L A N R U O ASLEFThe ASSOCIATED SOCIETY of LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS & FIREMEN J JULY 2016 Weller puts Viva D train toY the tes t Viva el Tube - the new D train on test CONRAD LANDIN lifts the lid on undercover cops MICK HOLLAND remembers Barrow Hill in 1984 LES BENNETT on life as a Hi-De-Hi yellowcoat Andrew Hourigan: Gregor Gall: 7 ways to The train drivers’ courage at Jarama make workplace better union since 1880 railway enginemen’s tax free saver plans you can save for your future for the cost of your TV sports package tax free policies from £5 per week products saver plan children’s saver plan saver and disability plan 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 Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority & the Prudential Regulation Authority Incorporated under the Friendly Societies Act 1992 L A N 6 R 1 0 U 2 Y L O U J Published by the AASLEFSSOCIATED SOCIETY of LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS & FIREMEN J Union debates were dignified and data-based Tactics demeaned our democracy HE EU referendum – and the long 6 7 campaign to 23 June – is finally over but, T having been at the eye of the storm, as one of the few unions which declared for out – of the EU, not Europe, there is a difference – I have to News say I was disappointed by the tactics employed by politicians. Every debate, discussion, rally or forum Tories say GTR 'is taking us for a ride' 4 I attended that was organised by trade unions or civil society was dignified, data-based, and often Trade union activists are not to be spied on 5 conducted with great humour. But the fear tactics Laser louts target trains as well as planes 6 and misinformation propagated by the right-wing press, and both sides of the Tory Party, as well as The GS on keeping Britain’s railway safe 7 that horrendous UKIP poster, demeaned our John McDonnell briefs ASLEF on economy 8 8 democracy. The disenfranchising of 1 million young people by the government in an attempt to keep the Tories in power is a farce while £9 million of Features taxpayers’ money to place a leaflet putting one side of the EU debate through every household is, Conrad Landin lifts the lid on the sordid 10 apparently, not a sign of bias. The referendum activities of Britain’s undercover cops should have been about where a better future lies for Britain. Shame, then, it cannot be measured Mick Holland on his time as a second man 11 that way. at Barrow Hill during the miners’ strike The dirty tactics employed by GTR Southern, ASLEF’S AGS Simon Weller tests Viva 12-13 which are a matter of public record, taking away Rail’s new D train in Warwickshire colleagues’ terms and conditions, and encouraging them to go against their union, has resulted in a Gregor Gall’s magnificent 7 ideas for 14 12-13 letter from the RMT general secretary thanking our making life in the workplace better members for allowing them to park at their homes Key Worker: Les Bennett on life as a 15 and giving them lifts when the company removes DJ, yellowcoat and stand-up comic staff travel and car parking from them. The government has not removed the contract from GTR despite it being in default, and its ever- increasing failures. David Brown, the boss, has had Regulars his pay packet increased to £2 million which is Branch News and 100 Years of Union 16-17 more than the company pays in performance penalties and Claire Perry, the Rail Minister, has Obituaries 19 taken to quoting our members’ comments, from Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21 conference, as DfT officials declare war on us. They created this problem: it’s not really about DOO, it’s Last Word: Andrew Hourigan on the 22 about dwell times; when will they ever tell the courage of the International Brigades truth? There are politicians of all parties I respect, and Food & Drink, Prize Crossword, ASLEF’s 23 22 get on with, regardless of our differences, and Legal Services and Change of Address access to constituency MPs is the cornerstone of our democracy and must be maintained. Abuse, threats and violence to any elected official cannot The ASLEF Journal is published every month by: be condoned. We send our condolences to the ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN Tel: 020 7324 2400 family and friends of Jo Cox who enriched our Parliament and touched many lives locally, email: [email protected] website: www.aslef.org.uk nationally and internationally. Yours fraternally EDITOR Mick Whelan l DESIGNER Michael Cronin l PRINTER TU Ink, 107 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2AB ADVERTISING Ten Alps, Portland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5BH. Contact Edwin Rodrigues on Mick Whelan, general secretary 0207 657 1819 or [email protected] l CLASSIFIED ADS [email protected] or call 020 7324 2400 The acceptance of an advert does not necessarily imply endorsement of that product or service by ASLEF CHANGE OF ADDRESS Please post your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN July 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 3 News Perry under pressure as Tories correct, of course – say ‘GTR is taking us for a ride’ was just what ASLEF and the RMT have been saying. They Ps grilled Southern Rail little about the effect on subsequently bosses at Westminster passengers. Train companies get a deleted the tweet, M amid mounting anger franchise to deliver passengers leading passengers over delays and cancellations. from A to B, and clearly Southern to complain about They laid into Southern’s ‘hapless’ are not doing it. I think they are The original censorship. management and the company’s taking passengers for a ride, damning tweet (left) ‘Southern are ‘unacceptable’ performance. unfortunately not literally.’ and the censored losing the plot,’ said Tim Loughton, Conservative Southern, a brand name used version (above) AGS Simon Weller. MP for East Worthing & Shoreham, by Govia Thamelink Railway, runs ‘It begs the said: ‘They are doing a rubbish job, train services from Sussex and Southern got in about delays: ‘With question, if trains and need to get their act together. Kent into London, as well as trouble when, on its longer units drivers are being short- We had loads of excuses but very regional services in the south of official are not able to see formed for safety, England. They have come under SouthernRailUK the full lenth [sic] of because of lack of fire for severe delays, Twitter account, a the train and are guards, why are Female passengers are cancellations and trains skipping customer services unable to dispath they hell bent on concerned for their safety if stations. Only half its services manager admitted, [sic] safely.’ Senior imposing 12 car guards are removed from arrived on time in April, in answer to a managers realised DOO?’ trains, according to an significantly lower than the customer’s query this admission – independent poll conducted national average of 91.3%. by Opinium. More than 80% Passengers have called on the DfT of women said they were to strip GTR of its franchise before continue to pressure Rail Minister called on GTR to halt planned worried about travelling on it expires in 2021. Claire Perry to sort this out.’ changes changes to staff in a bid trains that no longer had Maria Caulfield, Conservative Caroline Ansell, Conservative MP to spare rail passengers more guards on board. Passengers MP for Lewes, said: ‘We need for Eastbourne & Willingdon, misery. complain train companies are immediate action. This was made ‘pumping up profits’ at the very clear to GTR and I will expense of passenger safety. TWEETS OF THE MONTH Ex-miner, 77, stabbed trying to save Jo Fierce the beacon Cox is heroic. We’d all like to help. He tried. Get well soon, mate. Kevin Maguire light is flaming In the name of Jo we should all join the fight against hatred. Nigel Nelson DAVID gOULD reports from the Welsh TUC held in Llandudno Man missing for 5 years found on delayed Southern Rail train. ASLEF had a successful Welsh TUC with Ian Brighton Gazelle Thompson, Treherbert, and DO7 Brian Corbett making up ASLEF’s delegation. We submitted two motions. One on the steel crisis and the PUNCHING ABOVE OUR WEIGHT effect it will have on rail freight, composited ASLEF is now very well represented on the into a general council statement ‘that a TUC’s equality committees. Debbie Reay (D8) significant reduction in the amount of steel has a general seat and Jackie Hart (D5) an carried on rail will lead to the loss of many rail LGBT seat on the women’s committee; Darran industry jobs, a loss of rail freight capacity, and Brown (D3) a general seat and James an irrevocable decline in rail freight traffic in Sutherland (D3) a young members’ seat on Wales.’ The second was on infrastructure and fringe on the EU referendum, explaining the the LGBT committee; Floyd Doyle (D5) a seat was moved by Bro Thompson. Ian explained left-wing case for leaving alongside BFAWU GS on the TUC black workers’ committee; and the need for greater infrastructure to boost the Ronnie Draper. ASLEF has a significant voice at Paul Patmore (D2) a seat on the STUC black Welsh economy and create jobs.