L A N R U O

ASLEFThe ASSOCIATED SOCIETY of LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS & FIREMEN J JUNE 2016

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Humbled by humanity of delegates at conference Democracy and debate at AAD

WRITE this column after spending a week 6 8 at our annual assembly of delegates, I reinvigorated by the discussion and debate, and the overwhelming humanity of those who belong to, and care about, this trade union, News this industry, and everyone’s future; not a society of individuals but a collective that operates for all.  Ticket to ride for every railway worker 4 Some might consider it a risk, handing the union over to its own members to formulate policy, but I  Pat Hanlon sets out to climb every mountain 5 believe it’s the purest form of democracy. We do  Marching on May Day against anti-Semitism 6 not appoint; at every level of this trade union, 10 those who represent are elected, and the branch-  ASLEF Education’s learner of the year 7 based structure of our union was endorsed. We  Images of railway up for Haworth Prize 8 seek to shape our future and not rely on successes, industrially and politically, in the past. Yes, there are things we could and should do better but we will strive to achieve them together, whatever the AAD challenge. It’s a couple of years since the case of Neal v  Ian Smith – from boil in the bag driver to 10 Freightliner, waiting as the TOCs and FOCs tried to honorary life member – opens conference get the judgement watered down after what we were told we are legally entitled to as part of our  Tory government is coming for us 11 annual leave. It’s now been brought to a head by  Neil Findlay, Andy McDonald, and 12-13 the executive committee; all overtime and Hilda Palmer address AAD allowances should be included in your annual 12-13 leave payments.  Standing shoulder to shoulder on DOO 14 We are in dispute with a very poor employer who has challenged us legally over our  Authentic voices of the footplate 15 agreements and the method of bargaining they Cover shot of Aviemore railway station and 22 used to honour. Because of this, and their claim conference photos by Douglas Robertson that if I tell you, as we’ve done for 136 years, what agreements we have in place, I am ‘inducing some form of action’ you will understand why I cannot go further. But we are balloting and will take the Regulars appropriate legal industrial action if we get a  Branch News and 100 Years of Union 16-17 mandate subject, of course, to further legal challenge. People have only to look at the actions  Obituaries 19 taken against other grades in that company to  Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21 form a view! We are writing to Patrick McLoughlin about  Last Word: Keith Richmond reviews the 22 suggestions that companies invited to bid for best of the books on the Journal desk franchises under the Invitation to Tender process have been asked how they will undermine  Food & Drink, Prize Crossword, ASLEF’s 23 collective bargaining and destroy our existing Legal Services and Change of Address agreements. We want an unequivocal response. We wish , the new Mayor of London, a bright and successful future. We are proud to The ASLEF Journal is published every month by: have supported Sadiq and look forward to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN Tel: 020 7324 2400 working with him. It will be nice to have a full-time mayor whose focus will be on the needs of email: [email protected] website: www.aslef.org.uk everyone in the capital.

Yours fraternally EDITOR Mick Whelan l DESIGNER Michael Cronin l PRINTER TU Ink, 107 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2AB ADVERTISING Ten Alps, Portland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5BH. Contact Edwin Rodrigues on Mick Whelan, general secretary 0207 657 1819 or [email protected] l CLASSIFIED ADS [email protected] or call 020 7324 2400 The acceptance of an advert does not necessarily imply endorsement of that product or service by ASLEF CHANGE OF ADDRESS Please post your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN

June 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 3 News

don’t. The joint statement says: Ticket to ride ‘Rail workers who entered employment in the railways SLEF, the RMT and the before 1 April 1996 are TSSA have launched a safeguarded and eligible for the A joint campaign for equal full range of protected rail travel and improved travel facilities for facilities for themselves and their all staff right across the rail families. Nearly all those who industry. The general secretaries entered the industry after 31 of the three main rail unions – March 1996 are either not entitled Mick Whelan, Mick Cash and to free travel at all or only Manuel Cortes – have called on restricted facilities on an Mick Whelan (centre) flanked by Mick Cash of the RMT and Manuel the government, devolved individual company basis if they Cortes of the TSSA launch the campaign at Euston station transport authorities and rail work for a passenger train companies to introduce a fairer operating company. countries, such as Spain and QUotE … ‘Travel facilities are an France, are entitled to free travel system for staff travel. ‘The real communication important benefit and we are across the UK rail network, yet a ‘ASLEF has long campaigned in our union happens in concerned that, despite worker employed after for a more equal system of staff the mess room and the representations by our unions, 1996 is not. We believe all rail travel for train drivers across the branch room, in the the employers and government workers, and their families, UK,’ said Mick Whelan. ‘I look bothies and the lobbies.’ have allowed a damaging two- irrespective of service, should forward to campaigning with our – Simon weller , AGS tier system to develop amongst receive equal, free and improved sister trade unions to ensure …UNQUotE workers across our industry have UK rail workers. travel facilities which may be fairer travel facilities.’ ‘Rail workers from other multi-modal.’ The three rail unions are twEEtS oF tHE MoNtH campaigning together against a FG tARGEtS VIRGIN: The ORR has given the green light for First two-tier system where some staff Group to run open access services between London and Edinburgh, HSBC moves IT ops abroad. receive travel benefits and some competing with VTEC, on the . As ruthless as it is reckless. Unite wESt coASt bAck IN Dock Boris puts personal interest West Coast Railways – the controversial heritage ahead of national interest. operator run by Yorkshire farmer David Smith – Corbyn can take him down. is under scrutiny again after investigators Liam young revealed that what would have been Britain’s worst-ever rail disaster was only avoided Gone off England at the because one of the trains was running late. The Euros. This season Defoe’s Rail Accident Investigation Board report reveals scored more goals than that the heritage locomotive Tangmere ran a Sturridge, Rooney, Rashford, signal set at danger at a busy junction on the Sterling, Townsend… Great Western main line at Wootton Bassett just kevin Maguire 44 seconds after a packed high speed FGW passenger train went by. The RAIB has slammed EC president Tosh McDonald spoke at a May Day march  Marz colombini was the company after discovering that a device to and rally in Chesterfield. ‘The photo shows Chesterfield posting on Facebook and automatically apply the brakes if a signal is MP Toby Perkins, a vice-chair of Progress, applauding me Simon weller and Ian beckett passed at danger had been deliberately disabled at the beginning of my speech,’ said Tosh. ‘He looked were tweeting from AAD. and West Coast Railways suffers from what it more and more uncomfortable as my speech went on! Reports on pages 10-15. describes as a ‘weak’ safety culture. Ronck’n’roll…’ Photo: John Giddins

MAtcH oF tHE DAy the Viner/turrell football tournament is at whittington Park, Holloway Road, north London on 29 June. ‘It’s five years since Andy’s death,’ said Debbie Reay, branch secretary of Northern Line North. ‘So we want as many teams as possible coming out to play to make it a great day in his memory.’ DARk DAy FoR ASLEF woRkERS !"#$%&#!'()!&'*'!"#$%'+#,!-%' PRESENTS THE Despite some last- 2016 minute concessions, the Trade Union Act GS Mick Whelan

VINER/TURRELL became law last addresses activists FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT month on what Len on a branch TH 29 JUNE 2016 McCluskey, general 1PM – 5PM secretaries’ course 6 A SIDE (SQUAD OF 10) secretary of Unite, organised by Simon £50.00 PER TEAM AT Britain’s biggest Weller and Marz WHITTINGTON PARK, HOLLOWAY ROAD, trade union, called Colombini at Stoke LONDON N19 4RS FOR MORE INFORMATION ‘a dark day for Rochford in EMAIL: [email protected] workers’ in Britain. Lincolnshire.

4 The ASLEF Journal l June 2016 News

Ain’t no mountain Off the rails high enough MEL tHoRLEy wants to share another story about Longsight legend Steve Biddulph, who retired PAt HANLoN , a train operator on the getting on a little bit after 46 years on the iron road. ‘What District line out of Earl’s court, explains and the knees have a character for the railway to lose! A why he’s taking the three Peaks taken a lot of abuse million stories, but my favourite was challenge over the years! You are when CrossCountry had a job where two 158 units arrived invited to follow our at Crewe, got split, and one went to Manc. Steve left Crewe N April 2008 something back. So on progress through but the unit was not performing, so he asked the a club mate 17 July I am driving up regular updates on signalman to put him in the back platform at Sandbach. He I of mine, to with my my Just Giving page, picked up one of two phones in the cab and shouted down Stuart Mangan, nephew Michael for www.justgiving.com/ it, “Hello mate, we’re f***ed, you’d better tell the tragically broke his the Three Peaks PatrickandMichaelHan passengers.” A few moments later the conductor knocked neck in a freak Challenge. We climb lon where there will on his door. “Have you told the punters?” “Didn’t need to, accident while playing Ben Nevis on 18 July be competitions with Steve. You used the wrong phone.” Instead of the cab to rugby. Sadly, Stuart followed by Scafell great prizes and offers, cab, he’d used the conductor’s PA handset!’ died in August the Pike on 19 July and and a chance to see following year from Snowdon on 20 July. the peaks of our coLIN wAtkINS reckons South West complications as a It’s a round trip of nation through Trains will be standing shoulder to direct consequence of 1,200 miles, and a total pictures and video shoulder with ASLEF and the RMT on the his injury. ascent of more than footage. I will also be next picket line in any industrial dispute Next season will be 3,000 metres. And it attempting a world over DOO. Why? Well, take a look at this my 30th at will be a huge first from the top of station poster Colin spotted! ‘We employ Hammersmith & challenge for me as I’m the Ben! absolute legends. We call them guards Fulham RFC (26 of and there’s one on every one of our them as a player). I trains.’ Which is where we all want ’em to stay… started playing the game at school and, kEN LIVINGStoNE wants George after brief spells at Osborne to succeed David Cameron as London Welsh and leader of the Conservative Party. ‘I’m Rosslyn Park, joined hoping Osborne,’ he says. Why? ‘Because Fulham. he’s the most obnoxious snob in British I’ve been lucky politics. That would be good. The contrast between George enough to play Osborne and Jeremy Corbyn, who is actually a nicer, and competitive physical more regular, guy is exactly what we want.’ sport for the best part of 40 years and now I Patrick and Michael get ready to climb to the toSH McDoNALD isn’t the kind of want to give TO p of every mountain man to let a broken arm stop him from educating, agitating, and organising. Here he is in action, sporting a socialist Not waving but drowning red cover over his plaster cast, spreading the word for the Freedom Riders in South Yorkshire at the Alexei Sayle, in thatcher Stole My trousers (bloomsbury, £16.99), National Pensioners’ Convention south-east region. his new volume of memoirs and the sequel to Stalin Ate My Homework , confesses: ‘I was introduced to waving as a child by IS It really racist, asks Guido Fawkes my father. As we waited on a railway platform, he would urge me (the online blog run by right-wing ranter to wave at the guard of any express or freight train that went Paul Staines) to call Barack Obama past. the first hint of the complexities of adult nature came to me ‘Kenyan-American’? Because that’s what when I realised that Joe, my dad, was a train guard, too! I Boris Johnson did in an article, quickly condemned by wondered if all train guards didn’t have a pact to encourage their Chuka Umunna and Yvette Cooper, in The Sun . Well, yes. sons and daughters to salute them, perhaps in an ongoing war Obviously. He's American. Without qualification. with train drivers who, they thought, were very up themselves…’ tHERE IS an iron law in British politics. coNFERENcES The Chancellor of the Exchequer claims The Matchwomen’s festival is at Nambucca, north London, on all the credit when things are going right, Saturday 2 July. The Durham Miners’ Gala is on Saturday 9 July. The but blames ‘the global economy’ when Tolpuddle Martyrs’ festival , near Dorchester, is from Friday 15 to things go wrong. Hello, George... Sunday 17 July. The Trades Union Congress is at the Brighton Centre from Sunday 11 to Wednesday 14 September. The Labour Party AS MARX – Groucho, not Karl – famously conference is at the BT convention centre in Liverpool from Sunday 25 said: ‘Politics is the art of looking for trouble, to Wednesday 28 September. finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong 500 cLUb: West Brompton branch, with number 161, won the June remedies.’ draw, scooping the RMS prize money jackpot of £374.

June 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 5 News

Marching on May Day against anti-Semitism SLEF activists from around the country joined general secretary Mick A Whelan, national organiser Simon Weller, EC vice-president Dave Calfe, executive committee members Marz Colombini, Andy Hudd and Howard Kaye, and district organisers Finn Brennan, Dicky Fisher and Nigel Gibson on the traditional May Day march in London. Members met at 11am at Clerkenwell Green, hard by the ASLEF head office in St John Street, and an area with strong radical roots. Wat Tyler camped here during the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381 and George Loveless, the first of the Tolpuddle Martyrs to return to these shores after transportation to Australia for having the temerity to form a trade union, came back to a heroes’ welcome on Clerkenwell Green in 1838. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, addressing the crowd from the top of a double decker bus, before the march set off, took the opportunity to make his position on anti- Semitism crystal clear. He said: ‘We stand absolutely against anti-Semitism in any form. We stand absolutely against racism in any form. ASLEF on the march on We stand united as a labour movement May Day after listening to recognising our faith diversity, our ethnic Jeremy Corbyn talk about diversity, and from that diversity comes our the importance of trade strength.’ unions (left). Frances ASLEF marchers, together with activists O’Grady joins Mick from other trade unions, workers from other Whelan (top) and shares a countries, students, pensioners, and anti- joke with Simon Weller austerity campaigners, moved off at 1pm, and Debbie Reay (above) making their way through the capital in the before leaving spring sunshine to a rally in Trafalgar Square. Clerkenwell

Hillsborough verdict offers hope QUotE … ‘Brexit will mean higher prices and fewer jobs.’ – George osborne , to orgreave campaigners chancellor of the Exchequer …UNQUotE GRANVILLE wILLIAMS of the orgreave of the Hillsborough campaigners. truth & Justice campaign reflects on But now another campaign opens up – for parallels between Hillsborough and justice. The South Yorkshire police chief orgreave superintendent in charge at the match, David Duckenfield, should now face criminal charges. The jury verdicts at the Hillsborough inquest As should the force for the way it conducted bring to an end one stage of the tireless itself on the day, its behaviour in the aftermath, campaign by the bereaved families to establish spreading deliberate and cynical lies blaming the truth about who was responsible for the the fans, and its conduct in seeking to maintain disaster in 1989. The verdicts were a stunning these lies during the inquest right up until the vindication of the stamina and determination jury’s verdict. The role of West Midlands police, who investigated the conduct of the South Yorkshire force for the original inquiry, should Marz Colombini models also be part of this criminal investigation. ASLEF’s Kes tee-shirt – The issues highlighted at the Hillsborough with a Harvey Smith to inquest have uncanny parallels with the role of the Tories’ anti-Trade the force during the Battle of Orgreave in 1984. GS Mick Whelan spoke at a meeting of Union Act – based on The scales are falling from sceptical eyes and Labour Party at the end of April. the iconic image from people are coming around to the view that Other speakers included Ivan Henderson, the famous Ken Loach both campaigns have revealed South Yorkshire MP for Harwich from 1997 to 2005, before film. £10 (inc p&p); email police to be not citizens in uniform but he lost the seat to (then [email protected] or unaccountable officers operating outside the Conservative, now UKIP). Ivan, a good friend visit our online shop at law. Both Hillsborough and OTJC now want of ASLEF, now sits on Essex County Council www.aslef.org.uk justice, and for those officers to be held to for the town, after unseating the incumbent account. Conservative. 6 The ASLEF Journal l June 2016 News

David was presented with his award by We learned more from a Mick Whelan at our union learning conference in March. The GS praised him for his hard work 3 minute record than we and commitment and underlined the role of ULRs in setting up courses for ASLEF members: ever learned in school ‘Education leads to choice and education leads to liberation.’ GRAHAM cHEStERS profiles ASLEF y Cheryl Duncan-Ratcliffe paid tribute to him, Education’s learner of the year too: ‘David is a positive role model for a mature AVID Parr, who has proved that student, successfully balancing the course barriers to learning can be overcome around his work/home and other D if you have the desire and the commitments, including his charity bike ride.’ motivation to achieve your goals, is the ASLEF David said: ‘More than ever members are Learner of the Year for 2016. David recently expected to have a knowledge of IT skills in DO2 Kevin Lindsay applauds as David Parr completed a Level 2 IT application specialist the modern working environment. The only picks up his award from GS Mick Whelan diploma during a year when he suffered a commitment is having the discipline to traumatic family bereavement, and completed David has been an ASLEF member for 30 complete each module on time. I really a marathon bike ride, as well as balancing the years and started as a trainee driver back in enjoyed the course and would encourage usual challenges of a full time job and family April 1986. He began at Ashford before others to take advantage of the courses commitments. moving to Dover, Eurostar at Waterloo, then offered by ASLEF Education. The IT course David attended was set up by Plymouth. David’s father was a railway worker, ASLEF Education with Stephenson College. too, and spent 41 years on the iron road, 26 as Courses are on offer to rail workers in a driver. Sadly, David’s father passed away QUotE … Birmingham, Derby, Leeds and London. To suddenly in November just as David was ‘The freedom that neoliberalism offers, achieve his computer qualification he had to nearing the end of his course. It was a difficult and which sounds so beguiling when complete modules in IT security, word and emotional time for David, who wrote a expressed in general terms, turns out to processing, epublications, email and internet, moving tribute to his dad in the Journal in mean freedom for the pike, not the PowerPoint presentations and Excel January. minnows, in the pond. Freedom from spreadsheets as well as functional skills Whilst doing his course David found time to trade unions and collective bargaining assessments in Maths and English. For a year complete a charity cycle ride from Land’s End means the freedom to suppress wages.’ he travelled regularly from Plymouth to the to John O’Groats last summer. He completed – George Monbiot in the Guardian sessions with tutor Cheryl Duncan-Ratcliffe in the journey on his own in 11 days, raising …UNQUotE Birmingham. funds for the British Heart Foundation.

PRoPoSED cHANGES to UNIoN Shaw thing DUNDEE cAkE FUNDING ScRAPPED The Tories were forced to rethink part of their says Nicola controversial crackdown on trade union as costs soar freedoms after a defeat in the House of Lords. Patrick Plans to abolish the check-off system for union McLoughlin, the subs in the Trade Union Bill were dropped after Secretary of State a threatened rebellion by peers. for transport, in answer to a written Tea and coffee tastes question from better in a red and white Shadow transport ASLEF mug! Price £3.50 Secretary Lilian (inc p&p); email Greenwood, has [email protected] or visit our online revealed that the George Mitchell from Glasgow; DO2 Kevin Lindsay; Jim Baxter from shop at www.aslef.org.uk Shaw report has Motherwell; GS Mick Whelan and EC2 Hugh Bradley represent ASLEF cost £875,919. at the STUC in Dundee, the city of jute, jam and journalism.

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June 2016 l The ASLEF Jour n al 7 News

Matthew Thompson, working in chalk and pastel, shows York Paint it Station , one of the most important and historic stations on the network, and a key stop between London and Edinburgh. black Rob Pointon, with his characteristically fluid brush strokes, MAGES of Britain’s railways and unusual perspective, captures dominate the shortlist for the hustle and bustle of Piccadilly I the prestigious Haworth Falls , an escalator at Manchester’s Prize for young artists from the principal railway station, during the north of England. Three of the nine rush hour. works shortlisted for the £4,000 The nine shortlisted pictures, for prize are about life on the iron road. artists aged 35 or under who live Trains Passing on and work in Northumberland, Monkwearmouth Bridge by Durham, Tyne & Wear, Yorkshire, Jonathan Gray depicts the bridge , Cumbria, Cheshire, Trains Passing on built across the River Wear in 1879; Merseyside or Greater Manchester, Monkwearmouth Bridge the first direct rail link between are on display as part of the New (above left); York Station Newcastle and Sunderland, the two English Art Club’s annual exhibition (left); Piccadilly Falls big cities in the industrial north- at the Mall Galleries in central (above) east of England. London from 16-25 June. Farmer Smith back in the sticky stuff

The troubled West Coast Railway Company is contracts, has been found guilty of a string of being investigated for yet another safety safety failures. breach – only days after it was given back its reported that the Cathedrals licence – after a serious incident when a Express pulled into Bath Spa with only half of chartered steam loco with hundreds of its carriages in the station. Passengers in those passengers on board moved into Bath Spa carriages, and on the platform, began opening station with its doors open. The Office of Road doors, and getting on and off, but the train Another blunder by West Coast Railways and Rail is investigating the incident on 13 suddenly lurched forward, ‘with all the doors April, which involved a service from south that had been opened, still open.’ NR said: ‘The company to operate on our rail infrastructure Wales to Salisbury, and happened just days train continued down the platform to the at all and that you have already barred them after the ORR rescinded a ban on the designated stopping point. Station staff are from doing so once, only to allow them back controversial heritage operator – owned by not implicated in this incident, as they had no on 23 March, for this to happen so soon after David Smith, a Yorkshire farmer who, time to intervene.’ must surely call into question your judgement according to the Daily Telegraph , ‘runs it in an Mick Whelan, ASLEF’s general secretary, has in this case. If your investigations uncover what authoritarian manner like his own private train written to Ian Prosser, chief inspector of we suspect is the likely judgement here we will set’ – running services on the main line. The railways: ‘Given that ASLEF has previously expect you to reconsider your decision to company, which employs drivers on zero hours expressed our concern at your allowing this continue to allow them to operate.’

EC president Tosh McDonald on a picket line in Brighton with members of the local ASLEF marked Workers’ Memorial Day at Labour Party. Euston on 28 April. GS Mick Whelan, EC QUotE… president Tosh McDonald, and vice- ‘Most industrial disputes don’t turn into Our hip, hot and happening black president Dave Calfe, together with industrial action because of the quality baseball cap will keep the sun out colleagues from the RMT and the TSSA, laid a of the dialogue between management of your eyes. £5 (inc p&p); email wreath at the tree planted in memory of and workforce.’ – Robert Lea in the [email protected] or visit our railway workers, and members of the times online shop at www.aslef.org.uk travelling public, who have lost their lives or …UNQUotE been injured on Britain’s railways.

8 The ASLEF Journal l June 2016 A

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ASLEF’s policy making parliament

SLEF’s annual assembly of delegates – our annual conference – was held from Monday A 9 to Friday 13 May at the Macdonald Highlands hotel in Aviemore in the foothills of the Cairngorms. It is the first time since the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen was formed in 1880 that our annual conference has been held in the Highlands of Scotland. AAD is ASLEF’s parliament, the foundation stone of our union’s democratic structure. ‘AAD is the most important body of ASLEF,’ said Tosh McDonald, in his president’s address. ‘You make the policy that we carry out.’ Every branch has the right to propose changes and the chance to send a delegate to the forum where we establish our priorities and make plans for the year ahead. We had five days of passionate discussion and debate, wonderful speeches and warm comradeship, in a spectacularly beautiful part of the world, as train drivers came together from all around Britain to share problems and swap tales of triumph. Delegates at AAD in Aviemore. Conference photos by Douglas Robertson

Ian: Boil in the bag to life member MIck wHELAN – tHE bESt GS I’VE SEEN Tosh McDonald, in his president’s address on Monday morning, said: Ian Smith, a senior wrong job, and the ‘What a year it’s been since we met at Southend! First, depression after trustee of the union, wrong union, so I the Tories were re-elected; we didn’t expect that. Then the runners and Glasgow branch chair, became a boil in the riders in the Labour Party leadership contest, offering more of the same, and a man described bag driver and joined the same old policies that cost us five million votes between 1997 and by DO2 Kevin Lindsay ASLEF. 2010. Then the messiah, JC, Jeremy Corbyn, came along and we knew as ‘a stalwart of this ‘At Scarborough in we could support him. We were the first trade union to support Jeremy trade union’ and by 1994 I came across a Ian Smith – integrity Corbyn, the first trade union to support Tom Watson for deputy leader, EC2 Hugh Bradley as big brass Scotsman, and solidarity and the first trade union to support Sadiq Khan as London Mayor. What ‘Mr Angry, but always Tosh McDonald, who a hat-trick! It’s also the first time in ASLEF’s history we have re-elected a shameful. The PLP on behalf of the rode a big fancy general secretary. And Mick Whelan was re-elected unopposed. Mick is needs to show the members’, opened Harley, and drank the best general secretary I’ve seen in ASLEF and I think he will prove to same sort of solidarity AAD by describing his wine rather than Mad be the best general secretary in ASLEF’s history.’ career on the iron Dog, and Simon that trade unions road. Weller – ‘Sit down, show.’ ‘I joined the railway Simon’ – who had a GS Mick Whelan FoLLowING IN tHE FootStEPS oF RAy bUcktoN in 1979 as a guard, big influence on me. presented Ian with Mick Whelan congratulated national organiser Simon Weller on became an activist in The key values of a honorary life being the first member of ASLEF since former general secretary Ray the NUR, and trade union – membership of ASLEF Buckton to be elected to the executive of the TUC. remember being drummed into me by – the highest honour impressed by Ray Kevin Lindsay – are the union can bestow HANDy ANDy IN tHE cHAIR Buckton during the integrity, solidarity – in recognition of his Andrew Gardner, of , was elected unopposed as chair of flexible rostering and collective services over the years. AAD. Collette Gibson, of Paddington, was elected vice-chair. dispute in 1982. ASLEF responsibility. went out on strike, ‘The attacks on ASLEF INFLUENtIAL and stayed out on Jeremy Corbyn – QUotE … EC president Tosh McDonald strike – ended up elected ‘My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here, / My congratulated Mick Whelan losing that dispute – overwhelmingly by heart’s in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer; / Chasing the on becoming vice-chair of but I was proud of the membership of wild deer, and following the roe, / My heart’s in the TULO. ‘Sometimes we what ASLEF did and the Labour Party – by Highlands, wherever I go.’ – Rabbie burns should remind ourselves how they did it. I the Parliamentary …UNQUotE just how influential this believed I was in the Labour Party are small trade union is.’

10 The ASLEF Journal l June 2016 AAD

Tory government is coming for us Off the AAD rails

ICK WHELAN, general secretary, in a passionate AVIEMoRE (in Gaelic, An Aghaidh Mhòr, which means M speech to delegates on big mountain face) was an appropriate venue for ASLEF’s Monday afternoon, challenged first conference in the Highlands because the town grew up the Conservative government to around the railway station, built for the Inverness & Perth come clean. Mick: ‘We will not be broken’ Junction Railway – later the Railway – in 1863. ‘A few weeks ago Peter more aggressively, and we are still Wilkinson, a civil servant at the awaiting an answer. toSH M cDoNALD rocked the room when he DfT who earns £265,000 a year, ‘But I know what I think. I think announced first thing Monday morning, ‘The hospitality of spoke at a public meeting about this Tory government is coming the Scots is world-renowned and I think many of us will be £60k a year train drivers working a for us – coming for you – because well-hospitalised this week…’ three day week. We called him out they want to break ASLEF as they as a liar – which is what he is – and want to break all the trade unions. coLLEttE GIbSoN , Paddington, speaking after Tosh on we wrote to Patrick McLoughlin, Because they want to break Tuesday, muttered dryly: ‘I wish I wasn’t speaking after the the Secretary of State for anyone and everyone who can – EC president. He’s very loud…’ Collette also said, after Transport, and asked if what and does – stand up to them. But I making a serious point about reporting sickness, Wilkinson said – about taking on know something else. I know we ‘Fortunately, I had the support of my district officer – a bit and breaking the trade unions – is will not be broken, whatever of a pisshead, but very supportive – so it turned out OK.’ government policy. We got back a hurdles this government – and Collette was, subsequently, at pains to point out she meant woolly answer which evaded our their friends in the High Court – a DO in the dim and distant past. questions so we wrote again, try to put in our way.’ MARk wAkENSHAw , Gateshead & Newcastle, was Mann on for obviously stage hobbling, slowly and with some difficulty, on crutches, managed ambush – after a crash on his Yamaha, to the front of the room on Pythonesque stage managed for Monday when Chris Sneddon, Wimbledon, wickedly called dressing down the benefit of the out, ‘Hurry up!’ By Thursday, Mark himself was muttering, in television cameras – a stage whisper, as the click of his crutch on the carpet Tosh McDonald, gets let off with a broke the expectant silence as he made his way to the ASLEF’s president, Pythonesque dressing front, ‘It’s the click of death, comrades.’ speaking in a debate down by the Chief about the Labour Whip, Dame Rosie. JUSt before , general secretary of the RMT, went Party on Monday That’s not fair and Tosh: ‘Not fair and to the great picket line in the sky, he was standing at a afternoon, called on that’s not right. not right’ railway station with Mick Whelan and Tosh McDonald when the party machine to ‘The Labour Party hands on the levers of an RMT member came up and asked if he could take a treat people equally. has to make sure that the party machine, picture of the three trade union musketeers. As the shutter Tosh told the Old Right – the treats people properly clicked Mick whispered: ‘You realise, Bob, you’re being delegates: ‘John Mann Blairites, and Progress, and treats people photographed with two of your most high profile former called Ken Livingstone a party within our fairly. We can’t have members…’ a neo-Nazi. Now Ken party – of the party, one rule for the left Livingstone may be which still has its and one for the right.’ DANIEL MASRANI , Cardiff, gave short shrift to a many things but one proposal – moved by Eastleigh, seconded by Brighton – thing he is not is a that the arrangement committee’s arrangements – neo-Nazi. The something of a moveable feast until the day before accusation was risible. Helping Star to shine conference opens – should be sent out earlier. ‘It’s called But Ken Livingstone Cliff Holloway, of Euston, moved a preparation,’ said Dan, irritated earlier in the week to be has been suspended motion to make a donation of referred to as Swansea rather than Cardiff. ‘It’s about doing by the party. And Naz £1,000 to the Morning Star because your homework. So do it…’ Shah has been it is ‘One of the few papers that suspended by the supports the trade union and of the free trade union of party for saying things labour movement, in an otherwise VoLoDyMyR MAcHULyAk before she was an MP. hostile world where most of the railway workers in Ukraine predictably struggled to come ‘Yet John Mann, papers support the Conservatives, through loud and clear in a down the line interview via who bullied and the party of the boss class.’ The Skype on Wednesday afternoon. Leading Phil Devonport, intimidated a much motion was passed unanimously. Marylebone, to say, ‘Wasn’t that the Land of Confusion?’ older man in an

June 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 11 AAD

‘The focus is on nation and Well and truly gubbed flag, rather than class and EIL FINDLAY, community, Labour MSP for but the N Lothian, was people in my typically candid when he street cannot made a thoughtful, and eat a flag’ analytical, speech at conference on Tuesday still dominated by that to the kind of purpose we afternoon. ‘The results of debate. need if we are to win the elections to the Scottish ‘And Labour lost out to another election. Parliament were awful,’ he Yes voters who have not ‘I was very proud to run said. ‘We were, as we say in forgiven us for not voting Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign Scotland, well and truly with them in the in Scotland. To the plotters gubbed. It was our worst that the rot set in long referendum. Labour’s and critics and connivers in result in more than 100 before the referendum. progressive message was Parliament I say, shut up, years, losing all but three Over the years we lost the squeezed between two starved of oxygen in a and get behind the leader, constituency MPs. trust of too many of the competing forms of constitutional headlock. and help Labour win the ‘We fought the election Scottish people. nationalism – Rule Britannia The focus on nation and next election. It was a bad on one of the most Increasingly they saw a Tory British nationalism and flag, rather than on class result in Scotland, but not progressive manifestoes in Labour Party they didn’t Braveheart Scottish and community, has in the local and mayoral many, many years. We recognise. A party that had nationalism. In most moved the Scottish elections in England, and fought on a platform on stopped challenging constituencies there were Parliament firmly to the can you imagine how good which I was proud to stand, inequality, that accepted four parties standing. Yes right. But the people who it might have been if these a platform of redistribution privatisation rather than voters had one candidate live in my street cannot eat clowns had got behind the to tackle health and wealth revitalising public around which to coalesce a flag or pay the bills with a leader and helped Labour inequality, of investing in ownership, that went along while No voters were split slogan that cries Yes or No. to victory? public services, and with the market while three ways. ‘That’s why there has ‘We need you now, protecting local ingratiating itself with the ‘As someone who grew never been a greater need more than ever, to change government. We were establishment. up, and lives, in a mining for a Labour Party that the Labour Party into a committed to taxing the ‘Scottish people who community, I am appalled. represents the interests of campaigning force that richest 1% who earn over were on a journey of losing Despite the unprecedented working people than there wins in Scotland and wins £150,000, scrapping the faith had their concerns Tory attacks on working is now. Now is not the time across the .’ council tax, and investing in confirmed by the people, the legacy of to abandon our values. education. catastrophe of Iraq. The Thatcherism, and attacks Now, more than ever, is the ‘But it wouldn’t have cherry on the cake was the on all the gains we have time to argue for them. The QUotE … mattered if Keir Hardie disastrous involvement in won as a movement, many stuff coming out of John ‘This is a proper Labour Pa himself had handed out the Better Together people in Scotland turned McDonnell’s office has look after them.’ – Mick w million pound notes to campaign. You can’t, as a to the enemy of our class. been so refreshing. He is a every voter who promised party, decry the Tories They voted Tory because breath of fresh air, with his ‘Every train I work I want a to vote Labour, we would every day only then to link they felt they would fight commitment to progressive Longsight still have suffered the same arms with them. the SNP hardest on the taxation, to tackling tax result. Because the reality is ‘At the election we were constitution in a country avoidance and evasion, and

SAFETY REPS ARE SUPERHEROES But the governments of Margaret stress, depression and anxiety are save the country money. Hilda Palmer, of the Hazards Centre in Thatcher, and Dodgy Dave, following caused by long hours, low pay, and ‘That’s why David Came Manchester, laid into the neoliberal a neoliberal business agenda – and bullying and harassment by the Conservatives are attac legacy which, with the help of the we shouldn’t forget the lighter management at work. Strong laws, everything – and everyone Tories, is making the workplace in regulation of Tony Blair and Gordon and strong trade unions, are what makes us safe at work. The Britain more dangerous every day. Brown – have all rowed back on the keeps workers safe at work. Safety tape. We say it’s what make ‘Workers in trade unions fought gains we collectively made. reps are the superheroes of the trade civilised. But the Tories – an for all the health and safety ‘Low pay is a really serious health union movement. Health and safety business – have always put legislation we have in this country. and safety issue. Studies show that reps save lives, protect health, and before people.’

12 The ASLEF Journal l June 2016 AAD

Rail policy crucial for delivering economic growth

NDY M cDONALD , Andy addresses A Labour MP for delegates Middlesbrough, and (right) and picks Shadow Rail Minister, in a up a pressie of barnstorming speech on Tuesday, Glenmorangie The chair (left) underlined the Labour Party’s from the GS and with Mick new determination to bring (far right) Britain’s railways back into public and Tosh ownership. when next in government. undermine the Labour Party’s (above) on the ‘I was delighted to accept ‘And Labour’s transport policy direction of travel. ‘We are told we top table will be more than just a have to reach out to voters Jeremy Corbyn’s invitation to take tHE VIEw FRoM tHE cHAIR up the position of Shadow Rail mechanism for achieving beyond our core vote. Well, let’s Andrew Gardner, delegate from Inverness, Minister in January. Jeremy, as economic growth, it will help to say it, loud and proud, taking our was elected unopposed as chair of AAD. ‘I you know, is a complete rail build a more caring and inclusive railways back into public joined the railway in 1979. My father was a enthusiast and we are both society, alleviating social ownership is what the guard, and the day I left school, he said, “Do determined to campaign for a exclusion and connecting overwhelming majority of the you want a job on the railway?” And within fully integrated publicly owned isolated communities and public want – whatever their four days I was on my way to Edinburgh to railway, to fight job cuts, and to individuals. Rail policy will be political allegiances. Quite simply, become a traction trainee. Never regretted campaign for cheaper fares and central to our plans, when next in it’s popular! The Tory privatisation the decision. I got involved in the union in better services. Jeremy reminded government, and I am proud to of British Rail was a rushed, 1982, during the flexible rostering dispute. me that he has worked with the stand shoulder to shoulder with botched, job which had more to Before that I’d been interested, but not rail unions for many years on you – and all our rail unions – as do with ideology than any clear active, but we had a lot of money donated, these issues and he knew I would crucially important colleagues in plan for the railways. The legacy is and the branch decided to divvy it up among enjoy working with the unions. I our movement. a fragmented, and expensive, rail everyone, £29 each, and I moved a motion, think I’ve got one of the best ‘I believe the last Labour network. Hundreds of millions of shaking like a leaf, that the money was briefs in politics – to shape government has a record on rail pounds leaks out of our railways meant for hardship and should go to those Labour’s rail policy over the that we can be proud of but we in taxpayer subsidies that should who were suffering hardship. It was heavily coming years – because getting could have done more and we be better directed to investing in defeated, but I decided to get involved, and our rail policy right is absolutely should have done more. I know our services, making fares was determined not to be defeated again!’ crucial for delivering the type of many of you will share my affordable and supporting the Andrew, 54, was elected to the LDC, economic growth needed to frustration that, in 13 years of people who really run our became branch secretary in 1983, to create the prosperous and just government, Labour failed to railways – the drivers, the guards, sectional council in 1990, rising to secretary economy that Labour will deliver reverse the disastrous the ticket office staff, the cleaners, privatisation of rail in the UK. the catering staff, the of company council until 2006. Andrew ran a When we look at the history of administrators, the designers, the learning project in the Highlands for three rail privatisation, and its impact engineers, the managers, years and has been back driving trains full time since 2010. ‘It’s my 11th AAD, over the arty with proper MPs. Let’s on passengers, it isn’t difficult to everyone who works in the years, and this, the first time AAD has ever whelan understand the overwhelming industry. They run our railways public support for bringing and we should recognise their been held in the Highlands, well, it’s my home branch, and there’s been a tradition in a guard.’ – Alan Moss , railway services back into public commitment to our railways, ownership.’ listen to them, and work with recent years of the chair coming from the local branch, so I put my name forward. I’ve …UNQUotE Andy hit back at the Blairites, them to deliver the services that in Progress, who are seeking to our people want.’ enjoyed it immensely. Doing all those union Andy said the Tories’ drive to jobs gave me the experience. If you can close ticket offices, and remove shout at managing directors then you can staff from platforms, and trains, shout at a few ASLEF reps!’ eron and encapsulates the short-term cking thinking and false economies of e – that the politics of austerity. ‘The push QUotE … ey call it red to expand Driver Only Operation ‘The weasel words – or letters – DCO es us across our networks is one such should not let in DOO by the back door.’ nd big example. Customers value – Dave Vaughan , Newton Heath t profits human presence on their trains, …UNQUotE ‘They call it red tape. It’s what makes us civilised.’ especially people with disabilities.’

June 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 13 AAD

Standing shoulder to shoulder on DOO

AD unanimously backed a motion – moved by Chris Sneddon, A Wimbledon, and seconded by Andy Cook, Selhurst – calling for a letter of solidarity to be sent to the RMT in their battle over guards’ jobs with GTR. QUotE … GS Mick Whelan said: ‘GTR sent a letter to Delegates listen to the GS in Aviemore ‘Mick Whelan and Mick Cash might conductors saying, “We are going to take your have a good working relationship but jobs away and you may – may! – get the shoulder with our brothers and sisters in the that isn’t replicated on the ground. The chance to apply for another job.” The union got RMT. It's the right thing to do.’ RMT won’t recognise us and they still involved so the company sent them another Later, after a long and thoughtful debate, try and poach our members.’ – Pete letter – the worst letter I’ve seen in 20 years – AAD endorsed the EC position of no extension Moffat t, LU Managers saying they were taking away their travel of DOO (whatever it’s called, however the TOCs …UNQUotE facilities and car park places – so how do they try to disguise it). Tim van Tinteren, Sheffield get to work? – if they had the temerity to take Midland, said: ‘It’s time to draw a line, dig the industrial action. Then they sent another letter trenches, and prepare for war.’ saying they could sign a new contract with Kevin Beresford, Doncaster, argued: ‘The worse t&cs and they – the company – wouldn’t principle of DOO has been lost. We should be tell the union. It’s clear what the company is working with our sister union to manage trying to do. They are trying to break the change, and not simply say no, no, no.’ union.’ But Dave Calfe, vice-president, persuaded Chris Sneddon said: ‘They’re coming after delegates when he said: ‘It’s not just about the RMT now and they’ll be coming after safety and it’s not just about risk-assessments. ASLEF next. We need to stand shoulder to It’s about people’s jobs.’

Christine Robb, of the Transport Benevolent Protecting our pensions Fund, explained the benefits of belonging to Dave Tyson delivered, as RPS, which stood at 84,500 in the TBF and offered to sign up delegates. always, a detailed, but highly 2011, has grown to 90,500 intelligible, report on the state today. Overall membership has PURGING tHE LEFt of our pensions. He reported: remained static at around Andy Wakefield, Nottingham, pointed up a ‘The end of contracting out 338,000. Assets have grown problem the Labour Party needs to address. has, in general, been resolved from £17.7 billion in 2011 to He said: ‘Left-wingers have been purged with a cross-industry £22.5 billion today. Money paid simply by being told of their summary agreement. While this may not out continues to outstrip that expulsion without even the right to know be popular with some taken in by some £250 million, Dave Tyson, who has served what the charges are against them. This isn’t a members it was done for the with £702 million being paid in 15 years as trustee director new problem. During the leadership election right reasons and the contributions and government of the Railways Pension last year many of those who quit the party overriding principle was to support; with £983 million Scheme with dictinction under Blair and Brown but wanted to rejoin protect our final salary being paid out in benefits.’ Phil Clark – and gave the because of Jeremy Corbyn’s candidacy were pensions.  Mark Daniels introduced the trustees’ report on the state of denied a vote because they wanted to use it to ‘Active membership of the auditors’ report – delivered by the union’s finances. support him.’

REVIVED 45 s Khadija Coll (centre) from Speakers on Thursday found ingenious ways Saheliya, a charity which of inserting song titles into their speeches. promotes positive mental Winner was Gary Wareing of Hull. But who was health and wellbeing among behind the wheeze? Marylebone, Newton minority black, ethnic, refugee Heath and Wimbledon, caught in a huddle and migrant women in Glasgow after the karaoke, are believed to have been and Edinburgh, addressed the movers of this particular (non-agenda) conference on Thursday. item, even though Paddington loyally insisted, ‘It was a collective decision.’

14 The ASLEF Journal l June 2016 AAD

drivers rather than their accountants.’ Listen to the authentic He recalled his days working at Westminster, or what he called ‘that mad voices of the footplate Gothic shed by the river’, and as an industrial correspondent. ‘Ray Buckton knew how to play AUL ROUTLEDGE, the son of a the media. He’d get us into the office at P railwayman, and a journalist who, in a Arkwright Road, and say “I’ve never seen the long and distinguished career, has lads so angry – the telegrams are flooding in worked for The Times , The Observer , the from every depot!” Great lad, and a great Independent on Sunday , and Daily Mirror , and leader of this union.’ written books about Gordon Brown, Peter Mandelson, and Arthur Scargill, was on Paul picks up his from Mick sparkling form on Friday morning, despite voices of the footplate’ and suggested the QUotE … drinking deep into the previous night with TOCs should do a little more of that, too. He ‘The British Transport Police have it in delegates in the hotel bar. held up a copy of the local paper, the for us. They need to be sorted out.’ – Paul, who loves railways, and railwaymen, Strathspey & Badenoch Herald , in which Charlie Pete cashman , birkenhead said he had enjoyed ‘listening to the Whelan, Gordon Brown’s former spin doctor, …UNQUotE discussions this morning – to the authentic ‘says ScotRail should be listening to their bAckING bREXIt FTER a long, been consulted, rather than being entertaining, and told what the EC had decided by a A informed debate – which branch circular.’ began on Monday afternoon and But Rab Wicksted, Edinburgh finished midway through Tuesday No 2, said: ‘Under TTIP companies morning – about the European will be coming to demand Union, and the position ASLEF has compensation from our taken on the referendum, AAD government – from the public endorsed both the position the EC purse, from the taxpayer, from has taken – backing Brexit – and your pocket and mine – if they the fact that it decided our policy. don’t make enough profit! Are Barry Simpkins of the Rail & Maritime Union in New Zealand, Dave Speaking in favour of an they having a giraffe?’ Calfe, Wayne Butson of the RMU, Mick Whelan, and Bob Hayden and emergency motion to overturn Tosh McDonald, EC president, Keith McMahon of the Rail, Tram & Bus Union in Australia. ‘The the policy Tim van Tinteren, said: ‘Remember what happened workers, united,’ said Wayne, ‘will never be defeated.’ Sheffield Midland, said: ‘The to Greece. The EU acted like a recent High Court injunction was giant Wonga – here, take some made by a right-wing British more money, now we’ll screw you Highland games judge in a British court. A vote to to make the repayments. Sell off When the GS chose District 2 for AAD, many members thought it leave the EU would be a boost to your treasures, sell off the public might be held in Glasgow. The decision to hold it in Aviemore raised this Conservative government. A services, privatise everything, rip eyebrows, and led to a lively discussion on Monday morning. Tony vote to leave, at this time, under up people’s pensions. It’s Holloway, Waterloo Nine Elms, spoke in favour of making AAD this government, would be a step outrageous!’ ‘accessible to everyone, preferably by train’ but Mike Butler, Penzance, back for the working-class.’ Dave Calfe, EC vice-president, said: ‘I had the farthest to come, and I think it’s right to take Tony Holloway, Waterloo Nine said: ‘The EC makes policy, under conference around the districts.’ Elms, said: ‘This debate is not just rule, outside of AAD sitting.’ about the decision to back a And Dave Vaughan, Newton SIMoN Now oUR AGS Brexit, but about the way that Heath, said: ‘We are a political AAD voted unanimously to QUotE … decision was taken, because a lot organisation and the EC made a change the title of national ‘The train companies are of members feel we should have principled decision.’ organiser – the second most always pushing senior elected position in this productivity, and union, held by Simon Weller – to punctuality, at the the Red Flag assistant general secretary. ‘We’re expense of safety.’ AAD ended, in the traditional way, on Friday afternoon with talking about the title, not the – Dave calfe , Ec everyone singing the Red Flag , led in a beautiful baritone by man, but it needs to be the vice-president Dave Vaughan, of Newton Heath, aka the a cappella ace. correct and recognised title,’ said …UNQUotE Cliff Holloway of Euston.

June 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 15 Branch News

background and Full and putting meat on the bone of all Upcoming events frank those circulars that pass WESTBURY branch through the was pleased to have John picks up his 10 year branch. Bro  oLD oAk coMMoN – tUESDAy 14 JUNE the DB Cargo badge from Andy Hudd rounded The retired section’s annual reunion is from 13.00 to 16.00 at promotion, transfer up his report the AGV Club, Ponderosa, Alwyn Gardens, Acton, W3 0JH. and redundancy full and frank Q&A with a Q&A. This just committee in session with neither left the presentation of  LEIcEStER – SAtURDAy 18 JUNE attendance at a well- side shying away from long service badges Annual reunion at the Barley Mow, Granby Street, Leicester supported meeting difficult issues. It’s for 2016. Bro John from 12.00. All retired and active members welcome. For about the closure of clear, listening to the Standen was further details contact Ray Worthy on 07804 029149. Bristol depot and the problems of the presented with his 10 transfer of drivers to freight sector, that the year loyalty badge.  cRIckLEwooD – FRIDAy 1 JULy Westbury, now loss of coal and steel John came to DBC at Meeting at Kidderminster for a 12.30 departure. apparently the biggest traffic is changing the Westbury from DRS DBC depot in the structure of rail-borne and has settled down  ASHFoRD – tHURSDAy 7 JULy country, which is a freight with an ever- well at the depot. Southeastern retired and working members’ reunion from sobering thought. increasing number of Our retired drivers’ 11.0 at Ashford Railway Club, Beaver Lane, Ashford. Nigel Roebuck, freight operators dinner is on 30 committee chair, and competing for an September and we  RAINHAM – tHURSDAy 6 octobER his trusty team of ever-decreasing look forward to a good Southeastern retired and working members’ reunion from negotiators gave us a number of contracts. turnout for a sit down 11.0 at Rainham Social Club, 86 Station Road, Rainham. full report on the Andy Hudd, EC meal and after dinner relocation of drivers member for District 7, drinks at the Westbury  PEtERboRoUGH – FRIDAy 7 octobER covered political and and associated issues Labour Club. Booz‘n’Chat at the Parkway club, Maskew Avenue, £5 in passenger issues, David Griffiths , this would throw up. advance, £6 on the door. Contact Malcolm Bell on 07884 giving us the branch secretary This was followed by a 43242 or [email protected] Remember the dead fight for the living  Please send your all branch news, reports and photographs A great turnout in to [email protected] Manchester for Workers’ Memorial Day. Bro Alan Moss was tasked with reading out the names of those who have died toNy’S IN towN in the workplace, mainly unlawfully. Remember the dead and fight for the living... colin Smith , District 3 organiser Life of Brian I was privileged to present Brian Bulmer, a valued member of ASLEF for 30 years, and a man who’s been in transport for more than 40, with his 30 year badge. trevor Graham , branch Tony West (far left) with the Cambridge crew secretary A packed April meeting welcomed Tony West, Pete Smith and Alan May of the Retired Members’ Section committee. Tony gave a brief outline of the role of the RMS, how when it was formed in 1998 there were only 300 members and now there are 2,300 including our stalwart branch members Andrew Gates, Pete Cornwell and David Lake. Pete Smith asked the branch to affiliate to the National Pensioners’ Convention which was agreed. Alan thanked the branch for membership of the RMS 500 draw and had plenty of takers who joined on the night for £48 per year. Tony presented long service badges to Paul Loughlane and Richard Parkinson (15 years), Martin Haylett (30), Andy Dawson (35), Colin Harding, Graham Brown and Andy Meeks (40), and John Bone (50). Andy Yates paid tribute to Steve Ball who retired in March after 44 years on the railway. We’d like to thank the Grain Store for another excellent buffet. Our next meeting is on Monday 13 June. Andy Graham, Perth, retires after 42 years on the footplate. Martin Haylett , branch secretary

16 The ASLEF Journal l June 2016 100 Years of Union

Mick Holder turns back time to June 1916 Faversham branch and (right) Grudd picks up from Marz the editor of the Locomotive Journal on conscription, wealth, and END oF AN ERA keir Hardie Shares in every brewery in McDonald recently declared wEALtH oF tHE MoNIED cLASS the country have soared Grudd a legend, and he The editor reports after AAD: ‘With regard following the shock certainly is. We are incredibly to regulations as to the moving of engines announcement of Steve proud and privileged to have during air raids, which at present are ‘Grudd’ Gurdler’s retirement. had Steve as our secretary, chaotic, one railway working over or under Grudd has been Faversham’s but he was also a formidable series of farewell celebrations. another, conference decided to approach secretary for longer than h&s rep, district secretary and Don’t worry if you’ve missed the companies and military authorities to anyone will admit to AAD delegate. Steve was them all so far, one is bound endeavour to get a uniform order for the knowing, but at the end of presented with a certificate to be heading to a bar near guidance of enginemen and firemen on last month he took medical by District 1 EC member Marz you soon! duty. Conference expressed itself against retirement. Ironically, just as Colombini. Never one for half Andy cooke , branch compulsory military service, as being an he was declared fully fit! Tosh measures, Steve has begun a secretary obstacle to further social and economic improvement in the conditions of the workers, and in the nationalisation of the Rolled gold railways. A resolution calling for the conscription of wealth brought a leading On Good Friday we were article in the Yorkshire Daily Post which pleased to welcome our held up its hands in horror at the newly re-elected pampered working-classes calling for the (unopposed) GS to our 65th wealth of the monied class while annual retired drivers’ objecting to the conscription of their own reunion. Around 70 guests bodies. A proper system would have came with some active years), L Sly and A Smith (30) a healthy attendance by the stopped some of the still riotous living of members in attendance, too, P Short, R Earlam and J retireds although, over the the monied classes, and thus cheapened including our eldest member Dummelow (25), L Williams last year, we were saddened food for the masses by regulating supplies Stan ‘the old soldier’ Burgess, and N Irving (20), and C by the passing of stalwarts to and ending exorbitant profits.’ aged 95, and our senior Fletcher and N Thompson this function Jack Waters member Ted Body. The GS (15). The branch presented (BEM), Harry Jones and Dai kEIR wAS AN HoNESt MAN made retirement Mick Whelan with a bottle of Phillips whose banter and ‘Perhaps one of the best loved and most presentations to Andy his favourite tipple tales will be greatly missed. misrepresented men of recent years was Edmonds and Bob Perry and (Midletons) in recognition of Nigel Harkness , branch the late Keir Hardie, the loss of whom the badges to M Winfindale (35 his re-election. We still enjoy secretary British labour movement will feel for many years. His will was a tribute to the man for, when it was proved, it showed him worth only £420 in cash, and owing £90, which proves that he was at least an honest man, and this cannot be said of many political characters who enjoyed greater popularity.’

No MAN’S bRANcH The Tebay branch secretary writes: ‘It is utterly impossible for a secretary to look 50 Not oUt after the branch properly unless the Norwich branch celebrated retired members give him some assistance by Bro R Fisher collecting his 50 year wINtER wARMERS attending meetings. Surely every member service medallion from Bro M Didcot held its 50th reunion on 30 April with a can spare at least an hour once a month to Steele who has known Robin for gathering of retired and working members, the look after his own interests. There are many years. Bro I Johnson and Bro general secretary, and a number of union officers. some who think that when they have paid D Pears collected their retirement Mick was invited to address those present, after their contributions they have done all that certificates. And there were which he and Brian Corbett were asked to present a is required of them. Fellow members, badges handed out to D Pears (45 bottle of Winter Warmer to those over 80, followed please remember that a branch managed years), L Turner and I Drake (30), A by a raffle, and a large portion of fine pig roast. by one man is no man’s branch.’ PJ Smith , RMS Betts (15), and C Wright (5). Paul Green , branch secretary

June 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 17 Working for railway people 1RWIRU3URÀW%HQHÀWV2UJDQLVDWLRQ

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PLUSPLUS A Celebration of the Life and Work of Barry Hines Compere Writer and Broadcaster Ian Clayton Tickets £5.00 Available from www.unityworks.co.uk/eventswww.unityworks.co.uk//evevents

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18 The ASLEF Journal l June 2016 Obituaries

LEN GLASSPooL PokER FAcE It is with great sadness that I have to report the sad loss of ex-Barrow Road and Bath Road driver Len Glasspool who passed away on 16 January at the age of 85. Len was a Midland man, starting his career at Barrow depot as a cleaner. He was promoted through the links to fireman and eventually driver. When Barrow Road closed in 1965 he transferred to Bath Young Len on his bike; in Road diesel depot and progressed to the top later years; and (right) with links before retiring in the mid-1990s when Graham Bellamy on the Bath Road was split into four TOCs. He steam loco the Duchess of continued to drive steam engines on special Hamilton in 1992 excursions until he retired including when the house was instead spent on a new motorbike! Duchess of Hamilton visited Bristol in 1992. Probably a BSA, off on which they went on Len was a very keen motorcyclist and owned a honeymoon! The music had to be faced on would be sat around the table, showing his number of machines when a young man. their return. Happily, a deposit was ‘poker face’. He usually came out on top! Len During his eulogy a story was revealed about subsequently saved and the family home was a popular character and will be much how, when Len was engaged to be married, sorted. Len also loved ballroom dancing and missed by his family, friends and former work and saving to place a deposit on a house, a gift also card games such as crib, blob, and poker. mates here in Bristol. of money from his parents for a deposit on a If there was a card school at Bath Road Len bernard kennedy , bristol branch secretary

Jo JAkES IRtHLINGboRoUGH DIAMoND Jo (Brian) Jakes has died aged 77. short-lived shuttle that operated StUARt RobERtS He started on the railway as a from 1987-90. In his spare time he StERLING woRk cleaner at Wellingborough, helped with the restoration of the working his way through the Zambezi Sawmills loco owned by oN LDc grades until closure in 1984 when David Shepherd, then at he moved to Bedford as a relief Whipsnade. Whilst visiting the driver. He was soon registered as Shepherds’ home, the renowned a driver, opting to remain on the wildlife artist’s wife Avril was and coastal towns from which I Midland side once Thameslink having trouble making her would receive a postcard opened. Renowned for his sense Yorkshire puddings rise; it was Jo informing me where he was of humour, many an incident to the rescue and all was well! taking his PNB. A large number of passed which came pretty close Toward the end of his railway us attended his funeral in his to the knuckle. Badges appeared career he was having health hometown of Irthlingborough, depicting activities at the depot problems so he retired early, Northamptonshire, where we said and he even put his handicraft allowing him to concentrate on our final farewells. RIP Jo, you put Stuart: a gentleman talents to good use by producing his many interests which included a smile on everyone’s face. a Corby flyer headboard for the model making, visiting railways bill Davies , RMS, bedford Lincoln driver Stuart Roberts died suddenly on 28 kEV NEyLoN kEEN coUNtRyMAN February. Stuart started on the railway in 1976 as a Kevin Neylon died in December aged just 66. Kev began his shunter at Tinsley yard, railway career in 1972 at Old Oak Common before moving to moving to Sheffield as a to get his driver’s position. When Southall closed in guard. He became a driver at 1986 he became Devon bound, first to Plymouth and then, in Sheffield before moving to 1991, to Exeter. BR Network South East decided to have no Lincoln in 1993 under staff based at Exeter so Kev was on the move again, this time redundancy. Stuart became to Salisbury, in 1994. This is where I met Kev, a keen involved with the branch countryman, and his second wife Debbie. They became and held various posts but regular walkers in our group, and I have many happy will be best remembered for memories of walks over parts of the disused railway network his sterling work on the LDC. and the compulsory PNB stops for proper loose tea and freshly He always put the members boiled water, the stuff of legend. A fan of classic cars, Kevin for first. With his railway some years had a 1960s VW split screen camper van which I knowledge and experience was lucky to ride in a few times. Always a keen union man, he he was one of the first was health & safety rep at Salisbury in the mid-1990s. Two of people to turn to for advice. Kevin’s children from his first marriage followed in their father’s He was a gentleman, footsteps; son Daniel, who recalls cab rides when young in respected by everyone, and Inter City 125s, started at Willesden in 1998 and is now at Moor will be a great loss to the Street Birmingham, as is daughter Joanne who started in 1992. branch, the depot and the Kevin took early retirement in 2005 and moved to company. Staffordshire to be near Daniel and Joanne and their families. Kev, in the front rank, marching in support Richy Doran , Lincoln branch Sadly cancer, which he had beaten once, returned last year. of health workers in 1982 (above) and in secretary kevin Regan , Salisbury branch yellow leading fellow ramblers (top)

June 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 19 Letters

we welcome letters, either by email to [email protected] or MAJOR’S MISTAKE BEHIND by Royal Mail to ASLEF Journal at 77 St John Street, London, Ec1M OUR PASSENGER PROBLEMS 4NN . the writer of our star letter wins a rich range of ASLEF regalia. Reading Railnews , re Coventry Arena, current overcrowding, and the Rise & fall of Heavy Haul expected increase in passenger numbers, one I read with interest Nigel Gibson’s report major point has been (Journal , April) regarding the sense of anger in overlooked. the ruthless world of rail freight and agree Privatisation. British totally with Nigel regarding the situation at Rail always had spare Freightliner Heavy Haul. I sympathise with stock, locos and the drivers being made redundant, and all the flexibility of train crews hardship and stress that follows, but don’t give to run additional up hope as there are plenty of TOCs willing to services for special take experienced drivers with a good safety events (up to 20 record. Problems at Coventry Arena can be traced to privatisation additional trains for the Problems at Heavy Haul began with its sale FA Cup final at Wembley costs as BR had the the TOCs can provide. by 3i/Electra to an investment bank, Arcapita Central with the stock stock, crews and motive TOCs lease trains, of Bahrain, in 2008. New managers arrived to moved to Willesden power to operate such whereas BR owned its slash and burn, and get the company ready to until after the game) services. Privatisation trains and didn’t have be sold again; the only problem was Heavy and extra trains at peak has severely restricted dividends to pay to Haul did not have any assets, only the drivers holiday times. London the flexibility of train shareholders. and ground staff. It was a paper company, built Midland, under BR, did crew and motive power Dave Rutter , FGw, on sand, with 70% of the profits generated by not have additional as regards the service Exeter St David’s coal traffic. The new operators tried to trim the fat for a quick sale, and had little interest in generating new business. want to drive steam locos or old diesel locos Management were guilty of falling asleep could have been put to us: go and work on heritage lines. As for retirees at the wheel, with the consequences we see Stop the brass AVC matching. Many returning to work, that’s just sad. They need to now, mass redundancies and very little future members, myself included, benefit from get a life outside the railways. It’s time for a for the once great Heavy Haul brand. They weekly savings in brass being increased by younger generation to be able to provide for loved nothing more than pitting one driver 100% up to a certain level. This is brass their families. against another; greed took over with some matching; the matching comes from the Nick clarke, class 1 loco driver, bluff, drivers battling each other to earn the most pension fund. According to the Railways Queensland, Australia money, and massive overtime, and a lot of Pension Scheme brass matching in 2014 was drivers left ASLEF and joined some other mob £14 million. which was not even recognised as a trade Zero hours suits you, sir Paying more into the scheme, or paying our current level, instead of reducing our union. These rogue drivers tried to undermine To my dismay I find another negative article in contributions. Applying this to all scheme the hard work of ASLEF officials as they were the Journal about West Coast Railways. As a members does not necessarily burden the on big overtime payments and could not care fully paid up member of ASLEF, I feel it is lower paid, as we all pay a percentage of less about anyone else. disrespectful to ASLEF members who work for salary. The shared cost argument (put by In 2012 FLHH were still wooing drivers from this company. Most drivers who work for them Simon) did not appear to be a problem when TOCs in the north-west with the promise of are on zero hours contracts, yes, but still pay BR and, later, the first franchises paid in earning £80k a year. I don’t know what was their monthly ASLEF membership money. The nothing whilst members paid in half of what greener: the locos or the drivers who believed majority have been driver managers, traction they should have paid. If all that was required this rubbish. The next new owners have no inspectors or instructors in a previous life and a is the wording for this option being holiday, interest in Heavy Haul and I suspect that, lot of drivers out there have been trained by then it should have been discussed and put to within three years, Heavy Haul will be a distant these lads; 99% are retired and a zero hours members, but it wasn’t. I understand in some memory with lots of angry former employees. contract suits them. other industry schemes employees have Rod bryant Gareth owen, agreed to pay all the increased national insurance costs. west coast cowboys brass matching in pocket When I raised the issue of challenging the I’ve just been reading about the shenanigans I attended the Plymouth branch meeting in legality of this change in the law Simon said at West Coast Railways ( Journal , April) and the February where Simon Weller talked about the ASLEF got free advice from Thompsons loss of their safety case. This has to be good pension situation. I raised some issues, and solicitors. I suggested paying for advice from news and, hopefully, the other cowboy freight don’t believe they have been addressed. First, I Paul Newman QC, a recognised expert on outfits will follow, allowing the established was disappointed to hear the national pensions, known to Mick Whelan, as we used freight companies to pick up the slack, helping organiser say ‘We – ASLEF – are doing the him on Thameslink pension issues several to keep our members in employment. Future Chancellor’s dirty work.’ Second, I don’t believe years ago, although his advice was not pay deals should include the dismissal of branch members were consulted about this followed because of the cost. Simon’s main drivers caught moonlighting for other agreement. Various options could have been concern was that any legal challenge to the companies, thus helping to cut the supply of discussed and members’ opinions could have government could break ASLEF financially. drivers to the cowboy companies. If drivers been canvassed. Here are a few ideas that Movement of the retirement age; Eurostar

20 The ASLEF Journal l June 2016 Classified Advertisements

increased their early retirement factors, but EURO 2016 boxed kept the retirement age at 60, another option set of 6 numbered not discussed with members. EMOTIONAL DRIVERS badges to The proposed pension cap, in the form of a commemorate the In response to Keith Pension Restructuring Premium, is forward football finals. £20 Richmond’s all too only, and not subject to the RPS integrated inc p&p. Contact brief item on William formula! Therefore, years ahead, if members Martin Scott on [email protected] Shakespeare have lots of PRPs, will it place a bigger burden (Journal , April) on the scheme? ON LOAN from British Rail hard amazing indeed that Stop members claiming their pension and enamel badge. Individually numbered, Shakespeare could carry on working. Members who do this are brooch fastening. £6 + £1 p&p from understand the drawing on the scheme’s resources but no [email protected] Where there’s a Will ‘emotional and longer contributing and, by staying in intellectual drivers’ and ‘explain why employment, prevent a new entrant from we do what we do’ 400 years hence! As OAKS MEMORIAL contributing. Ben Jonson said, truly a man ‘not of an commemorative badge honouring I appreciate Simon and his team are doing age but for all time’! 361 miners killed in an explosion their best in a difficult situation, but all options Roy Lingham , RMS, york-Scarborough at the Oaks colliery near should have been considered, and members’ Barnsley on 12 December 1866. £3 from thoughts and contributions taken on board, [email protected] before endorsing the current proposals. Phil Stodart , Penzance criticised ASLEF and seems to imply I am ignorant of the situation so, as someone who LONGSIGHT badges to has worked in the rail industry for 24 years, and mark 125th anniversary. £5 + Pay awards and pensions always been an active trade unionist, I wish to £1 p&p. Also a bespoke tie at I would like to comment on Gavin Turner’s assure David it is ASLEF’s lack of transparency £8 + £1 p&p. Contact Jim letter ( Journal , April). We should all remember and democracy I am critical of, not the content Hopkins on 07810 564804 or that, whilst we pride ourselves on being a of the deal negotiated. [email protected] for details. democratic union, we do vote people into Steve Hil l, Manchester Piccadilly No 1, tPE positions of office as we trust they are going to BESPOKE CUSHIONS Hand fulfil that role for the better of all. I am not made 40cm square cushions of happy about the proposed pension changes travel privileges railway engines and carriages. but I believe that all the people concerned In response to Rob Allin ( Journal , March) £50. Call Abi on 07954 659849 or email me at have done their very best to get us the best replying to Gary Trotter ( Journal , February), I [email protected] possible deal they can. Remember these feel Rob has missed the point. Yes, non- changes have been brought about by this Tory safeguarded staff do get leisure travel on their SALTLEY 023 branch badge. £4 government, not ASLEF. Personally, I wonder own TOC, and a 75% discount, with our priv inc p&p. Contact Michael what my pension would be on retirement if it card, on others. However, when non- Clatworthy by email were not for ASLEF in terms of not just the safeguarded staff retire, the priv card is [email protected] pension, but the pay awards the union has withdrawn and, when there is a change of or by mobile on 07786 338650. managed to get me over the 17 years I have franchise, the leisure pass is also lost, leaving been driving. no travel concessions whatsoever. As Gary PROfESSIONAL ENGRAvING at Ron Davenport , Hastings mentioned, if it’s ASLEF’s desire to maintain a sensible prices. I can engrave anything Retired Members’ Section, then this is an area you wish, such as the ASLEF logo on Rock and a hard place that needs to be addressed. Rob seems more the pint tankard. Contact Paul Potts by concerned about past salaries and pension email at [email protected] May I thank David Tyson ( Journal , April) for his schemes than present staff travel tutorial on the current pension situation and arrangements and is in no position to estimate the history lesson on drivers’ salaries and how BRISTOL branch 125 year how often other railway retirees would use celebration badge. £5 plus £1.50 ASLEF’s membership has increased since the their travel privileges. p&p. Contact Andy Gregg at days of British Rail. Unfortunately, I fear David, Paul Harmsworth , basingstoke [email protected] like ASLEF’s national organiser, has completely missed the sentiment of my previous letter (Journal , March) and criticism of ASLEF’s EU know what to do BLAND ENCOUNTER by Donald conduct in regards to the railway pensions As the EU vote gets near, I hope the issue of Wightman is a comedy novel about restructuring negotiations. democracy is debated fully and openly. EU risqué encounters on the railways. A donation from the sale of each book I understand the rock and a hard place all legislation is drawn together by unelected will be made to the Royal British rail unions have found themselves in since the commissioners from 28 member states, whilst Legion and Help for Heroes. Paperback pension legislation was introduced and how the MEPs we elect are, to a large degree, totally £7.99 ebook £3.95 from www.amazon.co.uk there was a need for the unions to develop a toothless. The European parliament cannot strategy going forward when approached by initiate laws, and only has limited powers to ATOC. Yes, ASLEF has made the best of a bad amend proposals from the commissioners. CLASS 73/1 JB 50 year badges for sale. Three variations as situation but, as our national organiser This model of democracy is a poor one and shown at £5 each plus £1 p&p. admitted to drivers at a recent meeting in flawed. There is, of course, an argument to Cheques, payable to Network Manchester, for 12 months not once did any of change it from within, but with the EU South East Railway Society, to 41 Highfield our representatives feel the need to inform protected by European Court of Justice rulings Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 6DD. drivers of the approach by ATOC and what the that favour big business and dilute national intended changes were likely to be. It was sovereignty, there is clearly no appetite for more a matter of there’s the deal and it’s in! change. Only a Brexit can protect our nation’s To advertise please phone 020 7324 2400 Not very open and democratic? best interests. or send an email to [email protected] David seems to be offended that I have John Metcalfe , carlisle

June 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 21 Last Word

Opening for cheap whisky, smallpox and free enterprise

Looking for something to read on the beach or in the garden this summer? kEItH RIcHMoND opens some of the books that have dropped on the ASLEF Journal desk

TATE of the nation novels have become rather fashionable again in S the last few years, on both sides of the Atlantic. If none of them has quite the scope, range and ambition of, say, George Eliot’s Middlemarch or Anthony Trollope’s The Way We Live Now , there have still been plenty of authors prepared to sit down and tackle the dark side of the neoliberal dream. Jonathan Coe, who savagely satirised On the write lines – Thatcher’s privatisation policies in What a Manners, Barker, Wilson, Carve Up! returns to the territory in Number 11 Willoughby and Coe (Penguin, £16.99). The death of David Kelly, he argues, represented the loss of political innocence for his generation. ‘Until then, we’d 2015 is a study in shame. Not for David Laws, been sceptical about the Iraq War. We’d the Orange Book right-winger who was always suspected the government wasn’t telling us more Tory than Liberal. In Coalition (Biteback, the whole truth. But the day he died was the £25) Laws, who was forced to resign after lying day it became absolutely clear: the whole about his landlord in a Parliamentary expenses thing stank. Suicide or murder, it didn’t really scandal, says the Lib Dems found David matter. A good man had died, and it was the Cameron clever, emotionally intelligent, but lies surrounding the war that had killed him, lazy, slapdash, and suspiciously lacking in one way or another. So that was it. None of us ideological conviction. And, says Laws, the could pretend any longer that we were being Prime Minister and the Chancellor aren’t governed by honourable people.’ The words bothered about trade unionists, poor people, are the words of one of his central characters, and others ‘negatively affected by our policies’ Laura, but it is clear they are also the thoughts because they are ‘not our voters’. of Jonathan Coe. ‘It is what you read when you don’t have to ‘Books do furnish a room.’ – Anthony reporter, Gerry Blackstone, and a Scotland Yard that determines what you will be when you Powell , A Dance to the Music of time detective, Jack McGovern, try to uncover the ‘can’t help it.’ – oscar wilde ‘ truth behind the death of a young prostitute in Because, more explicitly, and as author, he a King’s Cross hotel. This is a beautifully In The Seven Noses of Soho (Michael O’Mara, writes: ‘Increasingly, channelled through the elegant noir thriller, combining politics (it’s set £12.99) Jamie Manners travels the students, she was aware of the vigilant, just after the Hungarian uprising of 1956) with Underground lines looking for capital distantly controlling presence of concerned sex and crime and punishment in a Britain curiosities and telling tales about London parents, looking at the money draining out of staggering uncertainly from post-war to Cold which you may not have heard before. their bank accounts and wanting to make sure War. In SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome (Profile, that they saw a good return on their £25) Mary Beard explains how a city in central investment. What had always, to Laura and her ‘A mind needs books as a sword needs a Italy came to control an empire right around colleagues, been a solid but intangible thing – whetstone, if it is to keep its edge. That’s the Mediterranean rim from Britannia (England education, the elevation of the young mind to ‘why I read so much.’ – George RR Martin , and Wales), Gaul (France) and Hispania (Spain) a higher level of knowledge and A Game of thrones in the west to Armenia, Mesopotamia, Syria understanding – had now been redefined as a and Judaea in the east. commodity, something to be bought in the Blackstone is a convincingly realised And in Between Stations (Smokestack Books, expectation that it would one day yield a character, but Revel Barker was the real thing. £7.99) Andy Willoughby, trailing clouds of financial return.’ A Reporter’s Notebook (Palatine Publishing, glory with the poems of William Blake and the Number 11 – it’s Coe’s 11th novel, the £9.99) are the racy memoirs of one of Fleet songs of Bob Dylan ‘on a high speed address of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, a Street’s finest. Barker went from the Pudsey & locomotive named Historical Necessity’, offers bus route on the Birmingham ring road, and Stanningley News via the Yorkshire Evening Post us a ‘Window blur of winter bleak and re- the lowest level of a mansion owned by an to the Sunday Mirror and The European (and an hashed history’ and astute observations, such obscenely rich family in Chelsea – exposes unfortunate final stint as Robert Maxwell’s bag as a bunch of rowdy lads in Redcar ‘full of bitter pretty much everything that’s wrong with this man). Nonetheless, terrific stuff. and cheap shots stirred up by football failure’ country today. And it’s wickedly funny, to boot. For most Liberal Democrats – and the while in Europe he sees ‘the great plains / In She Died Young by Elizabeth Wilson people who once voted for them – the opening for cheap whisky, smallpox and free (Serpent’s Tail, £11.99) a Fleet Street crime coalition with the Conservatives from 2010 to enterprise’. So the beat goes on…

22 The ASLEF Journal l June 2016 Food & Drink Prize Crossword

Prize Crossword 122 by Tom Williams Across Down 1 Germ-killing agent 1 Specialised part of a SUMMER PEA like carbolic university 7 Previous 2 Fighter plane in & MINt SoUP 8 Vermin World War II 10 Malt flavoured ale 3 A creche or room Lucy knox serves up a 11 Firearm for babies simple summer starter 13 Drinks tubes 4 Mistakes 15 Saintly victim like 5 A sweet pie Joan of Arc 6 Mesh fabric 17 Prize 9 Settling process of 18 Symbolic design a house on a garment 12 A Romeo or 19 A group of three Don Juan 21 Angrily wrinkle 14 Vehicles using the brow a highway 22 Cross country 16 Sale of goods to horse race the consumer Solution to Crossword 121 18 Small burrowing Across: 1 Hairdresser 7 Imps 8 Ceiling 9 Eat animal Melt 25g butter in a large saucepan. 10 Taper 11 Crater 13 Spades 16 Laces 18 Elm 20 Dreary routine Add 1 chopped onion and cook for 5 19 Imitate 20 Oats 21 Moneylender. mins until softened, stirring. Remove Down: 1 Hamper 2 Insect 3 Doctor 4 Evict from the heat and stir in 25g plain flour. 5 Shin pad 6 Regards 11 Calcium 12 Auction Gradually stir in 750ml hot vegetable 13 Sleeve 14 Almond 15 Editor 17 Shady. Name...... stock. Return to the heat and bring to the boil, stirring. Very carefully add Congratulations to Stephen Address...... 500g frozen peas and bring back to the Quane of Ormskirk , boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer Lancashire , who was last ...... for 15 mins until the peas are tender, month’s winner. The winner of stirring. Remove from the heat and this month’s Prize Crossword will ...... blend until smooth. Reheat, season to receive Marks & Spencer vouchers taste with salt and freshly ground black to the value of £25 ...... pepper, and serve hot garnished with  You can see more of Tom Williams’s Postcode...... fresh mint. crosswords, word games and puzzles at wordgames.co.uk HoLLywooD StyLE Thanks for all your responses to the 121st prize crossword in the May edition of the ASLEF Journal . If you successfully complete this month’s crossword please send the solution to the Paul Hollywood’s new, Editor, ASLEF Journal , 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN by 14 June easy to use, artisan- inspired baking mix range consists of 12 delicious recipes, including a Garlic & ASLEF’s legal services Herb Tear’n’Share Mix (£1.89) and If you are being harassed at work, bullied or discriminated against, and Luxurious Belgian Chocolate Brownie if your local, branch or district rep is unavailable, call the industrial (£2.09). Designed to build confidence relations department at union headquarters (020 7324 2400) or email in the kitchen with step-by-step [email protected]. If you are arrested or interviewed by police and need instructions and tips from the TV star. The range only requires basic additional legal assistance – day or night – call the members’ emergency hotline on ingredients such as water, oil, eggs and 0800 587 7530. ASLEF also provides first class legal advice free for butter. Available from Morrisons, members and dependents. Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose .

bERRy bERRy GooD bEER Changed your address? Please let us know! Just fill in this form Celebrate summer with Bacchus framboise Name...... raspberry beer (£2.50/375ml). A Address...... beautifully balanced Belgian brew, made by Brouwerji van ...... Honsebrouck in Flanders, it’s light, Postcode ...... Telephone...... refreshing, and very, very fruity – the paper overwrap is rather natty, too – Branch...... Membership No...... and slips down all too easily on lazy, crazy, sunny, summer days. Please return coupon to: ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN

June 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 23 Here’s another benefit of being a member of ASLEF

SAVE CH AS AS MU % 1 FF O N 4 ES WHE 3 E PRIC ONLIN URRING BY REC OU PAY ENT Y L PAYM ANNUA

Reasons to join the AA affinity scheme: • More dedicated Patrols than all other To join, call UK breakdown services combined3 • Members are rewarded with enhanced 0800 048 0075 breakdown benefits at renewal quoting reference F0751 • A continued 20% off at renewal2

Breakdown Cover

11.. Applies to Family Roadside & Relay cover in first year only. Other levels of cover are available and varying discounts apply. Offer only available to members of ASLEF by calling the number given, quoting the stated reference and paying annuallyannually by direct debit under a recurring transactiontransaction arrangement. Enrolment offer available ttoo new Members for their first 12 months of Membership only. Offer not available in conjunction wwithith any other offer/discount or on any other AA product/service.oduct/service. Details correct at time of issue. 2. Renewal oofffer available to members of ASLEF who are eexistingxisting AA Members, or who join under the enrolment offer, and will be available at each renewal date until they cease to be members of ASLEF or the withdrawal of this scheme. 3. Mintel – UK VVehicleehicle recovery report, September 2014. AAutomobileutomobile Association Insurance Services Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registereedd office: Fanum House, Basing View, Basingstoke RG21 4EA. Registereded in England & Wales, number 2414212.

HEALTH SAFETY R P POSSESSION M MANAGEMENT L H S SE E I O A A N COMPETENCE E LEVEL-CROSSING L A N S

T WORKLOADD E H A A A TRAINRAIN DISDISPATCH S S A A

I S A G E N N TING T L L FAULT MANAGEMENT I D D D LINESIDE EQUIPMENT

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WORKLOAD DECISION L E

AND B R Q STRESS GENCYENCY E DRIVING I N U SKILLS RISK

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I P COMMUNICATION P O RIDDOR

FREIGHTBRIEFINGS A S

M SUB-STANDARD S E E S D ENVIRONMENTAL

S INFRASTRUCTURE N

TIMEE I TRAIN O

T CAB-DESIGN ASSAULT APATHY N

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M DISPATCH A

SECURITYY SKILLS A UNDER MAINTENANCE P N I

A EXPERIENCE A G PPE S E T M ROLLING STOCK MANAGEMENT DOUBBLE-SHIFTING H K E N Y

T REPORTING TRARAINING INVESTIGATIONS SIGNALLING 0800 4 101 101 ...alternative reporting for your health and safety concerns.

Freepost CIRASRAS Text 07507 285887 www.ciras.org.ukrg.uk