ASLEFJOURNAL DECEMBER 2018 The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen Do you ride on down the hillside in a buggy you have made? The train drivers ’ union since 1880 GS Mick Whelan Rail industry’s in flux ASLEFJOURNAL DECEMBER 2018 The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen UR industry is in flux with several O TOCs rumoured to be ready to hand back the keys, or renegotiate their contracts, and ScotRail already in receipt of next year’s subsidy. Uncertainty over Brexit, and the strength of the euro against the pound, make bidding uncertain. Mick: ‘We have to pass The collapse of the on the lighted flame’ funding model and the 5 11 lack of leadership by the Transport Secretary, compounded by the loss of his number two, Jo News Johnson, who had no grasp of the brief, anyway, hardly inspires confidence. How many franchises are l Tube strike, MSPs vote on nationalisation, 4 on hold? Who can remember the last time a franchise women drivers, and AGS election was awarded? We must now be in double figures for l Kylie does the Loco-Motion as a station 5 the number of direct awards. I have been attacked for announcer and it’s ashes to ashes for Alan suggesting future direct awards should be Pegler. Plus Off the Rails: Melvyn Bragg challenged – legally, industrially, and, possibly, politically. What are they afraid of? What are they l Germany launches first hydrogen train 6 hiding? And, more importantly, what are they offering to keep the facade going? Holyrood had a l Thomas the Tank Engine gets a reboot 7 debate on nationalisation and the SNP and Tories l We told you so – TOCs’ profits plummet 8 showed their true colours, against public opinion, by voting for the status quo. Features This year we produced, at members’ request, both red and white poppies, with all the monies going to l Paul Barber on a trip to Toton to see an 10 charity. This union respects – and will always respect – ERTMS driver’s cab; and Mick Holder on 12 those who did their duty for our country even if, on ASLEF’s new mental health policy occasion, we disagreed with the rationale for some l Hugh Bradley and Tosh McDonald step 11 conflicts. But those who have seen the horrors of war down from the EC after 29 years’ service have said we should campaign for peace and recognise the victims of conflict. In a civilised society, l Every picture tells a story: Colin Boocock 12-13 we can do both. reflects on 70 years of rail photography It is with great sadness we heard about the passing of former president and officer Bill Ronksley, l Chris Proctor examines a slave new world 14 76 years a member, an inspiration to generations, and l Key Worker: Mark Wheeler remembers 15 admired and respected across the movement by how his great-grandfather Jim Bradley anyone who had dealings with him, bosses and helped set up the Fire Brigades’ Union workers alike. Two other major figures are retiring this month. I Regulars first came across Hugh Bradley when we were local level reps in the early ’90s in preparation for the Branch News, Upcoming Events and 16-17 l Freightliner split. His determination to do the best for 100 Years of Union 14 others, based on a true moral compass, with common l Obituaries 18-19 sense and intelligence, often in the most trying circumstances, has made him someone whose l Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21 opinion has always been listened to; loyal and l Last Word: Edward Burne-Jones, Medieval 22 honourable personify Shug, who is universally master of the PRB, at the Tate Gallery respected. Tosh McDonald is equally deservedly respected, with a similar social conscience, dedicated l On Track: A Christmas Carol ; our Prize 23 to the needs of others. No one has done more to raise Crossword; ASLEF’s Legal Services; 22 the profile of ASLEF, politically and industrially, than and Change of Address Tosh. The legacy they leave is one of unstinting duty to and for others; but true friends and comrades Cover: Andy Bunday l never really go away. Thank you seems inadequate! Big shoes to step into but we welcome Jim Baxter and The ASLEF Journal is published every month by: Mark Wakenshaw, confident they are up to the task. ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN After 138 years we evolve and all have to pass the Tel: 020 7324 2400 l email: [email protected] lighted flame on at some point, so we enter a New website: www.aslef.org.uk l twitter: @ASLEFUnion Year full of hope and aspiration. 23 Have a great Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year. EditoR Mick Whelan l dESiGNER Michael Cronin l PRiNtER College Hill Press, London, SW19 4HE AdvERtiSiNG ASLEF Journal, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN. Contact Keith Richmond on 020 7324 2407 or [email protected] l clASSiFiEd AdS [email protected] or call 020 7324 2400. The acceptance of a Yours fraternally display or classified advertisement does not necessarily imply endorsement of that product or service by ASLEF Mick Whelan, general secretary chANGE oF AddRESS Please post your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN December 2018 l The ASLEF Journal 3 News Finn: ‘We will not Tube strike solid back down in the face Women drivers of a management SLEF drivers shut the Central line in that refuses to deal Julie Clegg, a driver with Northern, and A London on Wednesday 7 November with the issues our District 3 rep on the Women’s when they went on strike in their members raise and Representatives Committee, was fight for fair treatment at work. treats staff as if they interviewed by Anna Foster, sitting in for Finn Brennan, our organiser on London were pieces of Emma Barnett, on BBC Radio 5 Live on Underground, said: ‘In the four weeks since our machinery.’ Tuesday 13 November about a push by solid strike on 5 October management have TOCs – especially Southeastern and made no new proposals and no further talks out just how wrong they are! Greater Anglia – to recruit more women have been arranged. ASLEF kept in contact ‘Unless there is a rapid change of approach drivers. ASLEF has actively pushed, for with ACAS and we made it clear that we are from management, working inside existing many years, to diversify the driving grade. ready to discuss the issues in dispute at any agreements, instead of trying to circumvent or ‘We want the rail industry to reflect the time, but senior management seem to hope “reinterpret” them, then the likelihood is there society it serves,’ said GS Mick Whelan, ‘a that our members will simply give up if they will be a combine wide shutdown in the run society comprised of men and women, refuse to budge. On Wednesday they found up to Christmas.’ regardless of ethnicity, age, or sexual orientation, who each day perform a vital job moving passengers and freight Kevin tells MSPs to stand We will remember them around Britain.’ up for Scottish taxpayers MEA MAXIMA CULPA Tony West was inadvertently omitted from the ASLEF called on list of RMS committee members in the 2019 Members of the ASLEF diary. Tony’s email address is Scottish Parliament at [email protected] and his mobile Holyrood to back a phone number is 07763 468284. Ian Sutton motion on was included by mistake. Wednesday 14 November to bring BILL RONKSLEY ScotRail back into Kevin: ‘it’s Bill Ronksley’s funeral will take place on public ownership. outrageous that Wednesday 5 December. The cortege will leave Kevin Lindsay, our A group of retired railway staff from Garston, ScotRail has already Wortley Hall, Wortley, Sheffield, at 11.30 for a organiser in Scotland, representing the North West & Northern pocketed taxpayers’ service at 12.00 at Grenoside crematorium, said: ‘It’s a crucial vote Ireland branch of the British Transport cash – not due until Skew Hill Lane, Sheffield. There is a wake, from on a Labour motion Pensioners’ Federation, led by ex-EWS driver next April – what is 14.00, back at Wortley Hall. that calls on the the SNP government Alan Jordan, visited the National Memorial Scottish government up to? Arboretum near Lichfield, Staffordshire, to pay to exercise a break our respects to all those who lost their lives in TWEETS OF THE MONTH clause in the ScotRail on MSPs to stand up war and fought for our freedom. contract in 2020, for Scottish taxpayers Chris Todd , driver, Virgin Trains, Liverpool Who’s really running the Tory ending the franchise and the travelling Party???? @Jacob_Rees_Mogg held by Abellio early, public. Put ScotRail launches leadership strike against Theresa in 2022, and bringing out of its misery and Simon re-elected AGS May.... our railway here in bring our railway back Simon Weller has been re-elected as assistant @BBCNormanS Scotland back into into public ownership general secretary of ASLEF for another five- public ownership. to be run by and for year term. He beat Wayne Lowery of Grayling couldn’t even resign on ‘We say enough is the people of Knottingley branch. Simon was first elected to time. enough – it’s time for Scotland, as a public the position – then known as national @Kevin_Maguire MSPs to do the right service, not for private organiser – in 2009. His third consecutive term thing. We are calling profit.’ of office starts on 14 March 2019.