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
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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.
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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. Outside the the Welsh TUC, helped by the re-election of workers’ committee. ‘For a small union, ASLEF conference room, Brian took part in a lively Ian to the general council. is extremely well represented within the TUC equality structures,’ said Lee James, ASLEF’s WE TAKE THE LOADS FROM OFF THE ROADS equalities adviser. ASLEF has urged the Labour Party to renationalise the rail freight sector. We made our call in response to the party’s policy review. GS Mick Whelan said: ‘Labour must renationalise the rail EU WON’T STOP LABOUR freight sector to ensure a strategic long-term approach to the sector underpinned by Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn has investment. Rail freight is in crisis and I fear for the vital role that freight plays in maintaining rejected claims that staying in the EU and renewing the whole rail network. Renationalising rail freight will stabilise the industry prevents a future Labour government from and bring tremendous economic, social and environmental benefits.’ bringing Britain’s railways back into public ownership. ‘I have looked carefully at this,’ he KINg OF SCOTLAND said. ‘It doesn’t stop us doing what we want Kevin Lindsay has been re-elected as District 2 Organiser. He tweeted: ‘Delighted I have been to do. It does allow for the direct awarding of re-elected unopposed as ASLEF District Organiser in Scotland again. Thanks to all the contracts which we seek to do if we win the members for their support. #proud.’ election in 2020.’
4 The ASLEF Journal l July 2016 News
added: ‘There is clear Big Brother is evidence that monitoring was used Off the rails for unjustified watching you political and commercial reasons, TONY gARNETT , the breaching privacy ABOUR has producer behind such film and basic human secured a and television classics as Up L rights.’ ‘historic’ the Junction , Cathy Come Paul Nowak, TUC commitment from Home , Kes , The Enemy Within deputy general the government to and The Price of Coal , was secretary, said: ‘We protect trade unions kind enough to allow us to are pleased these from new spying use the iconic image from Kes proposals have been powers and prevent of Billy Casper (played by David Bradley) giving a V-sign to Not now, he’s not dropped, following a a repeat of the the world for our popular anti-Trade Union Bill tee-shirt. sustained campaign blacklisting scandal. snooping powers. The picture, used on the poster to promote the film, and on by unions and Robert Buckland, the Shadow Home the paperback tie-in of Barry Hines’s novel A Kestrel for a opposition MPs. Solicitor General, says Secretary Andy Knave , was one of the most striking of the 1960s. EC State-sponsored the government has Burnham hailed the president Tosh McDonald was wearing the tee-shirt at With surveillance of trade accepted four Labour decision as a ‘historic Banners Held High, a day-long event in Wakefield to mark unions has no role in amendments to add move [to] improve the 1984-85 miners’ strike, when he bumped into Tony, a modern democracy privacy safeguards to the governance of who told him that ads for the film featuring the film still like ours.’ the Investigatory our country.’ He were banned by London Underground as ‘too provocative’. Powers Bill including Tosh cheered him up by telling Tony that lots of ASLEF a pledge that trade QUOTE … members now take the Tube wearing the Kes tee-shirt. union activities will ‘An old world is dying and the new one never again be is taking a long time to appear.’ – IF YOU HAVE TEARS , considered a Antonio gramsci prepare to shed them now. sufficient reason to …UNQUOTE The Federation of sanction the use of Professional Railway Staff – or, as EC5 Howard Kaye refers to them, the Federation of Born in the USA Professional Railway Scabs – is no more. 'But how can you Muhammad Ali, the call-up papers, tell?' asks one wag. The breakaway union, set up in 1983, Louisville Lip, saying: ‘Man, I ain’t was never a serious player in the rail industry, quickly famously called got no quarrel with pushed to the periphery, even by the bosses, and has long himself ‘the greatest’ the Vietcong. Why been as dormant as a dodo. The vast majority of railway and delivered. He should they ask me workers could see that the FPRS position – begging for wasn’t just the most to go 10,000 miles scraps at the feet of the iron masters – was risible. Now, dazzling heavyweight from home and drop though, Lester Fuller, its last national secretary, has packed boxer anyone had bombs and bullets up his tent. The FPRS was officially wound up on 8 April. Wags suggested it should have been a week earlier and ever seen, but one of on brown people ‘Float like a Howard dryly tweeted: ‘I know you will all shed a tear at the the most irresistible while so-called butterfly, sting like a demise of the scabs…’ personalities of the Negro people in bee. The hands can’t post-war period. In Louisville are treated hit what the eyes 1966 he sent back his like dogs?’ can’t see.’ ELLIOTT JOHNSON , a Conservative Party activist who said he was badly bullied by ‘Tatler Tory’ Mark Clarke, TfL TOP BRASS are under fire after splashing out on a lavish black committed suicide on a railway line at tie dinner at the RAF club in Piccadilly to celebrate closing ticket Sandy in Bedfordshire in September, offices and making Underground staff redundant. Bosses boasted: the coroner Tom Osborne has ruled. Elliott was later fired ‘All 289 ticket offices were closed, within budget, in an immense from his job with Conservative Way Forward. Elliott’s father team effort. Well done, team!’ Ray Johnson, speaking at the inquest, blamed Clarke; and CWF chief executive Paul Abbott admitted that Clarke had CONFERENCES ‘bullied and intimidated several activists, including Elliott.’ The Matchwomen’s festival is at Nambucca, north London, on Prime Minister David Cameron has ordered an inquiry into Saturday 2 July. The Durham Miners’ Gala is on Saturday 9 July. The what is said to be a culture of bullying at the heart of the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ festival , near Dorchester, is from Friday 15 to Conservative Party. Sunday 17 July. The Trades Union Congress is at the Brighton Centre from Sunday 11 to Wednesday 14 September. The Labour Party ALISON MOYET took to Twitter to conference is at the BT convention centre in Liverpool from Sunday 25 back ASLEF and the RMT in the to Wednesday 28 September. bitter DOO dispute with GTR. ‘I see no benefit to customers and indeed TfL eventually – two months after ASLEF revealed the real hazard removing conductors starting date – announced on 23 May that the Night Tube will from Govia Thameslink Railway begin running on Friday 19 August. Initially, as Mystic Meg services. Safety before profit. Support the unions.’ (DO8 Finn Brennan) predicted, on the Central and Victoria lines; with the Piccadilly, Jubilee and Northern to follow. 500 CLUB : R Cooper, with number 141, won the June draw, scooping the RMS prize money jackpot of £374.
July 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 5 News
ASLEF there were 68 laser attacks EC7 Andy Hudd said: ‘We need The British Airline Pilots’ on trains and drivers reported in to know more about what is Association has been campaigning Laser louts 2014 and 50 in 2015. So far, in 2016, actually happening, so drivers who against laser pens – 1,439 incidents MICK HOLDER of ASLEF’s there have been 12. While we are are attacked should let our health of laser attacks on aircraft were unaware of any personal injury and safety department know of any reported to the Civil Aviation health and safety claims being taken by drivers incidents and injuries. It is also vital Authority last year – and GS Mick department reveals the scale following a laser attack we suspect that drivers follow safety of the line Whelan said: ‘We have given our of laser attacks on trains and that some of these incidents led to incident reporting procedures by support to BALPA’s campaign for drivers – and what you can injury. letting the signaller know after an high-powered laser pens to be do about it A BTP spokesperson said: incident and telling the manager at designated offensive weapons and ‘Deliberately shining a laser pen, or the end of a turn. Signallers must for their possession to be an ASER attacks on airline – pointer, at a train, particularly if a inform BTP.’ offence in law.’ and helicopter – pilots driver is targeted, is extremely L have hit the headlines in dangerous. People shining lasers at recent months, and concerns been trains may not think their actions QUOTE … raised about the vulnerability of are serious, but they are ‘What’s worse than being told you’re going to hell by a complete train drivers to similar attacks. While endangering the safety of train stranger? Being told you’re going to hell by a complete stranger the odd case of a driver has made drivers and passengers with their blocking the entrance to Oxford Circus tube station which, the news, the extent of the actions. We take all reports of this incidentally, bears an uncanny resemblance to the gates of the problem wasn’t fully understood – reckless behaviour very seriously underworld.’ – Isabelle Aron in Time Out until now. and will do all we can to trace those ……UNQUOTE British Transport Police have told responsible.’ Builders cough up for blacklist Britain’s biggest building firms – including Balfour Beatty and McAlpine – have formally apologised to hundreds of trade union activists for putting them on an illegal blacklist and preventing them from earning a living. The firms offered an ‘unreserved and sincere’ apology and agreed to pay £75m to 771 blacklisted workers they persecuted in out of court settlements agreed just before the construction companies were due to face justice. Blacklisted workers celebrated victory outside the High Court in London with Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, who held the first meeting of the Blacklist Support Group in a corridor in Parliament because there was no room available.
Florence Eshalomi, who was elected to the London Assembly for Lambeth & Southwark in May, and who now sits on the GLA’s transport committee, came to Workers ASLEF’s head office on 6 June. celebrate GS Mick Whelan and AGS outside the Simon Weller briefed her on High Court transport issues in the capital. Photos: Mick Holder FREIgHT ON RAIL FALLS 22% MIND THE gAP Freight carried on the national rail network is Art of the matter at its lowest since the miners’ strike of 1984- New S-stock Tube trains – level with the 85. New figures from the Office of Rail and platform for wheelchair access, but which Road reveal that total freight hauled fell from widen the gap at stations with curved 110.5m tonnes in 2014-15 to 86m tonnes in platforms – have been blamed for a 2015-16. Freight on rail reached its peak in dramatic increase in the number of 1988-89 when 149.5m tonnes were carried. passengers falling into the platform gap at London Underground stations. Figures Marz Colombini models reveal 307 incidents last year, three times ASLEF’s Kes tee-shirt – the number before the £1.5 billion walk- with a Harvey Smith to through fleet was brought in on the the Tories’ anti-Trade Metropolitan, Circle, District, and Union Act – based on Hammersmith & City lines. The problem is the iconic image from worst at Baker Street where 52 people fell the famous Ken Loach last year. ‘These figures demonstrate the film. £10 (inc p&p); email SNCF, the French state-owned rail pressure that train drivers and station staff [email protected] or operator, has decked out new trains with are under as overcrowding increases,’ said visit our online shop at recreations of the Palace of Versailles and DO8 Finn Brennan. ‘Without the www.aslef.org.uk masterpieces of Impressionist art from the professionalism of staff many more people Musée d’Orsay. would have been injured, or killed.’
6 The ASLEF Journal l July 2016 News
has been achieved with the active working relationship with trades unions participation of trades unions following and our members.’ Keeping the historic disasters on the railways. ASLEF has Ian Prosser, chief inspector of railways, 277 health and safety reps looking out for said: ‘Our aim of continuing to strive for our 20,000 members, other rail workers, excellence in health and safety railway safe and the travelling public, and their work management is about doing the right has played a big part in achieving the safer things right first time and having a safety ICK WHELAN has welcomed news railway we have today. This flies in the face culture built on collective trust to deliver that Britain’s railways are safer of the negativity coming from the that goal. We want to make Britain’s railway M today than at any time since the government about the role of trades among the very safest in the world. Stockton & Darlington Railway ushered in unions, especially the vicious anti-Trade the railway age nearly 200 years ago. Union Act. We’ve shown how trade unions Figures released by the Office of Rail and help save lives – and it’s time that this was QUOTE … Road reveal that, for the first time in recognised. ‘We are to this government what the history, the railways recorded no industry- ‘If the government really wants to avoid miners were to Thatcher.’ – caused fatalities for the 12 months to April a return to the bad old days of major rail EC president Tosh McDonald 2016. disasters they must keep up investment in …UNQUOTE ‘This is fantastic news,’ said Mick. ‘And rail and maintenance and ensure a good
PASSENgERS WANT PEOPLE Tunnel of love A new survey proves what most people in the rail industry have been saying all year – that The world’s longest, and deepest, railway passengers want people on the network. tunnel opened on 1 June. The 35 mile Passengers want to see staff in ticket offices, twin-bore Gotthard tunnel, which took who can help with queries, rather than banks 17 years to build, and cost £8 billion, of unmanned – and often out of order – offers a high speed rail link between machines at stations, and they want to keep northern and southern Europe under the guards on trains. Swiss Alps between Erstfield and Bodio. A new Transport Focus report on Passenger Swiss President Johann Schneider- Attitudes reveals that passengers worry about Ammann said the tunnel, through which personal security, particularly when there is 260 freight trains and 65 passenger trains not a second member of the train crew on will travel each day, will transform freight board. When asked what would allay their transport on the continent – moving fears, passengers consistently identified staff goods ‘more quickly, more cheaply and presence as the key to a trouble-free journey. more safely’ – and creates a main line The watchdog concludes: ‘The industry connection from Rotterdam in the Freight on rail is quick, clean and cheap says needs to consider how it can best deploy staff Netherlands to Genoa in Italy. Johann Schneider-Ammann across the rail network to meet this need. Cutting staff, either at stations or on the train, runs counter to what passengers actually want Class act and could jeopardise their confidence in their ability to get to their destination safely.’ GS Mick Whelan shared a platform with Faiza Shaheen, director of the Centre for Labour and Social Studies, Tea and coffee tastes Dawn Foster of The Guardian better in a red and white and Olivier Sykes of Liverpool ASLEF mug! Price £3.50 University at the CLASS in central London. Mick ravages of privatisation, (inc p&p); email debate Does the European explained ASLEF’s position deindustrialisation and the [email protected] or visit our online Union Work for Working-Class that the EU has failed to rest of the failed neoliberal shop at www.aslef.org.uk People? at Unite’s head office protect workers from the agenda.
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July 2016 l The ASLEF Jour n al 7 News
sadness, defiance and anxiety from the 60 Transport Europe campaign which raises a Euro vision for delegates of affiliated unions. set of demands to advance public transport Christina Tilling, the ETF’s political and workers’ rights throughout the secretary, spoke about achievements in continent. This is a European citizens’ women at work gender equality and offered examples of initiative and, if it gets 1 million signatures by how different working conditions are September, will be considered for EU action. NICKY SAPEY reports from the ETF throughout the European transport industry. There was a workshop where I had the women’s conference in Bucharest In the afternoon we had a session on opportunity to explain the work taking place training in the workplace, including subjects in the UK with Women in Rail and Inspiring IGEL GIBSON, the District 5 such as empowering women, bargaining Women. We also discussed how we could Organiser, and I had the pleasure of machinery and negotiating. We discussed engage more women and improve the N attending the European Transport violence in the workplace against women, demographic in the workplace. The president Federation’s women conference in bullying and harassment. The ETF plans to of the ATU, the Romanian transport union, Bucharest, the capital of Romania, on 12 and step up campaigning on this issue, including funded a lovely evening dinner which we 13 April. Conference opened with a minute’s drafting a template policy and developing a thoroughly enjoyed. Next morning, with silence in memory of the victims of the training module because it is important to somewhat fragile heads, we had the terrorist attacks in Brussels and a day of turn plans into action. feedback session on the workshops before mourning was characterised by a display of There was a presentation about the Fair travelling home! It’s the Val aims to get London economy, Transport stupid back on track Val’s John McDonnell, the Shadow (almost) Chancellor, Labour MP for Hayes & in the Harlington, and a long-standing driving friend of the trade union seat now movement, has been to head office to talk informally to ASLEF’s executive committee about GS Mick Whelan has welcomed Labour’s economic policy. the appointment of Val It was the American political Shawcross as Deputy Mayor for strategist James Carville who Transport in London. Val, a coined the phrase ‘It’s the former London Assembly economy, stupid’ when he was Member, joins Sadiq Khan’s team running Bill Clinton’s successful at City Hall to try and get the presidential campaign against the John McDonnell addresses the EC (top left); poses for a piccie with capital’s public transport system incumbent, George Bush, in the Andys Hourigan and Hudd, Marz Colombini, Hugh Bradley and back on track. US election of 1992. It was voters’ Howard Kaye (above); and picks up a commemorative plate for his ‘We know Val well and we reluctance to trust Labour – under troubles from Marz (top right) know just what a good job she is Eds Miliband and Balls – on the going to do,’ said Mick. ‘It’s a economy that largely led to the Colombini, who chaired the ASLEF business. ‘John knows what great appointment by Sadiq and general election defeat in May last meeting as EC president Tosh he wants to do, where he wants to shows he is determined to year and John was at pains to McDonald and vice-president go, and what he has to do to get deliver on his campaign point out that he is determined to Dave Calfe were both away on there,’ said EC5 Howard Kaye. promises to do something about rebuild the electorate’s trust in the transport and housing in party before the next election in London. At last London has a 2020. QUOTE… mayor, and now a deputy mayor The EC was hugely impressed ‘If we don’t have a project that glimpses the future, and for transport, who will work with by John, who talked eloquently, captures the ambitions and hopes of a generation, it doesn’t us, rather than against us, to authoritatively, and without notes, much matter who is leading the party because we’re not going deliver for passengers and give for an hour and a half. ‘He has the to win.’ – Keir Starmer in The guardian Londoners the transport system ability to make complex issues …UNQUOTE a world-class capital city understandable,’ said EC1 Marz deserves.’ Val lives and breathes the AU REVOIR à LA COUCHETTE capital. She was first elected to Our hip, hot and happening black France is saying ‘au revoir’ to la couchette after the the London Assembly at the baseball cap will keep the sun out government, which owns the national rail operator inaugural elections in 2000 and of your eyes. £5 (inc p&p); email SNCF, decided most of the sleeper train services out of represented Lambeth & [email protected] or visit our Paris are too expensive to run. The only remaining Southwark for 16 years. Before online shop at www.aslef.org.uk intercités de nuit will be to Briançon, Rodez, and that she served on Croydon Latour-de-Caro, deemed to be ‘socially necessary’. council from 1994 to 2000.
8 The ASLEF Journal l July 2016 A
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www.thompsons.law.co.uk/aslef Stn ng r Special Report Undercover of the night
CONRAD LANDIN , industrial reporter of the Morning Star , lifts the lid on the sordid – and illegal – activities of Britain’s undercover cops
HERE was nothing immediately suspicious about the letter sent to T union branches and campaign groups by Mark Cassidy in March 1997. Writing on behalf of the Building Worker Group, from an address in Northampton, After the successful Cassidy asked for information about deaths campaign against the on construction sites so the group could start blacklisting of workers it ‘picketing the site and asking the workers to was revealed that, as in stop work. Only by hitting production can we the series Undercover , hope to stop the killings on building sites.’ cops such as John Dines (right), Mark Jenner All very admirable. Except Cassidy wasn’t (top centre) and Mark Kennedy (top right) quite what he seemed. Thirteen years later abused their powers as policemen Mark Cassidy was exposed as undercover police officer Mark Jenner. After training with And although it won’t get the most attention, the Metropolitan Police’s elite Special the targeting of unions is on the menu, too. Demonstration Squad, Cassidy/Jenner was Inquiry chairman Christopher Pitchford has deployed to infiltrate the Colin Roach Centre granted ‘core participant’ status to blacklisted at the heart of social justice campaigns in east builders, who say some entries on the London. Posing as a joiner, Jenner joined the Consulting Association’s illegal blacklist Branch after her half-brother bribed an Irish construction union UCATT. When he (uncovered during a raid on their premises in policeman. CMR had just been appointed to disappeared in 2000, he left a diary packed 2009) clearly came from police files. the board of her family’s construction with the dates of union meetings at the flat of company but was also involved in social his partner Alison – a woman he had deceived TARgETINg OF TRADE UNIONS justice campaigns, and the trade union into a five-year relationship. Campaigners had hoped to see construction movement, and rivals in the family resented bosses from the likes of Sir Robert McAlpine her promotion. Officers wired details of her SEX WAS A PERK OF THE JOB and Carillion forced to take the oath at a movements in London back to Dublin. Jenner was not a rogue agent. The Special separate blacklisting inquiry promised by But Pitchford said she shouldn’t be given an Demonstration Squad, shut down in 2008, Labour – but that fell by the wayside with the official role because her surveillance had not had ten full-time officers infiltrating protest Tories’ victory in the general election last year. been covert, but overt. The same was said for groups and sex with left-wing activists was And with High Court cases on blacklisting now the Green peer Jenny Jones – whose domestic regarded at Scotland Yard as ‘a perk of the job settled, the Pitchford inquiry is the last hope to extremism file has been destroyed, according for the boys.’ Another undercover unit hold conniving bosses to account. to a whisteblower. And though UCATT, the reported directly to the Association of Chief But as the breadth of Jenner’s pursuits FBU and the NUM have been given an official Police Officers. Agents were given new show, this is about more than police assistance role, the National Union of Journalists was identities – often stolen from dead children. with one anti-union database. Peter Francis, a barred in spite of evidence of surveillance of The Met’s policy is to neither confirm nor deny whistleblower who worked alongside Jenner members. details of covert ops and officers’ identities in the SDS, told a meeting at the House of because Britain’s top coppers would like you Commons last year he had spied on members THIRST FOR INFORMATION to think that abuse by SDS officers was just a of Unison, the Fire Brigades Union, the ‘With spies working for private firms there is case of a few bad apples. But whistleblowers Communication Workers Union and the even less oversight, and the scope for abuse is are adamant the work was sanctioned at the National Union of Teachers. even greater,’ says Lisa, one of eight women very highest levels; and Met chief Sir Paul And in June new evidence emerged that deceived into sexual relationships who won an Condon personally thanked undercover another copper, Carlo Neri, attended a protest apology and compensation last year. In officers who supplied intelligence ahead of against the sacking of a rail worker in 2004. February, the food distribution giant one demonstration. Mick Whelan, general secretary of ASLEF, says Wincanton lost a disability discrimination case The SDS’s most shocking tactic – the it shows blacklisting was wider than just brought by one of its workers. The tribunal deception of women into long-term construction. And that shouldn’t be a surprise heard bosses deployed private detectives to relationships – is now common knowledge – why would they stop at one industry? tail the worker trying to show she was thanks to the BBC’s hit drama series Campaigners are concerned about what exaggerating her symptoms. Undercover although Jenner’s partner Alison will be missed. Scotland and Northern Ireland But even this is an old fashioned tactic in an says the series ‘misunderstood the power are outside Pitchford’s remit even though age when workers’ social media accounts are dynamics and sexual politics’ of the there are photos of Met spies on deployment frequently monitored by firms. The old ways undercover mentality. at both. Pitchford’s first preliminary hearing are becoming less useful and more But next year these women will take centre was told that a woman – identified only as accountable but that won’t stymie the thirst stage in a real life drama – a public inquiry. CMR – was put under surveillance by Special for information from those in authority.
10 The ASLEF Journal l July 2016 Platform
Band of brothers After reading Paul Routledge’s ‘excellent article’ on the closure of Kellingley colliery in the Journal in February MICK HOLLAND , an ASLEF member for 38 years, ‘and counting’, recalls his time as a second man at Barrow Hill coal depot during the bitter miners’ strike of 1984-85 STILL have my first ASLEF union badge. It is now 38 years old, not I nearly as shiny as it used to be, but still functional. Blue, white and gold enamel. On the reverse the raised letters read Brothers in Unity. I am proud to own this badge. Only British Rail employees in the footplate line of promotion were graced to join this band of brothers. It was Barrow Hill eastern region, 1978, and I had made the grade. I was train crew. I was ASLEF. Doncaster station, early 1980s, three of us, second men in BR blue, full of it, strutting along the platform. Coming towards us, in a grey anorak and black peak hat, the president of the National Union of Mineworkers, Arthur Scargill, who raises his hand and speaks. ‘Hello, my comrades,’ he says as we pass. I think it’s funny, and laugh, but how very right he was.
BANNERS OFF BRIDgES 1984-85. The miners’ strike. ASLEF commits to standing side by side with the NUM. I am pleased and proud. Both unions have strong working-class roots with a long history of The Tory government, under Margaret fighting for a just cause. Action by ASLEF Thatcher, was determined to smash the ensures no movement of coal by rail from miners, long seen as the vanguard of the pithead to power station, or any movement of labour movement in Britain imported coal. Overhead bridges on colliery branch lines of young men, shorts, trainers, t-shirts, or bare- become official picket lines, banners are hung chested in the hot sun. Then came the off bridges, with hand painted signs on bridge shouting, the blind panic and fear, and a call to buttresses. We stand there for hours on a run. The police were coming hard, looking to throbbing Class 47 with 30 empty MGR fight, and very soon they were. wagons. A line of mounted police on the biggest The miners love us. I love what we are horses I have ever seen, full riot gear, helmets, doing. All my friends and family are miners. visors, body armour, some with shields, all Three generations of mining coal is in my with big, big sticks. We ran, we scattered, we family blood, all work down the pit, all except headed for the trees. I didn’t know I could run me. I shift the stuff. that fast or be that scared. Not this year, though. All throughout that bitter strike, no coal, coke, slack, coalite or THE BATTLE OF ORgREAVE imports were moved by any Barrow Hill train The bloody battle of Orgreave’s coking plant crew. was a turning point for all who were there. We No work. We stayed at home. I was out were working-class lads, showing solidarity, every day with my mates on the NUM picket out there to defend our jobs, our heritage, our lines. Shouting, singing, chanting, shoving, communities, and our way of life. swearing, fighting, running, winning, losing. Then the police came. I saw them later on I think I know him. I know I met him. 8 June Worst time of our young lives and the best TV, a long line of bobbies, clapping and 1984. time of all. cheering the returning mounted charge. They At the end of the strike, the miners lose. We I have lots more badges now. NUM, strike were so ’kin proud of themselves that day. all lose, it’s the beginning of the end for Old badges, area badges, colliery badges and, My commemorative Orgreave badge is one King Coal. It’s the end of an era and the end of later, a commemorative Orgreave badge. I of a limited edition. It is black and silver, a myth that the good guys always win, but I remember Orgreave on a hot sunny afternoon embossed with a police officer in full riot gear remember that, in that period of time, and for when the police came. and helmet, swinging a large baton over his that moment in history, both ASLEF and the We were playing cricket, knockabout team head. NUM truly were Brothers in Unity.
July 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 11 Agenda YOU MUST TAKE THE D TO GO TO SUGAR HILL
Adrian Shooter, former boss of Chiltern ‘Clever use of space and high quality interiors Railways, thinks he has the answer to will be appreciated by commuters and Britain’s Pacer problem. He’s turning old recreational users alike. From tourist routes District line Tube trains into modern across Cornwall to intra-city lines in Coventry, the D train can be configured to suit every type of rolling stock for short commuter routes, passenger.’ branch lines and tourist hops. AgS Simon It is, he argues, a low cost – and Weller and KEITH RICHMOND went to the environmentally-friendly – solution. ‘The D train Vivarail test track in Warwickshire to see is affordable because of the sensible re-use of if the hope lives up to the hype excellent parts from old District line stock – the reliable D78s – with nearly-new bogies, only HE problem is well known, well between eight and ten years old and still documented, and well understood. The available in the Bombardier catalogue, T answer, as it often is in the transport combined with a corrosion-free aluminium body industry, is harder to divine. The problem is what shell which has three immediate benefits – low to do about Britain’s ageing fleet of Pacers – the cost, low carbon, and quick build.’ Class 140, 141, 142, 143 and 144 diesel rail buses Essentially the old D78s are taken apart and – built between 1980 and 1987 as a short term totally rebuilt. What’s left from the old District solution to a shortage of rolling stock on Britain’s line Tube train is the body shell, the bogies and suburban railways. the traction motors but pretty much everything No one likes these trains – derided by drivers, else is new, to main line spec. It is, though, a passengers, and politicians as ‘cattle trucks’ – but cheap – although they prefer the phrase ‘low the problem is how to replace them. The DfT, cost’ in the way BMW dealers like to use ‘pre- low on imagination, thinks that by moving this owned’ rather than ‘second hand’ to describe the perennially unpopular rolling stock around the older vehicles on their forecourt – and attractive Simon Weller and Adrian Shooter with Vivarail’s country they solve, rather than shift, the alternative which has had many a TOC beating a new D train (above right); the AGS in the problem. The RoSCos have been dragging their path to his door. driving seat (far right); and the crash test that heels. And the TOCs, as ever, look to blame ‘Train companies, when making franchise shows the D train is safe anyone other than themselves. bids, have been asked to increase services, to Now, though, Adrian Shooter, a rail industry reduce crowding, while keeping costs down. The technology centre, near the village of Long veteran, has plans to solve the Pacer problem D train ticks all the boxes in the DfT’s invitations Marston, the other side of Stratford-upon-Avon, with his ‘new’ diesel multiple unit D train; ‘new’ to tender.’ between the birthplace of the Bard and because the D trains are refurbished, When Adrian claims the D train is Evesham. It’s a long way, metaphorically if not reconditioned London Underground D78 stock ‘technologically advanced and built in Britain to literally, from Longbridge and Birmingham! which saw service on the District line in London. provide an unsurpassed passenger experience’ Here in the beautiful English countryside a ‘Traffic on Britain’s regional railway routes is he’s going a tad over the top. He’s closer to the cluster of small specialist firms nestle beside a growing, and growing very quickly, but suitable mark when he adds, ‘It’s the perfect solution for long loop of a test track and what is effectively a rolling stock is in short supply,’ he says. ‘The train operators seeking to provide extra capacity depot or railyard for old Underground trains national diesel multiple unit fleet is fully utilised, while keeping costs to a minimum.’ waiting to be transformed. and many existing trains do not meet Mick Whelan, ASLEF’s general secretary, went Simon gets on board alongside Adrian and passengers’ needs. Electrification is the long to look at a Vivarail prototype last year and some of the Vivarail team and, when we have term solution, but that will take time and, in the assistant general secretary Simon Weller went to completed one lap of the 4 kilometre track, and short term, our D train offers the increased Warwickshire recently to take the D train – it was come to a halt, is invited to get into the driver’s capacity, and the comfort, that passengers actually the A train Ella Fitzgerald took to Harlem seat himself. want.’ – after it passed its safety tests. Simon, who joined BR as a traction trainee in It’s an intriguing idea from a man who knows Vivarail likes to make the most of its position 1987, still has his ticket but admits he’s a little this industry. Adrian, 67, joined British Rail as a in the heart of England by playing up the rusty – he was executive committee member for management trainee in the 1970s. When John engineering infrastructure of the area – saying District 1 before becoming national organiser, Major privatised Britain’s railways he headed up the D train is ‘designed and manufactured in the now AGS, in 2009 – but it didn’t show. Form, as the M40 Trains management buy-out West Midlands, an area renowned for they say, is temporary, but class is permanent consortium which became Chiltern Railways. He engineering expertise but, in recent years, and Simon showed he hasn’t lost his touch. served as chair of both Chiltern and DB Regio blighted by unemployment’ – but the company So what did he think? ‘Clutch is a bit stiff but it and, after retiring in 2011, set up Vivarail in a operates out of what is effectively a field in rural drives fine. I’ve driven a lot worse in my time.’ Yes, field between Evesham and Stratford-upon- Warwickshire. but will it be a runner on the rails? ‘Yes! It’s an Avon in Warwickshire. Simon caught a Chiltern Railways service out interesting idea, and an imaginative way of Adrian is, by background and training, an of Marylebone and was picked up by Adrian at tackling the problems we have. But whether the engineer. But he’s no mean salesman, either. Warwick Parkway, a station he built when he was TOCs will go for it is another matter.’ ‘The D train is a train for everyone,’ he says. running Chiltern. Vivarail is based at Quinton rail The D train is available in a number of
12 The ASLEF Journal l July 2016 Rolling Stock D TRAIN
formations for branch lines, commuter services and tourist routes. But would, probably, be most useful in those parts of Britain where train operators are running two, three or four car operation for journeys of three-quarters of an hour or less. There is support for the project from industry And Huw Merriman, Conservative MP for than the engineer, talking – ‘The low experts and politicians. Paul Salveson, Professor Bexhill & Battle, says: ‘I applaud the initiative to maintenance modular design reduces costs and of Transport at Huddersfield University, says: ‘We try and find a solution to overcrowding on the cuts down on the miles of empty travelling to urgently need better quality trains to replace south coast. We had a productive trip to the and from the depot.’ Pacers and also to provide more capacity for Midlands to view this novel idea. When But he might be on to something. Mick passengers, bikes and luggage – with a good politicians, train companies and passenger Whelan thinks so. ‘I think it’s a really interesting view out and accessible toilets. The D Train groups work together, as we are, there is more idea. And anything that brings down the cost, provides that, at an affordable cost. What is there chance of us finding a solution for passengers.’ without compromising safety, to provide the not to like?’ Adrian is at pains to point out – and this is passengers with a better journey, as well as Anthony Smith of Transport Focus says: ‘The the engineer, rather than the salesman, in him drivers with a better locomotive, has to be trains look promising: cheaper than new, coming out – that the aluminium body shell, welcomed.’ interiors that can be configured in a number of because it weighs less, means the train uses Adrian Shooter thinks so, too. He didn’t buy ways to suit different markets, and are diesel significantly less fuel; that the stop/start engine 200 30-year-old District line trains on a whim, but powered, so could fill the gaps while electric technology means fewer emissions; and that because he thinks the D train offers Britain’s wires are put up, and are designed to be cheap the regenerative braking system saves energy, railways a pragmatic short term solution to the and easy to maintain.’ too. He adds – and this is the salesman, rather problem of the worn-out fleet of Pacers.
July 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 13 Commentary Do you live to work or work to live? gREgOR gALL examines the state of democracy in the workplace in Britain – and has seven magnificent ideas for making our working lives better
VEN without the Tories’ Trade Union Act making things worse, the state of E workplace democracy in Britain is lamentable. Historical experience tells us that not only do we need stronger unions to protect and advance workers’ rights but we also need these rights – and the means to support them – to be enshrined in law so that We’ve had to fight for they cannot easily be ignored, overturned and every right; nothing abolished. Ultimately, this means not just was handed to us on a legislation but being embedded in a plate constitution. Let’s start with some well-known, but operatives. Provided they are not used to seldom fully appreciated, facts. Workers rely on undermine the public sector, and given the wages from their jobs to support adequate financial support, co-operatives can themselves and their families. As a give workers a large degree of control over consequence, they will spend more time in their experience of work (as longstanding their lives working than doing anything else examples in Spain and in Italy show). Worker (apart from sleeping). And, at work, there is no to union recognition and collective bargaining co-operatives are employing organisations election to decide who the manager is and no where a collective (of two or more) workers where all those who work within the co- referendum to decide how the manager runs demand this, regardless of union density. operative are owners of the co-operative and and controls the organisation. [2] The second concerns the right to take thus able to determine what is produced, how On this basis having decent, satisfying, industrial action. It may seem surprising that it is produced and under what conditions it is work where workers can exercise some there is no positive right to strike in Britain. produced. influence over their workplaces should be While unions have the legal privilege not to be [7] Finally, there is tripartism, sometimes something of a human right. Otherwise, sued for loss of business for organising known as corporatism; the joint regulation of workers’ lives are more about living to work industrial action, for workers it is still a (civil) the economy by labour, capital and the state than working to live. breach of employment contract law. through an institution like a National The kind of influence that helps makes jobs [3] The third concerns sectoral collective Economic Development Council. It not only decent and satisfying is not just about getting bargaining. In Germany, employers must underpins each proposal but makes them, better pay and conditions – although that bargain with the appropriate union in each together, more than the sum of their parts. helps. It’s also about having a say over how sector at a regional level. This means workers Without tripartism, the danger is that even if work is organised. Out of this job rotation and in different workplaces of the same company other proposals are integrated, at the highest job enlargement can occur so workers’ jobs are and of different companies can band together level capitalists will undermine them because more interesting and fulfilling. in order that they meet the employers on a their decisions will erode the ability to protect The rub is that decisions about how slightly more equal footing. and advance workers’ interests through the workplaces are run and organised are not just [4] The fourth concerns co- other proposals. made in the workplace. Big decisions are made determination. The case for co-determination There are pros and cons to all the individual by managers much further up the company or rests on the limitations of collective proposals. They should be debated and organisation. That is one of the main reasons bargaining as it has traditionally been best discussed by workers and their unions with a why workplace or industrial democracy must suited to negotiating over terms and viewing to working out what are the most be supplemented and supported by wider conditions of employment. But with worker effective and applicable ones. That done, economic democracy. representatives sitting on the board of thinking must then turn towards how we take We do not need a crystal ball to see into the directors, workers can help pro-actively to steps to achieve their realisation. future and divine what rights, processes and influence the decision making process at the institutions are needed to make such desires a highest level. reality. Nor do we need to be a rocket scientist, [5] The fifth concerns public ownership. Gregor Gall is Professor of Industrial either. Merely by looking at the past in terms Public ownership of key, strategic sectors of Relations at the University of Bradford, of practice and ideas, we can come up with an the economy is vital so not only can the Visiting Lecturer in International Labour array of suitable proposals. workers there have more control but other and Trade Union Studies at Ruskin [1] The first concerns union recognition workers, as citizens, can exert control over the College, Oxford, and a visiting lecturer and collective bargaining. All workers in economy that they are part of. at the University of Hertfordshire workplaces, regardless of size, have the right [6] The sixth concerns worker co-
14 The ASLEF Journal l July 2016 Key Worker
Hi-de-Hi-de-Hi ho-de-ho-de-ho
Les Bennett, a driver with greater Anglia, tells KEITH RICHMOND about his secret past as a Butlin’s yellowcoat – shades of the hit sitcom about Maplin’s – and talks about life and laughs on London’s stand-up comedy circuit
TAND-UP comedy is a lonely gig. If you’re an actor, dancer, or singer, S there are others with whom to share the plaudits and the brickbats. When you’re doing stand-up you’re on your own and, if you die, there’s no place to hide. ‘But when the audience is laughing it’s the greatest feeling in the world,’ says Les Bennett, 52, a driver with Greater Anglia who lives in Harlow, works out of Bishop’s Stortford, and has been doing stand-up for five or six years. Do the holiday rock (clockwise from top left): He walks to the mic and says, dryly, ‘It’s Les on hospital radio; on the wheels of steel killed me, that walk,’ which gets a laugh, as a Butlin’s redcoat; as a yellowcoat with ‘because, obviously, I’m big.’ Then adds: ‘I went swim star Jackie Willmott; doing stand-up at to the doctor, I’m half way through the door the Comedy Café; and the great-uncle after and he says, “You’re overweight,” and I say, whom he was named, Spurs star Les Bennett “Seven years of medical school and that’s the best you can do. I want a second opinion…” and joined West Ham. Les played 26 more matches – scoring three times – for the TITLE-WINNINg TEAM Hammers before finishing his career at Clacton ‘I like observational comedy – things like and Romford. Seinfeld , Curb Your Enthusiasm , The Office and ‘He was a terrific footballer – an integral Jasper Carrott – rather than mother-in-law part of the famous push and run side of the jokes. I was thinking this stuff, and wondered early 1950s – and Dad hoped I would follow in compered competitions, and appeared in the about doing stand-up but thought, no, I’m too his footballing boots but I couldn’t play.’ end of week show – ‘In the chorus line, old, I’ve missed my chance. But Samantha, my because I couldn’t sing or dance’ – and had a girlfriend, said “Give it a go” and I did.’ SUNSHINE HOLIDAY CAMP great time. ‘Sports stars like Peter Osgood, He played his first gig, at the King’s Head in He was brought up in Hornsey – ‘before it David Wilkie, and Jackie Wilmott came down. Crouch End, north London, and hasn’t looked became trendy’ – and when he left school at You had to have a bit of chutzpah – and sit back. ‘The art of a joke is surprise – ‘The wife 16 joined the Post Office, working out of the down with families at breakfast, be happy and ran off with next door. I missed him.’ – and sorting office on Upper Street in Islington. But smiley, six days a week – but people took your when the room laughs, it’s a real high. But if every Wednesday evening he did a show for photo and asked you to sign it.’ you’re not quick enough, you die.’ North Middlesex Hospital radio in Edmonton. ‘I He was young and single and having fun – Les recalls, with a shudder, going down like played Frankie, Dexy’s, and the Human ‘It had its perks!’ – as an entertainer at Butlin’s a lead zeppelin at a club at Rayleigh in Essex. ‘I League. I could have got away with anything hotels in Llandudno, Brighton, Margate and was trying new material, but it bombed. I because no one was listening. It clashed with Scarborough. But when he married – ‘It’s not a rushed it. I was meant to do five minutes and Coronation Street .’ job for a single man’ – he left and became a finished after three and a half. I walked off to Then, working in a pub, he got chatting to a caller at a bingo hall in Scarborough. nothing. Horrible. But when one person guy who used to be a redcoat and went to laughs, it’s contagious.’ Butlin’s head office in Oxford Street for an I'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN THE UNION He likes a club where the audience is close interview. ‘I said “I’m a DJ” and although there Five years later, when his marriage broke up, – ‘you don’t want a chasm between you and were proper singers and dancers there, it was he moved back to London and got a job as a the people you are trying to entertain’ – and really about personality, rather than talent. bus driver with Arriva. Then he saw an advert understands that while a big name such as They wanted people with the gift of the gab.’ for train drivers – ‘I thought if I can drive a bus, I Micky Flanagan can spend five minutes Les got a phone call – ‘It was 1984 and can drive a train, but what they liked was I’d adjusting his belt, ‘When people come to a Spurs had just won the UEFA Cup’ – telling him done shift work’ – joined Wagon and passed club, it’s “Come on, make me laugh”.’ to report for duty at the Sunshine Holiday out in 2002. ‘I’ve always believed in the union. I Les was born at Highgate, north London, in Camp on Hayling Island, part of the Butlin’s was in the T&G when I was on the buses, and I 1964 and named after his great-uncle Leslie, a empire. Remember Hi-De-Hi , the hit BBC joined ASLEF when I joined the railway. I’m not stylish inside-right with the title-winning sitcom, written by Jimmy Perry, who’d been a sure the newer drivers realise they only have a Tottenham team of 1950-51. The first Leslie redcoat at Butlin’s, and David Croft, the team good job because of the union.’ Bennett joined Spurs after the Second World behind Dad’s Army , It Ain’t Half Hot Mum and Les is still entertaining people – ‘They War – he served with the Devonshires in India, You Rang M’Lord ? encourage us to put a bit more into our Burma and Egypt – and scored 124 league and ‘They put you up in a chalet, you got three announcements these days, though you have cup goals in 294 appearances from 1946 to meals a day, and paid £48 a week. And you to be careful’ – but keeps his best lines for his 1954 when he made the move to east London didn’t have to buy a drink.’ He called the bingo, stand-up routine. Catch him if you can…
July 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 15 Branch News
So long, Upcoming events farewell Paddington’s May meeting was a CRICKLEWOOD – FRIDAY 1 JULY special occasion as Mick Whelan meets the Paddington crew Meeting at Kidderminster for a 12.30 departure. members were presented with long and answered Marylebone, and ASHFORD – THURSDAY 7 JULY service badges and questions. The GS Collette Gibson, off to Southeastern retired and working members’ reunion from leaving gifts. The then presented long Crossrail at Gidea 11.00 at Ashford Railway Club, Beaver Lane, Ashford. branch was lucky service badges Park – going to enough to have GS totalling 425 years! pastures new FRATTON – FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER Mick Whelan, DO Special mention to received an ASLEF Reunion from 12.00 to 18.00 at Portsmouth Railway Social Brian Corbett, DDC Chris Boyce (35 years) plate and farewell Club next to Fratton station. Bring photos of railway interest. rep Andy Castle and and Terry Plaha (25). gifts. Good luck to Free buffet and raffle. Call Gary White on 07798 706204. LGBT rep Dave Jones Two drivers – Murray you both. in attendance, all of Bolter, who’s moving Steve Austin , RAINHAM – THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER whom gave reports to Chiltern at branch secretary Southeastern retired and working members’ reunion from 11.00 at Rainham Social Club, 86 Station Road, Rainham.
Pompey PETERBOROUgH – FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER Booz’n’Chat meeting at the Parkway club, Maskew Avenue, chimes Peterborough. £5 in advance, £6 on the door. Call Malcolm Bell on 07884 43242 or [email protected] Portsmouth & Isle of Wight said farewell at Please send your all branch news, reports and photographs our April meeting to to [email protected] two union stalwarts – Nigel Brant, LDC, and John Glazebrook, ex- branch wishes both a branch secretary and long and happy LDC – between them retirement! Dave racking up 22 years’ Morgan was Brighton, and EC7 service to members. presented with his 30 Andy Hudd talked EC1 Marz Colombini year badge by about GWR presented them with Maurice ‘Dougal’ harmonisation. badges and Hunter, a driver from Dave Morgan , certificates and the his old depot, branch secretary
Denis Wright of Leicester branch, who has sat on DC6 for 15 years, gets a READINg RACERS: Reading train crew social and welfare club, formed gift from Martin in the early ’60s to provide tea, coffee, sugar and biscuits at work, and Bromage-Griffith of raise funds for a dinner dance, held its annual Old Boys’ bash at the Irish Birmingham New Club on 18 May; DO Brian Corbett and EC member Andy Hudd Street after retiring attended. Membership today totals nearly 400 and now includes from district council. guards, station staff and managers plus a few associate members from Branch chair Chris other depots. The Old Boys’ do is for retired members and widows with Barrie and Rab free food, drink and raffle, and each driver or widow gets £10. Some Wicksted presented treat themselves to a taxi home, others save it for a rainy day. Willie Fletcher with his Paul Sedgebeer , branch secretary 50 year medallion after he was unable to attend the arranged Auld Man’s Do as he was sunning himself in Antigua instead of freezing in Scotland with the rest of us! Willie achieved this Woking branch was pleased to welcome all membership three members of company council and EC milestone by member Marz Colombini to a very well continuing his ASLEF attended May meeting. Marz presented membership through long service awards to Bros Mick Melhuish the RMS section. (10 years), Martin Scott (15), Keith Paish (25) Rab Wicksted , and Ray Oatway (30). John Harlow, 96, surrounded by some of the lads at Peterborough’s branch secretary Chris Smith , branch secretary Booz’n’Chat meeting in May.
16 The ASLEF Journal l July 2016 100 Years of Union
No more pencils, no more books No more teachers’ dirty looks Sixty union learning reps from England, Scotland and Wales attended Mick Holder turns back ASLEF Education’s annual ULR seminar in the Durham Miners’ Hall, a beautiful grade II listed building opened in 1915, when the coalfield time to July 1916 employed 200,000 men. gABRIELLE OAKLEY reports from Durham Side doors, public ownership and EVIN LINDSAY , District 2 Durham Miners’ Association since 1985. children put to work in t’mill were Organiser, opened the seminar The Miners’ Hall, he said, was built by topics in the Journal 100 years ago K by asking delegates to marvel at workers who wanted to show the the history around us, consider the strength of the unions and the labour BLOWINg COAL INTO THE EYES debates here over the last hundred movement and it was time for that The editor writes: ‘In giving evidence to years, and recognise the honour the strength to be demonstrated again. ‘The the Commission on Railway Accidents, our miners had paid ASLEF by allowing us to next Labour government should reflect GS strongly recommended the universal use their building. Kevin reflected on this through the renationalisation of the adoption of side doors, between the changes in levels of education, railways.’ He recalled the historic links footplate handrails on all engines, as a specifically in the rail industry, with new between miners and railworkers who safeguard to the driver or fireman who entrants arriving with degrees but, have fought together to protect their suddenly loses his equilibrium as the nonetheless, a thirst for education. The communities and he invited ASLEF engine rounds a curve, and quoted cases ULR is not a minor role at ASLEF, said members to attend the Durham Miners’ of fatal and other accidents which Kevin, and the education project has the Gala on Saturday 9 July, ‘where the occurred to our members from this cause full support of the GS and the EC. solidarity and achievements of the and lack of protection. We now The project has had an uncertain time labour movement will be celebrated and understand that on several railways this in terms of funding but Kevin reported a vision for a better society, which puts practical suggestion is to be given effect that funds have been secured for the people before profits, will be set out.’ and, in future, as engines go into the project in Wales, in Scotland, and, finally, shops for repairs, such protective side in England. Kevin thanked the team for SIX BOOK CHALLENgE doors will be fixed, and all new engines all their hard work and said that as the The day continued with three ULR-led when built will be fitted with such project is becoming increasingly target information and guidance sessions. Leon protection. Such doors will serve a double driven ULRs ‘will need to embrace targets Anthony and Nick Meagher from South purpose, for not only will they be a and deliver outcomes’ for the project to West Trains opened with a session called protection to the life and limb of our survive. ULRs Working Together which focused on members, but also add greatly to their the benefits of reps sharing knowledge, comfort by keeping out that bitter LANDSCAPE HAS CHANgED experience, time and other resources to draught to the back when running and GS Mick Whelan spoke of how the deliver education projects and courses. prevent the side wind from blowing the industrial, and educational, landscape Aaron Clapp, London Midland, and small coal into the eyes of the fireman as has changed since he was a ULR. Mick Michael Clatworthy, CrossCountry, he is shovelling, and thus prevent much said we need to embrace the current presented a session on Learning Centres: pain and damage to the eyes.’ agenda to deliver our union objectives: The New Street Experience about the career mapping needs to apply to all success of the Learning Centre, opened RAILWAY NATIONALISATION workers; apprenticeships need to be by Mick Whelan in June last year, at Organiser W Warwick reports: ‘I attended properly structured; and all those Birmingham New Street. Andy Morgan of the fourth annual meeting of the Railway working in the rail industry must receive Merseyrail brought the morning to a Nationalisation Society. We were also a proper living wage. Diversity needs to close with a session called Pick Up a Book represented by two members of our EC. reflect local communities and not be on the Six Book Challenge or Reading The discussion went on to prove that shorthand for a flexible workforce that Ahead. railwaymen and the public have benefits only employers. Finally, Mick Kevin Lindsay open the afternoon everything to gain by the nationalisation presented the Learner of the Year award session with a list of achievements in the of the railways. Let us hope the 2016 to CrossCountry driver David Parr last year: 1,850 learners enrolled on government control during the war will (see Graham Chester’s report in last courses; 750 engaged in informal adult have the desired effect.’ month’s Journal ). learning; 300 signed up to IT courses; 270 EC president Tosh McDonald said he on further education courses; 150 gREED DESTROYINg THE SOUL left school with no qualifications and studying English and Maths; and 80 Pax writes: ‘Bradford City Council has taught himself to read through ‘political drivers on vocational courses. decided to let woollen manufacturers activism and motorcycle manuals’. He Nick Palmer, from TU Ed, led a session have children for half-time work at the age added: ‘If you weren’t clever enough to on equality and diversity called It’s Only of 12, or for full-time work at 13. Is that a go down the pit you joined the railway.’ Banter and Kerry Cassidy, Great Western, sign of industrial evolution? The cotton Tosh said that with more than a million did a presentation about the benefits on spinners of Lancashire have asked young people unemployed it was offer from the Institute of Railway permission for children of 13 to clean morally wrong for the government to be Operators. machinery in motion. It has been illegal for doing away with the retirement age and It was a very useful, very informative, a long time, because it is dangerous even wrong for workers to be arguing for it. and very productive day in a hall which for adults; but the greed of profits is The final keynote speaker of the means so much to those of us active in destroying what little soul industry has.’ morning was Dave Hopper, GS of the the labour movement.
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18 The ASLEF Journal l July 2016 Obituaries
JOE MURPHY A FLUTTER ON THE HORSES MIKE JAMES It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the sad loss on 15 April WESTERN MAN of ex-Southport driver Joe ‘Spud’ Murphy after a long battle with cancer. It is with great sadness that I report the loss of Joe was a loveable character who enjoyed life to the full, liked a flutter ex-Bath Road retired driver Mike James who on the horses and once owned his own bookies by the Blowick pub. passed away on 2 January at the age of 79. Before he came on the railway he worked on Ribble buses, in the late Mike was a Western man, starting his career ’60s and early ’70s, before leaving when they went driver only. Joe and joining ASLEF in 1953. He began as a joined the railway in the early ’80s, working on the station, got a guard’s cleaner at St Philip’s Marsh and was promoted job in 1983 and became a conductor soon after. He got a driver’s job in through the links to fireman. When St Philip’s the early ’90s but had to come off driving because he suffered from Marsh closed in 1964 he transferred to Bath angina. Joe liked a tipple after work and I used to join him, now and Road diesel depot, was promoted to driver, again, as did many others because he was a popular member of our progressed to the top links, and retired in the fraternity, would always do you a favour and always had a smile on his mid-1990s after Bath Road was split into four face. RIP Spud, gone but not forgotten. TOCs. Mike was a popular character and will be Joe: Spud-U-Like Bill Baxter , Southport company council much missed by his family, David and Rosemary, friends and work mates. STEVE WAND THE IRON MAN OF HITHER gREEN Bernard Kennedy , Bristol branch secretary Steve Wand, who had put in nearly 41 years’ service man and boy at Hither Green, and BRUCE CLARK DARK BLUES who was due to retire on his 59th birthday, Bruce ‘Rambo’ Clark was tragically killed in a cycling accident on has died at the Good Friday. He was working his notice tragically young age of from DB Schenker and was excited about 47. Bruce started on plans for his retirement. Steve was a keen the railway straight athlete, who had won medals for running, from school, briefly cycling and swimming, and was a very working in the popular character at the depot. The turnout booking office at at his funeral was truly amazing, a Dundee, but very testimony to Steve’s standing amongst quickly transferred to everyone he knew. Steve’s wife and family the loco at Perth in would like to thank all those who attended 1987. He wasn’t long Rambo raises a glass this celebration of his life. in ASLEF before he to the Dees Andy Eggleden , Hither green Hither Green’s iron man on the road to Planet X stepped into the role branch meeting in of assistant branch November, was taken secretary. to hospital in MARK EDMUNDS BLUE NOSE BRUMMIE Unfortunately, he had December, and never It is with deep regret that Birmingham New Street branch announces the to come off the main got out again. Bruce, untimely death of driver Mark Edmunds who took his own life at the age line several years ago whose two great loves of 56. All he ever wanted to be was a train driver. He started at New due to medical issues were his family and Street as a traction trainee in the late 1970s. A second man for a few and ended up back Dundee FC, died on years, he secured a driver’s job in the early 1980s. Mark was a pleasure to where he started, in 12 March. Perth work with and nobody had a bad word to say about him. A Blue Nose – a the booking office, branch extends its Birmingham City fan – all his life he enjoyed the football banter that although this time at condolences to Elaine, splits emotions in Britain’s second city! RIP Mark… Perth, but chose to Jordan and Gavin, and Mark loved banter Martin Bromage-griffiths , Birmingham New Street remain in ASLEF. Bruce have told them we was diagnosed with will do anything we BRIAN ‘BOB’ BULL CHRISTMAS PARTY cancer last spring, but can to support them wanted to keep in through their difficult Brian – called Bob by friends national service in the railway touch despite his time. and colleagues – was born in section of the Royal Engineers. treatment. He grant Murchie , the East End of London in He was drafted to Germany attended his last Perth 1934. He studied technical where he was passed out as a drawing and art at college and locomotive driver but, on worked with his dad as a returning to the top shed, it painter and decorator. He was back on the shovel; he PETER WILKINSON Peter Wilkinson joined the railway at began his footplate career at passed out again as a driver on Bob passed out twice King’s Cross top shed but, steam, then on modern Beal Street, Leicester, in 1950 and while working as a loco traction as it came to the east the social side of the railway worked his way up to become a driver, fireman, was called up for coast. Bob was involved with family, arranging outings to one of the last two at Leicester to pass Southend for footplate crews, out on steam. Like many, he was sorry the children’s Christmas party to see it go, but like all true footplate DENNIS FORD and a yearly dinner and dance staff adapted to modern traction. He Dennis Ford, one of life’s really nice guys, has died at 83 so wives and girlfriends could enjoyed his time, especially the after finally losing his battle with the Big C. He was a be wined and dined. Bob died camaraderie, the friends he acquired well-loved guy, who always had a cheery smile, and on 1 April; our condolences to and considered a second family. He anyone who had him as their driver never had a bad day Audrey, their children, spent all his railway career at Leicester. at work. He was one of a kind and will be sorely missed. grandchildren and great- Condolences to Joyce and family. Dave Pizzie , RMS grandchildren. PJ Smith , RMS Peter Smith , King’s Cross
July 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 19 Letters
We welcome letters, either by email to [email protected] or GOOD LUCK IN BATTLES by Royal Mail to ASLEF Journal at 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN . The writer of our star letter AGAINST MANAGEMENT wins a rich range of ASLEF regalia. I have just retired from oncoming lorry driver always available, when the railway after 38 fell asleep at the wheel requested, at any time years in various and collided head on of the day, too! Good This driver is a job thief footplate grades. with his vehicle. luck for the future in I applaud the fact that our Journal prints I wish to place on The assistance from your battles against an letters from members that express eclectic record my thanks to this Thompsons was second increasingly hostile views, whether or not they support the wonderful trade union, to none. management and thank official ASLEF line. It shows a fearless especially the help and I also wish to praise you for everything you openness and transparency. It’s a good support when my son the local LLC and have done for me over thing, I think. So with reference to the letter was involved in a company council at TPE the past 38 years. from Arno Brooks ( Journal , May) he has had horrific RTA when an for advice that was Tim Bott , Sheffield his say. Now I would have mine. We have been monitoring the struggles of our freight members. Actual job losses, not our normal fodder of gripes, comparisons over my letter if you would. You claim to have more freedom than other conditions, etc. It’s our right. We complain, His belief in the benefits of zero hours drivers on the rail network. But, thinking about why wouldn’t we? But his particular contracts is not shared by the overwhelming Wootton Bassett, Doncaster and Bath, I’m not diatribe? Personally, I think he’s a job thief. majority of people employed on these ill- sure that freedom for cowboys to ride the Anyone who has their 40 years in and conceived terms of employment. Ask one of range instils much confidence in the majority agrees to take up a position under a zero the thousands of people working for Sports of people employed in our industry. hours contract is stealing a potential job for Direct or alongside a clown called Ronald at a Alan Moss , Longsight one of our brethren. Even if there were no notorious fast food outlet. They only benefit immediate risk to our members it would the employer, not the poor employees. Why invest in the future? Employers use zero hours contracts to cut still be wrong to take a potential job from a It would be easy to shoot down Arno new driver. So if you want to go and play wages, avoid obligations such as holiday pay, and pensions – basically, to exploit working Brooks ( Journal , May) however he does with kettles, do so. Enjoy. Little trips on make some salient points. Firstly, we preserved railways carrying puffer nutters? people. While informing us of his sterling work on should not be referring to a company Go on, knock yourself out. Doing actual managing director as Farmer Smith. work? You’re a shameless disgrace to our infrastructure he neglects to mention that whilst this work is carried out by an open Secondly, Mr Brooks addresses a very industry! serious point about how ASLEF has a major As for his boasts of five holidays last access operator our comrades in freight operating companies, with full-time contracts problem with drivers working into later life summer? Not the paid ones we, as a grade, as retirement profiles change and many have fought hard and long for. No! He just and properly negotiated terms and conditions, are facing redundancy. This work was, people, like me, fear that working into our ain’t required. So he says ‘Gawd bless ya, 70s is a distinct possibility. guv’nor, fanks for the time off!’ Zero hours historically, carried out by FOCs but, as infrastructure providers look to drive down Where Mr Brooks fails to see a problem are a cancer – not a word I use lightly – to with his zero hours contract is that it’s a the working-class. It defies belief! How can costs, you provide them with the tools. When you say you have more knowledge great development for someone in receipt it be justified? How do you work in my of a substantial pension – probably from grade for that long and think this is than freight drivers this may be the case on paper; but what checks are in place to ensure one or more of the operators he is now acceptable? And then to have a ‘look at me helping to undercut. He says West Coast is on stage’ via our Journal in an attempt to competency and training for changes to infrastructure? With your extensive route card, reliable but seems not to realise the unfair justify it? The actions of someone who playing field that experienced casual knows it’s wrong but wants a cuddle from combined with five long holidays a year, and the chance to work zero hours, how do you labour provides in an open access sector. If like-minded individuals, if there are any. he were 20 or even 30 years younger (like Well, no cuddles here. Seeking permission maintain your competency on all these routes? As for your point about providing conductors me) I wonder whether he would wonder if for doing what you know is wrong is what it’s worth paying into a pension fund to scabs do because misery needs company. for passenger trains, my company council reps would not allow you to conduct our drivers support people who are fundamentally Shame on you. damaging operators in a freight sector in Dave Johnson , Waterloo Nine Elms over a diversion route. If a conductor was required, and was from a recognised FOC, they crisis. He seems to think it’s better for would be most welcome in my cab, but West Network Rail to pay part-time workers at Cowboys riding the range Coast Railways are not permitted in our cabs West Coast than help a FOC or TOC expand For the first time in 30 years I’ve launched my for route learning or refreshing purposes. its own drivers’ route cards. Anything for a Loco Journal across the room. As I’ve moved You talk about working past 60 and the cheap, quick fix. Why invest in the future? with the times, I was reading it on my iPad and, right to earn a living. ASLEF negotiated an Patrick Collum , Euston thankfully, it survived! What incensed me was employer justified retirement age in my TOC, the letter ‘I love zero hours contracts’ from by means of an employee referendum, the Cheapening the grade John Wayne – open access operator driver result of which was overwhelmingly in favour, I don’t like zero hours contracts, they cheapen Arno Brooks ( Journal , May) – one of the ranch and in doing so our members ensured that the train driver grade, and although I hands at Cowboy Rail, aka West Coast young people can enter the rail industry, not appreciate that some West Coast Railway Railways. The best thing about the Journal is it have their path blocked by people who work drivers are very experienced, the railway is publishes all views, so I’d like you to publish beyond retirement age. changing rapidly, with new technology and
20 The ASLEF Journal l July 2016 Classified Advertisements
EURO 2016 boxed set of 6 numbered Thank you so badges to much for your help commemorate the Thank you so much for football finals. £20 inc p&p. Contact inviting us to AAD in Martin Scott on [email protected] Aviemore. We had a great time and it was a good experience for our lovely volunteers. You ON LOAN from British Rail hard made us feel very at home, enamel badge. Individually numbered, even though it was scary at brooch fastening. £6 + £1 p&p from first! And your donations will [email protected] help us a lot. Khadija Coll , Saheliya OAKS MEMORIAL commemorative badge honouring 361 miners killed in an explosion ever more stringent safety regulations, and I from the Left , says ‘The EU is not at its core at the Oaks colliery near think ASLEF is correct to prefer full-time about employment rights, nor is it about Barnsley on 12 December 1866. £3 from driving staff with the aspiration of retiring at human rights. Employment rights have [email protected] 60. It would appear that West Coast has been established to give the illusion it is on changed its reliance on them as, according to the side of workers and trade unions, at LONGSIGHT badges to Ian Prosser at the ORR, the company has least slightly, and to keep trade unions mark 125th anniversary. £5 + reduced its steam drivers by 61 from 90 to 29, passive and quiescent.’ £1 p&p. Also a bespoke tie at of which 24 will be employed on contracts. He Ken Hall , Horsham £8 + £1 p&p. Contact Jim added that West Coast is in the process of Hopkins on 07810 564804 or moving all other drivers off zero hours Lining up with loonies [email protected] for details. contracts. Hopefully, the near miss at Wootton Bassett, and subsequent prohibition notice, Re Mick Whelan’s article ( Journal , May) about the EC’s decision to back Brexit. Yes, there are BESPOKE CUSHIONS Hand has concentrated minds at the company, made 40cm square cushions of halted the decline in standards, and prevented many things wrong with the EU, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. We railway engines and carriages. a fatal collision in future. £50. Call Abi on 07954 659849 or email me at Paul Moore , Ipswich are now in agreement with the likes of Iain Duncan Smith, Michael Gove, Boris Johnson, [email protected] Marine Le Pen of the Front National and other No place for zero hours far-right lunatics. If we leave, it will be futile SALTLEY 023 branch badge. £4 There is no place in the rail industry, or any complaining if we end up with a very right- inc p&p. Contact Michael other industry, for zero hours contracts. wing government led by Boris Johnson. Clatworthy by email They only suit those who wish to flout the Bill Mackenzie , former EC president [email protected] terms & conditions that unions, like ASLEF, or by mobile on 07786 338650. have fought so hard for. Such contracts only Safe European home suit people who care nothing for their PROfESSIONAL ENGRAvING at fellow workers. Alan Johnson tells us why we should stay in sensible prices. I can engrave anything Mick Scott , Carlisle Europe ( Journal , May) and I’ve been out on you wish, such as the ASLEF logo on the campaign trail trying to convince voters the pint tankard. Contact Paul Potts by of Labour’s reasons. But GS Mick Whelan email at [email protected] On wrong lines with UKIP puts the EC’s point of view that we should I find it hard to believe that ASLEF ( Journal , leave the EU. Is this the sign of a split with BRISTOL branch 125 year May) wants to ditch being part of the EU in line the Labour Party? celebration badge. £5 plus £1.50 with the main policy of UKIP. You mention in Kevin Christie p&p. Contact Andy Gregg at our Journal that it’s a rich man’s club but fail to [email protected] say that the majority of trade union members Mick says: 'There is no split as Jeremy has said in the other 27 countries don’t want us to we are allowed to disagree. We are proud to BLAND ENCOUNTER by Donald leave. Leaving would leave us with an have nominated Jeremy and, on 97% of policy, Wightman is a comedy novel about unfettered Tory government determined to he has our unequivocal support. Just as we risqué encounters on the railways. A destroy Labour Party funding from trade offer our members a view but expect them to donation from the sale of each book unions and put social housing in the hands of vote with their conscience.' will be made to the Royal British private landlords with their exorbitant rents. Legion and Help for Heroes. Paperback Young people want to be able to live and work Not all Notts folk worked £7.99 ebook £3.95 from www.amazon.co.uk and move freely in other EU countries. Re the piece on Harry Harpham ( Journal , April) John Priseman , RMS CLASS 73/1 JB 50 year badges I find the comment about Notts miners – for sale. Three variations as ‘Harry went on strike in 1984 when many shown at £5 each plus £1 p&p. EC saw through rhetoric Nottinghamshire miners continued to work’ – Cheques, payable to Network It’s reassuring that ASLEF’s executive offensive. As an NUM member at Mansfield South East Railway Society, to 41 Highfield committee saw through the EU rhetoric and colliery, T&G member on London Buses, and Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 6DD. backed the Leave campaign. However, true currently 20 plus years an ASLEF member, I to our democratic roots, a full page in the have yet to cross a picket line as my 63rd year Journal was given to Alan Johnson to put approaches. Please don’t tar all Notts folk with To advertise please phone 020 7324 2400 the opposite view, but Alan only told half the same brush. or send an email to [email protected] the story. Kelvin Hopkins, who offers A View David Strauther , TOp, Hammersmith & City
July 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 21 Last Word Look back in anger
ANDREW HOURIgAN , executive committee member for District 3, reports on the front line against fascism in the 1930s and celebrates the courage of the men and women of the International Brigades
WAS just checking departure times at Liverpool airport when I heard a I shout from the restaurant. ‘Andy – we’re over here.’ It was Colin Smith, north-west regional secretary of ASLEF, having a cup of tea before our flight. But neither of us was heading off for a mid-winter break in the Spanish sun. Colin was sat with comrades from the International Brigade Memorial Trust and EC3 Andy Hourigan, Motherwell activists from other unions. We were on a branch secretary Andy Jones and DO3 journey to commemorate the battle against Colin Smith with the flag of the fascism in Spain where, in the 1930s, the Spanish republic and some iconic democratically-elected left-wing Republican images of the Spanish civil war government introduced social and economic reforms to improve the lives of industrial unionists from Britain, Ireland, France, Belgium, workers and peasant farmers. Germany, the United States and many other countries fought and died in a battle that TESTINg gROUND FOR WW2 helped keep the Fascists out of the capital until Conservatives – the rich, the powerful and the the end of the war. Roman Catholic church – were furious and in The visit was fascinating; the tour of the July 1936 the army, led by General Francisco valley was one highlight, the speeches from Franco, tried to overthrow the government by people who were partisans in the war another. force. Thousands of Spaniards rallied to the The stories of heroism by the young Dundee in 1939 for Brigaders and nurses killed Republican cause, the coup failed and the railwaymen, dockers, bus drivers, engineers, in Spain and part of a delegation to the country was plunged into a bloody civil war. and miners – many from the north-west – who government demanding the right of the Franco’s Nationalist army was backed by made up the British and Irish battalion of the Spanish republic to be free to purchase arms right-wing Falangist irregulars and armaments 15th International Brigade were breathtaking. from Britain. and soldiers from Nazi Germany and Fascist My visit to Madrid was a source of Italy as Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini used PARCHED HILLS OF JARAMA inspiration, a source of education and – given Spain as a testing ground for the tactics, We sometimes give up our pay when we strike the activists I met who work hard to keep the troops and weapons they would use in the against the bosses. These lads did that aplenty flame of international solidarity burning today Second World War. when they were back home, but they went on – a source of new ideas. It was a pleasant The governments of Britain and France, to give their lives, too, on the parched hills of surprise to meet fellow ASLEF train driver, and wedded to an ill-conceived policy of Jarama. They struck at the enemy with rifles Motherwell branch secretary, Andy Jones. appeasement of the great dictators, Hitler and and grenades in a desperate bid to halt the Mussolini, agreed on a cynical ‘non- rising Fascist tide and create a world of justice, MILITANT FIgHTINg SPIRIT intervention’ position on Spain because, fairness and equality. To say I was inspired The lessons of Spain are relevant for our battles cabinet papers subsequently revealed, they doesn’t do justice to the feelings I had hearing today as the poisonous vapours of Fascism, feared socialism, and the power of the accounts of the battle. racism and nationalism grow across Europe workers, more than they feared the Nazis and Comrades who keep the proud memory of and ‘austerity’ becomes a byword, and excuse, the Fascists and their rich friends in England. the selfless solidarity the working-class for attacking every gain our movement has But, on the Republican side, volunteers in the displayed in Spain are tireless in making made. And the lessons are vital for rebuilding a International Brigades answered Joan Miró’s connections with today’s trade union militant fighting spirit in the ranks of today’s call to Aidez L’Espagne , many of them living, movement. I discovered that our union, which movement, helping us forge a new generation fighting and dying under a slogan used by has campaigned against Fascism in the of trade unionists who can renew the age-old anti-Fascists ever since: ‘No Pasarán!’ workplace, on the street, and in the highest fight for socialism. I was going to Spain to commemorate the court in the land, had a proud record in the And, for that reason, I think it right that 79th anniversary of the Battle of Jarama fight to defend the republic. ASLEF is planning our biggest delegation yet where, in 1937, the workers of Madrid fought The British government fiddled while Spain to next year’s commemoration in Madrid for to save the capital from the brutal onslaught burned. But our trade union was in the the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Jarama. of Franco’s thugs. We went to keep alive the frontline of the Aid for Spain campaign while Let’s make it another magnificent display of tradition of international solidarity that is part general secretary WJR Squance was a leading international solidarity. The spirit of resistance of the lifeblood of the trade union movement. supporter of the International Brigades. He that the International Brigades championed is It was in the Jarama Valley that trade was a keynote speaker at a commemoration in not only alive, but growing, and it will triumph.
22 The ASLEF Journal l July 2016 Food & Drink Prize Crossword
Prize Crossword 123 by Tom Williams Across Down 3 Strength and 1 A quarrel gOOEY BAKED 12345 energy 2 Priest 6 A connected row 3 Pungent 6 CAMEMBERT of houses condiment 7 7 Jail 4 Colour of sno w Lucy Knox serves up an 8 8 Heroin and 5 Perch for a 91011morphine sleeping bird easy starter to share 9 Dish of fried 6 Larva of a frog 12 beaten eggs 10 Three-sided shape 13 14 12 Atlantic or Pacific 11 Shade of gre en 15 16 17 14 Oily fruit and 13 Fodder preserved 18 girl’s name in a silo 15 The outside 14 Exotic lil y-relate d 19 18 Single file plant 20 party dance 16 Body 21 19 Crescent-shaped photographs (1, 4) fruit 17 Rub out S o l u t i o n t o C r o s s w o r d3 1Strength22 and energy 20 How toast 6A cAro sconnecteds: 1 Disinfe crowtan t of7 P rhousesior 8 Ra t s 1 0 S7to uJailt is cooked 7 Prison 8 Drugs 9 Omelette Remove the inner packaging from a 81 1 Rifle 13 Straw s 15 Marty r 197 ADishward of18 Mfriedotif 21 Scandinavian 1 250g baking Camembert and pop back b19 Trio 21 Fro w12n 2Atlantic2 Steep lorec hPacificase 14 Oily turnip in the wooden box. Place in a roasting fDow n: 1 D epart ment 2 S p it f ir15e 3 TheNurs eoutsidery 1 19 Crescent- tin and mark the rind with a cross. s4 Errors 5 Tar t 6 N et 9 S ubsid en ce 12 Ca sanova 11 Emerald 13 Silage Drizzle with 1tsp olive oil, scatter with a 14 Traffic 16 Retai l 18 Mole 20 Rut Name...... 1...... 17 Erase little plucked and chopped rosemary, 1 A quarrel 2 Priest and season with salt and pepper. Bake 3C ongratula tions to Herb i e 4 Colour of snow Address...... in an oven preheated to 200C/180C 5W hite , G ide a P ark , Rom ford , 6 Larva of a f 10 Three-sided shape 11 Shade of fan/Gas 6 for 10 to 15 mins until the Essex who was last month’s ...... cheese is nice and gooey (the exact gwinne r . T h e w13in nFodderer of th is preserved in a silo time will depend on the ripeness of 1mo nth’s Priz e Crossword will 16 Body p ...... your cheese). Remove from the oven receive Marks & Spencer vouchers and leave for a minute. Then peel back to the value of £25 ...... the rind and serve with warmed chunks You can see more of Tom Williams’s of bread for dipping. Postcode...... crosswords, word games and puzzles at wordgames.co.uk
CLASSIC FRESH Thanks for all your responses to the 122nd prize crossword in the June edition of the ASLEF Journal . If you successfully complete this month’s crossword please send the solution to the BASIL PESTO Editor, ASLEF Journal , 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN by 14 July Tasty home made version of a true Italian classic ASLEF’s legal services If you are being harassed at work, bullied or discriminated against, and if your local, branch or district rep is unavailable, call the industrial relations department at union headquarters (020 7324 2400) or email [email protected]. If you are arrested or interviewed by police and need legal assistance – day or night – call the members’ emergency hotline on 0800 587 7530. ASLEF also provides first class legal advice free for members and dependents.
Put 25g fresh basil leaves, 1 large clove of garlic, 50g pine nuts and salt and Changed your address? Please let us know! Just fill in this form freshly ground black pepper in a blender and whizz until you have a Name...... thick paste. Tip in 25g freshly grated Parmesan, and then, with the motor Address...... still running, gradually pour in 75ml olive oil and blend to a smooth purée...... Chill until ready to serve. Postcode ...... Telephone...... Top Tip: Use to stir into hot cooked Branch...... Membership No...... pasta or with a mozzarella and tomato salad. Please return coupon to: ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN
July 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 23 HEALTH SAFETY R P POSSESSION M MANAGEMENT L H S SE E I O A A N COMPETENCE E LEVEL-CROSSING L A N S
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