ASLEFJOURNAL APRIL 2021 The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen Free to members Flower of Scotland

Special report: Kevin Lindsay, Jim Baxter, and Anas Sarwar on the railway in Scotland

The train drivers ’ union since 1880 railway enginemen’ s tax fr ee saver plans

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

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@RailwayEnginemens Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authorit y. Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authorit y. Incorporated under the Friendly Societies Act 1992 ASLEF GS Mick Whelan JOURNAL We’re on the road The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen back – to a new ‘I thank you for your support, in re-electing industrial normal me general secretary’

AM incredibly humbled to be re-elected, once more, as your general secretary. We have, collectively, met many challenges I over the years, and we shall have to be unified, and ready to meet all the post-pandemic challenges, but I want to thank you all for your support. Flower of Scotland: a special four page railway report We continue to be hopeful that the continued roll out of the News vaccination process will take us, as a society, and as an industry, on the path to normality. But it will be a new normal, which will be radically l Latest news on Castlefield corridor campaign 4 different, economically and industrially, to what we have known. l Angie Geddes-Smith steps down after 20 years 5 We have a government which misleads Parliament on investment – as branch secretary at Birmingham New Street; which has been cut, not increased – and the commitment to rail plus Off the Rails: Mick Jones bunking trains; Iain Pattinson; TPE and the Duke; the Journal undermined by announcements in relation to short-haul airlines and cover is all Welsh to me; and John ‘Scot’ Hay billions of pounds dedicated to roads. l It’s the best job on the railway but has its risks 6 Simply, we will not see a return of footfall in the short- or medium- l Franchise system fell at first (covid-19) hurdle 7 term. The recent RPI increase in fares will not help and, as we have said, publicly sends out the wrong message. The companies being in l The People’s History Museum in Manchester 8 emergency measures and/or furlough due to no or little income from Features the fare box leaves the industry in a state of flux. Rightly, we are all dismayed at the government’s 1% pay rise for all l As, post-covid, people start to flee the city for 10 the countryside Chris Proctor looks at the state those they regarded, not so long ago, as NHS heroes, and the public of rural bus services after Tory privatisation outcry is not likely to stretch to the government edict that you, as key l DO2 Kevin Lindsay and EC3 Jim Baxter reflect 11 workers, cannot expect any government-funded pay rises for last year on the railway, the pandemic, and Stonehaven and this. We have pointed out that they have no role in our free l Archie Barr; Andrew Foster; James Glew; 12-13 collective bargaining and will continue to press the point where we John Hay; Rab Lang; Rab Wicksted; and ScotRail can. It cannot be forgotten that we are – as we would and should be as company council report on the TOCs and FOCs if nationalised – being fully funded by the government at circa £22 l Anas Sarwar and John Finnie on the future of 14 million a day, some £10 billion by June, unlike other industries. Scotland’s railways post-pandemic Future full timetables are not going to happen , going forward, until l Gregor Gall ponders whether the public money 15 poured into UK companies during the covid-19 footfall returns, which might take years and will be seen by many as crisis will change Britain’s economic model counter-intuitive, as limiting capacity may make us less attractive. Uncertainty reigns and, obviously, the previous model, which had Regulars failed and collapsed, cannot be sustained with the massive shortfall in income, and the industry will have to consider change to survive to Obituaries 16-19 l grow again. l Letters 20 The question is how this can be done protecting jobs and futures . l Points & Crossings and Classified Ads 21 This, and not knowing who we may, or may not, be dealing with in the l Last Word: Books to read post-coronavirus 22 post-Williams world, against a background of economic uncertainty, l On Track: James This House Graham writes 23 with increased unemployment and changes to commuter working, his way out of covid; Prize Crossword; Legal which will not be replaced by leisure traffic, especially with the Services; and your Change of Address form naturally expected reduction in disposable income. EdItoR Mick Whelan, general secretary l dESIgNER Michael Cronin The companies are expressly working to the behest of the PRINtER College Hill Press, London, SW19 4HE l AdvERtISINg ASLEF Journal, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN. Contact Keith Richmond government and DfT and are reliant on them for income and funding on 020 7324 2407 or [email protected] l cLASSIFIEd AdS and there is little point in highlighting how much money they have [email protected] or call 020 7324 2400. The acceptance of a display or classified advertisement does not necessarily imply endorsement of made in the past. It is up to us to work and – if necessary – fight for the that product or service by ASLEF chANgE oF AddRESS Please post best future possible, for ourselves and for our industry. Please be safe. your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN Yours fraternally, The ASLEF Journal is published every month by: ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN Tel: 020 7324 2400 l email: [email protected] website: www.aslef.org.uk l twitter: @ASLEFUnion Mick Whelan, general secretary, ASLEF April 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 3 News

Ec3 John Metcalfe Castlefield corridor – launches our campaign in the Journal consultation ‘a sham’ (left); Lisa Nandy tells SLEF is turning up the railway; savagely slashing direct grant Shapps A heat in the battle over services to Manchester airport she is the Castlefield corridor. means passengers will have to ‘gobsmacked’ The Manchester recovery task change more frequently, and no by the force consultation exercise by the account has been taken of proposals (far Department for Transport, disability access issues, or the lack left); and Network Rail, and Transport for of station staff to assist; building do3 Andy the North – into chaos in the the Ordall chord without hourigan is Castlefield corridor – has improving capacity from Oxford working to enormous implications for Road to Piccadilly was pointless, involvement of the resolve the passengers and train crew. and there is nothing about much- Liverpool city region combined issues DO3 Andy Hourigan and EC3 needed improvements in authority is remarkable given how John Metcalfe have serious infrastructure; local (NTL) services interdependent transport links reservations about suggestions are delayed beyond normal between the two cities are. north of England, especially the for what is described, rather signalling protocol to give priority Wigan 107 branch committee, corridor between Ordsall Lane optimistically and to TPE services; a claim that meeting on Sunday 7 March, and Manchester Piccadilly.’ euphemistically, as ‘capacity ‘defensive driving techniques’ are passed a resolution in respect of And Lisa Nandy, Labour MP for enhancement’: proposed much- one cause of congestion attacks the consultation, calling on the GS Wigan, has written to Transport reduced timetables leave no the fundamental safety culture of and EC to campaign ‘for the Secretary Grant Shapps calling for wriggle room if more people, the railway of which we are, reintroduction of funding for ‘this sham consultation’ to be post-pandemic, return to the justifiably, proud; and the lack of infrastructure projects in the dropped. Hat-trick for Mick TWEETS OF THE MONTH You cannot run a railway, let alone a Mick Whelan, Midland region, in company council complicated integrated transport Willesden branch, has 1984. He was, first, a secretary EWSI, before operator like @tfl, on hand to mouth been re-elected, member, and then a he was elected District piecemeal funding. The government is unopposed, as rep, for the NUR. When 6 Organiser in 2000. playing a party political game at the general secretary for a Mick became a freight Mick was elected expense of London’s recovery from the third term. Mick has driver in 1988 he GS in 2011 and, since pandemic. @FinnBrennan spent 37 years on the joined ASLEF, the train then, has worked hard ASLEF’s gS was railway, and 37 years drivers’ union, and to engage with the recently re-elected PM plans new charity backed by rich as an active trade became a local rep, other rail unions, and unopposed, as he donors to pay for lavish revamp of unionist. He began in then company council the rest of the labour was five years ago private flat. @MailOnline the industry as a secretary Railfreight movement, the Labour guard, on British Rail’s Distribution, and Party, and other September 2017, he Congratulations to Boris Johnson for stakeholders in the rail was elected to the the first act of charity he wasn’t forced industry. He became national executive of into by Marcus Rashford. @JimMFelton Monarch of the Glen chair of LabourUnions, the Labour Party. which co-ordinates the Mick’s third five year Bro Glen Elvin passed away on Saturday 20 As it’s revealed 8,000 test & trace staff activities of the 12 term begins on 5 February, aged 55, after being admitted to face the axe, Dido Harding reveals trade unions affiliated December 2021 and hospital after testing positive for covid-19 only they were actually ‘let go’ in August but the to the Labour Party, in runs until 4 December three weeks earlier. Glen joined ASLEF in system only notified them this morning. 2016; and, in 2026. December 1985 when he started on the @haveigotnews footplate with British Rail at Ayr. After privatisation, and the reduction in freight ZOOM! IT’S VIRTUALLY AAD £37 billion to their pals for test & trace traffic, the depot was shut and Glen ASLEF’s annual assembly of delegates – that doesn’t even work. £3.50 a week transferred to England to retain his driving job, which was to have been held in cardiff last for nurses. This government’s priorities along with his twin brother Miller who had year – was cancelled because of the could not be clearer. @davidschneider also joined the footplate, and ASLEF, at Ayr. coronavirus crisis. this year AAd will be The twins moved to various depots and held, as a virtual rules conference, by Zoom, GB News is owned by a company branches together, including spells with DB from Monday 17 to Friday 21 May. called All Perspectives. It’s a limited Cargo’s mobile driver grade at many locations. company so its full name is All Perspectives Eventually they returned to Scotland to work Limited. I laughed so much I’ve given myself out of DBC’s Scottish hub and transferred into QUOTE… a headache. @MrNishKumar Motherwell branch. His funeral was held on ‘Vaccination express arrives in the Tuesday 9 March. The members of Motherwell nick of time – now please inoculate us I was born a female. I identify as a branch wish to pass on our condolences to all from train metaphors’ – Madeline female. But according to Tesco’s sticky Glen’s family and friends, especially Miller, at Grant , Daily Telegraph toffee pudding I’m a family of four. this extremely sad time. …UNQUOTE @KazzJenkins Andy Jones Motherwell 137 branch sec

4 The ASLEF Journal l April 2021 News

commitment. It has Angie, Angie, ain’t it been an honour and a pleasure to have off the Rails time we said goodbye? you as our branch secretary. Enjoy your FTER almost her cool, calm, free time now, you’ve MICK JONES of The Clash who, fresh from 20 years collected and friendly earned it! recording Sandinista! co-produced Ian Hunter’s A Angela nature made for an We would also like album Short Back’n’Sides , cheerfully recalls life Geddes-Smith has excellent branch to wish our new on the iron road as a teenage fan of Mott the decided to step secretary. Everyone in secretary, David Hoople: ‘In the early ’70s there was a group of down as secretary of 141 branch would Kingscott, all the best us, from Strand Grammar in Brixton Hill, and Birmingham New like to thank you, in his new role. Mott was our band. We’d scan the gigs in Melody Street 141 branch. Angela, for all your Debbie Insull 141 Maker and go to Mott’s shows wherever we could. The She’s worked very hard work and branch reporter furthest I went was one Saturday gig in Liverpool. We’d try hard to keep the and bunk the trains as one of our group’s dad worked for the branch running railway. He had a concession card and, boy, did we work that smoothly, which card, hiding in toilets and passing it between ourselves. As takes enormous the train came into the station, we’d all jump off as it slowed personal down and leap over the fence alongside.’ commitment, and made it look easy, IAIN PATTINSON , master of the double which it isn’t, as 141 entendre , scriptwriter on I’m Sorry I Haven’t branch has several a Clue , ‘the antidote to panel games’, and, different locations, according to the show’s original host, and the coronavirus Humphrey Lyttelton, ‘first class purveyor of crisis made things blue chip filth’, loved pricking pomposity. especially Once, when he checked into a particularly challenging – smart provincial hotel before a recording of conducting branch the Radio 4 show, the front desk was clearly unimpressed meetings by Zoom that a shabbily dressed writer was staying as a paying guest. and reminding After picking up his keys, Iain asked if Tim Brooke-Taylor had people to mute their New branch secretary, david, presents a arrived. ‘Yes, sir, room 420,’ said the snooty receptionist, mics! Nothing ever socially distanced Angie with flowers as a indicating a telephone. Iain dialled the number and phased Angela and small thank you for all her hard work announced, in a very loud voice that rang around the lobby, ‘Mr Brooke-Taylor? Your prostitute is in reception.’

THAT DREADFUL mistake by Power of six TransPennine Express – announcing the death of the Duke of Edinburgh when Dave Calfe, Euston Dave was first he was only being moved from Bart’s, branch, and a train elected to the EC in where he had a heart op performed by driver for more 2006. He is the NHS surgeons, back to King Edward VII’s, than 30 years, has second longest- a private hospital ‘where your journey been re-elected serving member of back to wealth [or health] begins’ brings unopposed as our executive, after to mind a poster put up on the wall of the newsroom at The ASLEF’s executive Terry Wilkinson, Sun by its editor Kelvin ‘The Pig’ MacKenzie. It read: ‘Make it committee member and was elected Fast. Make it First.’ Under which one hack, well versed in the ASLEF Ec president for District 6. president in ways of Kelvin, added: ‘And make it up.’ His four year January 2019. dave calfe term will begin on ‘I would like to committee,’ said THE COVER of last month’s Journal Dave. ‘And I look 1 January 2022 thank all the AS LE JFOURNAL MARCH 2021 caused a little consternation in one or The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen Free to members and end on 31 branches and forward to Hen wlad two places. It was that cover line – Hen December 2025. members in District representing you wlad fy nhadau – that caused the This is his fifth 6 for my re-election during my fy nhadau problems. DO8 Finn Brennan muttered, term of office – to the executive forthcoming term.’ ‘I think my copy must have got mangled at the printers, Mick. The front cover is just a jumble of letters that don’t make FREE RADICALS any sense to an ignoramus such as me.’ Special report on the railway in the Land of our Fathers. The train drivers’ Death of a train: Chris Proctor marks but doesn’t mourn the union since 1880 the People’s history Museum QUOTE… passing of the Pacer. And the latest advice about covid-19 And Chris Proctor, once of this parish, has written to the Ec, thanking ‘Music is the map: the wickedly whispered that the words were what Dylan Thomas us for our donation (see John veins along which offered after a long (and liquid) lunch with Louis MacNeice… Metcalfe’s report on page 8) memories can flow and and adding that, because of its pump the heart’ – Anna JOHN HAY , chair of the ASLEF drivers’ size, we have the chance to Doble , digital editor, company council at CrossCountry, sent a ‘adopt a radical’. Fortunately BBC World Service cover note with his report (which you can there are lots, John smiles, from …UNQUOTE read on the centre pages) for this, our which to choose… special Scotland edition. ‘As requested, Kev. Sorry it’s not very positive. Or particularly Scottish. John.’ 500 CLUB: Peter Foster, with number 033, won the March draw, scooping the Retired Members’ Section jackpot of £494.

April 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 5 News

The employers’ policies make it clear that they have a responsibility to create a safe The best job on the railway working environment, taking into consideration your status as a lone worker, and provides a structure and the actions needed to but driving trains has risks achieve this. Your company needs to know what risks exist to your emotional, physical, JOHN METCALFE , executive and behavioural wellbeing, what may make committee member for District those risks worse, and what to do to mitigate 3, reports on our work with the against them. RSSB looking at the risks to our The guidance for you, as a lone worker, health, safety and wellbeing of includes nine top tips to restrict the effects of working alone on the permanent way lone working, resources and links for further advice, and describes what the employer INCE early 2020 I have been part of a should be providing for you. Rail Safety and Standards Board These guidance policies have been S project team looking at the risks to accepted by ASLEF’s executive committee and your negotiating teams have been instructed rail workers from working alone. Astonishingly, drivers as a grade work for long periods alone the industry did not have a definition of who to place them within the bargaining or what defines lone working, nor did it have degree of autonomy, we enjoy our own machinery, which should bring long-lasting any clear policy on how to best protect those company, and the responsibility for making benefits for drivers into the future. workers. And, as drivers, most employers did judgements and decisions based on our Driving a train certainly is the best job on not recognise that, as a grade, we work alone. professionalism and pride in the job. the railway, and now it is up to the employers Just because we sometimes have a guard, or But the project has identified the risks, too. to match our professionalism and revenue staff, on board, mix with passengers Some are obvious – such as the risk of personal commitment to the role, with a working or speak to control, or a supervisor, does not and verbal abuse from the public, and walking environment, and protections, that keeps us mean that, for long periods of time, we are not to and from work. Less well recognised are the safe from the risks of both physical and lone workers and carry all the risks that brings. psychological risks from being isolated; and psychological harm and is properly fit for The good news is that, from now, guidance working variable and night turns can impact the 21st century. exists to employers and staff and drivers are heavily on us, and increase a feeling of very clearly defined as lone workers and that loneliness, fatigue, and stress. Add to that the should bring with it additional workplace sedentary nature of train driving, and irregular QUOTE… protection. Basically, a lone worker on rail is mealtimes, and the role can pose both physical ‘The Conservatives have not fixed the defined as ‘someone who works physically and psychological risks. foundations of the economy, merely alone for a number of hours, with low levels of The RSSB project has produced three papered over the cracks’ – Keir contact with other colleagues.’ guidance documents. One general, for the Starmer , Labour Party leader Driving trains – the best job on the railway employer; one for line managers; and one for …UNQUOTE – does have its benefits; we have a great you as a lone worker.

Congratulazioni, Marz Desperate Marz Colombini, Waterloo Nine Dann retires Elms branch, has been re-elected In these trying times I would like, unopposed as through the Journal , to inform all the executive the friends and colleagues I’ve committee had the privilege to know and member for Ec1 Marz work with that my time has District 1. His colombini come! I want to thank you for the four year term of office will start fun, laughter and – sometimes – on 1 January 2022 and end on tears I have had down the years. 31 December 2025. I started my railway career in It’s his fourth term on our March 1978 as a box boy at union’s eight-strong policy- Orpington signal box, moving in making body; Marz was first February 1979 to Hither Green elected to the EC in June 2009. as a second man. In April 1984 I moved to Selhurst as a driver; in C2C ERMA EXTENDED July 1985 to Tattenham Corner; The c2c emergency recovery in April 1991 I went back to measures agreement, in place Hither Green; and then in since September, but which was December 2002 to King’s Cross due to finish on 1 April, the until 31 March 2021 when I retire cheers, intended start date for a new having completed just over 43 trevor, for direct award contract, has been years on the railway. the laughter, extended by the DfT until 30 May It has been an absolute the great ‘to allow both teams more time to pleasure! Now it’s time to enjoy fun, and the complete ongoing discussions on life with Rose and my family. (occasional) the business plan and details of Desperate Dann signing off tears the direct award agreement’.

6 The ASLEF Journal l April 2021 News

overcrowded services. Businesses say the Franchise system system doesn’t deliver. And the train operating companies are just clinging to the wreckage to plunder a profit. fell at first hurdle ‘the failed franchise model fell at the first hurdle during the coronavirus crisis and S Mick Whelan spoke out after that’s why the government has been forced G Keith Williams revealed some of to tinker with the system. But we believe the the recommendations in his long- system needs fundamental change. We awaited report into Britain’s rail industry at need to bring Britain’s railways into the 21st the National Rail Recovery conference on century and do what other successful thursday 25 February. gS Mick Whelan: ‘the tories’ failed franchise countries – such as germany – do. they ‘the tories have, finally, admitted that system needs fundamental change’ understand that the railway is a public privatisation – or, at least, the franchise service that should be publicly-owned, and system introduced by John Major in 1994 – believe should be run as a public service, publicly-run, in the public sector. has failed. But the Williams report – which and not for private profit. ‘We should bring the wheels and the was finished in November 2019 but put on ‘Because it’s not just the tories who, steel back together in a vertically- the back burner by this government – does belatedly, recognise that privatisation has integrated national network run for the not address the fundamental problem that failed. Passengers are up in arms about sky benefit of passengers, taxpayers, rail is a natural monopoly – a monopoly we high fares and, before the pandemic, businesses, and staff.’ Making his Mark Pictures of matchstick men After more than 40 Paddington, years’ service on the commuting daily by Look closely at this railway Mark O’Neill train for two years picture of a picket has decided to retire. before returning to line at Stratford Mark was just 16 Lawley Street as a during the 1982 strike when he joined the superviser in 1991. and, as well as the railway in September Mark had several roles ‘Buckton’s Boys’ board 1980 as an apprentice at Freightliner until – Ray Buckton was fitter for Freightliner at 2003 when he joined ASLEF’s GS at the Lawley Street, Central Trains as a time – you might Birmingham. In 1985 trainee driver, where spot, on the denim he transferred to he remained for the jacket of the local rep Dudley, until it closed rest of his career. Enjoy second from the left, in 1987, when he retirement, Mark! a patch (or badge) returned to Brum. In Debbie Insull promoting, er, Status 1989 Mark went to Birmingham New Quo. Dicky Fisher, work at Railfreight Street 141 branch now DO6, for that is Distribution HQ in reporter him as a young man, smiles wearily: ‘I have to explain to Richard as a young rebel, denim clad rocker and everyone who sees Buckton Boy (top) and now today (right) as our that photo, that the district 6 organiser sporting collar, tie, and suit badge had absolutely nothing to do with an maintaining the Down, down, deeper iconic 1970s rock status quo of an eight and down, as the band. It references hour working day.’ Quo army sing…

Enjoy retirement, Mark! Seventh heaven Terry Wilkinson, East Ham branch, has been re-elected unopposed as the executive committee member for District 8. His four year term of office runs from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2025. It is Ec8 terry Wilkinson Terry’s seventh term September 1999, on our EC – he was taking up position in first elected in January 2000.

April 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 7 News Power to the people

EC3 JOHN METCALFE badges, the museum is a fantastic explains why ASLEF’s and unique place to visit. It has executive committee collections covering popular has donated £1,000 radicalism, the rise of trade unionism in the 19th century, and to the People’s History women’s suffrage, extensive Museum in Manchester resources on the dockers’ and miners’ strikes, and much, much WAS delighted to back more. On top of all that it has returns to our lives, if you are in I our decision to support fascinating and diverse political, Manchester, then please pay the the excellent People’s industrial, and historical museum a visit. You will not be History Museum at our February collections. It is more than a disappointed. session. The museum is home to museum, it’s a place of education the national centre for the with its labour history and archive l The People’s History Museum collection, conservation, studies centre. – opened by Prime Minister interpretation, and study of The museum, like many others, Harold Wilson as the National material relating to the working has been badly hit by the covid Museum of Labour History in the People’s history Museum people of Britain. restrictions, and we can be proud, 1975 – is on the Left Bank, describes itself as ‘the national With the world’s largest as a trade union, that we are Spinningfields, Manchester, museum of democracy, telling collection – 400 – of colourful doing our bit to help maintain this M3 3ER. Tel: 0161 838 9190. the story of its development in trade union banners, and 7,000 wonderful place. When normality Website: phm.org.uk Britain: past, present, and future’

TOTON OLD BOYS’ REUNION We will not forget In anticipation of the lifting of all covid-19 restrictions, the 2021 Toton Old Boys’ AMILY, friends, and colleagues Reunion will be held at the Sportsman pub, attended a very different Derby Road, Long Eaton, Derbyshire, NG10 F memorial day at Newcastle on 4HA, from 19.30 on Friday 29 October. All Sunday 28 February to remember those welcome! Details from Reg Sargeant: email we lost in the train crash at Great Heck 20 [email protected] years ago. Gary Arrowsmith (Gateshead & Newcastle branch secretary), Paul Basham (LNER company council) and I attended on Paul (left) and Mark pay tribute at Newcastle catch a falling Eurostar behalf of ASLEF. The service was much central to those who died, and were injured, smaller than usual, due to covid rules on in the Selby crash. Photo: gary Arrowsmith the station, but it was live streamed on the internet and, during the service, a live a few hundred metres away as an LNER stream from the Heck memorial garden Azuma and a Freightliner engine passed was introduced when prayers and a the site of the crash, sounding their horns. blessing for those who died were offered. The stream then came back to the station After the service those at the memorial for the wreath laying. garden turned to look toward the railway EC4 Mark Wakenshaw Simon Weller on BBc South East Today

AGS Simon Weller explained the importance of ScotRail is to be nationalised Eurostar when he was interviewed by Ian Palmer on BBC South East Today , the regional ASLEF has welcomed the announcement by the Scottish government on Wednesday early evening news programme for the south- 17 March that, when Abellio’s franchise ends on 31 March 2022, the Operator of Last east of England, on Saturday 20 February. Resort, a public body accountable to the government, will assume responsibility for ‘Union concerns about Eurostar’ was the lead running ScotRail. ‘We welcome the beginning of the end of the failed franchise system item as Simon called on the government to here in Scotland,’ said Kevin Lindsay, ASLEF’s organiser in Scotland. ‘However, never step up and support the service. again should the people’s railway ever be in the hands of the privateers. This move starts On the previous day, DO6 Dicky Fisher, the end of franchising, and the end of a failed Tory experiment. It’s now for all of us in together with Paul Nowak, deputy general the industry to build a railway that’s accessible, affordable, and safe for the people of secretary of the TUC, Mick Lynch of the RMT, Scotland.’ GS Mick Whelan said: ‘The railways in Wales and Scotland have both been and Rob Jenks of the TSSA, met Treasury brought back into public control. England should be next – Westminster take note!’ officials to press the Chancellor to help after the company admitted it is ‘fighting for RETIRED MEMBERS’ SECTION survival’. We are now working with the TUC to The coronavirus crisis means that head office QUOTE… put together a formal paper to the Treasury. is unable to send out letters reminding RMS ‘Working from home is not a new ‘We are calling on the UK government to members, who pay annually by cheque, that normal. It’s an aberration that we’re intervene to prevent Eurostar going to the your membership is up for renewal. So if you going to correct as soon as possible’ – wall,’ said GS Mick Whelan. ‘Boris Johnson, Rishi know your renewal is due, please post a David Solomon , chairman and Sunak, and Grant Shapps must act to save this cheque, made payable to ASLEF, to head chief executive, Goldman Sachs service – for passengers, for the men and office in St John Street. An annual …UNQUOTE women who work on Eurostar, and for Britain subscription is just £15. Thank you! and our connection with the continent.’

8 The ASLEF Journal l April 2021 The ASLEF RMS 500 Club colleagues

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

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

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

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

ASLEF RMS 500 Club application form STANDIN G ORDE R M ANDA TE To ______Ban k

Name ...... Ad dress ______Address ...... ______...... ______60-83-01 ...... BANK BRANCH TIT LE ( NOT AD DRESS) SORTING C ODE N O. Ple as e p ay Uni ty Trust Ba nk Bi rmingham 08 -60 -01 ...... ’

Postcode ...... BENEFI CIA RY S N AME ACCOUN T N UM BER For th e cred it of ASL EF RMS 5 00 CLU B ACCO UNT 2 0 2 0 1 1 9 3 Telephone ...... AMOU NT IN F IGUR ES AMOU NT IN WO RDS

email ...... The su m o f £

...... DATE AN D AM OUNT OF F IRS T PA YM ENT DUE DA TE AND FR EQU ENCY Each number costs £4. You can ST Com mencing £ and th ere after e very 1 OF EVE RY MONT H purchase as many numbers as you like. I confirm that I wish to purchase ____ numbers as part of the 500 Club. DATE AN D AM OUNT OF L AST PA YM ENT *Until £ *Until you r ece ive fu rth er notice fro m m e/us in writ in g Qu otin g t he (A) I have set up my standing order (£48 and debit my/our acco unt acc ord in gly re ference per annum or £4 per month) (B) I enclose a cheque for advance Pleas e can cel any prev ious stan din g o rd er or dir ect d ebit in fav our of t he benefici ary named ab ove payment (£48 per annum). SPE CIA L INSTRU CTIO NS Delete (A) or (B) accordingly.

ACCOUN T TO B E DEBITE D ACCOUN T N UM BER Signed ......

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April 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 9 Firebox Hey bus driver – keep the change Does this bus stop at 82nd street? As more and more people, post-pandemic, join the Great Exodus from Britain’s cities to the picturesque villages of this green and pleasant land, CHRIS PROCTOR urges caution. Living in Little Dumpling, he says, might look like a good idea. But rural bus services are nigh-on non- existent since privatisation…

AKE extra care if you’re crossing a the thatcher government’s road leading out of a city. There’s a privatisation of Britain’s buses in T strong likelihood that you’ll be 1986 killed off many rural knocked over by a removal van. There are services – but made a fortune for hundreds of them buzzing round the her friend, the homophobic bypasses. All part of the ‘leave the city’ Stagecoach boss Brian Souter movement that hasn’t been so popular since New Age travellers set out to music festivals at If there is to be a trend towards home imaginative ‘total transport’ solutions for rural Glastonbury and Stonehenge in the 1960s. working and rural living, someone needs to be areas. We could be considering integrating It’s been brought on by the virus. Half the out there planning it. Otherwise there’s a taxis into the area’s payment system, population have decided they can work at disaster on the horizon. You can’t just populate employing canal barges, or re-opening the home and, seduced by memories of a day trip an area without updating its infrastructure: lines closed by Dr Beeching. If the countryside, to a hayrick, are desperate to move to the and that means improving public transport and its refugees, are not to be left in transport sticks. Where they will live in natural bliss in links as well as providing schools and poverty, we have to busy ourselves creating vibrant communities with friendly locals – of encouraging local shops. integrated transport systems that link all both the human and public house variety. transport forms and timetables. They will sit at the side of empty roads RETURN TO LITTLE DUMPLING PLEASE The problems stem from Margaret scanning a little William Wordsworth as they I remember 20 years ago taking a tram out of Thatcher’s privatisation. Commercial bus wait for their children to exit a sparsely Amsterdam to the end of a route where a new companies are not interested in providing a populated school. Birdies will tweet rather suburb was being built at Ijburg. When we public service; only in running well-used than sirens wail. alighted at the terminus, there was… nothing. routes where they can make lots of money. Work on homes hadn’t begun. The central Everyone else, and that includes the suits MOVERS MAY BE JUMPING THE GUN tram authority, the Gemeentelijk stranded at the railway station, can go and Since the virus began, people leaving London Vervoerbedrijf, saw the need to provide whistle. Because bus companies are no longer have spent £27.6 billion snapping up 73,950 facilities before the newcomers arrived. Our public services, you know… homes outside the capital. In the last three approach to a move out of town is more of the months country house prices in the West ‘cross your fingers and hope’ variety. WHAT’S THAT, DAD? A BUS, DARLING Midlands rose by 3.7% and in Surrey by 3.1%. Everyone needs two or three cars they can’t Also, bus companies are subsidised by local Last January saw 67% more homes on the afford: one for ferrying children, one for authorities, which might not see many votes in market in Edinburgh than the previous year. hypermarket duties, and one to rust in the spending extra money to pander to ‘in-comers’. Some of these location changers may be station car park. And, when you have a car, you And the new ruralists won’t be in sufficient jumping the gun. We have no idea how much are obliged to use it. To justify the purchase numbers to be influential. I foresee excursions home working will be feasible in the long you have to drive around inflicting traffic jams of home-working rural-types to city centres at term. Most jobs aren’t eligible: you need to and increasing pollution. the weekend, in search of calm, fresh air, and turn up if you’re a nurse, a shop worker, or a The Great Exodus, if it continues, shouldn’t solitude. Offspring will point in wonder at the train driver. Also, most people don’t have a make too much difference to existing rail large vehicles that pass them in the street. spare room that they can use as an office; and commuting routes because, even if people ‘What is that, daddy?’ you can only work at home in jobs you are come into the office less frequently, they will ‘It’s called a bus.’ trained for and know well. journey further when they do. No, the ‘Well, I wish we had one of them here in And, despite the allure of the countryside, problems start when our rail job is done and Surrey, daddy.’ there are problems living in Little Dumpling. the infrequent office workers return to Little One is public transport. There isn’t any. Public Dumpling to find a transport desert. transport, post-privatisation, halts at Britain’s There are solutions: but, sadly, they would CHRIS PROCTOR has written for The city limits. all involve the government spending money Guardian , The Times , the Morning Star , The Campaign for Better Transport reports on public services. After the virus the Tories New Statesman and Tribune as well as that more than 3,000 local bus routes have will claim there is no money left for anything spending eight years ‘before the mast’ disappeared over the last ten years. Local except, perhaps, tax relief for the very rich and in the policy department of ASLEF, authority funding for buses fell by more than assistance grants for the fabulously wealthy. where he helped the gS – first Keith 40%, and central government grants by 19%. There will certainly be nothing left over for Norman and then Mick Whelan – to Rural buses are as endangered as Cosnard’s social services or public transport. put together the Journal each month. net-winged Beetle. If there was, we could be talking about

10 The ASLEF Journal l April 2021 Scotland

sectors of the economy reopening very few The railway and the people will travel on trains. And we need people on trains to protect covid-19 pandemic not just employment but also the environment. The pandemic has shown us that governments can support workers and KEVIN LINDSAY , ASLEF’s workplaces. We should be eliminating the organiser in Scotland, who working poor and delivering a real living contracted the coronavirus, wage. As we’ve seen throughout this opens our special four page pandemic some of our key frontline workers report by reflecting on this make all workplaces as safe as possible. are also some of the poorest paid. Shop strangest of years As a union we’ve been very proactive workers, delivery drivers, fast food outlets, throughout the pandemic. The challenges and restaurants have worked throughout the LL of us who have been fortunate to have been difficult but I believe we have pandemic but the majority of these people live through the pandemic will look done well not to see widescale redundancies. are on minimum wage. Our NHS staff have A back on 2020 as probably the Here in Scotland we have an agreement with been called heroes but have suffered years of strangest year of our lives. More than ScotRail for no compulsory redundancies pay freezes or below inflation increases. We 120,000 people in Britain have lost their lives and have had no member furloughed. Our should put people before profit; this is a from the coronavirus, and countless others members also got a 3% increase in salary as moment for the governments at Westminster have been, and still are, suffering from the part of a two-year productivity deal and and Holyrood to reflect on their policies. effects of covid-19 but, remarkably, we’ve secured an enhanced rest day working We don’t need private companies to run throughout this period we’ve kept the payment. No other grades or trade unions our public services. Mail, rail, and the utilities railway running. It’s been an amazing effort have managed to secure any of this. should all return to public ownership. The from everyone involved. The challenge going forward is how we railway has been heavily subsidised Every ASLEF rep has contributed; the get our lives back to some normality. We throughout this pandemic but our political general secretary and assistant general need the four governments of the UK to plan masters continue to allow private companies secretary have been involved at national not just to get us out of lockdown, but for a to run our railways through management level at the RICF; the EC has been coming up comprehensive economic recovery. contracts, making large profits. This has to with ASLEF policy and producing the That recovery cannot be just about one stop. Every penny out that ends up in the bulletins; DOs and CC reps getting company sector. We need all parts of Scotland’s pockets of shareholders is lost to the agreements; LLCs acting on implementing economy, and that of the rest of the UK, to be taxpayer. It’s time for our services to be these agreements; and our health & safety given support and help to rebuild. Without returned to public ownership and run for the reps have done an incredible job trying to offices, shops, restaurants, bars, and other people by the people.

remain in limbo, for the time The world turned on its head being. the freight industry is back to pre-covid figures; but JIM BAXTER , to make sure the railway lives – ASLEF member Brett that is nowhere near good the EC member continued to function so that Mccullough, conductor enough, and we need to for Scotland, key and essential workers donald dinnie, and continue to push for more argues that, could get to and from their passenger christopher freight on rail. We also have places of work and also that Stuchbury – was felt the issue of infrastructure coming out of essential goods could throughout the industry. the and making sure it is fit for a covid, we have to build a continue to be moved around work that all our modern railway. We’ve had railway fit for purpose – the country. representatives did at this the landslide at carmont, the and fit to serve our society this meant that non- time was remarkable; each bridge parapet collapse near essential training was and every one of them went Montrose, two landslips near ELL, no one saw that stopped and, in the case of way beyond what is Largs, and continued concern coming, did they? ScotRail, all new driver expected. I wish to thank with the West highland line. W When I wrote my training stopped. We worked Kevin Lindsay, our district We must make sure that the article this time last year, I industrially and politically to organiser, the ScotRail investment that is needed is never for a minute thought I keep these trainees fully company council, and our in place to keep our railway would be spending the next employed, not furloughed, in local reps – Stewart Sinclair, infrastructure safe. 11 months, as far as union the hope that, as soon as it Brian Wood, and cliff Wright – And as a union we need to duties go, working from was safe to do so, we could who worked through their be prepared, and organised, home. the world has been get them back into the own grief to make sure their to deal with whatever turned on its head and I do workplace, and back training, members and other staff changes the future holds. not think anyone foresaw the and that is still the aim. ASLEF were okay and had the Prepared to work with all drastic changes to our private has also created an online support they required. within the industry to make lives and, of course, our work training and learning policy What does the future hold sure the railway we build lives. the saddest part of the that supports employers and for the rail industry in coming out of covid is fit for pandemic was the loss of trainees in delivering training Scotland? clearly, we cannot purpose and fit to serve our members to covid-19. in a remote manner. expect any big political society. But we also need to As we went into lockdown the tragedy that befell decisions to be made prior to be organised well enough not in March the covid-19 Aberdeen members, in the holyrood elections in to accept change, for decision-making process August, with the crash at May. So as far as the ScotRail change’s sake, and not at the went into full swing. We had carmont and the loss of three franchise is concerned we expense of our members.

April 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 11 Agenda A year like no other

cotRAIL company council would like temp testing, and training bubbles to try and everyone to reflect on all those we get our trainees back into the workplace S have lost – family, friends and safely. Unfortunately, this has proved very colleagues – as the worldwide pandemic has difficult, with the constant lockdowns, and impacted on everyone’s daily life since the restrictions put in place; training is still first lockdown back last March. Everyone has suspended, and only essential training is made adjustments and, from the very first being done to keep services running. reduction in services, to the latest currently the service is vastly reduced at 67%. restrictions in place since december, we tragedy came to Scotland in August with would like to thank all the reps for all the the needless loss of life of Bros Brett hard work they have put into trying to keep Mccullough, donald dinnie, and passenger some normality to our daily grind with roster christopher Stuchbury. Six others were and diagram changes. injured, and our condolences go to all the It’s going to be tough We have tried to put in place the best families. the investigation into the accident is WELVE months since the first mitigation we possibly could to protect ongoing, with several organisations involved lockdown there may be light at the members, and have worked closely with our including Network Rail, the BtP, the oRR, the T end of the tunnel with the roll out do, Ec member, and LLcs to try and deliver a RAIB, ASLEF, and ScotRail. It is a painstaking of the vaccine. Our thoughts go out to the safe working environment, with social process with every detail pored over with a families of those lost to this terrible virus. distancing, reduced numbers in bothys, fine toothcomb. the findings will be The business situation has been dire with longer walking times, reduced spares, SB in published later this year and we sincerely CrossCountry running 60% of the services house, and lots more. We have tried to kick hope nothing like this will happen again. with only 10% of the ticket revenue. Driver start training, putting in place PcR testing, ScotRail company council safety has been the highest priority. With the assistance of the RICF guidance we have made temporary changes to how we work, with the emphasis on having the lowest drivers’ job security comes first number of drivers possible in the workplace. ET’S hope we’re moving towards some sort of normality, with better The company bucked the trend with a expectations for this year, after suffering the way we have in dealing with covid three year direct award which, in a small L this last year. The lockdown restrictions, and associated safety measures in our way, would have allowed us to move workplace, haven’t been easy to negotiate and agree, but the way in which our members forward, but for the DfT stepping in with on LNER, and all over the UK, have coped has to be applauded. We continue to function, revenue support and blocking any progress with weekly meetings taking place on a virtual basis, which in turn allows company for the grade that would add to the wage council, and your h&s reps, to monitor the safety set up, and ensures that LNER bill. In fact, the 2020 pay claim has still not maintains these safety measures. been settled as we wait on dates. When we Unfortunately, because of covid, we face a problem that we’ve never faced as drivers, eventually get to meet it’s going to be tough or reps, since privatisation. Train operating companies have profited with the foot count to extract a way forward from a DfT-backed revenues provided by passengers; this allowed us all to share in some way some of the employer. Looking for something positive, profit TOCs made through negotiated pay rises. This is no longer the case due to covid our trainee driver programme, after being restrictions and the massive reduction of passengers travelling by rail. subject to covid-19 delays, has resumed First, and foremost, train driver job security has to be maintained. LNER has advised with cohorts 5 and 6 due to start shortly on us that there will be further recruitment this year, throughout the route, which can only their driver apprenticeship courses. be welcomed by all of us as drivers. We will, of course, continue to do the best we can, John Hay CrossCountry company moving forward, and will continue to address all of the above. council chair Rab Wicksted LNER company council rep, Edinburgh overcome obstacles HIS has been satisfactory. DRS a tough year; completed a successful Light at the end of the tunnel T covid has rail head treatment WOULD like to pass on our condolences, on behalf of our drivers at Avanti, to ScotRail dominated the programme, although colleagues regarding the terrible accident at Stonehaven. changes to our lives from the outset this I This past year was without precedent; covid-19 has impacted our lives every day, and but we have continued could have been a lot led to significant reductions in the travelling public which, in turn, has affected our business. But to overcome many different. After with the steady distribution of the vaccine, there is light at the end of the tunnel. obstacles to ensure accepting a bubble Our company has entered into an emergency measures agreement with the DfT, which has been that ASLEF members agreement, a number challenging. In regard to delivery of service, in line with government guidelines, we have introduced have been safe whilst of managers wanted to training bubbles, telephone medicals, and roster changes at short notice. keeping services send drivers out on On a more positive note, we have managed to keep all drivers at work, rather than being running. Initially, this RHTT without furloughed. There have been a number of commitments made. For instance, the opening of new was a battle with the precautions. After drivers’ depots at Crewe and Holyhead, and the company is introducing a new Hitachi train fleet. The company, which tried protracted drivers’ council, and our lead officer, will be involved. Funding has been made available to upgrade to dismiss rep input negotiations with the the training school and drivers’ accommodation at Polmadie and the company has pledged to hire a but, eventually, we DRS directorship, the minimum of 60 new drivers. Overall, this year has been tough. However, moving forward, we hope negotiated agreement company council and to get back to normality and not only get the railway back to what it once was, but improved. to ensure covid-19 lead officer Andy Archie Barr Avanti West Coast CC rep, Polmadie measures were Hourigan reached an

12 The ASLEF Journal l April 2021 Scotland

Ready for the challenge Keeping you safe from harm UST over 18 years in the railway, 16 in the fleet driver grade, the last two on IRST I want to offer our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Glen Elvin, J company council, and I can safely say F Scotland hub driver, and Motherwell branch member, who passed away recently far too the last year has been like no other. Two years young. Another victim of this terrible pandemic. RIP Glen. ago my first company council meeting was Training of new recruits continues at DBC in Scotland, made possible by training bubbles and very different, with more than a dozen folk covid testing which has moved on from the pin prick method to lateral flow testing. Drivers are now round a table, now it’s Microsoft Teams calls permitted to undertake the tests themselves, at home, prior to taking duty, thus avoiding potential and the same faces with kitchens, living rooms, virus transmission in the workplace. The relevant time to do this is still diagrammed. and home offices... A busy period is ahead, with spring bringing the start of weed spray season in addition to our I’ve been pursuing, for a number of years, normal contracted work. Ongoing training is vital to keep this work covered. the implementation of a team leader grade for At national level, we have a few issues and, for the first time in years, have several items sitting at the yard co-ordinator at all fleet locations avoidance of dispute level due to a lack of resolution over extended periods. We have also been which was finally recognized as a specialist role engaged in talks about the way we represent you. On review, there is no way the changes presented with a high level of responsibility for both train so far could be acceptable as it would vastly diminish our ability to represent the membership at all movements and the people involved. levels. Our aim is always to keep you, our members, in secure employment, earning a fair and decent Along with my h&s colleagues the last salary, with terms and conditions that improve year on year, whilst keeping you safe from harm in couple of years have been spent trying to the workplace. We hope a resolution can be found and we can continue working collaboratively acquire a shunting vehicle at Haymarket as we with the company, as we have done since the ill-fated Project Charles era. Since then we have are, and have been for the last three years, an navigated our way through the company’s financial difficulties, driver shortages, training issues, and HST depot, without a shunting vehicle! pension funding problems. This has never been more important than trying to work our way, Pay talks for 2020/21 were recently allowed collaboratively, through the global pandemic. to commence, another difficult challenge, but Rest assured, your company council and lead officer are working hard to resolve these matters challenges in the railway are quite often and working towards a more secure future for all. We will keep you informed via local reps and difficult. Hopefully a time for some well- branch meetings. Whilst not the biggest fan of the online meeting format, Zoom branches have deserved recognition of how difficult the last been well attended and the engagement from members has been superb. I am optimistic that we 12 months have been for all fleet drivers when are on the home straight now, with the vaccine, and an end to lockdowns, so, by summer, we will be we have been coming to work from day 1 of able to meet in person again. Stay positive. covid restrictions. Also some recognition of James Glew DB Cargo company council secretary how we have transferred our long-honed skills of shunting Sprinters and 170 Turbostars into agreement, initially on lateral flow antigen The agreement also insist that ASLEF shunting HST Class 43 and empty coaches. I trial, with the blessing test. As agreed, this will allows the company members have will continue to campaign for our members in of the EC, to run RHTT only be used by council to monitor the continually managed to fleet over the next few years, to improve our services whilst members who wish to numbers of drivers at all keep services moving conditions in the workplace, with the challenge operating in a safe do so. The company depots to ensure that during this pandemic looming of new franchise holders, whether a manner by forming a council has also been the correct numbers of and demand private company or Transport Scotland. bubble. After the tragic busy agreeing a new staff are at all locations recognition of that The next challenge for all of us is the incident at Stonehaven, health & safety guide so they cover the duties during the forthcoming recovery of the railway, and the country’s DRS was heavily for reps. And there is required. talks. Finally, I would like economy at large, in which the railway will play involved in providing now an agreement for The company to wish our company a big role. ASLEF will continue to be at the drivers and every depot within DRS council and our lead council secretary Kevin forefront of members’ interests across the fleet locomotives for the to elect an h&s rep. officer will shortly be Bell best wishes for his driver grade. recovery and, later, to In December, our entering negotiations recovery from illness. Looking at the last two years, who really route prove once the negotiators agreed an with DRS on the 2021 He is sorely missed and, knows what the immediate and long-term line had been repaired. establishment model pay submission. We I hope, will be writing future holds for the railway? We agreed to use a based on ASLEF best sent correspondence to the DRS report this Maybe that’s part of the attraction; you blood prick test to form practice. This will all DRS reps asking time next year, fully never know what’s at the other end of the a bubble to aid ensure that the what they would like to recovered, and back in tunnel. But one thing’s for sure; ASLEF is always training. This will soon appropriate number of see in an award, and the driving cab. ready for the next challenge. be replaced with a new train crew will be at all received great Rab Lang DRS Andrew Foster Fleet drivers company procedure using a locations within DRS. feedback. DRS reps company council council rep

April 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 13 Scotland

By staying apart we have come together like never before

ANAS SARWAR , who has just been elected as the Anas and his wife Furheen, an NhS dentist, new leader of the Scottish have three children; he says ‘I won’t let a Labour Party, sets out his generation of young people go forgotten’ plans for a people’s through this and go back to the old conditions for workers and a safer railway are railway in Scotland arguments. In the coming weeks, I’ll be setting top priorities. Side by side with our unions, I out my vision for Scotland. will lead a renewed campaign for public T IS the greatest honour of my life to Unlike the SNP and the Tories, I won’t focus ownership and put our case for a People’s I be elected leader of Scottish Labour. on division; I will make the case for a covid ScotRail to the voters. Our party was founded on the recovery Parliament. That will include an NHS A Labour government is vital to strength of the Scottish people – and that is restart plan so that we never again have to transforming our railways across the country. where its future lies, too. But I know we have a choose between treating a virus or treating And I will work towards this by collaborating lot of work to do to win back trust. If we’re cancer. We will set out a catch-up plan for our with trades unions, experts, key workers and brutally honest, our members and trades children because I won’t let a generation of business leaders across Scotland to build a union supporters – and the people of Scotland young people go forgotten. And we will set platform that looks to the future. – haven’t had the party they deserve. I will out a real vision for jobs – for now, and for the The task ahead of us is tough but, together, work day and night to change that, so we can future, too. there is nothing we cannot achieve. I’m rebuild the country I love. I want to see a people’s railway where the determined that the Scottish Labour Party I The Labour Party is in my blood. In the Scottish government takes control of the lead will always be on your side. I will be a 1940s my grandfather came to Lossiemouth fragmented ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper leader who focuses on what unites our with nothing, searching for a better future. He franchises and puts in place a publicly-owned country – not on what divides it. always intended to return home but, instead, railway, run for the people of Scotland, not to And, together, we will build a better future fell in love with Scotland and brought his make a profit for shareholders. Better for Scotland. family here. He would never have imagined that his grandson would, one day, become the first person from an Asian background to lead ANAS SARWAR was born in Glasgow in 1983. He was educated at Hutcheson’s a major political party in the UK. That doesn’t Grammar School and the University of Glasgow and joined Scottish Labour at 16. He say something about me – it says something worked as an NHS dentist in Paisley before being elected MP for Glasgow Central in great about Scotland and its people. 2010. He lost his seat to the SNP in 2015 and, a year later, was elected MSP for the Our country has been through a collective Glasgow region. Anas was deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party from 2011 to trauma over the past year. And yet, by staying 2014, under Johann Lamont, and stood for the leadership, against Richard Leonard, apart, we have come together like never in 2017. He was elected leader on Saturday 27 February. before. So I made it clear throughout the leadership campaign that we can’t come

Network Rail in Scotland Rail should be the first choice creating a single body overseen by Scottish JOHN FINNIE , face of an increasingly future of Scotland’s railway. ministers and, ultimately, Scottish Green serious climate emergency, Our £22 billion plan is fully accountable to the public. Party MSP for the sheer scale of that costed and would This would go some way to neglect bears repeating. significantly improve inter- repairing the terrible damage the Highlands Huge stretches of track city services while upgrading done by privatisation. & Islands, on remain more or less the same rural and regional services, Rail should be the first and the party’s as when they were laid in the with new train stations across natural choice for most ambitious – but necessary – Victorian era; ever-rising the country. people when they travel, but plans for a publicly-owned ticket prices create profit for Are these plans we can’t get to that point by railway in Scotland private businesses; and ambitious? Absolutely, but tinkering round the edges, nowhere near enough has they’re also achievable. More passing our trains from one COTLAND’S railways been invested in resilience than that, they’re necessary. franchise to the next. Instead have been neglected measures for the kinds of If we’re to dig ourselves out we need to build a railway S for decades by extreme weather we’re going of the climate emergency, that truly belongs to successive governments of to see as climate change then the current model of Scotland with good quality every political stripe. That’s continues to take hold. expensive trains for private unionised jobs, affordable not something of which That’s why the Scottish profit simply must go. Our ticket prices, and a reliable ASLEF members need Greens recently published plan would bring ScotRail service for everyone. At this reminding – you see it at our Rail for All proposals back into public ownership, point, anything less is simply work every day – but, in the setting out our vision for the but also merge it with not good enough.

14 The ASLEF Journal l April 2021 Platform This is England

GREGOR GALL , who was Professor of Industrial Relations at the University of Stirling, and then at the University of Bradford, and is now an affiliate research associate at the University of Glasgow, and editor of the Scottish Left Review , analyses the Prime Minister’s state aid to industry and predicts what covid capitalism has in store for us post-pandemic

ITH extensive economic and social state supports the interests of this tiny group state intervention for more than a of people. W year, it would be easy for anyone with This is to be able to see the wood rather left-wing political inclinations to think that the than the trees because you would think, at Will the public money – yours and mine – neo-liberal, free market, Thatcherite economic times, that Boris Johnson’s government was poured into companies over the last year model has had its day. That’s certainly what anti-business and even anti-capitalist given change the nature of the UK economic model? many people hope. But, unfortunately, it’s not the howls and shrieks coming from some true. The leopard of capitalism has not, companies, whether exporters to mainland property rights meant that those who had fundamentally, changed its spots. Europe or those in the tourism, hospitality, and wealth, in turn, had power. Despite rent Indeed, it’s a bit like expecting that Boris leisure sectors. controls, much rented private housing was Johnson would be a more considerate and inadequate. So bad, in fact, that the notorious compassionate human being after recovering FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE behaviour of one London slum landlord, Peter from his near-death covid illness (or becoming Going further back provides us with an even Rachman, gave rise to the term Rachmanism a father for the umpteenth time with a woman more illuminating illustration of the power, for flagrantly ripping off tenants. He pioneered who loves whales and dolphins). adaptability, and resilience of capitalists. After avoiding rent controls and subdividing houses It’s not just because the considerable state the Second World War, British capitalism was many times over into flats. intervention is temporary, whether in terms of on its knees. In 1947, it was bailed out by the These limited incursions into the free reign lockdown movement restrictions, emergency Anglo-American Loan Agreement – effectively of capitalists were not permanent features of business funding, or the job furlough scheme. Marshall Aid – from the United States. In return society in Britain as Anthony Crosland, then a It’s really a case of state intervention to prop for a low interest loan, finally paid off in 2006, Labour MP, and later Foreign Secretary, up the capitalist model to get it through the UK markets at home and abroad were opened predicted in his influential book, The Future of pandemic and then returning to the old up to US companies. Socialism , in 1956. We all know about the economic order. But British capitalism, as an economic spectacular success of Thatcher and the Tories The one significant change, though, is that, system, was also bailed out by domestic state in dismantling the limited controls on capital having left the European Union on 31 intervention. The great reforming post-war put in place by the Labour governments of December 2020, capitalism in Britain is, Labour governments led by Prime Minister Clement Attlee and Harold Wilson. potentially, freer now to behave badly than it Clement Attlee, nationalised the commanding was pre-pandemic. heights of the economy – the railways, coal, THEY COME AS PIRATES TO PLUNDER steel, gas, water, electricity, and so on – along When, in years to come, we look back at covid ATTACK ON TERMS AND CONDITIONS with creating the NHS and Britain’s welfare capitalism, we will not have seen a return to There is an obvious recent historical parallel. In state to look after people from the cradle to something akin to the constraints that existed Britain, after the global financial crisis of 2008, the grave. under Attlee or Wilson. This will not have been huge sums of public money were used to While there was an obvious benefit to a return to the halcyon days of social support the banking system. This led to wild workers as Labour attacked the five evils of democracy, and a mixed economy, or the talk of ‘nationalisation’ and even ‘socialism for want, disease, ignorance, squalor, and idleness, dream of democratic socialism. Capitalism may, the bosses’. the effect of public ownership was to at times, take on different complexions but, Not only did public money not bring about modernise and stabilise key sectors of the fundamentally, it is defined by the freedom of a popular control of banks like RBS and Lloyds economy for the benefit of private sector minority of capitalists to pursue great profit at TSB but government shares were returned to bosses, too. the expense of the majority – the rest of us. private ownership as quickly as possible. And State intervention – and state control – laid They come as pirates to plunder. From the public sector workers were made to pay for the foundations of the post-war consensus 1800s onwards, when modern capitalism first the disastrous actions of the boss class by where Labour and Tories, in and out of office, emerged in Britain, the period from 1945-1979 brutal attacks on their wages and conditions in agreed a balance between private and state was, sadly, the exception, not the norm. the David Cameron/George Osborne activity. In amongst this, there were price If any differences emerge between pre- and Conservative Age of Austerity. controls on food and rent. Indeed, the post-pandemic capitalism, they are more likely If we can talk of a particular period of covid consensus led to a new political term in the to be about the terms of trading for capitalists capitalism we are, nonetheless, still talking 1950s called ‘Butskellism’ as Conservative of different nations in terms of customs and about an economic and social system where Chancellor Rab Butler and Labour Chancellor tariffs. Social inequalities will continue to grow power and wealth lies in the hands of a tiny Hugh Gaitskell pursued similar economic and and workers’ rights will be kept in check. minority. The state has been colonised by their fiscal policies. Because on that capitalists, even when friends, advisers, and fervent admirers so the Yet capitalism endured. The protection of competing, always agree.

April 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 15 obituaries

DENNIS BEER GIANT OF ASLEF ENNIS Powsland Beer was an ASLEF giant who D served at many levels in a distinguished and glittering union career. He was born in Cornwall on 24 March 1927 to George and Dorothy and had three siblings – Terry, his older brother; Pearl, his younger sister; and Barbara, his twin, older than Dennis by 20 minutes. He tried various jobs; his first, at 13, in a shoe shop. On his first day he went to work in shorts and was teased mercilessly. So when he got his first wage packet he dennis Powsland Beer on the footplate as a young man and (right) in went out and bought a pair of more recent days. Photos courtesy terry Nicholls long trousers; but this got him into trouble with his mum, since were quite relaxed in those days holiday to New Zealand after was working with Tony Benn he was expected to give her all his and he had time to cook breakfast Dennis retired. He was relatively when he was MP for Bristol South- wages! During one interview, after on a shovel over the steam new to driving a four wheeled car, East. Tony, who famously finishing his third job, he was engine’s fire, collect pheasants for having driven a three wheeled eschewed alcohol, came to called a ‘delinquent’ for ‘job dinner, and carry canes for runner Reliant Robin on his motorcycle Dennis and Jean’s home for a nice hopping’. But, when he found the beans. Unfortunately the canes, licence for many years, but this cup of tea! right job, working on the railway, hanging out on either side of the didn’t put him off driving around When Jean developed he stayed until he retired. engine, were too long to go both north and south islands! dementia Dennis cared for her for Dennis had many interests in through a tunnel and that was the Dennis loved helping people; five years. He was in his late 80s his younger days; he was a end of the canes! not only as a trade union rep, but but, despite it taking its toll on his member of a jazz band and got his Dennis and Jean were living in on Bristol city council, and his own health, his love for Jean first taste of travel when he went Tywerdreath, a village near St local parish council, as well as never wavered, and they were to Germany with the group, just Austell, where their two sons were serving as a school governor. For both excited to receive a card of before the outbreak of the Second born – Peter in 1958 and David in ASLEF he became a full-time congratulations from the Queen. World War, to perform. He met his 1960 – but when the local depot representative and had many It was framed and took pride of wife, Jean, at a dance at the closed, in 1965, Dennis moved to roles. He was a giant of Bristol place on their living room wall. Capital cinema in St Austell. When Bristol where he was one of the branch, serving as branch Dennis will now join Jean at he got home he told his mum he first drivers to operate the new secretary from 1968 to 1975, then Cock Ridge, a favourite spot for had met ‘the perfect girl’ and high speed trains in the 1970s. on British Rail drivers’ sectional walks with their dog, George, a would marry her when he was 28, Dennis and Jean took council until he retired in 1992. He Jack Russell, who used to lie down which he did, in 1955. advantage of free rail travel sat on several Bristol council and watch Dennis and Jean have After training in Swindon, his abroad with trips to Switzerland, committees, including planning a stroll and then take them home. first job on the railway was on a Italy, and Austria. Their biggest and the airport, and, despite the He will always be fondly quiet local line in Cornwall. Things adventure, though, was a six week huge amount of reading material remembered as a kind and caring he had to wade through, his husband and father. commitment never wavered. David Beer (son) and Bernard He was a lifelong member of Kennedy Bristol 036 branch ALAN TAYLOR the Labour Party and a highlight secretary A GENTLEMAN One of life’s gentlemen, DARREN HORNSEY KIND AND RESPECTED retired Ashford driver Alan Barnham branch was saddened to ‘Brush’ Taylor, sadly advanced learn of the passing of Darren to the top link on Saturday 13 Hornsey on Monday 8 February February aged 81. Alan spent suffering from covid-19. Our friend his entire railway career at and work colleague left us far too Ashford in Kent. He was very early at the age of 51. Ever present at friendly and nothing was too branch meetings Darren was always much trouble for him. An polite, kind, and respected. Darren’s extremely popular and well- Alan ‘No Rush Brush’ taylor driving career started back in 2000 at loved guy, his casual Barnham, where he stayed. Popular, approach to life earned him rights, leaving them with a and always on hand to chat to all the title ‘No Rush Brush.’ He wink and a cheeky grin. You grades, whether he was changing always found time to stop will be missed, Brush. ends or on a PNB. The mess room and talk to anyone with a Robert Kilkie Ashford 009 will never feel the same, Darren, you problem, put their world to branch reporter will be sorely missed. RIP. darren hornsey: well respected Jeff Turner Barnham 029 branch secretary

16 The ASLEF Journal l April 2021 obituaries

SONIA WAY SUCH A POSITIVE PERSON Way were both guards at Bath Road and were both popular T IS with great sadness and became the first woman members of the train crew for that I report the passing driver at Bristol branch in 1992. many years. I of ex-Bristol Bath Road, This was a very difficult time to Sonia, too, was a very Res, and EWS retired driver Sonia be a woman driver at Bath Road popular person in the Bristol Way on Friday 23 October 2020. depot. Many senior drivers, at railway community. Many Sonia, who had been ill for some that time, disapproved of people who knew and worked time with liver and kidney women working on the railway. with her paid tribute on social problems, passed away in the Period. And many were quite media, saying she was such a Bristol Royal Infirmary from a vocal about their views! positive and engaging person. blood clot on her brain. She was Sonia was an active member She will be much missed by her only 50. of Bristol branch and served as Sonia Way: taken much too soon father Colin, brother Chris, Sonia started on the railway assistant branch secretary in the family, and friends; and by work at Bath Road depot as an ATE in early 1990s. She also attended Plymouth, and Swansea. She mates who remember her as a 1987. She was quickly promoted ASLEF’s national school. retired from the railway under great laugh, and a good person to guard. She passed the When Bath Road split, she the EWS ill health scheme in with whom to work. aptitude test for driver and became a driver at the Res depot 2007. Rest in Peace, Sonia, taken became a train(wo)man D in at Barton Hill in Bristol, driving Sonia came from a railway from us much too soon. November 1989 which was when class one Royal Mail services family. Her grandfather ‘Jock’ Bernard Kennedy Bristol 036 she joined ASLEF. She passed out between Bristol, London, Thompson and her mother Rita branch secretary

ALEX BARRIE A PASSION FOR FOOTBALL AND THE RAILWAY Sadly, I must inform you of the passing of a friend and colleague, retired Motherwell branch member Alex ‘Big Baz’ Barrie, who passed away, in his sleep, on Saturday 13 February, three days short of his 63rd birthday. Alex, born on 16 February 1958, was a well-known character within our branch, who spent his whole railway career at Motherwell, first at the shed, and then the station. he joined the railway on Monday 20 August 1979 as a second man. Unlike many others at the time Alex chose to stay rather than move to another depot to get his driver’s position. this paid off in 1984 when he was sent to Polmadie to start his Up for cup: Alex with Hugh Bradley (left) MP12 course. After passing his driver’s rules shed football team and, latterly, the and with some of his Railway Staff in November, he became a passed man at Motherwell station team. Alex was himself Associate Cup-winning team the shed before getting his driver’s position a very accomplished player, signing on 16 February 1987, his 29th birthday. he others, made the choice to leave the freight professional forms with Nottingham Forest went on to drive both diesel and electric industry, and Motherwell shed, behind and before choosing the railway as his career hauled freight trains and local, suburban, make his way half a mile up the road to path. As the manager of the Motherwell electric multiple unit passenger trains. Motherwell railway station and ScotRail shed team, at a time when football in the In the mid-1990s, as rail privatisation bit, where he remained until taking early railway was taken very seriously, and and everyone at Motherwell was given the retirement on 31 August 2017. running trains wasn’t allowed to get in the choice of where they wanted to work in the Many colleagues will remember him as way of an important match, Alex led his new and fragmented railway, Alex, with 38 the manager of the successful Motherwell team to cup victory. on 1 June 1989, his team beat the clear favourites, glasgow central, 2-1 to lift the Railway Staff FRANKIE MUNN A GOOD OLD BOY Associate cup. he also led the team to the I have to report the passing of another Ripple Lane Pathfinder, Frankie Munn, who began his semi-finals of the British Staff Associate cup career at Stratford in the early 1970s, working his way up to become a driver, doing a job he really and to the final of the Scottish Staff enjoyed. He came to Ripple Lane, where he remained until it closed, and then went back to 30A Associate cup in 1991. for a short spell before finally working for Freightliner Intermodal at Tilbury, and Freightliner Alex retired early from the railway to Heavy Haul at Dagenham, where he retired. spend more time with Agnes and their Whichever depot he was working at he was always a very popular driver. Everybody enjoyed family and, in particular, his wee working with him, having a laugh and a bit of banter, which went hand in hand in those happier granddaughter. Unfortunately, he never times on the railway. got to spend as many years with them as he Frank had been admitted to the Queen’s Hospital, Romford, recently for another ongoing had hoped. medical condition but, sadly, it is believed that he contracted the coronavirus and died on Alex will be greatly missed by all those Wednesday 18 November 2020. Our condolences to Jenny and his family and friends who will who had the privilege of knowing him. miss the pleasure of his excellent company. RIP Frank (a good old boy). EC2 Jim Baxter on behalf of Motherwell Cliff Blackwell Retired Members’ Section 137 branch

April 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 17 obituaries

RAY ‘TINY’ EVANS ‘IF YOU WEREN’T STOOD HERE TALKING TO ME I’D SWEAR YOU HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THAT’

T IS with a very sad heart that I must corkers in his career, like the time he tied some report the sudden death of retired detonators to a piece of string, climbed up I Newport driver Raymond Henry onto the roof of the cabin, and dangled them Evans, affectionately known as ‘Tiny’. He was a down the chimney. When he climbed down, lovely man who always had a smile on his face the area manager had turned up, and when and a cheery greeting for everyone he met the string had burnt away the detonators and, of course, that fabulous laugh! dropped down into the stove, blowing it up, Born in 1943 at Llanbradach, near and sending all the men running out of the Caerphilly, he started his railway career at cabin. The area manager looked at Tiny and Severn Tunnel Junction as an engine cleaner in said, ‘If you weren’t stood here talking to me 1958, became a passed fireman in 1959, and now I would swear you had something to do then fireman in 1960. He got his driving job in with that.’ 1984. With the closure of Severn Tunnel When colleagues retire you often lose Junction in 1987 he moved to Gloucester, and touch, but there were so many railway then, in 1994, with the loss of freight work it reunions, retirement dos, and Lost Boys’ get was another move to Newport, where he togethers, and Tiny would always come along stayed until retirement in 2003, working his for the banter. Everyone – even fellow drivers last shift – a 20.00 hours shed turn – with his from other depots who hadn’t met him before son John as the TCS that night. – always went away having enjoyed his Tiny was a keen rugby fan, and a former excellent company and knowing they had player, who played to a good standard for made a new friend. Ray ‘tiny’ Evans: rugby fan and practical joker Caldicot RFC and then Lydney RFC in his Our return journeys were always a lively younger days, and in later years was a keen affair as Tiny would always start singing. in these strange times, as the funeral would follower of Newport RFC. His other passion in Coming home from Exeter once he had the have been filled to the roof with people who life, apart from his family, was pigeon racing, a whole carriage joining in and, on a Liverpool liked and loved Raymond ‘Tiny’ Evans. Another hobby he started in 1965 and continued until trip, near disaster when he nearly spent the great loss to the railway family, and I’m sure we his untimely departure. £10 note he always had folded up in his wallet, will raise a glass in his memory when we can. Tiny was a good railwayman who loved to which was an ongoing joke with the boys. Russell Morris on behalf of Newport play practical jokes, with some absolute It is so sad to say goodbye to an old friend 140 branch

STEVEN ‘CLEM’ PALMER BURLY CENTRE FORWARD FOR THE BATH ROAD SUNDAY FOOTBALL TEAM

Steven Palmer, known as clem, Bath Road until the depot was the first black driver at Bristol split in 1994/95. clem elected to Bath Road, sadly died on work for great Western trains, Monday 19 october 2020 from which became First great covid-related issues. he was Western. In the last period of his only 59 years old. career he elected to work as a clem’s funeral took place on shed/ferry driver at St Phillip’s Wednesday 11 November at Marsh depot, where he was holy trinity church, trowbridge, working until he passed. Wiltshire. the usual covid-19 clem was a loveable rogue restrictions applied and only a and a very popular member of small number of mourners, the railway community. he had including family and close the ability to light up a mess friends, were allowed into the room anywhere in district 7, church. But outside the church a from Paddington to Penzance large number of clem’s friends and over to Swansea. In his and work colleagues attended younger days clem was a to pay their last respects. decent footballer, playing up clem was born, grew up, and front as a burly No 9. he played went to school in trowbridge. he regularly for the Bath Road started on the railway as a Sunday football team, clem – who driver’s assistant at Westbury Locomotive 82A – when we could light depot in August 1979, which is could get him out of bed! – and up a mess where he joined ASLEF. he will be much missed by his room from transferred to Bristol Bath Road partner Sandra, family, friends, Paddington in 1985 and was promoted to and many, many workmates. to Penzance driver in 1989. he continued Bernard Kennedy Bristol 036 and Swansea – about to drive his hSt and (top) with friends working through the links at branch secretary and colleagues Ken Millard, Barry Fellows, and colin Salvage

18 The ASLEF Journal l April 2021 obituaries

JOE EDWARDS BIG BOY TOMS AND SUPER DS

Joe Edwards (1930-2021); running in an ex-works Stanier 8F for the lads at Bescot; climbing a gradient with ease; and those big boy toms

S January came to a close, so did the 90 year innings of our highly A respected banner-carrying brother Joe Edwards. Born on 29 July 1930, and raised in Eccles, Lancashire, Joe enrolled as an engineering apprentice, but that was interrupted by national service in the Manchester Regiment where he served with another budding comedian, a certain Bernard Manning, 15 days his junior. One of their tasks was to guard Spandau Prison in Berlin inside which were three notorious figures from World War Two – Admiral Karl Dönitz, serving 10 years; Albert Spear, 20 years; and Rudolf Hess, life sentence. Having both served their own two year stretch, in May 1950 Bernard and Joe took their comedy back to Manchester; the former We had a job on Tuesday and Thursday, March 1994, he took an EVR package at 63, to the working men’s club circuit, his own 9K13, 9.44 am Chadd vans to Crewe complete after 43 years’ service. We all used to look nightclub, and The Comedians television show with four-wheeled tub at the back. If there forward to seeing him at the annual reunion on ITV, the latter to the mess room at 10C were no repaired vehicles to return, 9H03 but, like the Magic Dragon, one October, he Patricroft MPD, four miles from the temple it would take the brake van back on its own. Joe came no more. served, Exchange station. and trainman John Hagan chatted until the For a day out at Gardeners’ World at the The depot, a former LNWR shed, had 73 peg came off, then John retired to the van, Joe NEC my wife and I boarded at Stockport. No steam engines for Joe’s cloths to dirty, shuffled the Class 47 out of the yard, through sooner had we sat down than we heard a including 36 Black Fives, and 16 Super Ds, the Crewe station, and turned right for booming voice from the other end of the ageing 0-8-0s to be found at all Wessy sheds. Manchester. Easily done, Joe forgot about his coach. It was Joe. ‘Was he that loud in the mess Also, a pristine stud of Stanier 5X. Those magic van and opened up the Brush Type 4 and room?’ Louder. Much louder! Well, he had to names conjure up, for many of us, the smell of settled her at 60mph across The Salt for three compete with MTV. He would then produce a warm oil and shiny green paint... Manitoba , miles, then at 75mph from Sandbach for sandwich with a giant slice from one of his British Columbia , Australia , Bermuda , eight miles. solanum lycopersicum (tomato plants) Collingwood , and Madden . Meanwhile, back in the van, John had both showing on all four sides. Patricroft became 26F, then 9H, and closed his arms and legs locked around the I had only known Joe for six weeks when from 00.01 Monday 1 July 1968. Joe had handbrake wheel in the centre until they were we were paired on the 15.33 to Stoke. The job toured north, west, and east, and soon found put inside at Chelford to allow a train to pass. It included a two hour break upstairs in Stoke himself heading south from Longsight depot, must have come as a shock to Joe when he mess room. Being a Saturday, it was perfect to ironically another former Super D garage. He heard the ballast crunching and saw John, catch Sports Report at 5pm whilst we enjoyed fiercely defended, in retrospect, the Wessy ashen-faced, looking up. John said later that our tea. United were playing Arsenal away against the Eastern men who had adored their had he been on a date with Kylie Minogue, ‘I next day, so we went back in time, discovering Tinys. And, like all the lads at the holiday camp, wouldn’t have gripped her any tighter!’ the games we had shared, and both purred he submitted the occasional tale to add to Privatisation and Joe would not have made whilst discussing socialism. Joe told me of his depot folklore. a good cocktail and so, at week ending 19 love for the Super D, and how he and his driver would relieve a pair on a brick train from Bletchley with the 0-8-0 wheezing, but raring to go. Joe summed up their inability to stop by NORMAN POUNDS KEEN CYCLIST smiling, ‘It’s not the goin’ of ’em, it’s the whoain’ Norman Pounds was born in 1923 and began his career at Plaistow in East London, of ’em.’ working as a cleaner during World War Two, progressing to fireman, and driver, and In his latter years Joe took to tweeting and rubbing shoulders with rock’n’roll singer Joe Brown who, at the time, was a fireman amassed 57k followers, including John le there. It is thought he transferred to a very small, and obscure, depot at Upminster Carre, on Twitter. He leaves a loving wife, Irene, before arriving at Tilbury Riverside mixed traction depot when electrification came in four children, and grandchildren. I would have the 1960s, which is where I met him, and where he learnt the new diesels and electric swapped for the baddest egg turn to be Joe’s traction. Norman, a keen cyclist, took early retirement in 1988. He died recently aged 98. mate; can a brother say fairer than that? Cliff Blackwell Retired Members’ Section Mel Thorley Retired Members’ Section

April 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 19 Letters

Join the conversation! Send Joe and tommy on the plate, their caps are worn your letters by email to [email protected] or by in racing style, their elbows jutting from the cab Royal Mail to the ASLEF It was good to see the Journal at 77 St John Street, letter from Neil castle (Journal , March) Clerkenwell, regarding the appeal to London, mark the grave of Joe EC1M 4NN duddington properly. As a fan of the prog rock group Big Big train (appropriately named, Punishment for passengers I’m sure you’ll agree), the On Monday 1 March we saw the usual annual band and its fans, known punishment for rail passengers, only slightly as Passengers, are fully delayed, with an inflation-busting hike in fares supporting the appeal. of 2.6% in England and Wales. In fact, the Tory this is because of government is screwing the public with an their song, East Coast Big Big train: Andy Poole, danny Manners, david extra 1% over and above inflation. As part of Racer , concerning the Longdon, Rikard Sjöblom, Nick d’virgilio, dave the government’s announcement of a gradual exploits of driver gregory, Rachel hall and greg Spawton easing of lockdown, they should be duddington, Fireman encouraging the public to start using trains tommy Bray, and all the Mallard . talking of epics, internet if you wish to again but, instead, they’re gradually pricing other railway workers East Coast Racer is a check it out! the railways out of existence. It doesn’t make who contributed to that modern prog rock classic Don Church driver, sense to kick the rail industry when it’s down. epic run with the easily found on the Exeter Even without the extra 1%, it would still be an inflation-busting increase, because the government continues to base fare rises on RPI, which is a higher measure of inflation than of fatigue index, and not the poor, second class Thank you, colleagues CPI, yet CPI is widely regarded as a more index that we currently have in FLHH, I would like to thank all branches in District 8 realistic figure. irrespective of the workloads involved? for their support in my re-election to the EC. I We really need to get the economy moving Stuart Parry Cardiff Wentloog again and to get people travelling back to would also like to congratulate the general secretary and EC members for District 1 and work, but pricing passengers off the railways gS Mick Whelan says: ‘We always aspire to District 6 on being re-elected. isn’t going to achieve this. Why are they get best practice into every negotiation, EC8 Terry Wilkinson charging us extra to do the right thing? There and do not just push this industrially, but are many other jobs which are indirectly politically, too, and with all rail industry Through the Journal I want to put on record supported by rail users in city centres, too. The stakeholders. It is a shame that there is no my thanks to the members and branches potential knock-on effects are huge if we don’t regulation, only recommendations, on across District 1 for re-electing me to serve as get this right. This latest price increase won’t drivers’ hours in the 21st century.’ your representative on ASLEF’s executive generate much extra cash for the government, committee . Your support and votes in the but it may have the effect of deterring election is greatly appreciated. Thank you. passengers so much that it actually ends up The diary of a train driver EC1 Marz Colombini costing the taxpayer more in the long term. Re Bro Warburton and the ASLEF diary ( Journal , Bruce Williamson Railfuture March). As Longsight’s branch secretary for the past number of years, looking after 150 Final journeys Tired of FL’s fatigue index members, I can assure him that the diary is still My husband Jeffrey Ameson (Birmingham very much in demand and, every year, I have to New Street) passed away on Saturday 13 I am writing concerning the very confusing order surplus diaries for my members. February. Jeff started his career as a issue of the fatigue index being used in the Thankfully, the electronic monitoring world railwayman at the age of 15 in 1960. We used freight industry. When I was working for DB has not taken over this area just yet! to go to Tyseley once a month and on rail trips Schenker we fought tooth and nail to get a Jim Hopkins Longsight with loads of his railway friends. fatigue index brought in that was workable Doreen Ameson Dudley West Midlands and ASLEF did come up with something that Jobs for the chums of Dom was acceptable to its membership and DB Russell Maton, Farnham branch secretary for Schenker. Fast forward five years and I find The covid crisis has allowed the government, many years, passed away on Sunday 7 March. myself working for Freightliner Heavy Haul through people such as Dominic Cummings, to It is a loss that has hit us very hard as he was a under a completely different, and much award contracts to its friends, as a direct award, much loved member of our branch and depot. poorer, fatigue index. Now, correct me if I’m without putting contracts out to tender. I ask Susie Cooper Farnham 252 branch wrong, but I seem to remember ASLEF using all members to look up The Good Law Project the slogan, ‘Driving down the hours’. With and make their own minds up as to whether to differences between the now DB Cargo fatigue help fund this project. I would ask the same of Rail workers in Myanmar index and the Freightliner fatigue index that our general secretary, and to consider whether The military in Myanmar is trying to force rail you could drive a bus through, I have to ASLEF should donate to the fund, or allow workers to work against their will. If the question how is ASLEF ‘Driving down the individual branches to do so. The amounts for situation develops quickly, and not necessarily hours’ for its FLHH members? Surely any new these awards are staggering, and the money is in a positive sense, we should do all we can to negotiations within the freight industry should ours, the UK’s taxpayers. assist our fellow rail workers in Myanmar. be based on the highest negotiated standard Phil Stodart Penzance RMS Pete McNally retired ASLEF member

20 The ASLEF Journal l April 2021 Points & crossings classifieds

KAREN CRAGG THURSO’S RAILWAY SERVICE Throughout the pandemic railway workers have NORTHERN STAR played their part in keeping this Karen Cragg passed away, after her battle country moving. Retired Barnham with cancer, on 7 December. She was 50. I driver Bob Dorkings and Par driver thought a poem more fitting to this Paul Edwards have produced a covid service badge in nine versions: BR red; BR blue; BR black; wonderful Thurso lass. ‘Kindness is being Eastern Region blue; Midland Region maroon; someone who makes everyone feel like North-Eastern Region orange; Southern Region somebody!’ This was Karen and we will all green; Scottish Region light blue; and Western miss her dearly. Region brown. Each badge costs £5 (plus £2.50 p&p) from [email protected] or Our friend and dear colleague [email protected] Karen Cragg passed away. A train driver based at Wick, KEYWORKER badge to recognise Brave in every single way. the hard work of all railway and other keyworkers this year. £5 plus December 7, 2020 £1 p&p from Fiona Lumsden (MTR Elizabeth line and Paddington Is when Karen’s journey came to an end. Karen cragg: a wonderful thurso lass A terrible loss for her family branch). Please email [email protected] Heartbreaking to lose our colleague and friend. DARLINGTON 125th BRYAN ‘BONKY’ BOLLONS anniversary badge 1895-2020. Karen’s battle with cancer All badges individually Has left a void in our hearts; THE ORIGINAL TANGO numbered. £6.50 inc p&p. Such a beautiful person MAN HERE IN POSH Please contact branch secretary Caring, intelligent, and smart. John Clark by email at [email protected] Peterborough branch has to report the NORWOOD Although we take some comfort passing of our retired Bro Bryan depot special pin badges Bollons. Affectionately known throughout the including Cowden 25th anniversary. Knowing Karen is in no more pain, £3 each or £5 the pair (inc p&p). southern end of the ECML as ‘Bonky’, and That northernmost depot of Wick Proceeds to Norwood Drivers’ Social Will never be the same. instantly recognisable by his many layers of hi- Club. Email Stuart Boxall at viz, he was not easy to miss. Bryan began his [email protected] Clerical officer, then onto the footplate, footplate career in 1950 as a cleaner at Karen was railway through and through, Spalding shed in the days when you could THE KING’S CROSS STORY Passing on driving knowledge and wisdom depart to all points of the compass from this by Peter Darley (The History She was the one we looked up to. Press, £20) as featured on the busy Lincolnshire junction. But, as was often centre pages of the January the case with the wholesale closures of the More than 30 years of service, Journal . Buy it direct from the 1950s and ’60s, his next departure was a trip Friends and colleagues from afar, Camden Railway Heritage Trust at a discounted via redundancy to Peterborough, New price of £15 inc p&p; email [email protected] or Karen’s smile will be remembered by everyone. England. Never wanting to move away, he phone 020 7586 6632 for details. ‘All income from She is Thurso’s northern star. decided to stuck it out and wait for a driving sales goes to the trust,’ says Peter. Steve R Gordon job at Peterborough. There was a depot myth GROVE PARK branch 50th that his son Kevan became a driver at King’s anniversary badge. £6.50 inc p&p. Cross before Bryan was appointed at Contact branch secretary Ray Garland Birkenhead remembers Peterborough but this is false; Bonky was 07931 612615 or [email protected] Birkenhead Central had a touching send off for appointed at Peterborough one month before HANDMADE miniature driver’s popular driver Bobby Brown , 57, and as the his son! He was a keen gardener, dedicated socialist, and loyal member of our trade union. keys to wear as a charm or round cortège made its way past the depot, his family the neck. Solid silver and solid 9ct were proud to see so many colleagues We will all miss his friendship, his gold weighing approximately 7 grams. Just over applauding Bob on his final journey. He was a encyclopaedic knowledge of the railways of 2cm in length and just under 2cm width. Gold talented artist always happy to help anyone Lincolnshire, and his almost comical ability to £300, silver £100 + £7 p&p recorded delivery. out. William thompson , 84, worked his way bring branch meetings to the point of collapse Contact Brad McCarthy on 07929 350146. up through the ranks and retired as a minder with comments that severely tested the AIRDRIE has produced a badge to driver, after 50 years’ service, having nurtured composure of our chair. RIP Bryan, friend and commemorate its reopening as a many a trainee. He loved the railway, especially comrade. separate branch. £6.50 inc p&p. Please steam trains. Bill also loved a good meal, was a Simon Bell ex-branch secretary, contact branch chair Ivan Wilson founder member of the Littlewoods breakfast Peterborough 161 (07949 862393) for details. club, first in the queue, and always opting for CASH paid for original pre 90s the nine item brekky! JA KITCHEN railway photographic slides or RLN Pendleton , 81, was not only a driver negatives. Please contact GBRf but also a scout for Everton FC for more than TRUE BROTHER Tonbridge driver (and railwayana collector) John Waddington at [email protected] 30 years. Bob was credited with discovering a We have sadly lost retired driver Arthur nine-year-old Wayne Rooney as well as Kitchen at the age of 64. He began his railway PERTH branch badge to bringing players such as Leon Osman, Leighton career, as platform staff, at Bolton station, commemorate 110 years (1908- Baines, and Tony Hibbert to the club. In 2016, moving onto passenger guard duties, and 2018). £6 plus £1 p&p. Cheques his dedication to the Toffees was rewarded moving in the grade to Manchester Victoria. payable to Perth branch ASLEF No 134 General. Please contact branch When driving vacancies occurred he moved when an Academy pitch was named after him. secretary Grant Murchie for details on 07412 Retired drivers John Edward (Jack Titch) from the back to the front of the train and was 453454 or [email protected] owen , 84; Kenneth harrison , 88; and ex- a popular addition to the grade. He was a true driver Alan Waters , 52, have also gone to the brother and colleague and our thoughts are To place an advertisement please phone top link in the sky. Rest in peace, gentlemen. with Arthur’s wife and family. 020 7324 2400 or send an email to AR Morgan chair Birkenhead 022 branch JM Black Newton Heath [email protected]

April 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 21 Last Word I changed my name in search of fame to find the Midas touch

‘Buffin lost his childlike dreams, and Mick lost his guitar, and Verden grew a line or two, and Overend’s just a rock’n’roll star’. KEITH RICHMOND enjoys an honest and engaging account of the fun, frustrations, fears, and tears of the music business

on the write lines: Ian hunter, hugo grylls, John Matthews, and Annabel Lyon

Apollo in 2009, the O2 Arena in naïve, and overly trusting, sister Mattie; 2013, the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in bookish introvert Saskia and her sassy, 2019, and his most recent album, outgoing, sexually adventurous twin Jenny – Fingers Crossed . whose lives are locked together on the pivot of Hunter is refreshingly honest, one man. The pace is quick, the prose elegant self-aware, and self-deprecating, in a and spare, as Lyon, who teaches at the business where many – perhaps University of British Columbia in Vancouver, most – are dishonest, deluded, and arrogant. examines Sara’s and Saskia’s feelings of guilt, AN Hunter was, for five years, the ‘That was another sure-fire hit that missed’ is resentment, regret – and the concept of sexual pianist, rhythm guitarist, lead singer how he dryly recalls his single Justice of the consent – after Mattie dies in a fall and Jenny’s I and main man of Mott the Hoople – Peace from the album Overnight Angels , and life support is switched off after a car crash. he wrote All the Way from Memphis , Roll Away this is how he remembers Don Arden: ‘After There are dozens of books about writers the Stone , Honaloochie Boogie and The Golden our first meeting he called to say, “Fire the road and writing, but Book Ends by Hugo Grylls Age of Rock’n’Roll – but, before he joined Mick crew” and, after our second, “Fire the group”. I (WriteSideLeft, £8.99) is unique: it’s a scurrilous Ralphs, Verden Allen, Overend Watts, and Dale don’t think Don really wanted me. By the end – and very funny – novel that lifts the lid on Griffin, he played bass in German dives with of 1977 I had no manager, I had no band, and I the world of publishing. All the guilty parties Freddie ‘Fingers’ Lee and, after a breakdown, had no money.’ are named and shamed: the editors, the sales he left Mott for a long, if less lucrative, but reps, inept management, fusty booksellers, never less than entertaining, solo career. ‘And music meets not always now the ear: | slick literary agents, and – last and, naturally, It is his misfortune, as a songwriter, that All Those days are gone, but beauty still is here’ least – absurdly optimistic authors. Hugo – a the Young Dudes , the song for which he is best – Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage by Byron nom de guerre , as he wants to continue known, is the one he didn’t write; David Bowie (quoted on the sleeve of When I’m working on Grub Street – is an author and gave it to Mott, after they turned down ‘President by Ian Hunter ) publisher who knows the players, the best and Suffragette City , to give them a hit single and worst, the weather-makers and broken reeds, stop them giving up. Talking about Barry Manilow’s cover of Ships – and they’re all here in this hilarious satire. Hunter has made a series of fine albums about Hunter’s difficult relationship with his with guitarists such as Mick Ronson and Earl dad – he says: ‘Financially, that was great, ‘Well done ASLEF! Keep up the good work Slick; bass player Jaco Pastorius of Weather because it was a top ten single, on a top ten and the constant fight for decent pay and Report; drummer Dennis Elliott of Foreigner; album, on the Greatest Hits LP, and a live album conditions’ – John Matthews Roy Bittan, Garry Tallent and Max Weinberg of – it goes on forever. Manilow rang and asked if the E Street Band; and, for the last twenty I could write different lines for the bridges. I ‘Freight Trains in the North of England: An years, his Rant Band. asked why and he said, “Because my audience Illustrated Survey 1955-2018 by John Matthews is comprised of idiots”. It helped him, and it (Pen & Sword, £25) is a loving tribute, with ‘I was famous for a fortnight and that was helped me, because I was skint at the time.’ more than 200 black and white and colour enough’ – Ian Hunter While the book could have done with a pictures, to what John cheerfully describes as good copy editor – the prose tends to the the ‘dirty, unloved, goods train’. Freight might The first volume of Rock’n’Roll Sweepstakes by clunky, clichéd, and repetitive – and Devine is be the ‘Ugly Sister’ of the rail industry, but ‘Campbell Devine told the ballad of Mott from a fan, not a critic, it’s worth the price of John, a TGWU shop steward for more than 20 their teenage daydreams to their last hit – and admission for an insight into the realities of the years, thinks – cf that lyric in Andrew Lloyd the ‘Goodbye’ coda of Saturday Gigs – while not always glamorous world of rock’n’roll. Webber’s musical Starlight Express – ‘freight is this second volume (Omnibus Press, £20) picks Consent by Annabel Lyon (Atlantic Books, great’ and gives those steam, diesel, and up the story from Hunter’s first solo single – £14.99) is a smart, savvy, contemporary novel electric locos ‘in picturesque northern and the ‘Hello’ intro to Once Bitten Twice Shy – about two sets of sisters – high-flying, landscapes’ and ‘forgotten industrial to the Mott reunions at the Hammersmith cosmopolitan, cynical Sara and her simple, backdrops’ their place in the sun.

22 The ASLEF Journal l April 2021 Across down Prize crossword 1 Male goose 1 Force 8 winds on track 7 Rove in search 2 Car registration Prize crossword 180 by tom Williams of prey plaques (6,6) 8 Citrus drink 3 Motive 9 Woodturning 4 Magical formula Pubs, streets machine 5 Method of artificial 10 Hotpot or respiration (5-2-5) casserole 6 Drowsy and theatres 12 Showers and 11 Used to be drizzle 13 An appeal for 13 Remain in a help (1,1,1) certain place 14 To beat with 14 Faucets something flat 15 Be off with you! 15 Wild and 17 Self-satisfied untamed 19 Aquatic mammal 16 Pier hunted for oil 18 Gee! 20 Calm and peaceful 21 Helmet plume 22 Fourscore Solution to Prize crossword 179 ‘covid-19 is like captain America – Across: 1 Part company 7 Bulb 8 Turnips 9 Bat he went in the ice and when he came 10 Swarm 11 Change 13 Squeak 16 Latch Name...... out he found the world had changed’ 18 New 19 Insipid 20 Iron 21 Money spider down: 1 Paunch 2 Ribbon 3 Cattle 4 Marks Address...... UBLISHERS are preparing for a 5 Agitate 6 Yashmak 11 Calcium 12 Artisan panoply of books about the 13 Send up 14 Unwind 15 Armour 17 Happy P ...... pandemic and life and love in lockdown; ditto directors, when Congratulations to Rorie Smith of theatres reopen. But James Graham, Ilminster , Somerset , who was last ...... one of our leading political playwrights, month’s winner. The winner of thinks the past twelve months have this month’s Prize Crossword will ...... made writing not easier, but harder. ‘I’ve receive Marks & Spencer vouchers to found it incredibly hard in terms of the value of £25...... creative output. I don’t want to moan – l You can see more of Tom Williams’s I’m not on the NHS frontline – but it’s crosswords, word games and puzzles at Postcode...... not conducive to creativity.’ wordgames.co.uk James, 39, was born at Mansfield, in Nottinghamshire, educated at Ashfield comprehensive and Hull University, and If you successfully complete this month’s Prize Crossword please send the solution by post to the is the author of This House , a brilliant Editor, ASLEF Journal , 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN (or take a photo on your evocation of politics in Parliament in the mobile phone of the grid and send the image to [email protected]) by Friday 16 April 1970s, at the National; The Angry Brigade at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth; Ink at the Almeida about Rupert Murdoch and the launch of The Sun ; Quiz at the ASLEF’s legal services Minerva Theatre, Colchester, about the coughing scandal on Who Wants to be a have you been sacked, or are in trouble at work, and cannot get hold of Millionaire ; and Brexit: The Uncivil War for your branch secretary, local representative or district organiser in an Channel 4 with Benedict Cumberpatch emergency? call our industrial relations department on 020 7324 2400 as Dominic Cummings. He hasn’t been idle, writing two (9am to 5pm Monday to thursday or 9am to 4pm on Friday) or leave a plays about the pandemic: Viral , a short message on the answer service, or email [email protected] with a subject drama about three sixth formers unable heading of ‘For the attention of the to take their A-levels, for BBC4; and industrial relations dept’. Bubble , a ‘covid romcom’ about isolation in lockdown and the claustrophobia caused by the coronavirus, streamed online as part of the Nottingham Playhouse’s Unlocked festival. changed your address? Please let us know! Just fill in this form ‘If we, albeit arrogantly, think of Name...... ourselves as having to tap into the soul of the nation, I can’t really do that from Address...... the filter bubble of social media, and the quiet of my home. I want to be out ...... there – in pubs, on streets, and in Postcode ...... Telephone...... theatres – taking the temperature. I don’t think we yet know what this Branch...... Membership No...... pandemic means politically, socially, or philosophically…’ Please return coupon to: ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN Keith Richmond

April 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 23 © S tur ti/P eter Dazeley/Get ty Images

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