ASLEFJOURNAL SEPTEMBER 2020 The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen The state of freight after the pandemic

Inside: Simon Weller , Nigel Gibson , Maggie Simpson , and company council reps Paul Barber , Andy Bullock , James Glew , The train drivers ’ union since 1880 and Barry Hare on the opportunities for freight post covid-19 railway enginemen’ s tax fr ee saver plans

tax fr ee savings plans for anyone who works on the railways... we don’ t mean just train drivers..! tax fr ee policies fr om 70p per day , £5 per week and £20 per month

for further information call us on freephone 0800 328 9140 visit our website at www.enginemens.co.uk or write to us at Railway Enginemen's Assurance Society Limited, 727 Washwood Heath Road, Birmingham, B8 2LE

@RailwayEnginemens Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authorit y. Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authorit y. Incorporated under the Friendly Societies Act 1992 GS Mick Whelan The curfew tolls the ASLEFJOURNAL SEPTEMBER 2020 The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen knell of passing day

UR thoughts, as they have been O continually in recent days, are with the families, friends, colleagues, and all those impacted, by the tragedy at Stonehaven. The untimely deaths of the ‘The railway family 5 8 driver, Brett McCullough, comes together at train conductor Donald times like these’ News Dinnie, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, will live long in the l Driver Brett McCullough dies at Stonehaven 4 minds and memories of the railway family. It is at times like this that the railway family l Today’s sermon – take the train – plus Off the 5 comes together as one, operating for a greater Rails: Matthew Engel; Stewart Copeland; good, with the unions, companies, and Norman Smith and Robin Cook; Alan Parker; Network Rail all behaving with dignity, and and John Betjeman at Didcot station buffet mutual respect, to deal with the immediate l Edwin Bowlas on the last train to Silkville 6 11 aftermath, and to pave the way for an investigation, and the subsequent lessons that l Campaign for free TV licences for the over 75s 7 we will need to learn to prevent such an l Jim McMahon calls on Shapps to come clean 8 occurrence again. Now is not the time for idle speculation, Features sensationalism, or the scoring of industrial or political points. That may come later, when we l AGS Simon Weller on the state of the rail 10 have all the information and data at our freight sector after the coronavirus crisis disposal, if we need to ensure there can be no repeat so that no families have to suffer this l Maggie Simpson of the RFG says there is now 11 14 a chance for freight to prosper in the UK; and agony again. Simon Weller reports on a showdown with For those who wish, individually or through DBC over a proposed pensionable pay cap their branches, a joint fund has been set up with the RMT for the families of Brett and l DO5 Nigel Gibson; Paul Barber (FLHH); Andy 12-13 Donald with monies to be divided equally. You Bullock (FLIM); James Glew (DBC); and Barry can find details on page 4 of the Journal , on the Hare (GBRf) report on the state of freight ASLEF website, and the information will be l Julian Vaughan makes a post-election plea to 14-15 circulated, too. Labour Party members; and from flygskam to We have been responding to messages, not tågskryt in the age of the train 19 just from the UK but from right across the world, from trade unions, civil society groups, and individuals paying their respects to those Regulars who passed, and have been impacted. Such l Branch Lines 16-17 friendship and solidarity is greatly appreciated. We have all worked through this difficult l Obituaries 18-19 time but I want to put on record my thanks to l Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21 District Organiser Kevin Lindsay, supported by EC2 Jim Baxter, and all our representatives who l Bernard Kennedy on Bernard Mugridge, a 22 have demonstrated great professionalism proud Cornishman with a penchant for pasties during the most difficult and emotional of l On Track: Michael Portillo in father’s footsteps; 23 22 circumstances. our Prize Crossword; ASLEF’s Legal Services; Every day we continue to work on the and members’ Change of Address form challenges presented by the pandemic, and the changing economic circumstances, but those are topics and discussions for future columns. The ASLEF Journal is published every month by: Because now we want to take time to reflect on, ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN and show respect for, those who are no longer Tel: 020 7324 2400 l email: [email protected] with us, and consider those left behind, and the website: www.aslef.org.uk l twitter: @ASLEFUnion fight to ensure, in future, that everyone comes 23 home from working and travelling on our railways safely. Our thoughts are continually EdiToR Mick Whelan l dESiGNER Michael Cronin l PRiNTER College Hill Press, London, SW19 4HE with you and your family at this difficult time. AdvERTiSiNG ASLEF Journal, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN. Contact Keith Richmond on 020 7324 2407 or [email protected] l clASSiFiEd AdS [email protected] or call 020 7324 2400. The acceptance of a display or classified advertisement does not necessarily imply endorsement of that product or service by ASLEF Yours fraternally cHANGE oF AddRESS Please post your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN Mick Whelan, general secretary

September 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 3 News

The train was stopped by a radio message from the signaller at Carmont after a driver on Stonehaven touched the down (northbound) line reported a landslip obstructing the track between Carmont and Laurencekirk. A decision was taken to return the service to Aberdeen, and it all in the rail family was routed back over a crossover onto the down line. EVIN Lindsay, ASLEF’s organiser in According to the RAIB, ‘after travelling for Scotland, has paid tribute to Brett approximately 1.4 miles the train struck a K McCullough, the train driver who landslip covering the down line and derailed. died in the rail crash at Stonehaven, As the track curved to the right, the train Aberdeenshire, on Wednesday 12 August. continued in a roughly straight line for around ‘This tragic accident has affected everyone in 100 yards until it struck a section of bridge the railway family,’ said Kevin, ‘especially the parapet, which was destroyed. The leading family and friends of the three people who power car continued over the bridge and fell died, and the six people who were injured.’ from the railway down a wooded Brett McCullough, 45, who was married embankment, as did the third passenger with three children, and worked out of carriage. Aberdeen depot, lived not far from the scene ‘The first passenger carriage came to rest on of the crash. its roof, having rotated to be at right angles to ‘Brett was originally from Bromley, in Kent, the track. The second passenger carriage also but moved to Aberdeenshire to marry overturned onto its roof and came to rest on the first carriage. The fourth passenger Stephanie. He worked as a gas fitter up here, Kevin lindsay carriage, which had remained upright and and was servicing the boiler of an Aberdeen (right) spoke for the attached to the rear power car, also came to driver when they started to talk about the railway family when rest on the first carriage. All wheelsets of the railway, and about driving trains. Brett was he paid tribute to rear power car derailed, but it remained fascinated, successfully applied for a job, did Brett Mccullough upright.’ his training, earned his key, and entered (far right) the driver Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has asked service with ScotRail in December 2013. who died in the Stonehaven tragedy ‘He was a dedicated train driver, who loved for an interim report into the crash from the his job, and was very popular at the depot huge void in all our lives. We would like to RAIB by 1 September. The full report is unlikely with his colleagues. He was also a devoted thank the emergency services for their heroic to be published until next summer. family man who loved his wife and children – efforts in helping everyone affected by this two girls and a boy. Brett thought the world of tragedy and for all the messages of support QUOTE… them, and we all thought the world of him.’ and condolence we have received.’ ‘What Grant Shapps is proposing is Kevin helped organise a statement, on The 06.38 ScotRail service from Aberdeen nationalisation in everything but name.’ behalf of the family, put out by ASLEF: ‘Words to Glasgow Queen Street – an HST set with a – Adrian Quine , Daily Telegraph cannot describe the utterly devastating effect leading power car, four coaches, and a rear …UNQUOTE of Brett’s death on his family and friends. We power car – left on time with three train crew have lost a wonderful husband, father, and son (Brett, conductor Donald Dinnie, and another in the most awful of circumstances. Brett was conductor travelling as a passenger) and six the most decent and loving human being we passengers on board. The service would have TWEETS OF THE MONTH have ever known and his passing leaves a been busier were it not for covid-19. My thoughts are with all involved in this serious incident at Stonehaven. Appreciation to the emergency services. ASLEF and the RMT are working together to support the families of all those @ASLEFunion @ScotRail @Cllr_Alan_Moir affected by the disaster, in which driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie and passenger Chris Stuchbury tragically lost their lives. A fund has been Terrible news about accident near set up if members or branches wish to donate. Stonehaven…the first passenger rail You can make a donation to the ASLEF account, bank sort code 60-83-01 deaths since 2004. Landslides have been account number 45024685. Or send a cheque to Brian Wood, Aberdeen branch the subject of several near misses and secretary, made out to Aberdeen ASLEF branch 003 at 4 Sumerhill Crescent, climate change is unfortunately likely to Aberdeen, AB15 6ED. increase this risk. @christianwolmar All funds will be combined and equally distributed and we thank Alan Rodgers of Thomson solicitors for agreeing to verify the accounts and amounts. The casual indifference of privileged incompetent Boris Johnson to the exam fiasco will turn people against his The Sun sets in Scotland party. @Kevin_Maguire Just hours after families were informed that they had lost loved ones, the Scottish Sun ran a disgraceful front page headline – the words ‘Death Express’ plastered across Incompetence has become this pictures of the train driver and crash scene – that GS Mick Whelan described as government’s watchword. ‘disrespectful, insensitive and disgusting’. @Keir_Starmer Rachel Hopkins, Labour MP for Luton South, has written to the Independent Press Standards Organisation, pointing out that it breaches section 4 of the editor’s code. Met a right psycho on Toby Young’s ‘Bereaved families and affected rail workers deserve more respect,’ she told ASLEF. dating app. Seemed nice at first but, ‘Thoughts and solidarity with you all at this difficult time.’ let me tell you, the mask came off quickly. The splash header caused a Twitter storm, with many people vowing not to buy or @twildun read the Scottish Sun , forcing the paper into a humiliating climbdown.

4 The ASLEF Journal l September 2020 News

Today’s sermon off the Rails

MATTHEW ENGEL , a journalist on The on taking a train Guardian for 25 years, the Financial Times for 12, and editor of a dozen editions of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack , loves trains (he is HE Rev John ‘If somebody Road – a famous author of Eleven Minutes Late: A Train Papworth, a takes goods from Beatles album cover T Journey to the Soul of Britain ). He is also well-connected. ‘turbulent their local store – holding a Which is why it is worrying that he writes, in the Daily Mail , priest’ in the Church without paying for handwritten banner ‘No one knows how rail travel will evolve when we emerge of England, who died them, that’s illegal reading: ‘Stop car from the current crisis. In the industry, it is considered a on 4 July at the age and immoral,’ he madness. Use buses certainty that the flawed franchising system set up by John of 98, lived a full life explained. ‘If they and trains.’ He was Major in the 1990s cannot be resuscitated. My suspicion is as a member of the take goods from arrested and taken to that, whatever happens, former Transport Secretary Chris Communist Party, a giant supermarkets, Paddington Green Grayling will be put in charge.’ OMG! No! No! No! Failing Labour candidate (in that may be illegal, police station where Grayling – everything he touches turns to dust – is the last Salisbury, at the 1955 but it’s not immoral. he was asked, ‘Do man to help the railway Build Back Better. general election, Because Jesus said you want to see the where he lost to the love your neighbour. local vicar?’ ‘Well,’ he STEWART COPELAND , drummer Tory by 7,639 votes), He said nothing smiled, ‘That’s me.’ in The Police, who had hits with a baker’s boy, a about loving Marks & Typically, he songs such as Message in a Bottle , beggar, a school Spencer.’ refused to accept a Walking on the Moon , Roxanne , cook, a prisoner John was an caution, preferring to Don’t Stand So Close To Me , and (jailed with Bertrand enthusiastic be charged. But the Every Breath You Take , now writes Russell during CND environmental sergeant told him: film scores and operas from his home in California, and also protests in the 1960s) activist before going ‘Look, mate, we’re presents a fascinating podcast, My Dad The Spy , available to and a presidential green went not here to give crazy download from Audible.co.uk. Miles Copeland was the CIA’s adviser (to Kenneth mainstream. He once people like you free main man in the Middle East from 1947 to 1957, drinking Kaunda of Zambia in sat on the zebra publicity. So just with senior MI6 officer (and Soviet spy) Kim Philby, dining the 1970s). crossing on Abbey bugger off.’ with President Nasser of Egypt, and organising coups in Syria John, who and Iran. Stewart describes his dad as Machiavellian, adding: described himself as ‘My father’s view was that democracy was like two wolves an ‘Anglo-Catholic and a sheep voting on what’s for dinner. My father wasn’t Quaker’, was inspired interested in exporting democracy. He was in the business of by RH Tawney and EF getting the oil to the West by hook or by crook.’ Schumacher, and revelled in making NORMAN SMITH , the BBC’s assistant political mischief. He editor, who retired last month after 34 years suggested to at the coal face with the corporation, recalls Neighbourhood interviewing Robin Cook just after he Watch in 1997 that resigned, as Leader of the Commons, over shoplifting from Tony Blair’s decision to join the ill-starred US supermarkets was ‘a invasion of Iraq. ‘Norman,’ said Cook, ‘Make badly needed The Rev John Papworth: ‘i know some people sure you’ve got my best side.’ ‘But, Robin,’ muttered Smith, reallocation of call me a crank. But a crank is a device used ‘You don’t have a best side.’ Smith candidly admits: ‘I have to resources’. by engineers to create revolutions’ say there was a bit of a sense of humour failure there.’

ALAN PARKER , the award- 500 CLUB: Matthew Davison, with number 124, won the August draw, winning director who made a scooping the Retired Members’ Section jackpot of £482. string of hit movies, including Midnight Express , Mississippi Burning , Evita , The QUOTE… Commitments , Fame , and Bugsy ‘The principle appears to be that people should avoid Malone , and who died on 31 July, famously disappointed Ken congregating indoors, unless it is to spend money. If you want Loach, a fellow film director and comrade-in-arms, when he to eat out, the Chancellor will chip in, but don’t get greedy with accepted a knighthood in 2002. ‘Oh, Alan, how could you?’ the numbers.’ – Rafael Behr , The Guardian asked Ken. ‘How could you kneel to that woman?’ ‘It wasn’t …UNQUOTE her,’ Sir Alan replied sheepishly. ‘It was the Prince of Wales.’

JOHN BETJEMAN , a poet in love with the past, and trains, dining cars, and Our smart black leather wallet – with embossed station buffets, was famously caustic ASLEF logo on the front – has three fold-out and about the offerings at one station in A removable plastic inserts (ie, the wallet can hold six Memory of 1940 : ‘I’m paid by the buffet credit cards). Price £10 inc p&p; email at Didcot / For insulting the passengers there. / The way they [email protected] or visit our online shop at www.aslef.org.uk keep rattlin’ the doorknob / Disturbs me in doin’ my hair.’

September 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 5 News Last train to Silkville

UR good mate Edwin Bowlas passed away on Sunday 31 May, aged 88, O following a short illness. He began his railway career at 15, in April 1949, as an engine cleaner at 9B Stockport Edgeley MPD on Booth Street. He didn’t have to wait long for footplate action because on Wednesday 29 June he booked on and was handed a letter from Mr Knapman, still using LMSR notepaper, saying he was now a passed cleaner, to be utilised as a fireman on shed and shunting duties, and was sent with driver Harold ‘face at the window’ Bennett to crew 47289 on the Edgeley pilot. iron Road Bachelor charles Edwin Bowlas at the On Monday 4 July he was let loose on the depot (right) and on the footplate (above) main line, firing a Black 5 to Shrewsbury. He had to wait until 16 August to find himself on steam link at Guide Bridge depot, where he the shed pet, 44444 City of Adswood , with Jim was a Wessie, a foreigner, at this former Great ‘King Rat’ Kitchen, a genuine 7.8.19 seniority Central Railway bastion. When Guide Bridge pre-grouping man. closed in 1986, he opted for Manchester On Friday 19 May 1950, at the grand age of Victoria, from where he retired. 16, Edwin booked on to be told he was to fire He wrote his name into BR history at Guide for Ernie Hibbert to the capital. Running shift Bridge when, on 2 January 1970, he drove the foreman Albert Hewitt sent a telegram to his 23.08 SO DMU from Manchester Piccadilly to home on Dale Street telling his mother he was Macclesfield via Bollington. After leaving High on a double trip and not to worry about her Lane, 23.46, Higher Poynton, 23.50, and lad’s food as there was plenty in London. Bollington, 23.57, he became the last driver to Edwin climbed up on Huddersfield Black 5 enter the Silktown (00.03) from Rose Hill. It 45340, 25B shed plate noted in his book, the really was the end, for his 00.13 empty stock Hillhouse-Camden goods. After his first night went back to Longsight via Stockport. in a strange bed, young Edwin and Ernie Edwin never married; as with many chaps unveiling of a blue plaque celebrating the worked a return Liverpool Parspec, relief at in this era, he was married to the job, one of 150th anniversary of the opening of the line. Crewe, motive power a big Scot 46111 Royal the Iron Road Bachelors. He loved mess room He gave a speech and apologised to the Fusilier of 8A Edge Hill shed. and reunion banter and, at a gathering in audience that, owing to the driver of the first Edwin left Edgeley in April 1966, before it October 2018, cheerfully defended himself train on 2 August 1869 being unavailable, they closed, thinking he’d said goodbye to his against a charge of being ‘too tight to get would have to make do with the driver of the beloved steam engines. But when the Return married’. last one. to Steam specials were announced in summer He loved his rail travel, model locos, films, RIP Edwin. Your mould was only used once, 1973, Guide Bridge to Sheffield was as an books and photographs. On Friday 5 July 2019 brother. approved route. He put his name down for the he was guest of honour at Rose Hill at the Mel Thorley , Retired Members’ Section

TUC ONLINE The Trades Union QUOTE… The RSSB needs you Congress, to be held this ‘Labour people have two preferred month in Brighton, was The Rail Safety & Standards Board is A Bett er, pastimes: losing Saf er cancelled because of the Railw ay elections, and carrying out a rail industry survey about coronavirus crisis. But the mental wellbeing at work in an effort to TUC will go virtual with accusing other people Ho w do r ail w orking conditions in the Labour Party of discover how best to support railway impact ment al w ellbeing? two sessions, on Monday Rail is undert aking the first cross industry surv ey on employees. ment al w ellbeing and working conditions to find out how to best support the workf orce. RSSB is asking all r ail betrayal.’ – Stephen industry work ers to fill in an anonymous surv ey to share 14 and Tuesday 15 your experiences. The surv ey includes questions such as It is asking all rail industry workers to the impact of C ovid-19, working with the public, and shift Bush , political work. It will highlight what w e are doing right, and what September, to be fill in an anonymous survey to share we could do bett er, to improv e ment al w ellbeing. Complet e the surv ey at https://surr eyf ahs.eu.qualtrics. broadcast on the TUC editor of the New com/jf e/f orm/S V_9XivVXrt1jxLL G5 Statesman , writing their experiences. The survey includes website. Frances O’Grady, Visit https://www.rssb.co.uk/Insights-and-News/ Key-Industry-T opics/Health-and-W ellbeing/Men tal- such questions as the impact of covid- wellbeing f or resources on ment al w ellbeing in The Times For more inf o email michelle.o’sulliv [email protected] general secretary, says To access the surv ey, go to: https://surr eyf ahs. …UNQUOTE 19, working with passengers, and the eu.qualtrics.com/jf e/f orm/S V_9XivVXrt1jxLL G5 ‘Every trade unionist is effects of shift patterns. invited to join us online.’ You can contribute – anonymously – to ‘It will allow us to compile a report the mental health report by completing which will highlight what we are doing the survey at a Surrey University website carry all your stuff – papers, right, and what we could do better, to sandwiches, keys – in style with improve mental wellbeing in our industry,’ said Michelle O’Sullivan, a psychologist, our smart new sturdy black ASlEF and principal strategy implementation manager at the RSSB. bag. Price £17.50 (inc p&p); email You can complete the survey – which should, says the RSSB, take about 15 [email protected] or visit our minutes to fill in – online at surreyfahs.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9XivVXrt1jxLLG5 online shop at www.aslef.org.uk ASLEF is supporting the survey, as are the other rail unions, the RMT, the TSSA, and Unite. It will be available to complete until Wednesday 23 December.

6 The ASLEF Journal l September 2020 News

resources to buy a TV licence. For many this could mean making a choice to cut down on 57 channels and nothin’ on other essentials in order to still watch SLEF is backing the National television. Pensioners’ Convention’s campaign to ‘Over the last few months, during the A restore free television licences for shutdown, there have been particular people over 75. Our Retired Members’ Section challenges for those in the older generation has loudly condemned the decision – forced having to stay at home to stay safe. Many now on the BBC by Tory government cuts – to take face a difficult choice in order to retain their away the free licence. access to television for information, ‘A free TV licence for the oldest and most entertainment and company. As this age vulnerable people in the UK is a universal group is most likely to rely on television for entitlement to supplement our poor state important information about the pandemic pension,’ said Jan Shortt, general secretary of and other events, and is the least likely to have internet access, this could leave many in a very the NPC. ‘To force people to find the money to ASlEF’s Retired Members’ Section has been a vulnerable position.’ pay for it now, particularly during the leading voice in the NPc’s campaign to pandemic, when they rely on their TVs for restore free Tv licences for the over 75s information, is cruel.’ The television licence was introduced in ‘lifting the burden of the licence fee’ for those QUOTE… 1946 – in the wake of the wireless licence in aged over 75. It’s been free until now. But, from ‘The command-and-control top-down 1923 – and has to be bought by anyone who 1 August, the over 75s, except for those on model – clear orders, no discussion, flay watches or records programmes on a pension credit, have to pay, too. enemies – that delivered Brexit is ill- television, a computer, or any other device. It ‘This change will affect 3.7 million suited for dealing with covid.’ – Fraser costs £157.50. pensioners, many of whom are only just above Nelson , editor, The Spectator Gordon Brown, when Chancellor of the the pension credit limit,’ said GS Mick Whelan. …UNQUOTE Exchequer, announced in 1999 that he was ‘Who will now have to find the extra financial Cutting carbs in Scotland Plans to decarbonise rail services achievable, plans to decarbonise in Scotland by 2035 have been rail passenger services by 2035, unveiled by Michael Matheson, five years ahead of the UK target.’ Transport Secretary in the Transport Scotland is Scottish government. On a visit planning more electrification to ScotRail’s electric fleet depot and, on some routes, battery- at Shields Road, he promised a powered trains. ‘We will also modal shift of freight to rail, and work with developers of pledged to remove diesel units hydrogen fuel cell powertrains to on passenger trains. accelerate their development ‘Building on our recent strong and deployment in Scotland,’ track record of delivering added Mr Matheson, ‘which is electrification projects we have vital for the diversification of the Rail stands to benefit as the Scottish government presses ahead with set out ambitious, but economy here.’ plans for greener transport on its route map to recovery in the country

GREEN LIGHT FOR ALSTOM ON BOMBARDIER London Bridge is closing down The European Commission has approved Alstom’s acquisition of Bombardier Transportation subject to the transfer of Bombardier’s The London Bridge area signalling centre has closed as part of an contribution to the Zefiro 300 HST and the offer of an IP licence to £81 million Network Rail scheme to renew infrastructure in the Hitachi for the train developed by Bombardier and Hitachi for future Hither Green area. The project means the whole main line from high-speed tenders in the UK. Charing Cross and St Pancras International to Chislehurst in Kent is under the control of the Three Bridges rail operating centre WHAT’S IN A NAME? WE’RE ON THE ROAD AGAIN… near Gatwick in Sussex. London Bridge ASC was built in 1974, They used to be lorry firms, then haulage companies, and now those with an NX panel, and started signalling trains in 1975, absorbing fellas with HGVs roaming our roads are into logistics. So the Freight a number of smaller boxes, from the two-man level-frame Transport Association based, somewhat incongruously, at Tunbridge Borough Market Junction to the 1962-era panel at Hither Green. Wells in Kent, has changed its name to Logistics UK. It was one of the busiest boxes on Britain’s railway, controlling trains from Charing Cross on routes out to Kent through Greenwich, Lewisham, Grove Park, and four tracks down to Time for a brew? QUOTE… Norwood Junction. This red ASlEF ‘It’s said of Boris mug is just the Johnson that those HART TO HART AT GB RAILFREIGHT job for tea or who know him best Tim Hartley is the new business development director at GB Railfreight. coffee in the mess also loathe him ‘I am delighted to be welcoming Tim to the GBRf family,’ said managing room or at home. £3.50 (inc most.’ – Kevin director John Smith. ‘Over the last 20 years, Tim has advised on the p&p); email [email protected] Maguire , New appointments of many of the most senior leaders in the UK rail industry, or visit our online shop at Statesman including the CEOs of the Rail Delivery Group, the Office of Rail and www.aslef.org.uk …UNQUOTE Road, Crossrail, HS2, and a range of TOCs, RoSCos and manufacturers.’ So he’s responsible for those appointments, is he? We know who to blame!

September 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 7 News ASLEF backs Jim’s call for Shapps to come clean

SLEF has backed a call opportunity for a private from Jim McMahon, the company to turn a quick profit in A Shadow Transport an industry where all the Secretary, for the government to investment comes from the come clean and ‘be clear whether public purse, anyway. Mick (left) and Jim (right) reckon the minister has questions to answer the existing emergency ‘Mr Shapps should come clean management agreements [on and make a statement in the welcomed the government’s swift was ready in November, and has Britain’s railways] will continue.’ House of Commons where he can response to ensure that the rail been the subject of a three-way Mick Whelan, general be questioned by MPs. He needs network keeps running. This is a dog fight between Downing secretary, said at the end of July: to tell passengers, and tell those vital public service. But why has Street, the DfT, and Keith Williams ‘It’s time for the Transport of us who work in the rail industry, the government not done similar himself – will be published. Secretary to explain what the what he has in mind – rather than deals for other modes of ‘And how many rail franchises government is up to. While it was come to a cosy little deal, behind transport?’ are due to come up for renewal right to put these emergency closed doors, and without And Jim asked the minister: between now and the end of this measures in place, they were only proper public scrutiny, with the ‘Why is it a papering over the reported EMA extension period?’ necessary because privatisation privatised rail firms which have cracks style deal for the light rail has proved to be a disaster and conspicuously failed to deliver.’ industry? Why were impossibly the franchise system has failed, Mick added: ‘It is also wrong stringent conditions put on a deal QUOTE… and it is wrong to hand over £500 that the government – for party with TfL? And why do we have to ‘The Russia report shows million of taxpayers’ money to the political advantage, the settling of read about these agreements in we have a national security train operating companies to old scores, and out of ideological the papers? Why has there not problem. He lives in No 10.’ cover and compensate them for malice, is trying to hang Transport been a statement to the House – Carole Cadwalladr , The “lost profit”. for London, and Sadiq Khan, the outlining the future of rail?’ Observer ‘The railways are – or should Mayor of London, out to dry.’ Jim asked Mr Shapps to say …UNQUOTE be – a public service, not an Jim McMahon said: ‘We when the Williams review – which MPs slam Britain’s spooks for messing up on Brexit

MPs on the House of hundreds of asked specifically Commons thousands of pounds about Moscow and Intelligence and into the Conservative Brexit, could only Aaron Banks with pals Nigel Farage (left) and Alexander Udod (right) Security Committee Party, UKIP, and produce ‘six lines of have slammed the Leave.EU, over his text’. And they intelligence Which begs the agencies to act to Security Service, MI5, meetings with criticised the lack of committee, as they question why the prevent foreign based just a stone’s Alexander Udod, a co-operation act on government Tories failed to ask interference in throw away at career Russian between Britain’s instructions. the intelligence Britain’s affairs. Thames House, intelligence officer intelligence agencies. Millbank, for failing to expelled from the UK GCHQ did not ‘drill ROLE OF RACE AND CLASS IN GRENFELL TRAGEDY act as Russian agents after the novichok down into the St The Grenfell Next of Kin group, which represents 28 of the 72 people tried to influence the poisoning in Petersburg troll who died in the Grenfell Tower tragedy in June 2017, has called on Sir Brexit vote in 2016. Salisbury, Alexander factory’ which Martin Moore-Bick, the judge chairing the public inquiry into the fire, The committee was Yakovenko, the pumped out millions to investigate how ‘race and class’ contributed to the disaster. The particularly critical of Russian ambassador, of pro-Leave pressure group believes that cost-cutting measures by the Royal the spooks’ failure to and the subsequent messages, and the Borough of Kensington & Chelsea that contributed to the blaze would investigate Arron offer to Banks of a Secret Intelligence not have been sanctioned ‘if the tower block was in an affluent part of Banks, a well- lucrative deal on Service, MI6, failed to the city for an affluent white population’. connected Siberian gold. ask its agents in businessman who MPs were Russia what the THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH JOBS TO GO ROUND has ploughed incredulous that MI5, Kremlin was doing. More than 30 people are chasing each job in 34 areas of the UK, The spooks have according to new figures from the Institute for Employment Studies. denied an accusation The data, says IES director Tony Wilson, underlines the challenges ASLEF’s young members in the MPs’ report facing jobseekers and comes as the government restores sanctions, are driving the future. If that they were ‘timid suspended in March, to the benefits system. you’re 35 or under, wear and incompetent’ our badge with pride for arguing that they CLEAN GREEN MACHINE IN SERVICE IN NORTH-WEST just £3 (inc p&p); email depend on being Battery powered Vivarail Class 230 locos – converted from old London [email protected] or visit our online tasked by Downing Underground D78 District line stock – are going into service on the shop at www.aslef.org.uk Street, the cabinet Chester-Crewe and Wrexham-Bidston lines in Wales and the Borders. office, and the joint The first unit arrived at Birkenhead North depot on Tuesday 21 July.

8 The ASLEF Journal l September 2020 The ASLEF RMS 500 Club colleagues

The 500 Club is a fundraising venture for ASLEF’s Retired Members’ Section. conditions of Membership: Only retired and working members of ASLEF, including district councils and branches, plus permanent staff employed by ASLEF, can make an application to join the RMS 500 Club. The application form and standing order form can only be completed and submitted by the ASLEF member, or staff member.

Numbers in the draw cost £4 each per month. To begin making payments into club funds, all you have to do is complete the standing order form and return it to your bank. Alternatively, you can pay by cheque a year in advance; the cheque should be made payable to ASlEF RMS 500 club . Payments need to reach the club account by 1st of every month and the draw takes place on 12th of every month – with the winning number, name, and prize printed on page 5 of the ASLEF Journal . Once you have arranged your method of payment just complete the form and return it to Peter J Smith, Treasurer, RMS 500 club, 6 devonia Gardens, london, N18 1AF.

The Retired Members’ Section committee would like to thank you for your support and wish you luck in the draw!

Yours fraternally, Peter J Smith, treasurer, ASlEF Retired Members’ Section 500 club

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August 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 9 Freight State of freight after covid-19

SIMON WELLER , assistant general secretary, and lead officer for DB Cargo, analyses the effects of the coronavirus crisis on Britain’s railway and argues that the government – and A Freightliner train leaves Felixstowe docks with a load to help kick-start the country’s recovery Network Rail – need to regard freight not as the weird uncle no-one likes but are so reliant upon fares, and when, for the The economic fallout of the coronavirus as the vital backbone of the system foreseeable future, we are not going to have and the bin fire that is this government’s Brexit 4 million people using the Tube and 6 million negotiations will bring uncertainty (as an people using buses, is not realistic. aside, and having had some experience of THINK we’ve all heard the words ‘That is why I think the government, in my adversarial negotiations, I can say that the ‘unprecedented’ and ‘the new view, fails to understand that those are the government is making a right royal botch of I normal’ far too much in recent reasons we have some of the challenges that their dealings with the EU). months but there’s no getting away from the we have.’ The need for government-supported big fact that there has been a fundamental shift in Boris Johnson has imposed ideological infrastructure projects to reduce the impact of the country’s economic structure and future. conditions on recent funding support – whilst the coming recession is undeniable and those Rail freight has been shaken by the turn of the headlines have been his enduring fantasy type of projects are always good for the freight events, with some traffic going into of driverless trains, the coming attacks on sector – the need for construction materials, hibernation, along with the rest of the country, public transport workers’ pay, conditions, and steel, and waste removal all play to the but its core business model has been relatively pensions are very real. railway’s strengths. unaffected. While a reduction of passenger services A short term shock for freight, perhaps, but SOLVING PROBLEMS TOGETHER that allows more paths for freight gives our the funding model on which the passenger What we are also seeing on both national sector an opportunity to compete effectively railway has been built for more than a century passenger rail and on UK cities’ public for business. Because, let us not forget, despite looks increasingly obsolete – the whole idea of transport is a reduction in frequency and the government trying to set up an artificial regular commuting and long distance service levels as a consequence of the need to market in rail freight, the real competition for business travel being the backbone on which reduce costs while train lengths remain to us is against the heavily subsidised road the railway is built has just blown away like an provide social distancing. hauliers – who never have to pay the real cost early morning mist. How will this affect us in the freight sector? of the road network, and the damage they Difficult to say now but there may be some cause to it, and the wider environment. RAILWAY RUDDERLESS AT THE TOP good news out of this. More paths, a reduction of the restrictions We’ve seen usage of national rail and London As the rest of the country went into on freight traffic in peak areas, and more Underground drop by 95% during lockdown lockdown the freight sector did not to the reliable timings, all put us in a stronger and it’s struggling to recover to a level of just same extent – it continued supplying essential position against road. one-quarter of former use, according to industry and moving goods, fuel, and With revenue through TOC track access government statistics published in August. materials around the country. Whilst there was dropping, Network Rail needs to look to The UK’s railway is disproportionately more an immediate reduction in traffic, in some freight not as the weird uncle that no-one reliant on the passenger farebox than other areas, and a resultant furloughing of drivers, really likes, but as the steady workhorse of the countries. Season tickets no longer work for that work is returning. railway. The backbone it should have always projected more flexible working patterns, There has been a change in relationships been. which will mean another drop in guaranteed and dynamics because of the short term threat income. The passenger sector seems of the coronavirus. A change that was a result WEATHERING THE COMING STORM rudderless at the top – with the Rail Delivery of having to deal with the need to keep that We have good reps and good councils in all Group apparently focused only on extracting traffic running and to be able to provide the freight companies, leaders in their fields, profit from, and not providing leadership for, resources for future contracts. with maturity and experience, whose priority the industry. ASLEF met with the heads of all the main is to advance the rail freight industry, improve It was left to London Mayor Sadiq Khan, freight operators, together, to solve the conditions, and protect jobs. whilst negotiating with the Johnson problem, amongst others, of having two Whilst the economic forecast may not be government, to say: ‘When it comes to the people in a cab and keep them safe. An almost looking too rosy, and past certainties around services that we provide, about 80% are impossible task but, jointly, it was solved. social interactions in public spaces such as contingent on the fares coming in. In Paris it is We want to keep the playing field as level pubs, cinemas, and restaurants are becoming about 37%; Madrid 48%; New York 38%; and as possible and work together in the interests doubtful, even worrying, our industry – and Singapore 21%. The idea that we would be of our industry. That joint approach needs to our union – is well placed to weather the able to continue to provide a service when we continue. coming storm.

10 The ASLEF Journal l September 2020 Freight chance for freight to Rail freight can deliver for Britain’s prosper decarbonised 21st century economy freight growth. In the short-term, however, HS2 is driving demand for aggregates and MAGGIE SIMPSON , director materials and we have already seen the first general of the Rail Freight extra freight trains supplying the enabling Although some sectors were very badly Group, says freight on rail works which are underway. With the main affected, in particular construction, and deep logistics contracts expected to be let shortly, can play an important role in sea container trains, other parts of the industry the project will be an important step in rebalancing the British went over and above to deliver for customers. rebooting demand for construction trains, and economy post-pandemic And, in doing so, we have seen amazing the work should continue for several years – flexibility, including from Network Rail, more if future phases are approved. N THE first few weeks of lockdown, allowing additional services, more direct Rail freight can also play an important role I the team at the Rail Freight Group routing, and facilitating extra-long trains, up to in rebalancing the economy and there is were helping members to navigate 0.75km in some cases. continued demand from our members in the through the immediate crisis. From freight Today, volumes are back at around 85% of north and Midlands for extra services. The train operator to supplier to customer, the normal, with increases week on week, and planning decision to build a new strategic rail issues were profound and immediate. Some of operators are trying to keep those longer freight interchange in the West Midlands is the most critical areas, in those early days, trains running wherever they are able within welcome, with the site expected to create were making sure that rail freight staff were the timetable. 6,000-7,000 jobs across the site when properly identified as key workers by the complete. However, we still need the government, and provided with all necessary REBOOTING DEMAND FOR TRAINS infrastructure in the north and Midlands to be support to enable them to carry on with their This has not gone unnoticed by the upgraded to allow rail freight services to run, work safely and with the right protections government, which has seen the vital with the right loading gauge for modern in place. importance of rail freight, as well as its containers, which is still sadly lacking from This included making sure essential staff resilience, and flexibility. Ministers have been many ports and cities. were on the recognised list of key worker quick to praise colleagues and thank the The Scottish government has been leading professions, helping companies find suitable industry for all it has done. This stands rail the pack in its support for rail freight, setting overnight hotel accommodation, and linking freight in a good place now as we move to specific targets for Network Rail in Scotland rail freight into industry schemes for managing recovery and to rebuilding the economy. and facilitating grants for new developments. vital PPE. One area where we have already seen Earlier this year it awarded a grant to allow It is a credit to everyone in the sector, action is the decision to proceed with HS2. For more trains to operate from Dunbar cement including trade union colleagues, that freight the government, building infrastructure is an works, and the work to finish a new rail trains were able to continue operating important tool to stimulate the economy. For terminal for Highland Spring continues to throughout, delivering critical supplies for the the railways, HS2 is an important project for move forward. These projects, and others like country. delivering long-term capacity, including for them, will take hundreds of lorry movements off Scotland’s roads, reducing road congestion and reducing carbon emissions.

Showdown over DBC pensionable pay cap INCREASED INTEREST IN RAIL ASLEF led a call from the three other unions in DB Cargo – the RMT, the TSSA, and It’s rail freight’s role in decarbonisation where Unite – on the issue of pensionable pay capping that formed part of the 2010 pension the opportunity arises for rail freight. To really valuation settlement, which is leaving some pension section members without have a ‘green recovery’, reducing road and air adequate pension provision – and is also manifestly unfair. freight, particularly on domestic corridors, is Other members who may have joined DBC at similar times, but taken different essential and leads to increased interest in rail. routes to promotion, have been left with hugely differing pension provision. Those Modal shift can produce 76% less carbon who have shown loyalty to DBC and sought to stay with the company and progress dioxide, even with the existing locomotive internally are being penalised by being denied the pensionable pay commensurate fleet, and there is the potential to use more with their new roles. This injustice is happening across most, if not all, grades. electric traction if the government can commit The principle of capping pensionable pay increases to CPI or RPI to give predictable to a rolling programme of electrification. Some future liability is uncontroversial when applied to annual pay increases, which was the operators are looking at new services for intention of the original negotiated valuation settlement. It was never the intention to parcels and products that need to access city apply it to promotional increases. centres overnight, and retailers and At no point was the principle of applying this cap to promotional increases distributors are looking at more use of rail to mentioned, discussed, or agreed. More to the point, this principle was not included in and from their warehouses. any consultation materials shared with pension section members at the time, or as For this to happen, we need to make sure part of the 2013 valuation, when the capping arrangement was extended to July 2021. there is enough capacity on the network for We have had a response from DBC, and they insist on continuing their current freight. With significant changes potentially course with regards to capping. I am awaiting legal advice and we are setting up an ahead for passenger rail, there is an urgent formal meeting with DBC in conjunction with the other unions. opportunity to drive this case and make sure AGS Simon Weller that freight really can prosper and deliver for our decarbonised economy.

September 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 11 Agenda HOPEFUL ABOUT THE F

NIGEL GIBSON , District 5 have been directly involved on weekly reviews Organiser, and lead officer for as and when requirements changed, and this has Freightliner Heavy Haul, generally worked well between ASLEF and the Freightliner Intermodal, and GB FOCs. As furlough evolves and reduces towards cessation we will continue to engage and Railfreight, reflects on the struggles – encourage the freight companies to work with and successes – of the last few months us to protect employment in the months ahead. Many of our members who were placed into HESE recent months have been a furlough arrangements were those who were testing time for our membership either due to commence driver training or were T nationally, and those working in the part-way through the process. I must freight sector know only too well how the acknowledge the level of frustration these coronavirus has impacted on their workplace. members may have felt having been in receipt of With significant drops in workflows, both communications from some, questioning the intermodal and bulk traffic, and with no direct union’s stance opposing the restart of driver government support – unlike the passenger training as government guidance moved around train operators whose interests are protected by social distancing, etc. the ‘emergency measures arrangements’ – it was We understand that frustration but there was clear that the sustainability of freight businesses clearly a need to establish an agreement that was in jeopardy. would provide a level of assurance that our With the subsequent introduction of the members can work in an environment that has government’s job retention scheme – furlough – taken all the possible mitigations to protect their we engaged in discussions with the freight health & safety. The AGS and I were able to operators, securing a very positive agreement. establish a forum which, for the first time, saw This provided our members with full pay and ASLEF and three of the key freight operators contractual hours, which is over and above the work together, with commercial interests set a bubble along with other mitigations including limitations of the scheme. aside, to find a common solution to the driver methodology around entering and leaving the I have to say the support we had, as training issue. After much discussion an cab and cleaning regimes, for example. negotiators, from our employment law solicitors agreement was reached and endorsed by our EC It has been interesting to note that we have Thompsons was invaluable in ensuring that the to facilitate two persons in the driving cab. This established a more collaborative approach with rights and best interests of our members were will be trialled for four weeks but applied across the freight sector and we continue to review the secured. In reaching agreement on the numbers the freight sector on the same principles as pin arrangements in place with the employers to and requirements for furlough to be applied, we prick blood testing; temperature testing to form ensure they remain fit for purpose as guidance

covid-19 testing is Covid has taken its toll underway to allow training to BARRY HARE , GB Railfreight meetings were held with three of the freight recommence at GBRf. company council, reports on the companies’ company councils to try and work a After several meetings struggle to get a good way forward. We all found this a challenge with the Ec and the Focs coronavirus test to get driver the knowledge that, as councils, we needed to agreed to trial a pin support our EC and also find a favourable way prick testing system. training back on track forward that allowed graduate train managers The test is simple – and OVID-19 has taken its toll in the to carry on with their driver training, also pain free! – and will freight sector. We have seen the best allowing route learning in readiness to cover give you a result C part of 200 frontline staff furloughed the RHTT season. within 15 minutes: at GBRf since the pandemic began, and seen The stumbling block was testing; the three positive; negative; had furlough rules change week by week. The freight companies failed to agree swab testing covid but now latest update is ‘flexible furlough’, with our members was the way to go, stating this is negative. The company members being asked to work two days a week too invasive. After several more meetings a council sees this as a and are then furloughed for the rest of the way forward was reached, and all parties step in the right week. In unprecedented times is there a right agreed a pin prick test for covid-19 was direction, protecting or wrong way to try and protect our members’ favourable. This is a positive step, protecting our members and their livelihoods? our members’ health and wellbeing, and families. The pictures I’m sure that, in time, we will look back and making sure they are free from covid-19 before show the equipment and the simplicity say things could have been done differently – creating their own bubble. of taking the test. but hindsight is a wonderful thing. One of the positives from all this has been The main challenge has been training, with the first time the three big freight companies two in the cab. How do we make sure our have worked jointly with ASLEF and the members are safe, and free from covid-19? company councils, meeting in the same room We watched the FOCs withdraw from the all together (well, by Zoom!) and that can only RICF on the grounds they couldn’t guarantee be a good thing for the future of the freight no redundancies within our sector! Joint industry in Britain.

12 The ASLEF Journal l September 2020 Freight

As a council we appreciate the frustration of As drivers we are the trainees that have been furloughed, with providing a vital service some agonisingly close to passing out. FUTURE However, everyone’s safety and the health of those and their families is always the number in uncertain times one priority. The work done by the council, lead officer, and executive has always been done JAMES GLEW , DB Cargo company with the safety of all as the main objective. council secretary, on how some We also understand the frustration of companies are using the qualified drivers on furlough who are now keen coronavirus crisis as camouflage to resume work. Furlough numbers are for an attack on t&cs dropping and drivers are gradually returning. This will, we hope, continue as things return to HE last few months have been some of a level of ‘normality’. the most challenging in years. Whilst Thousands of businesses are making T seeing hundreds of trains cancelled redundancies, with some companies using the every week, at the height of the pandemic, a pandemic as a green light to attack workers’ lot of our drivers were, and are, still at work terms and conditions. The railway isn’t immune delivering essential goods around the country, to this, particularly the privatised freight sector, and providing a vital service in unsure times. as we have seen in recent years. The decisions, We have had up to 250 drivers and trainees often difficult, that we’ve made over the last furloughed at any one time, some for health few months have all been made not only with reasons, and some because of low workload. the intention of keeping people safe, but also We have managed to maintain 100% salary for of keeping jobs and terms and conditions all drivers at all times. Train orders are now safe, too. it’s been a difficult six months for freight rising again but we are still some way off In other matters, we have now implemented drivers – and the rail freight industry – normal numbers so the furlough scheme will the improvements in the drivers’ handbook but there is light at the end of the tunnel continue to run. that we agreed earlier this year in relation to changes. We have faced several challenges regarding improving fatigue and the work/life balance. As I mentioned earlier, many members have training, particularly in relation to two people This will be issued to all imminently. Work on suffered as a result of training being deferred in a cab, with maintaining social distancing in a pensions continues and the issues with capping and I want to place on record my thanks for their confined space the main problem. We now are explained by Simon Weller on page 11. patience. appear to have found a solution with pin prick I’d like to thank every driver for your We must remain hopeful about the future of testing and training bubbles. Trials took place patience and understanding through what has rail freight and, as we see a gradual return of during the month of August and, if these are been a very difficult period. We hope things will work flows, we shall continue to work with successful, we will see a return to work for improve further, and by the time the next and/or challenge the employers to see the trainees and the resumption of road learning Freight Journal is issued that the pandemic will industry, and our members’ employment that will be vital for several new contracts and be a thing of the past and we are discussing opportunities, thrive. the annual autumn seasonal work. more positive subjects. Skies are blue A world turned upside down ANDY BULLOCK , Freightliner Intermodal PAUL BARBER , Freightliner the teeth for the freight sector. agreement being reached! It business council, reports on a tribute to Heavy Haul business Passenger drivers must get would be nice if implementation railway workers council secretary, dryly sick and tired of listening to the of all our agreements was done notes that managements ‘whinging’ freight sector but, if in such a timely manner… On Thursday 30 July, at a low key event, due to we had an open cheque book to As traffic levels return we can implement covid-19, G&W CEO Gary Long unveiled a run empty trains, which appears have seen a sharp increase in recently acquired Class 90 locomotive with the agreements exceptionally to be reality in the passenger rest day working. Diagram name plate Over the Rainbow in recognition of all quickly, when they want… sector, then perhaps, for once, lengths are consistently over the the key workers who had, he said, ‘worked we might have been on a level 8hr 45 average turn length tirelessly to help keep the country moving Since my last report to the playing field. leading to enforced overtime. during the pandemic’. It also showed the Freight Journal filed in early On a positive note nearly all There is an increasing trend for company’s commitment to helping decarbonise March the world has changed furloughed drivers will have drivers to have a rostered start the freight industry. The name was chosen by beyond recognition. For some of returned to work by the time time of 23:59 on while working Freightliner employee David Clay in a our members it has meant the this Journal drops on your into a rest day or annual leave, competition. I attended the event representing loss of family and friends and our doormat. We are also seeing something that is symptomatic the Intermodal side of the company and Crewe thoughts are with you during traffic levels returning to of driver shortages. driver Andy Hassel attended for Heavy Haul. this very difficult time. something like normal although And despite several meetings Unlike the passenger sector, what will happen in the future is Freightliner has yet to come up the freight sector has not anyone’s guess. with any proposals for a received any direct payments After some hard negotiation, reduction in night turn length or from the government, instead agreement was reached to allow changes to booking off into being told to seek finance from two in the cab training to restart leave. We are lagging far behind our foreign owners which, on an initial basis during August. other FOCs and this does not sit bearing in mind many Remarkably, testing and well with the BC, especially from passenger TOC franchises are temperature equipment a company which keeps saying Over the Rainbow and a stamp (obscured by the operated by overseas owned appeared in managers’ offices how safety and fatigue is their steps) that says ‘zero injuries our goal every day’ companies, is yet another kick in within two days of the first concern.

September 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 13 Firebox United we stand divided we fall

JULIAN VAUGHAN , a thumping electoral defeat. member of Northern Line The 2019 manifesto was a little too sweet. As North branch, and trains a candidate I felt bombarded with new policy health & safety council, has promises every time I opened the daily been a Tube train driver for campaign email. Clearly the effect was worse on an electorate with whom we lost credibility and 17 years. He is chair of trust. Whereas, in 2017, our costed manifesto North East Bedfordshire constituency was a real boost in the absence of any Tory Julian the party Labour Party and well-known in the area costings, we were seen as throwing as many candidate (above) for his campaigns on behalf of disabled punches as possible while stuck on the ropes in and relaxing with people and access to transport. Julian, the hope that we would land an unlikely the ASlEF train who stood for Labour in North East knockout blow. crew (right) wants Bedfordshire at the general election in Poll after poll showed that voters supported to help Keir Starmer June 2017, and in December 2019, our policies but, no matter how good they were, (left) get the party explains why he is now standing for the tidal wave of ‘Get Brexit Done’ as well as into power Brexit fatigue swept over voters on both sides of election to the Labour Party’s NEC the argument. will continue to be my friends! However, I believe it is better to be inside the tent looking LONG with many in the Labour Party, I IDEOLOGICAL PURITY VS PRAGMATISM – out rather than outside peering in, without any felt a wave of contentment when DO THE ARITHMETIC OF THE POLITICS influence. I always remember my wife advising A reading the 2017 party manifesto. Moving ahead to the 2020 party leadership me that the sense of satisfaction you get when Finally, after many years when there was little elections, I voted for Keir Starmer and Angela resigning from a job is far briefer than you more than a cigarette paper between the two Rayner. I’d been thinking of Starmer as leader for would like it to be! main political parties, there was now clear water. some time; not one who particularly inspires you The manifesto painted a vision of a society with his manner of speaking – neither did PRACTICAL, PROGRESSIVE SOLUTIONS where the needs of people were prioritised over Corbyn – but always measured and with clarity I have always been determined that all strands profits, lifelong education reimagined, and trade of thought. of the Labour Party are made to feel welcome unions cherished as agents for change within Why the shift? While I welcomed Corbyn’s while rigorous, but respectful, debate is the workplace rather than derided as guests socialist policies with open arms, I felt a real encouraged. Labour members hold their who had overstayed their welcome. Public sense that the moment had gone, that the principles very dear and this creates passionate ownership, support from the cradle to the grave, people of this country weren’t ready to trust debate. When not imploding over Europe, the and, above all, respect for everyone in our Labour and the forces were stacked too deeply Tories have always been successful in uniting society were all promoted. against the reality of achieving a truly socialist around their principles of retaining the barriers As a result of this manifesto, and what must government. Ideological purity is all very well, that prevent a more equal society and surely rank as one of the worst general election but politics is dominated by numbers. Purity is promoting the needs of the individual over that campaigns ever fought by the Tories, Jeremy also the easy way out, while the more difficult of the community. Corbyn’s Labour Party came within a whisker of path is one of compromise and pragmatism. Starmer faces a set of challenges that nobody victory. I voted for Corbyn in both leadership Another reason is competence. While I do not would have expected to encounter. It would elections, and his government would have had want a return to the slick political machine of the have been very unwise to go in all guns blazing the potential to create a fairer, kinder, and more Labour Party of the late 1990s, we do need against the government during the initial stages equal society. professionalism which, for all his many qualities, of the pandemic. Some resent his measured was lacking in Corbyn’s team. Matters that have approach, but the mood of the public, at least at AS CHURCHILL SAID, WARS AREN’T WON recently come to light show how internal the start of what has been the most significant WITH A SERIES OF GLORIOUS DEFEATS relations had become toxic, and made the task national emergency since World War Two, was to However, as Winston Churchill said, wars are not more difficult than it needed to be, but there pull together. won by glorious defeats and there was a sense of were also many unforced errors which eroded Of course the mood has changed, because of basking in failure. Neil Kinnock’s spectacularly credibility and trust. the numerous mistakes of a government that unwise Sheffield jamboree on the eve of the Boris Johnson won’t last until the next has over promised, under delivered, and been 1992 election was almost matched by the general election and, in the meantime, Keir economical with the truth. The lack of triumphalism of the 2017 party conference. Starmer’s attention to detail will enable him to protection for NHS staff and care homes was Perhaps a little harsh, but you get my drift. run rings around a lazy and over-confident Prime followed by Dominic Cummings’ trip to Durham, The Brexit debate became polarised as Minister. the effect of which cannot be overestimated. sensible solutions disappeared over the horizon Many of you will know members who have Starmer has changed tack and, while still and Labour became boxed into a corner. The either stepped down from positions or left the willing to work with the government, has tide turned and the high water mark of Labour Party altogether either because of the become more critical while putting forward Corbynism became a distant memory as poor dismissal of Rebecca Long-Bailey, or what they practical and progressive solutions. management and division wrecked a co- believe to be the direction of the party. Some of I share the disappointment of those on the ordinated strategy and, ultimately, led to a these people are my friends and, I should stress, left of the party that Corbynism ended in failure,

14 The ASLEF Journal l September 2020 cuttings

From flygskam to tågskryt in the age of the train

WEDES coined the word flygskam – pronounced fleeg-skam, it means S flight shame – in 2017 to describe the stigma attached to travelling by plane in the 21st century; the word was spread by Greta Thunberg, climate change activist, and the most popular Swedish export since Stieg Larsson, Abba, and Volvo. Three years later many Swedes now, semi- seriously, accuse fellow countrymen of tågskryt – pronounced togs-croot, it means not success, but we must be prepared to adapt more grim by Christmas. In the short-term I train bragging – by virtue signalling the way and move on if we are to succeed next time. believe our party leader is right to concentrate on applying pressure on the government to they prefer to let the train take the strain. At ASLEF we like trains – as the trade FACTIONALISM IS A LUXURY WE CAN’T protect jobs and businesses – the grander union that represents 96% of the train themes can wait. AFFORD AND VOTERS WON’T FORGIVE drivers in England, Scotland, and Wales you’d We have a government that has revealed its What I find difficult to accept is the tit-for-tat expect that, wouldn’t you? – so you’ll forgive incompetence, that shows casual indifference to factional onslaught that Starmer has faced from the smile on the face of GS Mick Whelan, the people it serves, and is led by a diminished the outset of his leadership. While I can after years of listening to people bang on Prime Minister. The damage inflicted on the understand the resentment at a Labour about trains belonging back in the 19th social fabric of the United Kingdom does not machine that undermined Corbyn’s leadership, century, now futurologists are saying that bear thinking about. We are in danger of factionalism is a luxury we cannot afford, and trains are the public transport answer to becoming an authoritarian state as the normal one that voters at the ballot box will not forgive. moving people, and goods, around the checks and balances of the legislature, the I get the sense that some enjoy the rough and world in a way that is quick, safe, and judiciary, and our institutions are weakened so tumble of internal party politics more than the environmentally-friendly. Jeremy Cliffe, much as to make them ineffective. challenge of finding political solutions that international editor of the New Statesman , would benefit our communities. and, before that, a staff writer on The If we cannot find common ground and I’M INCREDIBLY PROUD TO BE BRITISH Economist , where he wrote the Charlemagne consensus within our own party while in Rather than step down, because our vision of column from Berlin and Brussels, is on opposition, how can we possibly find it in political purity is not being fulfilled, this is the message. ‘Rail travel in Europe is more government? Unpalatable as it may be, working time to step up and face the huge challenges practical, enjoyable, and personally with those in other parties is how an opposition that lie ahead. I’m incredibly proud to be British – enriching than many people realise,’ he says. effects change. and we can still be proud and patriotic, while ‘And that’s without factoring in the Although some in the Labour Party have acknowledging our past and present failures. We undeniable romance of night train travel. I already tried Keir Starmer and found him guilty, will only be successful if we unite as a party. This recall leaving Gare de Lyon in Paris one rainy the pandemic means we have yet to see what does not mean blind allegiance but, when a March evening, the grey houses and streets Starmer actually stands for. A national decision is made, and a direction chosen, we of the French capital glistening in the chill, emergency is not the time to be spewing out must get behind it, or, at least, not actively tucking into my bunk as the soporifically soft numerous policies which we would be unable campaign against it. ba-dum-ba-dum of wheels on rails lulled me to enact in any case. We have more urgent and The scale of the challenge the Labour Party to sleep, then opening the blind in the immediate needs than that. faces cannot be overestimated. But I’m still in, morning to be dazzled by the electric blue of The economic news is grim and may be far and I hope you will be, too. the sky, the sun glinting off the Mediterranean and palms swaying by long beaches as the train trundled towards Nice.’ The problem, of course, is price on Julian is standing as a candidate for the Labour Party’s national Britain’s privatised railway. ‘If planes do not executive committee. The NEC, the party’s ruling body, is made up beat trains for convenience, what about of representatives from each section of the party – the shadow price? Even the keenest rail evangelist has to cabinet, MPs, MEPs, local councillors, trade unions, socialist admit that, particularly at short notice, trains societies, constituency parties, Young Labour, a BAME can be pricier. But rail travel on the continent representative and a disability representative. GS Mick Whelan sits is less extortionate than in Britain and tickets on the NEC as a union rep. booked in advance can be surprisingly Julian is standing in the CLP section. Candidates need at least five CLPs to cheap. Train food is usually cheaper and nominate them to get on the ballot and nominations close on Sunday 27 better than at airports and on planes. September. ‘Trains may once have accelerated life ASLEF is supporting Julian and asking members who are CLP delegates to but, in our digital world, they have the support him through your CLP. opposite effect: they slow one down. To see ‘Julian will be a fantastic representative on Labour’s NEC,’ says Mick. ‘We want as the landscape rolling by, and feel the wheels many ASLEF members as possible in positions across the labour movement. So turning beneath one, is to travel consciously, please support him.’ mindful of the distance one is covering.’ Keith Richmond

September 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 15 Branch lines

Serving through the crisis Upcoming Events

EMEMBER the railway n RAINHAM – THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER R service badge issued to All welcome for our Southeastern reunion from 11.00 at the rail employees during Rainham Social Club, 86 Station Road, Rainham, Kent. ‘Dig deep the Second World War? It denoted when the raffle comes round as that’s what pays the bill!’ says PJ that we were in a reserved Smith. ‘And remember, this is your reunion; use it or lose it!’ occupation, serving the Allied war effort, and would not be called up n TOTON – FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER to the armed forces. Each of the The new covid service ‘Ever the optimist, I’m hoping we can hold our reunion at the four main line rail companies – badge (right) and very end of October,’ says Reg Sergeant. From 19.30 at the GWR, LMS, LNER, and SR – as well the wartime Sportsman, Derby Road, Long Eaton, Derbyshire. ‘All current as London Transport issued staff railway service and previous Toton colleagues and partners are cordially with one. badge (above) invited. A help yourself buffet will be provided and a raffle run Bob Dorking (Barnham RMS) that inspired it to raise funds towards future reunions.’ and I have produced a covid-19 badge which we are selling to rail this war with covid-19. l These events are planned but, in the light of government workers (regardless of grade or It costs £5 (plus £2.50 p&p) and advice about social distancing during the covid-19 crisis, are company or union) with proceeds you can order one by emailing subject to cancellation. Please check before you travel. to go to an NHS-related charity or either Bob ([email protected]) benevolent fund dedicated to or me (paul.edwards1962@ helping the families of NHS sky.com). workers who have died fighting Paul Edwards , St Blazey 197 Dulce et decorum est

Thank you NHS I designed these badges with their head office near London Weeks ago, like a lot permission from the King’s Bridge. of other good folk, I Cross drivers’ social & welfare Last year was a tricky year was outside my club to mark the Class 321s for badge selling and King’s house at 8pm on a and Class 91s leaving the East Cross still has some 2019 Thursday, clapping Coast main line last year. The ASLEF poppy badges left over. our heroes and 321s have been debranded I’m hoping to get to my supply waving my NHS flag and work for Greater Anglia at KX but I’m still currently in appreciation of the whereas the Class 91s have shielding. Stay safe, stay alert. work they are doing been given a reprieve for the The badges are £10 each in these strange time being! plus £1 p&p for the first badge times. Little did I They came late for last and 50p for every subsequent know that, for the year’s Remembrance Day badge purchased. Contact me first time in my 70 hence I still have a supply but I via Richard.sullivan7@ years, I was about to was given permission to ntlworld.com for payment spend three nights in donate the expected profits of details (either PayPal or BACS). King George’s £1,100 direct to the Royal Richard Sullivan , King’s Cross Hospital, Seven British Legion which I did at 110 branch secretary Kings, after a fall. I was in Fern ward with seven others and what a humbling experience it was. Talk about an eye opener! All the staff were amazing, so caring and patient, even down to the feeding and washing of the ones who couldn’t do the simplest of tasks that The badges (right) are framed we take for granted. I and delivered to the British take my hat off to legion head office (above) them all. cliff at the NHS Travelodge, as he puts it, and A special thank flying the flag for the NHS outside his house you to my nurses, Gillian and Andrew, lockdown which in to escape and Longsight bash postponed and the rest of the meant no visitors relieve the boredom. It is with regret that we have decided to cancel this year’s Longsight team who made my were allowed. Sadly, But thank you, NHS. reunion, which was due to be held on Thursday 8 October at the LMRCA stay more like other hospitals, Cliff Blackwell , Club, Navigation Road, Altrincham. Hopefully we will see all our friends pleasurable. The there was not even a Retired Members’ and brothers in 2021. hospital was on day room with a telly Section Colin Allsobrook , Ray Bullen , Robert Pollard , organising cmte

16 The ASLEF Journal l September 2020 Branch lines

The day the Worcesters shot down striking railwaymen

Carmarthen branch honours and remembers Leonard Worsell, 19, and John ‘Jac’ John, 21, who tragically lost their lives on Saturday 19 August 1911 at Llanelli, in west Wales, during the national railway strike. Picketing at Llanelli railway station was brutally suppressed by the police, supported by the army, and the two men were shot dead by soldiers of the Worcestershire regiment. The deployment of the army was ordered by the Home Secretary, Winston Churchill. During tense negotiations, a train containing strike breakers was held up. Major Brownlow Stuart ordered his men to fix bayonets and disperse a crowd gathered to protest at the men being bused in. The train passed slowly, so slowly, in fact, that strikers were able Memorials to the two men murdered by to board it and put out the engine fire, the Worcester regiment under the Major preventing it from moving. known as ‘Killer’ Stuart Major Stuart told a Justice of the Peace to read out the Riot Act, which he grave. There is usually a big event with apparently did reluctantly, and then an evening of poetry, a march through ordered his men to fire on the crowd. the town, and guest speakers all John ‘Jac’ John, a tinplate worker ‘murderers’ and the action provoked coming together to remember. who had joined the picket line to hundreds of other residents of Llanelli However, covid-19 had other plans support his less fortunate friends, and to join the strikers in widespread this year. In spite of this, as a branch, Leonard Worsell, who came out of his rioting in the town. we still believe it to be an important garden when he heard the commotion, Bro Mick Higgins, who attends the event to mark. were shot dead. 1911 committee on behalf of our Chris Owen , Carmarthen 045 branch The Worcesters were condemned as branch, placed a wreath at each secretary

Lest we forget We’ll meet again but we don’t know when! The committee of the Retired Members’ Section has been concerned about forthcoming events and (not surprisingly) has cancelled all events in the immediate future. This includes our AGM which was scheduled for Wednesday 7 october in Sheffield and our autumn forum scheduled for the weekend of 30 october to 1 November which was to be held at low Hall, Scalby. The health and welfare of all ASlEF members and their families must be our main concern and, in the present circumstances, i am sure our members will understand. All RMS committee members will keep their present positions. Their names, phone numbers, and email addresses are in your ASlEF diary. This year’s Tramlink and HST poppy badges Until we meet again (and we will meet again as soon as it is safe and practicable) keep safe and keep well. I am making an early start on this year’s poppy Les Muir , Retired Members’ Section secretary appeal. Last year's Pig poppy badge was the best so far, raising £1,714.72 which was donated to the Royal British Legion. QUOTE… I have two designs this year, an HST poppy in ‘People keep saying this is an unprecedented pandemic. It is not true. Humanity BR blue and grey livery, to commemorate the has had to deal with many pandemics, often more grave than this one. There stock withdrawal, and a Tramlink poppy to mark seems to be an intention, a collective desire, to panic.’ 20 years of Croydon Tramlink. Price £6 each plus – Bernard-Henri Lévy , The Virus in the Age of Madness £1 p&p, from [email protected] …UNQUOTE Martin Thompson , Fratton SWR

September 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 17 obituaries

JOE McDERMID HE WAS ALWAYS RIGHT would joke that Joe had been part time for years anyway. Joseph Stephen McDermid was grassed him in for dogging it! Joe spoke a lot of sense so it born on 15 March 1960 and, sadly, Joe was really intelligent, and was easy for him to make up a passed away on Saturday 18 July. would always say ‘Am I right?’ story and have you believe it. Joe When Joe was wee he was a when stating a fact and nobody and his pal George convinced confident wee boy, a wee chubby could argue with him because he everyone they had a Blue Peter thing who didn’t have a care in was, basically, always right. badge after going on the show the world. He once dogged Joe’s life on the railway began with the Eastfield brass band. Joe school and went to a live radio in 1980 when he joined the Caley. apparently took centre stage as roadshow in town. The DJ asked, In 1985 he transferred to work at the triangle player. The fictional ‘Who likes Neil Diamond’ and the Eastfield as a second man and band then went on to play the crowd cheered but wee Joe eventually settled as a train driver Royal Albert Hall and were shouted ‘I don’t, he’s a xxxx’ and before moving to Yoker in 1997, runners-up in the brass band of you can fill in the blanks there. It where he became the first branch the year contest! gave the DJ a laugh so he got Joe secretary, before becoming Queen Street won’t be the So where’s that triangle, Joe? up on stage and asked him his company council rep. same without him; he will always name, age, and where he lived. In 2001 he settled at Queen louse that guy was Joe. be a legend who won’t be easily His two minutes of fame were Street, where he spent 19 years. In 2018 Joe and his pal Tam job forgotten. RIP Joe. short lived, though, because his He was a grafter but if there was shared and he went part time. John McCue , Glasgow 084 next door neighbour heard and one guy that was going to get a Everyone who knew Joe well branch secretary

DON MAGSON HUGE INFLUENCE TERRY MONK A TEAR IN HIS EYE driver don Magson, of Saltley branch, who began his railway career on 12 october I joined Oxford depot as a driver in 1953 as a cleaner at Tyseley depot, sadly 1999 and, after I completed my died on Thursday 9 July. training, began to get involved in like many of his Western region ASLEF. Terry Monk was the branch colleagues, don made the move across secretary at the time and I remember Birmingham to Saltley depot before him as a quietly spoken and well- retiring in 2002 from crosscountry at mannered man who had been in the Birmingham New Street. position for as long as anyone at the Retirement never took don away from depot could remember. the railway family, and he was a huge He ran meetings when the need influence in Saltley branch, Saltley welfare arose and was a well-liked and well- fund, the British Transport Pensioners’ respected figure within the depot and Federation, and many other social and the branch as a whole. welfare activities. After some time I became the during his working days, don was a big assistant branch secretary and got to fan of the open neckline but, when it came know Terry better, through our work to branch or welfare meetings, he would together, and found that underneath always be immaculately turned out. His that quiet, unassuming personality, was speeches kept us up to date with the a man who had a strong loyalty to welfare of all our retired colleagues and ASLEF and a great sense of equality and their families and he would always finish don, immaculate as always, with his original social justice. with a humorous tale or two. pay check, which you used to have to present As Terry was nearing retirement he Branch and welfare meetings will never before you could collect your wages started talking to me about taking over be the same without don, who is survived as branch secretary and, one afternoon by his wife Maureen and children Jane, memorial will be held for don at the Tyseley in the pub, after a branch meeting, he lisa, and Nicholas. Working Men’s club. quizzed me about my politics and how When current restrictions allow, a Jason Hickling , Saltley 023 branch I would represent members. He was, of course, making sure that he could leave the railway knowing that ‘his branch’ PLEASE EMAIL US YOUR DETAILS was in safe hands… our hip, hot Members – and branches – are what this union is all I had the pleasure of taking over the and very about. We are here for you. And we are looking at how train from Terry as he arrived in Oxford much we operate. So we would like you to update your on his last ever journey. He had a tear in happening details – especially your current email address – his eye which was understandable – red baseball which will help us to consider how online branches he’d spent his life working on the cap will keep could be facilitated. railway and gave more than 22 years to the sun out of your eyes ASLEF as branch secretary and assistant this summer. Price £5 (inc branch secretary. p&p); email RAILWAY MUSEUM OPENS AGAIN His passing, due to illness, is [email protected] or visit The National Railway Museum reopened after 119 desperately sad but his contribution to our online shop at days in lockdown. Locomotion at Shildon, County ASLEF will not be forgotten. www.aslef.org.uk Durham, reopened on Tuesday 28 July while the main Andrew Hudd , EC vice-president site in York reopened on Tuesday 4 August.

18 The ASLEF Journal l September 2020 obituaries

MICK WILLIAMS LOYAL ASLEF MAN PHIL JOHNSON Retired Derby at Derby had the fellow reps, and FURIOUS PHIL CrossCountry driver option to join either senior officials of Mick Williams has Midland Mainline or ASLEF, and this We are sad to report the died, at the age of 74, Midland respect crossed the passing of our friend and following a long CrossCountry; Mick negotiating table to work colleague Phil illness. joined the latter and the management Johnson, aka Furious Phil: fervent Mick started his stayed there until teams with which he Phil, who gained his opinions railway career as a retirement in 2007. regularly enjoyed nickname with his more cleaner before Mick was a loyal doing battle. than passionate views of the world. becoming a fireman ASLEF man and a Covid restrictions Phil, who was a depot driver for c2c, at Colwick depot long-standing on funerals meant based at East Ham, for more than nine (London North member of the many colleagues years, died at the early age of 58 after a Mick: company Eastern Region) CrossCountry drivers’ were unable to short illness and leaves behind his wife council and branch moving to company council attend Mick’s funeral Brenda and extended family. chair Nottingham Midland where he was, for but, when normality His previous career included and then Derby many years, elected resumes, we look working in IT, bus driver (where he was prayers go to Elaine number four shed chair. He was also forward to raising a also a union rep) and working for BT and the family at this around 1986 where Derby branch chair pint or two with before finally finding his place on the very difficult time. he became a highly for many years as Mick’s family and railway. He had the opportunity to RIP Mick. respected instructor well. friends to celebrate progress as a main line driver but was Eamonn Tague , driver. On Mick was highly his life. happy to remain at East Ham and see Derby 059 branch privatisation, drivers respected by drivers, Our thoughts and out his career as a depot driver. secretary Furious Phil was a massive character at East Ham, never afraid to discuss his views with anyone who walked through JUSTIN MINES WELL-LIKED AND MUCH MISSED the door of the mess room. He will be i have to report the sudden passing of Basingstoke driver Justin Mines at the age of 48. sorely missed by all those who knew Justin worked at Eastleigh railway works before joining South West Trains as a guard in and worked with him. RIP Furious. 2001. He became a driver in 2011. Justin was a quiet, unassuming, and well-liked member Rochelle James , Dan Camp and Jim of the depot who will be much missed by all his colleagues at Basingstoke. our thoughts Fowler , East Ham 068 and deepest sympathies are with Justin’s family at this sad time. Ian Robinson , Basingstoke 017 branch secretary

MICHAEL FISHER FIREMAN WHO TOOK THE CONTROLS WHEN HIS DRIVER COLLAPSED It is with great commendation for he retired in 1999. see his overdue 50 sadness that I report taking the train Michael was year medallion the death of ex-Grove controls after his extremely proud to presented to him by Park driver Michael driver collapsed. be an ASLEF member GS Mick Whelan last Fisher who started The opportunity and active trade year at our his railway career in of a driver position at unionist. With his presentation 1952 as a cleaner at Willesden followed, broad West Country evening. Laira depot in which meant moving accent, you always Leaving his wife Plymouth. After the family up to knew when Michael Marion, children, and completing his fire London. From there was around. Not their families, training, at Michael moved to someone to suffer Michael will be Wolverhampton, Hither Green in 1969 fools gladly, he missed by all. RIP Michael was again and, after moving to always had time to Michael. based at Laira where, Grove Park, and offer advice to the Ray Garland , Grove during his time there, serving on the LDC newer drivers and it Park 092 branch he received a for a couple of years, was a real pleasure to secretary Michael: active trade unionist with Marion

DAVE KENNEDY FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES Dave Kennedy passed away peacefully, on Saturday 11 July, at the age of 53, after a short illness. Our thoughts are with his wife Jo, daughter Annie, and all his family. Dave worked for London Underground for 30 years, and was an ASLEF member from day one. He was instrumental in the formation of Hammersmith 267 branch, where he was the original branch secretary, was the ASLEF industrial representative at Edgware Road, and chaired AAD in 2003. He enjoyed himself away from work – as anyone who has been on the annual trip to Benidorm, Galway, or Lanzarote will testify – and was an ardent West Ham supporter and regular attendee with his good friend Dave Shannon. A permanent stone memorial has been ordered and will be erected at the London Stadium in his honour. Dave will be missed by the many people he assisted over the years, not just on the railway, but in the wider community. It’s a testament to his popularity that the collection to buy some flowers is currently sitting at more than £6,000. If you were a friend of Dave, you had a friend for life. RIP our friend. dave Kennedy 1966-2020 EC8 Terry Wilkinson

September 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 19

letters

Black lives matter – but all lazy terminology, se lf- a p p o in ted spokesman, and

lives matter, too, you know out a n d o u t ra cist criticism of Black lives Matter

Black lives matter – of course they do – just as

all lives matter, but a very important message it is ha rd to know where Vacuous wokeness and As for ASlEF

virtue signalling has been lost since the BLM movement was to star t w i th Pa ul Amer’s concentrating on the core I read with disappointment, though no surprise, the general secretary’s hijacked by the radical left. letter in the Au g ust comments in his editorial (Journal, July): ‘We are proud to support Black responsibility of Lives Matter.’ BLM is an extreme far-left Marxist organisation whose aims include While BLM and its sycophants have edition of the Journal . abolishing capitalism, white supremacy, the police force, patriarchy, and workplace organisation, the family unit. They engage in iconoclasm, vandalism, law breaking and violent protest, leaving many damaged properties, ruined businesses, endlessly been debating the changing of There is the lazy u se of and even deaths worldwide. Do you endorse these behaviours? that is our bread and The Labour Party is currently unelectable because it has drifted toward such extreme left-wing ideologies and has completely lost touch street names, and the removal of statues, they politica l ter mino lo g y (it with its working-class roots. This must change. butter, but we can’t and In my experience the ‘silent’ majority of rank and file ASLEF members are in despair at the creeping rise of cultural Marxism prevalent in every appear to be ignoring the 40 million victims seems th a t anyone to the UK institution, leaving only vacuous wokeness and virtue signalling, the don’t operate in a stymieing of free speech, and shutting down of rational debate. I urge you to concentrate on your core responsibility of organisation in the of slavery in the world today, which include left of Boris Johnson is a workplace rather than polemic political revolution. vacuum; we have to Remember, the transport industry in the UK has a long history of employing people from a wide diversity of ethnic, cultural, and religious an estimated of 9.2 million men, women and Marxist these days) or the backgrounds and long may that continue. Now that really is something engage with the wider to be proud of. children currently enslaved in Africa. self-appointed Paul Amer, LNER, Edinburgh Waverley world. GS Mick Whelan says: ‘I’m not sure that your characterisation of the As we have all seen and read, the news is spokesman of the silent BLM organisation is correct – though I know that is the argument of The history of the some right-wing commentators in The Sun and Daily Mail – but I was setting out our support, as a trade union that believes people are – or filled with reports about BLM supporters majority trope. But, no, ought to be – equal, for the idea that black lives matter as much as trade union movement, white lives. A proposition with which only the Ku Klux Klan, apartheid vandalising statues of slave traders, slave it’s th e ou t an d o u t ra ci st South Africa, or Donald Trump, would surely disagree’. and the gains we have l owners, and anyone who they perceive as criticism of the Black lives The letter from Paul Amer, made over the years, are having been historically involved in slavery. Matter movement’s desire Edinburgh Waverley, in the built on political We now have the Mayor of London, Sadiq to abolish white August issue of the Journal campaigning, activism, Khan, announcing that he has asked a supremacy! and direct action. commission to examine the future of criticism of all be welcomed. However, if trade unions are not landmarks in our once great city. These organisations is for a trade unionist to, about collective action, include statues and street names. legitimate, and seemingly, disagree with inclusion, and defending Perhaps someone could explain to me disagreeing with the a fundamental goal of the oppressed, then what how attacking the statues of people who are politics or tactics of a equality is a saddening are they for? long dead is supposed to help anyone, movement, political and, indeed, intolerable Steven Nimmo , especially the millions of black and non-black party, or trade union is to situation. Edinburgh No 2 branch people who are enslaved today. In my mind it is nothing more than woke activists of the BLM movement, and their many supporters, who do not care one ounce who were never slaves, should receive not matter whether you are black or white; for the millions in modern day slavery. In the reparations from people, today, who have male or female; heterosexual or UK, we have a shocking range of modern never owned a slave. homosexual; young or old; English, slavery, something that these brave souls I find it very hard to stomach that whilst Scottish, irish, or Welsh. or anything else. attacking our statues happily ignore. they engage in all this posturing, they ignore What matters is that you drive trains, you The UK government’s 2019 annual report the 40 million current victims of actual are a member of our union, and, whatever declared that we have at least 13,000 victims slavery. To me this constitutes an extreme your race, colour, or creed, you deserve to of slavery in this country. When you research insult to those who are suffering slavery in be treated the same as everyone else. We their findings, and go to the Global Slavery silence and represents an immeasurable backed the Black lives Matter movement Index, you will find this number is estimated depth of woke hypocrisy. because it was – and is – trying to make to be at least 136,000. Please take a moment and reflect on those the point that black lives matter as well. In the UK slavery takes the form of forced that are slowly dying from the physical, The movement, you will remember, began labour and domestic and sexual exploitation. sexual, and emotional abuse that they are in the United States where it seemed, Vietnamese and Albanians make up the being forced to endure. frankly, that black lives did – and do – not largest numbers. Britain has a cannabis black I could go on for eternity as it was a matter as much as white lives. i believe – market worth £2.6 billion so you can guess subject I studied whilst doing my diploma in and this trade union believes – that black where most of these individuals end up! health & safety and has, once again, come to lives matter and that white lives matter; it Those not forced to work in the cannabis the forefront with recent events. is not a question of either/or. The point industry are ‘enslaved’ in nail bars, brothels, One final thought. History should be about the statues, and the street names, is and restaurants. Some are even kept behind explained, taught, and lessons learned, but it that they celebrate the oppressors, rather locked doors in the private residences of the should not be re-written. than the oppressed. Slavery in the modern rich and famous. Paul Overington , h&s rep, Brighton world is, as you say, a contemporary evil. BLM and the many corporate executives, But you can condemn the evils of the past university professors, media, sport, and GS Mick Whelan says: ‘i think you may be as well as the evils of the present. That is cultural personalities who are taking the knee conflating – and confusing – two ideas. not an either/or and you don’t, Paul, have seem totally unconcerned about these one about the aims of the Black lives to choose between the one or the other!’ individuals. Matter movement; the other about slavery The endless debating does not amount to in the world today. Here at ASlEF we often Ridiculous and gullible anything more that virtue signalling. They say that ‘a train driver is a train driver is a I wonder if they realise how ridiculous, waste time debating whether people, today, train driver’. By which we mean that it does gullible and sycophantic their support for the Black Lives Matter movement by the Labour Party, labour movement, and trades unions, Come and join the conversation! Send letters by email to including ASLEF, makes them look, and how [email protected] or by Royal Mail to the ASLEF Journal resentful so many people, including me, are that such a blatantly racist organisation is at 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN receiving so much support for its cynical deception.

20 The ASLEF Journal l September 2020 classified Advertisements

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Delivered in strong cardboard circumstances, while at the same time government the responsibility for fixing the tube. To order email me at [email protected]. implicitly condoning the black on black and system, ensuring everyone in Scotland can Payment accepted via PayPal. black on white criminality and killings that access good, nutritious food, and will hold it occur on a daily basis and to which the BLM accountable for the actions it takes. THE KING’S CROSS STORY movement turns a convenient blind eye, is in Elaine Smith MSP , Labour, by Peter Darley (The History Press, £20) as featured on the itself racial discrimination. Central Scotland centre pages of the January I anticipate that ASLEF will deservedly Journal . Buy it direct from the receive many protests in various forms from Ah, many happy memories Camden Railway Heritage Trust at a discounted its membership, because of its support for price of £15 inc p&p; email [email protected] or BLM and the taking a knee travesty that goes I have just read this month’s Locomotive phone 020 7586 6632 for details. ‘All income from with it. Journal and the article by Shekhar Bhatia, the sales goes to the trust,’ says Peter. RA Sargeant , RMS, Derby reporter who followed West Ham United, struck a chord. I, too, used to follow them, HANDMADE miniature especially back in the Moore, Hurst, Peters era driver’s keys to wear as a charm Mick says: ‘BlM is not a racist movement. or round the neck. Solid silver it’s an anti-racist movement. And, as a when they seemed super players, no adverts and solid 9ct gold weighing matter of fact, it existed before the killing for betting all over their shirts, and generally approximately 7 grams. Just over 2cm in length of George Floyd. Those of us who say that just a better time in many, but not all, and just under 2cm width. Gold £300, silver £100 + black lives matter are clearly not respects. I live too far now to go to their £7 p&p recorded delivery. Contact Brad McCarthy condoning black on black, or black on games, but still watch out for their results. on 07929 350146. white, criminality. That suggestion is Once a Hammer, always a Hammer. It was quite a nostalgic read, which I enjoyed very CASH paid for original pre 90s absurd. And taking a knee is not a travesty, railway photographic slides or but a gesture of support and solidarity.’ much. Thank you, Shekhar. He was right, it negatives. Please contact GBRf was a wonderful sight to see Bobby lifting the Tonbridge driver (and railwayana collector) John World Cup. I was in Freshwater on the Isle of Waddington at [email protected] He was far from innocent Wight on a family holiday with my parents, I have to take issue with your piece on George aged nine. Happy memories… NORWOOD depot special pin badges Floyd in the Journal . You call him innocent Mick Moloney , Retired Members’ Section including Cowden 25th anniversary. £3 each or £5 the pair (inc p&p). when he was far from innocent. His criminal Proceeds to Norwood Drivers’ Social record – which ranges from armed robbery to Differing points of view Club. Email Stuart Boxall at breaking and entering as well as drug dealing [email protected] – makes grim reading. It leaves a bitter taste Just a quick message to say thank you for in the mouth when someone like him is put printing my letter in the Journal (August). GROVE PARK branch 50th on a pedestal as a martyr when he isn’t. Sincerely, it has given me a sense of pride to anniversary badge. £6.50 inc p&p. know that my union is willing to Contact branch secretary Ray Garland Where is the thought for his victims whose 07931 612615 or [email protected] lives have been affected by his crimes? The accommodate differing viewpoints. Also, way he was treated by the police – and Derek please pass my thanks on to Mick Whelan. I AIRDRIE has produced a badge to Chauvin in particular – was unacceptable and really appreciate him taking the time to commemorate its reopening as a points to a wider problem within their respond to my letter. separate branch. £6.50 inc p&p. Please contact branch chair Ivan Wilson organisation which needs to be addressed Luke Brennan , Luton (07949 862393) for details. but he has been arrested and he will be rightly prosecuted for it. The Lone Arranger PERTH branch badge to Lee McCombe , Edge Hill I went to the bank the other day to see if I commemorate 110 years (1908- 2018). £6 plus £1 p&p. Cheques could borrow some money. The assistant payable to Perth branch ASLEF No Defiant issues and images pointed to a chap behind a desk in the corner 134 General. Please contact branch and said, ‘Speak to him. He’s the loan arranger.’ The August Journal is a great issue – secretary Grant Murchie for details on 07412 So I asked, ‘Is that why he’s wearing a mask?’! especially in terms of the defiant images re 453454 or [email protected] Mel ‘Tonto’ Thorley , RMS Longsight Black Lives Matter, etc. BUXTON & PEAK FOREST 125 Gregor Gall , Glasgow University years limited edition badge 1892- 2017. £6 plus £1 p&p from branch Making a stand BRITISH RAIL TRAIN secretary Paul Costello; email CREW MANUALS [email protected] Brilliant last edition, really well done. 33056 SERIES Daniel Bound , Norwood Junction 147 WANTED for my PROFESSIONAL ENGRAVING at personal collection. sensible prices. I can engrave anything you wish, such as the ASLEF logo on A citizen’s right to food Good price paid for the pint tankard. Contact Paul Potts by I have launched a Member’s Bill in the all wanted manuals. email at [email protected] Scottish Parliament which aims to enshrine a email Tony To place an advertisement please phone right to food in Scots law. The bill is out for Middleton, GBRf driver, at [email protected] 020 7324 2400 or send an email to consultation, with a closing date of 15 [email protected] September.

September 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 21 last Word

Drink of Betty Stogs and Doom Bar, eat your pasties from a bag

BERNARD KENNEDY , Bristol 036 branch secretary, reflects on the life of Bernard Mugridge, a proud Cornishman with a penchant for pasties, who drove the last steam hauled passenger train, and the first DMU, over the beautiful branch line from Callington to Bere Alston via Gunnislake and Calstock

ERNARD Mugridge, one of Bristol Bath Road’s Cornish drivers, has died B at the age of 95. He came to Bristol in 1966, on redundancy, emigrating from one of Bernard Cornwall’s most interesting, and picturesque, Mugridge branch lines along the beautiful Tamar Valley. 1925-2020: When Bernard left school he worked for a suited and while on the land but, because of his youthful booted (far ambition to become an engine driver, he left); on the became an engine cleaner with the Southern footplate of Railway at Plymouth Friary depot in December 41321 (above); 1942. and enjoying a Promotion to fireman came quickly, which traditional saw Bernard firing Southern locomotives cornish pasty hauling heavy trains over the tortuous route (left) from Plymouth to Exeter via Okehampton in Devon. This being the highest point of the with 11,148 concrete blocks, each weighing Bernard had the whole of the Southern Railway between one ton, each made on the Devon side of the Waterloo and Plymouth. border river. historical honour of During this time he worked vast numbers driving the last steam of ammunition trains in and out of the FROM BRANCH LINES TO HSTs Ernesettle Ministry of Defence Royal Naval Then came the infamous Beeching slaughter, hauled passenger train munitions depot, which was, during the war, seeing the branch truncated and then closed and the first diesel an exceedingly hazardous job. Plymouth, with between Callington and Gunnislake. But, due its Navy port, was a perpetual target for the to the contours of the Tamar Valley, and multiple unit train Nazis, and the city centre was destroyed by the inadequate road access to Plymouth, as well as over the branch Luftwaffe. a lack of alternative bus services, the line was reprieved between Gunnislake and Bere SHE THREW A SNOWBALL AT HIM Alston and, today, provides a through service and thanks after 48 years of service to Later during the war Bernard transferred as a passenger service via another reprieved the railway industry. fireman to Callington, working on the branch section of the Southern main line from Bere line from Callington to Bere Alston via Alston to Plymouth. EXPERT CORNISH PASTY MAKER Gunnislake and Calstock. On one cold snowy Bernard had the historical honour of But despite moving to a big depot in a big city, winter day, his train stopped at Gunnislake, driving the last steam hauled passenger train Bern never learned to drive (or owned) a and an attractive young lady threw a snowball and the first diesel multiple unit train over the ‘motor car. He loved his Cornish pasties and at him. On completion of his turn at Callington, branch. was an expert at making them, a top class Bernard motorcycled back to Gunnislake to try Following the closure of the depot at gardener, growing all his own vegetables, and to find her. And he did. They got together, she Callington, and on being made redundant, a lover of flowers. A colleague said of Bernard, became the love of his life, and, reader, he Bernard transferred to Bristol Bath Road depot, ‘if he planted a broom handle in the garden, married her! having to learn 15-plus types of diesels plus he’d make it grow!’ They had three lovely daughters and, when the new high speed trains. His wife assisted in Bernard was laid to rest alongside his wife, the children were small, Bernard would ride his the evenings in the learning process, as she who pre-deceased him, on 11 June, in the motorbike about with his wife and two of his knew as much as he did about the new cemetery at Gunnislake in Corn’wall which daughters on board (no sidecar) in the area, as traction, as many wives did in those days. Then backs onto, and looks over, the railway line, there were not many cars about in those days. came learning the road, four routes to London, being just 200 yards from the station. The halfway point on the ten mile branch plus routes to Derby, Plymouth, Hereford, Today’s railwaymen and women played line was Gunnislake, but the most important Cardiff, and Portsmouth; quite an achievement their part, at the family’s request, with drivers architectural feature was where the line for a small branch line driver! on passing trains sounding their horns, crossed Calstock’s magnificent and impressive Known to everyone as Bern, he was truly providing a salute and token of respect to 12 arch viaduct over the River Tamar. Opened one of nature’s gentlemen, with a superb Bernard and his family, which was greatly to traffic in 1908, standing 120ft high, with personality. He retired in 1990 and was appreciated by his three daughters and all the gradients each side of 1:37 and 1:39, and built extremely proud of his certificate of long mourners present.

22 The ASLEF Journal l September 2020 Across down on Track Prize crossword 1 Cigarette seller 1 Dessert with cream 7 Fail to hit and sherry crossword 173 by Tom Williams 8 Greyhound-like 2 Small French dog restaurant-bar A city where 9 Beverage 3 Scaredycat or 10 Identical in size yellow-belly anything goes 11 Ranked between 4 Oily fruit first and third 5 Confine stray pets 13 Nice to hug and in an enclosure UNNY to think that Michael snuggle up to 6 Utterly and entirely Portillo was once touted as 16 Sombrero edges 11 Day of religious F the next but one 18 The sheltered side observance Conservative Party leader and a future 19 Clothing 12 Fast sailing boat Prime Minister. He was elected to 20 Delta river of 13 Basement Parliament in 1984, at 31, as a fervent north-east Africa 14 Make soaking wet (and Eurosceptic) admirer of Margaret 21 Admiration of 15 Lounge idly about Thatcher, and quickly became the great men (4-7) 17 Drinks tube ‘darling of the right’ as a competent, and media-savvy, junior minister under Thatcher and John Major. But it all went a bit Pete Tong when Solution to crossword 172 he unexpectedly lost the safe seat of Name...... Across: 1 Husband 5 Fast 7 Rug 8 Bull’s-eye Enfield Southgate in 1997 – that 9 Paper 10 Acid 13 Lido 14 Push 18 Toga famous ‘Portillo moment’ when, in 19 Wages 21 Pressure 22 Nab 23 Eyes Address...... surprise, Stephen Twigg rolled his 24 Resolve down: 1 Hornpipe 2 Signpost eyes – and although he sat for 3 Auburn 4 Dollar 5 Fossil 6 Soya 11 Diagonal Kensington & Chelsea from 1999 to 12 Possible 15 Houses 16 Jaguar 17 Sweets ...... 2005 and was Shadow Chancellor 20 Grey under William Hague, Portillo’s future, in politics, was behind him...... Congratulations to Hannah Which is why he reinvented o’Mahony , of chorley , himself, successfully, as a television lancashire , who was last month’s ...... presenter, mostly of programmes winner. The winner of this month’s about the railways. Great Continental Prize Crossword will receive Marks & Railway Journeys (BBC2) a six-part ...... Spencer vouchers to the value of £25 series from 29 July to 2 September, was filmed before the lockdown, You can see more of Tom Williams’s l Postcode...... using a Bradshaw’s Guide from 1936. crosswords, word games and puzzles at wordgames.co.uk

If you successfully complete this month’s Prize Crossword please send the solution by post to the Editor, ASLEF Journal , 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN (or take a photo on your mobile phone of the grid and send the image to [email protected]) by Friday 11 September

MP: ‘i’m sitting in the railway station, ASLEF’s legal services got a ticket to my destination’ Have you been sacked, or are in trouble at work, and cannot get hold of ‘We begin in Spain and go to your branch secretary, local representative or district organiser in an Salamanca, where my socialist father emergency? call our industrial relations department on 020 7324 2400 was teaching. Luckily, he was not there on the day of Franco’s uprising. (9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday or 9am to 4pm on Friday) or leave a I get presented with my father’s Anti- message on the answer service, or email [email protected] with a subject Fascist Intellectuals membership card heading of ‘For the attention of the and am given a tour of the trenches industrial relations dept’. with George Orwell’s son; it is fascinating and, for me, emotional. ‘In Germany I interview a burlesque dancer and talk about the changed your address? Please let us know! Just fill in this form city of Cabaret and Sally Bowles and the writings of Christopher Name...... Isherwood. We look at how, before the Nazis took over, Berlin had this terrific Address...... gay and lesbian scene and was a place where anything went!’ ...... He’s mellowed, has Michael, is no Postcode ...... Telephone...... longer so trenchant in his views, and is an entertaining companion. And he Branch...... Membership No...... does love trains… Please return coupon to: ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN Keith Richmond

September 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 23