomy ‘considered the motor men’s position just as noting that slavery still exists in the 21st and making fine luxury goods from bronze, important as driving a big express train’ and century, but in different forms. ivory and gold. In the 15th century, the reported ‘that the company had granted a Many thanks to Lee James, ASLEF’s Portuguese, Dutch, British and French traded l concession by giving us time-and-a-quarter with West Africans in gold, ivory, spices and equalities adviser, for organising the trip and for Sundays.’ bronze. to my ASLEF branch for sponsoring the visit.

October 2018 l The ASLEF Journal 17 Report

Fighting for the safety of people at work ALAN MOSS of Longsight branch which saw the packed hall listening, reports from the 29th national Hazards sometimes in shock, to the outstanding conference held at the University of speakers. We face so many obstacles and Keele from 27 to 29 July issues but, united together, we will ensure that we fight for the safety of people at work. We HE last weekend of July saw close to listened to our comrade from Turkey, whose ASlEF in action at Keele: Mark tripp (who T 300 trade union safety reps descend problems echoed ours, and who faced says ‘in my defence, i didn’t get the wear a on Keele University in Staffordshire attempts at being silenced by the political shirt and tie memo’), lee Norman, Alan Moss, for a weekend of workshops, union education, regime in her country. We heard from Louise vincent Borg and Nigel thompson networking and meeting like-minded Taggart, from the FACK campaign, whose comrades old and new. To be nominated to brother was killed in the workplace due to two workshops on inspections. I was asked if I attend by our executive committee is a employer negligence, a truly moving speech. would deliver the workshops and nervously privilege, and affords us the opportunity to We heard a passionate contribution from agreed, after being on the receiving end of enhance our skills and roles as reps and offer Steve Tombs about the ‘social murder’ of the trade union education I’ve always embraced it our members the representation they deserve. residents of Grenfell. and put so much of the education into good I was very ably joined by a cracking group The plenary set the scene for the weekend. practice. To deliver the workshops to a room of comrades that consisted of Lee Norman After some networking and exchanging ideas full of trade unionists left me truly fulfilled and from Darlington, Mark Tripp from Hitchin, and it was an eager delegation that met on proud to be an activist. Despite having a face Nigel Thompson from Wolverhampton. Also Saturday morning to attend the workshops for radio and a sheep rustling accent the joining us in his new role was Vincent Borg, our and campaign meetings. We took on board a feedback from those who took part was really head office health & safety adviser who we are wealth of information about air quality, mental positive, it was a pleasure to give a little all looking forward to working with, and health, questioning employers on wellbeing something back. I must thank Vincent from tapping into his expertise when we need to; and resilience, and the perils faced by those head office and Janet from the Hazards our Sister Rachael Gentle from Bristol was also working for employers with a quest for profit Campaign for their encouragement. with us, we didn’t know Rachael was joining us over safety. We heard harrowing testimonies No sooner had conference began than it till the Saturday as she had come under her from workers at McDonalds and Amazon, to was over. Our delegation made some own steam, supported by her branch, a name a few, corporate monsters that are outstanding contributions; we are a small testament to her enthusiasm and dedication parasites exploiting workers on zero hours union but we always have a prolific presence. to the role. Apologies for not getting you in contracts, exposing them to danger, just to We now take away what we digested and take the photo, Rachael! line their own pockets. it into the workplace to ensure safety is always Friday evening was the opening plenary On a personal note it was a privilege to run at the top of the agenda.

The 500 Club STANDIN G ORDE R M ANDA TE To ______Ban k The 500 Club is a fundraising venture for ASLEF’s Retired Members’ Section. Numbers in the draw cost £4 each and, to begin making Ad dress ______payments into club funds, all you have to do is complete the ______standing order form and return it to your bank. Alternatively, you ______

can pay by cheque a year in advance; the cheque should be made BANK BRANCH TIT LE ( NOT AD DRESS) SORTING C ODE N O.

payable to ASLEF RMS 500 Club. Ple as e p ay Uni ty Trust Ba nk Bi rmingham 08 -60 -01

Payments need to reach the club account by 1st of every month ’ and the draw takes place on 12th of every month – with the winning BENEFI CIA RY S N AME ACCOUN T N UM BER For th e cred it of ASL EF RMS 5 00 CLU B ACCO UNT 2 0 2 0 1 1 9 3 number, name, and prize printed on page 5 of the ASLEF Journal . Once you have arranged your method of payment just complete the form and return it to the Admin Department at head office. AMOU NT IN F IGUR ES AMOU NT IN WO RDS

The su m o f £ The Retired Members’ Section committee would like to thank you for your support and wish you luck in the draw! DATE AN D AM OUNT OF F IRS T PA YM ENT DUE DA TE AND FR EQU ENCY Yours fraternally, Mick Whelan, general secretary ST Com mencing £ and th ere after e very 1 OF EVE RY MONT H

ASlEF RMS 500 club application form DATE AN D AM OUNT OF L AST PA YM ENT *Until £ *Until you r ece ive fu rth er notice fro m m e/us in writ in g Name...... Qu otin g t he and debit my/our acco unt acc ord in gly re ference Address...... Pleas e can cel any prev ious stan din g o rd er or dir ect d ebit in fav our of t he benefici ary named ab ove ...... Telephone No...... SPE CIA L INSTRU CTIO NS email...... Each number costs £4. You can purchase as many numbers as you like. ACCOUN T TO B E DEBITE D ACCOUN T N UM BER I confirm that I wish to purchase ____ numbers as part of the 500 Club.

A) I have set up my standing order (£48 per annum or £4 per month)

B) I enclose a cheque for advance payment (£48 per annum) Si gnatur e( s) ______Date ______

______Signed...... Date...... ’ Note: The Ban k will n ot underta ke t o: (i) mak e an y r eference t o Va lu e Ad ded Tax or oth er in determ inat e ele ment Please return this half of the form to: Andrea Weston in the Admin Dept, (ii) advis e pay er s a ddre’ ss t o b enefici ar y (iii) advis e beneficiary o f in ab ili ty t o p ay ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN and hand the other half, the (iv ) request benefici ar y s b an ker t o a dvis e b enefic iary o f r eceip t

standing order mandate, to your bank (or via your internet bank) * De lete if n ot ap plic ab le If th e a mounts o f t he p eriod ic p ay ments v ar y, t hey sho uld b e in corp ora ted in a sc hedule overl eaf

18 The ASLEF Journal l October 2018 obituaries

years of firing and driving GEORGE TUCKER steam locomotives in PROUD CENTENARIAN challenging circumstances. LUIGI CANALE His uniforms began with Brother George Tucker, one of our oldest dirty, greasy and dusty retired members, passed away on the overalls and ended with a morning of Sunday 2 September. He was smart BR blue jacket with 100 years old. Bristol branch secretary collar and tie in the BERNARD KENNEDY , who had the pleasure comfortable environment of of presenting George with an ASLEF the enclosed cab of an InterCity 125. ‘I do miss it,’ he engraved whisky glass to mark his 100th birthday on said earlier this summer. ‘I 7 April, pays tribute to one of the old school would certainly do it all again.’ EORGE TUCKER was required the assistance of a Off the footplate George born and raised in second engine up the was a proud family man G Weston, Bath, and Devonshire tunnel. There with three sons and a has three sons. He was was limited clearance, so the passion for gardening; he married to his late wife Betty crew would have a cloth brought plants on from seed for 73 years and they lived in over their noses and mouths, and supplied them to his the village until he died. and duck their heads as low work mates. His colourful George began his railway as possible, to combat the garden was often the topic career as an engine cleaner fumes from the engine. of conversation, with people at Bath Green Park on the Believe me, it was not very stopping to admire the Somerset & Dorset in 1936. pleasant!’ fruits of his labours. At the outbreak of the George progressed When the northern part luigi – stile italiano Second World War through the links, ending up of the Somerset & Dorset promotion was quite rapid. working the top link Pines line was re-opened as the It is my sad duty to announce the George was promoted to Express jobs. When the Bath twin tunnels cycle passing of ex-Slade Green driver Luigi driver in 1941, having depot, and route to route in 2013, George was Canale. He was born on 22 February passed all the tests of the Bournemouth, were closed invited to the opening 1938 and joined the railway, after time. ‘The reason for rapid in 1966 as part of the ceremony, the only ex-driver national service in the REME, as a promotion was that the war Beeching cuts, he to attend. ‘I like the idea of cleaner at Corkerhill on 31 January was imminent and they transferred to Bristol Bath turning it into a cycle path, 1955. He married Alice in 1968 and, on needed extra engine drivers Road diesel depot. He was as long as they make it safe, 17 December 1973, became a driver at so I was passed for driving at now a senior driver and of course,’ he said. Charing Cross, transferring to Slade the age of 23; the youngest continued to work through George is Green on 9 March 1981. Out of work he age allowed on the railway the links, ending up working commemorated on the enjoyed watching horse racing and in those days.’ the top mileage jobs on 125 information board at Claude having a flutter, playing bowls at Cray George remembered HSTs to Paddington, Avenue on the way out of Cottage and then Erith. He is survived those days well, especially Plymouth and Derby. Bath. One of his first jobs, as by his widow Alice and son Mark. working heavily loaded George saw many a cleaner, was to assist in re- Richard White , Slade Green holiday trains to changes in his long and railing an engine that had Bournemouth. ‘Because the distinguished career which jumped the track following BOB HAMILTON Somerset & Dorset Railway began with carrying out the a runaway further up the With sadness I report the loss of Bob had a gradient of 1:50 after dirty tasks of cleaning steam line. The engine ended up Hamilton, aged 89, a retired driver who leaving Bath, many trains engines. There were many leaning against Claude started his footplate career at his local Avenue Bridge. ‘The reason depot, Newton Heath shed, in for the runaway train was November 1943 at the age of 14. Bob due to the driver, being was an all round top man. He did his fearful of a collision, had national service in the Army, serving in jumped off near Braysdown Kenya, returning to the Dean Lane shed Colliery, Radstock!’ and then Manchester Victoria. His last George had regular visits years were spent in a retirement home, from retired colleagues from visited regularly by retired railway staff. his old steam days and Sam Black , Newton Heath RMS enjoyed recalling stories from this era. I had the pleasure of visiting George DON MELLINSON on 7 June to present him Don Mellinson, a Stockport man, has with an ASLEF glass and, on passed away at the age of 84. Don behalf of the members of began his footplate career on 31 July Bristol branch, to 1950 at Heaton Mersey shed. When it congratulate George on closed he got a PTR move to Newton making it to 100. Heath and Manchester Victoria. A man with a dry sense of humour and a l thanks to George’s sons wicked wit, he was a regular branch Royston, Alan and Peter for attender. RIP Don. their help in writing this Sam Black , Newton Heath RMS George, with his (empty) ASlEF whisky glass, and Bernard article for the Journal .

October 2018 l The ASLEF Journal 19 letters

Join the conversation! Send letters by email to [email protected] or by Royal Mail to the ASLEF Journal As i approached the whistle board i sounded two tones, at 77 St John Street, long and loud, drowned out by a double-header freight London, EC1M 4NN I must take issue with Kristian Jendesen’s letter (Journal , August) as it More than just a railway caused me unnecessary Big projects, like big ideas, do not come pre- stress; so much so that I cooked. They have to be continually thought nearly went off duty today through, not just in terms of delivery, but also as I was having difficulty their potential to bring about radical change. concentrating. In the four years that I have been chairman of He asserts that 14-year- HS2 Ltd we have been developing our old Sarah was killed on a understanding of how HS2 can be a catalyst crossing last year when Sarah Athersmith was for fundamental change in Britain at both a two trains, on opposing killed at the controversial national and a local level. Working with local tracks, blew single tone Wallows lane foot authorities, enterprise partnerships, as well as warning horns which crossing near Walsall’s local businesses, we have seen first-hand how, drowned each other out. wagon, panicked, and ran Bescot Stadium. there across the country, people are seizing the This is factually incorrect in front of me. had been calls for the opportunities that HS2 brings. and I wish to correct him. As a new driver, from crossing to be closed but Around 6,000 jobs have been supported by I was driving 2A66 outside the industry, I was Ben Parish, a safety the project to date and over 2,000 businesses (Rugeley to Birmingham) never happy with using a specialist at Network Rail, have had contracts in the supply chain. People and had left Walsall on the single tone at whistle perversely told the only need to look to Birmingham and its up line. As I approached boards and, on one of my inquest at oldbury, in the booming economy to see the benefits that the whistle board I first ride outs whilst West Midlands, that the HS2 will bring, right around the country, sounded two tones, long handling, my DM stated, crossing posed ‘no happening already in the Midlands. and loud. Unfortunately, ‘It’s your train, you blow significant risk’. it has But with opportunities there also come on this occasion, it was the whistle how and when subsequently been closed challenges and we need to design HS2 drowned out by a double- you want!’ From that time services to reflect and deliver the broader header heavy freight (the on, even under railways! And, closing the strategy for the national transport network. driver of which was able to instruction, I’ve always stable door after the And we need to future-proof Britain’s transport confirm my actions) on the used both tones. proverbial horse has network against changes in the way we live, down line. I was blind to IMHO, what killed bolted, this crossing work and enjoy our leisure time. the right hand side of the Sarah that day was the (along with two others on HS2 is more than just a railway – a catalyst uncontrolled foot crossing fact that, in the 21st that same route) have now for regeneration, job creation, and a and only saw Sarah at the century, we still allow been permanently closed! rebalancing of our economy. There are many last second as she stepped children unrestricted Rik Scone , Birmingham years until this project is finally completed but from behind the last access to busy operational New Street if we continue our work to realise its potential now then we can go on delivering widespread benefits to the whole country now and for years to come. successful invaders to enable them to take redundancies and deferred courses, Ruskin has David Higgins , chairman, HS2 Ltd over a country. It seems that fanatical pro-EU abruptly cancelled the college’s BA Hons in campaigners are acting as useful idiots for the Community Development and Youth Work, capitalist system, promoting division within leaving signed-up students stranded. Bollocks to Brexit the movement. The Further Education Commissioner’s We attended the Tolpuddle rally in July. In Anti-EU socialists, including members of intervention report in July envisages a previous years, although aware of divisions in ASLEF and the RMT, together with any partnership with an HE institution; and the the labour movement on the EU, we went fishermen who might have been present, must Apprenticeships & Skills Minister welcomes away buoyed up by a sense of shared struggle. have all felt particularly insulted by stickers the naming of a suitable FE or HE merger But this year, as soon as we entered the site, which might as well have read ‘Bollocks to partner. we were confronted by two people giving out train drivers’, ‘Bollocks to fishermen’ or, given But the reputation and ethos of Ruskin bright yellow fluorescent stickers which read his long-standing anti-EU views, ‘Bollocks to College is based on labour movement ‘Bollocks to Brexit’. There were many other Corbyn’. internationalism and solidarity; trade union people throughout the site handing out these Why did the Tolpuddle organisers allow involvement in its finance, governance and stickers and one person we spoke to thought these stickers to be handed out on the site? education programmes; independence from they were in lieu of an entrance armband – a What would they have done if people had other institutions; the provision of courses up confusion no doubt deliberately engineered been handing out stickers reading ‘Bollocks to to masters degree level; good employment by the placement of the distributors. immigrants’, ‘Bollocks to the NHS’ or ‘Bollocks practice, permanent contracts, good pay, As socialists who voted to leave the EU, we to trannies’? terms and conditions. All of these have been felt intimidated by these offensive stickers – Andrew Green and Mary-Clare Buckle , surrendered or compromised by the college’s their colour deliberately designed to catch the Dorchester, Dorset current management. eye and create an oppressive atmosphere of Five international labour and trade union socialist dissenters being surrounded by bien studies staff were dismissed in 2017. Two trade pensant liberals. These stickers simply served Ruskin future in jeopardy union assistant general secretaries were also to create divisions in the movement – divide The future of Ruskin College, Oxford, is in the removed from the college’s governing and rule was often the method used by balance. Following 18 months of sackings, executive. In June, the governing vouncil

20 The ASLEF Journal l October 2018 classified Advertisements

VEP POPPY BADGE in aid of the Royal British Legion. Use it or lose it, comrades £6 + £1 p&p; email Martin Thompson (Fratton) at i wish to thank tommy taylor for once [email protected] again hosting the tonbridge reunion at Ashford. the attendance was not bad, but could been better. don’t forget, use CLASS 308 NSERS badge to it or lose it! Pleased to say those present raise funds for the preservation of the last complete Phase One put their hands in their pockets to 4 CIG train 1753. £6 inc p&p support the raffle, making it possible for from NSERS, 41 Highfield Road, Ipswich, tommy to host the Ashford reunion on Suffolk, IP1 6DD. Cheques payable to Network 10 January 2019. Raffle proceeds pay for South East Railway Society. reunions so dig deep – you can’t take it Southeastern company council in action with you. i was pleased to see new faces CLASS 800 IET Great and working colleagues in attendance. on behalf of ASlEF to a retired member. Western Railway badges. Spread the word! And pleased to see Ray Unfortunately, the recipient had to Individually numbered, Garland, Martin Brooks and Steve attend hospital, but all was not lost as 100 produced. £8 each + Burgess, Southeastern company council, they were able to network. £2 recorded p&p. Paypal payment please to: present to make a surprise presentation Peter Smith , Retired Members' Section [email protected]

THREE BRIDGES branch strike badge 2016/17. £5 inc p&p (proceeds voted to replace itself with an advisory Friends to be loyal to the union for the next few years to charity) from Paul Eden (branch of Ruskin committee appointed by a board of before my retirement. However, the issue that secretary) email [email protected]). trustees. Representatives of the Ruskin bugs me every year is when I receive a letter fellowship of former students voted against saying the union subscriptions have been PERTH branch badge to this arrangement, which excludes places raised due to increased costs. Can I respectfully commemorate 110 years (1908- reserved for external representatives from suggest that rather than have the HQ in one of 2018). £6 plus £1 p&p. Cheques payable to Perth branch ASLEF No British trade unions. the most expensive cities on the planet maybe 134 General. Please contact branch Ruskin has a proud international history of a move to the Midlands, say, would make more secretary Grant Murchie for details on 07412 working-class education and labour financial, as well as geographical, sense given 453454 or [email protected] movement solidarity. We call on trade unions that members are spread all over the UK? This and friends to step in and restore Ruskin to its isn’t an ‘expensive diary’ rant, I’m just KIRKDALE 121 limited edition foundation principles. questioning why ASLEF’s HQ has to be in centenary badge 1917-2017 price Bill MacKeith , president, Oxford trades London? £7.50 inc p&p from branch council; Sue Ledwith , Ian Manborde , Bruce Derere , Norwich secretary Keith Devling. Call Fenella Porter , Tracy Walsh (former Ruskin 07933 144768 or email tutors); Tanagrajabu Nala-Hartley , Joanne [email protected] Land (2017/18 Ruskin students) and Pól Ó Time for that winter jab Ceallaigh , Oxford The flu season is almost here. Some GPs will HANDMADE miniature give a free jab for transport workers; if not, you driver’s keys to wear as a charm can get one from a pharmacy, costs vary but or round the neck. Solid silver Drivers, by uniting, can the maximum is £20. Any savvy manager and solid 9ct gold weighing defend each other would see this as an investment in staff; if not approximately 7 grams. Just over 2cm in length and just under 2cm width. Gold £300, silver £100 + I would like to take this opportunity to express it is worth investing in yourself. It is also important to have a proper eye test done, £7 p&p recorded delivery. Contact Brad McCarthy my thanks to all the many ASLEF members and on 07929 350146. branches who supported me through my whether working or retired, as this can spot recent troubles and sent so many messages of potential problems. I found I have cataracts in CLASS 15 locomotive (D8233) goodwill. Much appreciation is owed to FTO both eyes but, if I wear sunglasses on bright enamel badge on sale to raise funds Andy Hourigan, our District Secretary, Brian days, they should not get bad enough to for restoration of the sole surviving Corbett and the XC company council, in require surgery. And make sure you use your Class 15 loco by the Class 15 particular Miles Bidgood whose unwavering reading glasses. I used a tube of soothing Preservation Society. £5 + £1 p&p efforts brought about such a great result. As ointment so I could sit down. Wrong! When I from Ipswich driver Clive Whiting. Payment can be sent via PayPal to [email protected] you all know this has caused considerable cleared the tears and donned glasses I read the label. Deep Heat! anxiety for my family and me. It was a long and PROFESSIONAL ENGRAVING at Jeff Veale , Battersea RMS stressful seven months which is, happily, now sensible prices. I can engrave anything at an end. In such times drivers, by uniting you wish, such as the ASLEF logo on behind our trade union, can protect and Care and legal assistance the pint tankard. Contact Paul Potts by defend each other from unwarranted attacks email at [email protected] I retired from TfL on 10 August after 37 years of and so maintain our way of life. Once again a service – the last 28 being a member of ASLEF. BESPOKE CUSHIONS Hand big thank you! I want to thank you for the support I received made 40cm square cushions of Adam Durbauree , XC Plymouth from you during that time – particularly when I railway engines and carriages. £50. suffered an industrial accident. The care and Call Abi on 07954 659849 or email me at Why is head office in town legal assistance I received was outstanding [email protected] Having pondered for quite some time, I have and I will be eternally grateful. Best wishes to To place an advertisement please phone finally felt the need to raise this issue. Before I all at headquarters and all ASLEF members. 020 7324 2400 or send an email to start, though, I have been an ASLEF member Mike Power , health, safety & environment [email protected] for the best part of 30 years and will continue manager, London Underground

October 2018 l The ASLEF Journal 21 last Word The long and winding road to peace ‘Yo te nombro libertad’: the ASLEF set up Justice for Jfc delegation (left); John Colombia with the FBU and and Mick at the FARc the TUC in 2002 to support headquarters (above); the workers there in their ASlEF baseball cap was a struggle for basic trade union hot ticket item (above left); Mick and John holding the – and human – rights. JOHN METCALFE , banner high (far left); and EC member for District 3, went with GS meeting the workers Mick Whelan on a JfC visit to monitor looking for peace at the peace process in the country Phillipinas, a FARc camp on the border with venezuela. HINK of Colombia and the usual Photos: Karen Malpica visions of violence, drugs cartels, T murders and corruption spring to mind. All of which continue to take place despite the historic peace deal signed in Havana nearly two years ago. As part of a delegation of leading trade unionists, MPs, human rights experts and legal professionals, through Justice for Colombia, we were charged with monitoring progress of the peace agreement. It was painfully obvious that, despite the will of the international community, and the or trade unionist in Colombia means you put succeed. I suspect that without prolonged and eternal optimism of Colombians who strive for the lives of your families and yourself at risk. sustained international pressure, and peace and reconciliation, dark forces are still at Having a conversation with someone who has continued monitoring and lobbying, it may work in the country. Newly-elected President lost six close family members to murders and well be impossible. Iván Duque and his government hail from the survived four attempts on his own life is very In a small, but important, way ASLEF, with extreme right of the political spectrum and sobering. our long and proud history of international seem determined to frustrate and dismantle The Colombian police and army were solidarity with communities and trade the peace process. supposed to ensure security after the FARC unionists facing struggles, will make an disbanded. In reality, they are viewed with impact. Our support for JfC adds an important LAY DOWN THEIR ARMS deep suspicion by many of the people we met dynamic to our union. Our delegation met trade unionists, with. So what does the future hold for Colombia is a beautiful country, rich in opposition parliamentarians, former FARC Colombia? resources, and an equitable peace agreement, guerrillas and their political leaders, the UN, Well, first, President Duque doesn’t if properly enforced, will ensure a lasting farmers and peasants, victims of violence, and command a huge majority in parliament and change for the good. And if we can play a UK and EU ambassadors, who all offered a progressive politicians on the left have formed small part in making that a reality then, as a telling insight into the slow progress of a broad coalition to hold his government to trade union, we can be justly proud. achieving normality in Colombia. account. Elected with 10 million votes, his left- The peace agreement, signed in Havana in wing opposition polled 8 million votes for the December 2016, saw the Fuerzas Armadas first time. So, politically, there is hope in  Justice for Colombia Revolucionarias de Colombia end the armed controlling the excesses of the far-right in JfC has taken more than 250 trade struggle after 53 years and lay down their Colombian politics. union activists and politicians to arms. In response a series of democratic, social Colombia – visits which have saved and economic changes should have set FRAUGHT WITH DIFFICULTIES the lives of trade unionists who were Colombia on the long road to peace and Second, critically, the Havana peace process being picked up and summarily reconciliation. The evidence we saw and heard was the result and will of the international executed by government troops and gave a tale of slow, or no, progress on many community, and as long as the eyes and ears their right-wing paramilitary allies. It issues. of the world continue to monitor what organised the first shared platform For example, land reform and the move happens in Colombia, there is hope. That is outside Colombia for the two sides – away from growing coca and cannabis to why the work of Justice for Colombia, with the Colombian government and the sustainable crops such as chocolate and ASLEF’s support, is vital. The peace deal is FARC rebels – at the House of pineapples was extremely difficult or being monitored by the UN and is now Commons in 2015, a significant step impossible due to paramilitary groups filling enshrined in Colombia’s constitution. in the peace process. Mariela Kohon, the void left by the disarmed FARC. So far this The road ahead is not an easy one for JfC’s director, working with the UN, is year 148 social leaders have been Colombia, and is fraught with difficulties, yet an official adviser at the peace talks assassinated, which is a huge increase on last there is a will and determination amongst the in Havana, Cuba. year. To volunteer to be a community activist people we met to make the peace deal

22 The ASLEF Journal l October 2018 Across 2 Glass house on track Prize crossword 1 Travel card extension 7 Ocean-going vessel 3 Rich dessert crossword 150 by tom Williams 8 An explosive with fruit, custard THE AUTHOR, THE 9 Printing machine and cream 10 Fishing-line spool 4 Slumbered RAIL CRASH AND 12 Pudding grain 5 Doctor who sends 13 Famous public you to sleep A TORRID AFFAIR school 6 Jail 14 Bay or sea inlet 11 Tell a fib EN people died and 50 were 15 Lofty 13 Hen product injured when the South 17 Equipment 14 Hug and embrace T Eastern Railway boat train from 19 Same again 15 Visits in a Folkestone to London, carrying 115 20 Charitable gift ghostly form passengers, crashed while crossing a 21 Big 16 Display of viaduct near Staplehurst in Kent on 9 22 Change over cowboy skills June 1865. Just before 3.15pm the train 18 North American – comprising a locomotive, four brake down cattle farm vans, seven first class carriages, and 1 Period of half- three second class coaches – was timbered houses travelling at 50mph when the driver saw a red flag. He whistled for the brakes, Solution to crossword 149 and reversed his engine, but it was too Across: 1 Sitting room 7 Chum 8 Started 9 Bee late to stop. 10 Tepee 11 Claret 13 Blasts 16 Elect 18 Tag Name...... A length of track on the 10ft high 19 Scarlet 20 Oval 21 Steeplejack viaduct had been removed so timbers down: 1 School 2 Timber 3 Insect 4 Grant Address...... could be renewed. A Board of Trade 5 Octopus 6 Madness 11 Cheeses 12 Average inquiry found that while regulations 13 Battle 14 Angora 15 Thwack 17 Tulip ...... required a man with a red flag to be posted 1,000 yards ahead of the works, Congratulations to John Williams he was only 554 yards away and the of Wandsworth , south ...... train had insufficient time to stop. london , who was last month’s winner. The winner of this month’s As Claire Tomalin describes it in The ...... Invisible Woman , the train ‘simply Prize Crossword will receive Marks & steamed over the gap, its middle section Spencer vouchers to the value of £25 collapsing into it; some of the coaches ...... then ran out of control down a bank and l You can see more of Tom Williams’s overturned into boggy ground, crushing crosswords, word games and puzzles at Postcode...... and killing passengers.’ wordgames.co.uk What the dickens? A Thanks for all your responses to the 149th prize crossword in the September edition of the contemporary ASLEF Journal . If you successfully complete this month’s crossword please send the solution illustration to the Editor, ASLEF Journal , 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN by 14 October of the Staplehurst train crash ASLEF’s legal services One of those passengers was Charles Dickens, who was travelling with his if you are being harassed at work, bullied or discriminated against, and young mistress, Ellen Ternan, a pretty 26- if your local, branch or district rep is unavailable, call the industrial year-old actress, and her mother relations department at union headquarters (020 7324 2400) or email Frances. Dickens, 53, had been enjoying [email protected]. if you are arrested or interviewed by police and need a torrid affair with Ellen for eight years, legal assistance – day or night – call the members’ emergency hotline on since he spotted her performing at the 0800 587 7530. ASlEF also provides first class legal advice free for Haymarket Theatre when she was 18. Dickens, who climbed out of a window, members and dependents. shaken but unhurt, and shared his flask of brandy with victims, wrote: ‘The scene was so affecting when I helped in getting out the wounded and dead, that for a little while afterwards, I felt shaken changed your address? Please let us know! Just fill in this form by the remembrance of it.’ Despite his fame, and the part he Name...... played in helping passengers, he was Address...... keen to keep his name out of newspaper reports and the inquest. Why? High ...... Victorian morality and hypocrisy. The journalist and author didn’t want his Postcode ...... Telephone...... torrid affair with a woman less than half Branch...... Membership No...... his age to be exposed. Please return coupon to: ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN Keith Richmond

October 2018 l The ASLEF Journal 23