ASLEFJOURNAL AUGUST 2020 The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen Taking a knee, making a stand

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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 GS Mick Whelan

ASLEFJOURNAL AUGUST 2020 Heart of recovery The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen AILY I spend most of my time talking D about the pandemic, its impact, what we need to do, and arguing about the safest and best ways to deal with the myriad issues that continually crop up. To add ‘Chance to build to the lexicon of phrases a green economy’ that are grating on me, 5 along with ‘ramping up’, is ‘the new normal’. For 8 many, including the government, it looks like a News rush to the old normal. We have a vested interest in a successful Covid-19: latest news from the GS and the EC 4 l transport sector and have worked, with sister l Frank Rimmer and Bob Moran stick it to Boris 5 trade unions, companies, and government, to plus Off the Rails: Meg Hillier; John Bolton; increase capacity to encompass a rise in Gavin Williamson; Ruth Davidson; Julia Sawalha passenger traffic to maintain the various steps in l PM is living with Mr Roarke on Fantasy Island 6 social distancing. But as the Prime Minister encourages people back to work and to use Transport Secretary signals the way ahead to the 7 l public transport (between 9am and 4pm) from 1 Williams review set to be published next month August I am fearful, as with the pictures we saw l Happy Shapps? Grant takes a journey to the 8 when pubs reopened, and beaches were east (coast) and makes an ideological U-turn 10 inundated, that such mixed messaging will be detrimental. If this backfires the message of key Features workers running essential services for key l Gregor Gall reveals how Munira Mirza and other 10 workers and a greater good will be much former members of the RCP have quietly moved diminished. into positions of power and influence in Britain We want the economy to recover and only l Racists in my face: Ed d’Bell on being black in 11 real investment will drive the growth we need, Britain. Taking a knee, raising a fist, and making otherwise wholesale unemployment will be a a stand: the powerful stories of Colin Kaepernick; reality. Our industry, some experts say, will take Tommie Smith; and Josiah Wedgwood 11 five years for passenger growth to return. I am not so sure as we were previously l Black lives matter: Shekhar Bhatia on football, 12-13 oversubscribed and unable to deal with fascism and National Front boot boys; and population growth. Travel patterns will change, Steve Crowley on why we need to Kill the Bill and the model may not be the Williams l Katy Proctor reveals the dos and don’ts of data 14 approach, but we will campaign for rail to be at protection and the tricky old world of GDPR the heart of the opportunity to build the green l Roger Galloway-Smith on the demonization 15 economy that was so popular and right before and destruction of GRT communities the pandemic. 12 We have been trialing bubbles where drivers Regulars work together after testing to facilitate in-cab training for handling and traction conversions l Branch Lines: We want your photographs 16 and those pilots have been successful so l Points and Crossings: Kurdistan and TfL 17 companies are seeking to do their own l Double Heading: Ian Prosser; and Andy Kitson 19 reviewable trials. Work has also been done to run l Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21 a pilot for the needs of the sandite and other needs and other workshops are reporting back l Chris Proctor lifts the lid on the tawdry history 22 on the industry efforts in partnership to find of pay to play: how British businessmen have solutions to safe working in confined spaces. persuaded politicians to do what they want 15 Previous work had already been completed on l On Track: Brian Jackman fondly recalls family 23 socially-distanced classroom and static training. hols that began on the Cornish Riviera Express; The measures are all reviewable and at this time our Prize Crossword; ASLEF’s Legal Services; there is no intention to move away from our and members’ Change of Address form policy and best practice in bulletin eight. There will be many challenges, but we will The ASLEF Journal is published every month by: not allow opportunism by bad actors to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN unreasonably undermine our terms and Tel: 020 7324 2400 l email: [email protected] conditions or agreements. Finally, my thanks to website: www.aslef.org.uk l twitter: @ASLEFUnion 22 all the branch secretaries, reps, officers, EC, and staff for going the extra yard for us all. Please be 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 safe and well. [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 CHANGE oF AddRESS Please post your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN Mick Whelan, general secretary

August 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 3 News Too much too soon

SLEF has criticised the government’s decision to ditch its covid-19 working A from home guidance – in place since March – and tell millions of people to start using public transport again and return to their offices as ‘too much, too soon’. QUOTE… Boris Johnson used his regular coronavirus ‘We’re working hard to get the virus, crisis press conference on Friday 17 July to beg I mean, the vaccine’ – Matt Hancock , Brits to get back to work to boost the country’s Today , Radio 4, Wednesday 15 July economy. He unveiled a new ‘contain …UNQUOTE framework’ designed to show that the virus is under control. The Prime Minister urged people to use Mick: ‘We cannot deliver safely that this is the right time to relax procedures public transport between 9am and 4pm, anywhere like the peaks of the past’ designed to keep passengers, and staff, safe rather than travel during peak times, saying: from covid-19 on public transport in Britain. ‘There is a lot of spare capacity that is not ensure the increase in capacity that allows safe ‘As train drivers we believe in public being used.’ travel and operation with proper social transport – we love trains! – and we want GS Mick Whelan said: ‘We need clarity and distancing. people to use trains and buses. But we want we are not getting clarity from this ‘Mr Johnson must be careful not to send passengers to be able to travel safely and this government. Mr Johnson and his ministers out more mixed messages that compromise seems to be too much, too soon.’ have become the masters of mixed messaging the safety of key workers travelling or Mick added: ‘We look forward to the time and misleading information. operating all modes of transport. when we can safely get back to normal and rail ‘We have worked with the industry and the ‘We cannot deliver safely anywhere like the forms the backbone of a green economic government throughout this pandemic to peaks of the past and we are not convinced recovery for Britain.’

by Ron Greenwood in TWEETS OF THE MONTH England dropped Jack the boot room at West Ham where he So glad the government found the cleaned the boots of, because he was black magic money tree…phew. among others, Clyde @raygarland70 Plymouth branch is inside-left who scored Best, then one of the backing a campaign 137 goals in 401 few black footballers Chris Grayling fails to become to erect a statue in appearances for in the top flight of intelligence and security chair. honour of a footballer Plymouth Argyle. English football (see Conservative colleague Julian Lewis picked to play for Bob Jack, the page 12). humiliates PM’s pick. England in 1925 – Argyle manager, called The Jack Leslie Jack leslie @guardiannews then dropped by the Jack into his office to Campaign, run by fans selectors when they tell him he was 0-0 draw in Belfast, of Plymouth Argyle, ‘Chris Grayling fails’ the new discovered he was playing for England Jack scored twice as Exeter City, and dystopian children’s party game. black. against Ireland; but Argyle beat Torquay United, is @SimonWeller Jack Leslie, born at when the selectors Bournemouth 7-2 at trying to raise Canning Town in the realised he was black Home Park. £100,000 to put up a Nigel Farage hired by Fox News as a East End of London in they replaced him After Jack retired as statue of Jack in political anal cyst [sic] 1900, to an English with Billy Walker of a boilermaker back in memory of the man, @BBCNews mother and Jamaican Aston Villa. While the East End, he was to celebrate diversity, father, was a prolific England struggled to a offered a part-time job and combat racism. I’m not planning to prepare for Brexit, instead I’m going to let it creep up on ASLEF remembers THE GS: PLEASE EMAIL US YOUR DETAILS me and surprise me, like dementia does. ‘Last month we asked you to update or provide your email @Trump_ton GS Mick Whelan paused on addresses so we can get virtual branches up and running. Tuesday 7 July to reflect on events We now have in excess of 13,000 on file – so thanks! – but if 15 years ago. He said: ‘We must you have not done so I would encourage you to do it. We never forget those impacted by shall be issuing guidance and support to make this the loss and tragedy of 7/7 and be happen. All members will have to download the Zoom app our hip, hot and very much vigilant to ensure that it does not (it’s free) while branch secretaries will be asked to subscribe happening red baseball cap happen again. As we remember to Zoom, reclaimable from head office. Please engage will keep the sun out of the victims and families we all when it is up and running; it’s your union, and your voice. your eyes this summer. give thanks to the staff and The system has been trialed by district councils, internal Price £5 (inc p&p); email emergency services that not only meetings, and the executive committee, in the past few [email protected] or visit our online gave succour but prevented months but, inevitably, there will be some teething shop at www.aslef.org.uk much greater loss of life and hurt.’ problems over our 170-plus branches as we introduce this.’

4 The ASLEF Journal l August 2020 News

that Bob Moran, lead ‘Speak, hands, for political cartoonist at the Daily Telegraph , off the Rails who used to work for me!’ ‘Et tu, Brute? The Guardian and Morning Star , MEG HILLIER , Labour MP for Hackney South & Then fall, Caesar!’ portrayed the Prime Shoreditch, and chair of the House of Commons Minister on Saturday Public Accounts Committee, has warned that RANK from the letter E in 11 July as ‘dead as a England’s taps could well run dry within 20 Rimmer, a ‘letdown’. dodo’. The payoff line years. She urged the Department for F driver with ‘The original is sold, is telling: ‘Can be Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, together TransPennine Express, but I have prints viewed by many with the Environment Agency, and the regulator Ofwat, to and a member of our available,’ says Frank. today as being stuffed’. act to prevent a country with so much rainfall running out of Preston branch, is a Things are not For the Torygraph – water. Privatisation of the water industry – like privatisation talented artist to boot. going well for the a paper for whom the of Britain’s railways – has been a complete disaster, with the In this, his latest Prime Minister who is PM still writes – to privatised water companies refusing to invest in painting, the Prime nervous that Tory MPs have a pop shows infrastructure, refusing to repair leaks, jacking up prices, and Minister is portrayed are about to do to him how vulnerable his taking as much money as possible out of the system in profits as Bumbling Boris, in a what they did to position now is. It’s and dividends. More than 3 billion litres of water a day are neat visual and verbal Theresa May. Johnson not just Dishy Rishi, lost in leaks – a situation Meg describes as ‘wholly pun, a bumble bee spent years plotting who many see as not unacceptable’. A spokesperson for Environment Secretary struggling – within a and planning against only more popular, George Eustice could only mutter, ‘We recognise the need to green and yellow first, David Cameron, but more decisive, safeguard water supplies for future generations’. Which, like border rather and then, Mrs May, and more successful, ‘Useless’ Eustice, comes up woefully short. reminiscent of a and knows how it’s but Michael Gove, Norwich City football done. ever disloyal, is out on JOHN BOLTON , former US National Security shirt from the 1990s – He also knows that manoeuvres, too. Adviser, pulls few punches in his book The with Brexit, the NHS, – like Cassius, Cinna, Room Where It Happened (Simon & Schuster, and the coronavirus Brutus, and the other £25). The problem, he says, is not so much crisis. Dominic conspirators in Julius having a boss with whom he disagreed as Cummings, the Caesar – Conservative having a boss – the President – so Premier’s evil goblin, MPs smell weakness dysfunctional that it wasn’t possible to who got away with like sharks smell blood construct coherent policies. Donald Trump is, lying about breaking and are quick to turn he says, exceedingly rude; meetings resemble ‘college food the government’s on bumbling leaders fights’; and he’s ignorant, asking if Finland is part of Russia. lockdown, hangs on they see as losers. Well, to be fair, it was from 1809 to 1917, but, sadly, that an opened padlock Things are so bad wasn’t what the Donald meant. And, although treaties take years to negotiate, Trump believes he can solve every problem in a face to face meeting in a couple of hours.

One of Boris Johnson’s many faults is that he is famously thin-skinned. Which you cannot say of RUTH DAVIDSON . The former leader of the Scottish Conservative Party cheerfully sent herself up after comments, less than flattering, about her appearance. ‘I once accepted an award saying it had been a brilliant day because, earlier, I had come second in a Kim Jong-un lookalike competition. So it is kind of my own fault…’

GAVIN WILLIAMSON , the over-promoted, under-achieving, Secretary of State for Education, was given six of the very best by Bob’s BoJo dodo (above) and Frank’s bumbling bee (above right) John Crace in The Guardian . ‘Most Education Secretaries end up sounding like headteachers. Not Williamson. He is firmly QUOTE… stuck at the level of an out-of-his-depth sixth ‘We were promised a New Deal but got a Meal Deal’ former. Nothing he says comes with any real conviction. He’s – Anneliese Dodds , Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer even lost the elan he once had of twice winning fireplace …UNQUOTE salesman of the year (2006 and 2008). He just aspires to the dull monotone of the supply teacher praying for class to end.’ 500 CLUB : Malcolm Dixon, with number 218, won the July draw, scooping the Retired Members’ Section jackpot of £480. JULIA SAWALHA , who played Saffy in Absolutely Fabulous , Lydia Bennet in Pride and Prejudice , and Dorcas Lane in Lark Rise to Our smart black leather wallet – with embossed Candleford , had a bit of fun on Twitter when told ASLEF logo on the front – has three fold-out and she had been axed from the sequel to Chicken removable plastic inserts (ie, the wallet can hold six Run – she voiced Ginger – because, at 51, she’s credit cards). Price £10 inc p&p; email ‘too old’. ‘I have been plucked, stuffed, and roasted.’ [email protected] or visit our online shop at www.aslef.org.uk

August 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 5 News Premier is living on Fantasy Island

SLEF reacted angrily 2012 when, as Mayor of London, after Boris Johnson Boris Johnson vowed to introduce A suggested that driverless driverless trains “within two years” trains on London Underground – show he has no grasp of the should be a condition of the realities of running a modern funding settlement for Transport railway. He is, say those who do, for London this autumn. living with Mr Roarke on Fantasy The Prime Minister, on a site Island . visit to a new £200 million DO8 Finn Brennan, ASLEF’s Siemens factory at Goole in East organiser on London The PM, who donned his favourite Yorkshire on Monday 6 July, said: Underground, said: ‘As always, hi-vis jacket for the photo op on his trip ‘You can run these trains without Johnson is talking nonsense to Goole, seems to think he’s in a the need for somebody to be about driverless trains. Slashing remake of the once popular telly show sitting in the driver’s cab the government funding to TfL which starred Ricardo Montalbán as Mr whole time. So what I will be means they cannot afford the Roarke and Hervé villechaize as Tattoo saying to the London transport signalling upgrade, and other authority is let’s take advantage of technology, that would be coronavirus crisis, these very same the spirit of co-operation to me.’ this technological leap forward, needed for “driverless trains”. workers are being treated with Driverless trains are simply not let’s not be the prisoners of the While pretending to support a contempt and told they’re now viable in the deep tunnels and on unions any more, let’s go to “great leap forward” the Prime not needed. the Victorian infrastructure of the driverless trains, and let’s make Minister’s policies are actually ‘For the Prime Minister to claim London Underground. It would that a condition of the funding preventing any progress with that rail unions are holding the not be safe to run services settlement for Transport for transport in the capital; they country as “prisoners” after we’ve without a trained member of staff London this autumn. mean that Londoners will suffer all worked closely with the on board in case of emergency. ‘That’s the way forward for this years of delays and overcrowding government and DfT to keep our Even the Docklands Light Railway, country and we want to make use in the future.’ network working throughout the which was purpose-built to be of the fantastic technology we’ve And a furious Mick Whelan crisis, is nothing short of driverless, is staffed with a train got and provide a better service said: ‘Train drivers on London scandalous. Perhaps he should captain able to drive the train if for people in the capital and take Underground have continued to speak to his own Transport necessary. the whole economy forward.’ work throughout this pandemic Secretary who, last month, was The GS dryly concluded: ‘This is As the trade union which to make sure fellow key workers thanking us for working with him desperate stuff which is represents 96% of the train drivers can get to work and back. It’s and said, “I look forward to unworkable and unnecessary. in England, Scotland, and Wales, quite disgraceful that, whilst we’re continued collaboration in future, People will be making driverless ASLEF was quick to respond to still in the midst of this pandemic, because co-operation will be key car journeys to Barnard Castle remarks which – although in line partly due to this hopeless to setting the country on the road before taking a driverless Tube with an ambition he first voiced in government’s slow reaction to the to recovery.” This doesn’t look like train to Elephant & Castle.’ Stagecoach loses High Court battle Work practices ‘archaic’ The Department for Transport has welcomed a High Court verdict that the Two rail workers killed while working on the track at government’s decision to block Margam, in south Wales, on 3 July 2019, lost their lives Stagecoach from bidding for three rail because working practices ‘aren’t fit for purpose’ according franchises – in a row over pensions – to the family of one of the men who died. was lawful. The bus company was An investigation by Network Rail found that Gareth trying to wriggle out of its obligations delbridge, 64, and Michael lewis, 58, had been using a tool to employees. The judge found that the franchise process was with a petrol engine, and wearing ear defenders, meaning ‘fair and transparent’ and the block on Stagecoach they could not hear an approaching train travelling from ‘proportionate’. The firm said it ‘was disappointed [but] we accept Swansea to Paddington. The report said six staff working the decision and move on.’ on the line had separated, of their own accord, into groups of three, meaning there was no official lookout. it also said that the Port Talbot depot’s management’s ‘habitual ways Carry all your QUOTE… of working had normalised behaviour inherently non- stuff – papers, ‘Bolsonaro, Trump and compliant with company standards’. sandwiches, keys Johnson: these are men you Mr delbridge’s son-in-law, Adrian Grant, called the – in style with our smart wouldn’t put in charge of company’s working practices ‘archaic’. He said: ‘They’ve got new sturdy black ASlEF containing an outbreak of men with flags and whistles or horns in front of bag. Price £17.50 (inc p&p); acne.’ – Ferdinand Mount , locomotives travelling at 120mph.’ email [email protected] or London Review of Books The company said it is working hard to improve the visit our online shop at safety of workers on the railway. …UNQUOTE www.aslef.org.uk

6 The ASLEF Journal l August 2020 News Shapps to bring railways back under public control

RANT Shapps has told ‘failed franchise system’ and MPs that the coronavirus replace it with management G crisis has created an contracts. Instead of bidding for a opportunity to run ‘a different franchise, and taking the fare box, type of railway’. operators would receive a fixed The Secretary of State for fee for running a service while the Transport told the House of Treasury would collect the cash Commons Transport Select and the government would own Committee on Wednesday 24 the routes. Grant Shapps has admitted that John Major got it wrong and 26 years June that the government will use The new system will be of rail privatisation hasn’t delivered for passengers, staff, or taxpayers emergency covid-19 measures to overseen by a new board of take control of Britain’s railways. control, which is likely to be a three-way dog fight between together’ – and compared it to the While he is not proposing a chaired by the Transport Secretary, Williams, the DfT, and Downing Transport for London model return to full public ownership – giving the DfT greater control of Street, and then the covid-19 where an operator is awarded a for which ASLEF has long timetables and fares. It would also crisis, has seen his review put on contract to run London campaigned and which was give the network the ‘guiding the back burner. Overground. promised in the last Labour Party mind’ which Keith Williams has Williams’ proposals will provide The Williams review should manifesto – it is, nonetheless, a called for in his rail review in Shapps with cover if he comes now be published in September. remarkable volte face by a leaked criticism of the ‘fragmented under attack from the TOCs, the Conservative government. nature of our privatised railways’. RDG, or some of the ideologically- Because it is an admission that That review was ready to be driven, uber free market, ‘swivel- QUOTE… the privatisation of the UK rail published before last Christmas – eyed loons’ on the government’s ‘We would welcome Prince network by John Major in 1994 – when Williams briefed ASLEF backbenches. Andrew coming in to talk which even Margaret Thatcher, about it in November he told the The Transport Secretary told with us’ – New York that arch advocate of GS that the structure he would the committee he would ‘bring prosecutor Audrey privatisation, famously described propose could work whether the the railway back together’ – Strauss after charging as ‘a privatisation too far’ – was railway was in public ownership, ironically, nicking a phrase from his pal Ghislaine Maxwell utterly wrong-headed and simply under Labour, or still privatised, our GS, as Mick has often called hasn’t worked. under the Tories – but the general on the government to ‘bring the …UNQUOTE Shapps is proposing to end the election in December, followed by wheels and the steel back

Warner slams TOCs Alex Warner, chair of the West Dawlish 2.0 Midlands Grand Rail Collaboration, which brings Plans have been submitted to Teignbridge together TOCs, FOCs, Network district council in south Devon for the rest Rail, and the West Midlands Rail of the £80 million sea wall to protect the Executive, has lashed out at the vital rail artery to the south-west of attitude of the privatised train England from rough weather, and rising operating companies. sea levels, for the foreseeable future. ‘Professionals seem to be Work on the first section of the wall, at designated into one of two Marine Parade, should be finished this categories – operations or summer. The second section, a 415 metre customer service,’ he said. ‘I’ve stretch between the Coastguards and always been thrown into the “He’s Colonnade breakwaters, will ‘return the Mr Customer Services, pink and waves to the sea and reduce the amount of These panels in the new sea wall are designed to fluffy, we’ll come to customer water and spray reaching the tracks’. deflect the power of the waves back out to sea service once we’ve sorted the operations out” type category. You go away and play and make NETWORK RAIL ON TRACK IN EAST ANGLIA staff be friendly and smile and Network Rail has started a six month programme of track improvements Time for a we’ll do the real stuff of running in the Anglia region. It includes track renewal and signalling work at brew? This trains from a to b. Colchester and Needham Market on the Norwich to London main line; red ASlEF ‘I’ve stumbled across this kind near Elmswell on the Ipswich to Bury St Edmunds line; and on the mug is just of sentiment over the years and it Clacton on Sea branch line. Overhead wires at Stratford are also being the job for does bemuse me. Because, replaced to improve reliability, especially in very hot weather. tea or coffee in the mess actually, customer service is a big room or at home. £3.50 part of the operation. I think this is TOGETHER IN ELECTRIC DREAMS (inc p&p); email something they do see in the Hitachi Rail has begun building five all-electric intercity Class 803s for [email protected] or visit West Midlands but, historically, the open access operator East Coast Trains at its Newton Aycliffe plant in our online shop at across parts of the industry, it’s County Durham. The trains are set to enter service on the main line www.aslef.org.uk not always been the case.’ between Edinburgh and London in autumn 2021.

August 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 7 News

infrastructure, should Happy Shapps on be run as a public service, not as an opportunity for a few journey to the east people to plunder a SLEF has 2023, with an option private profit. welcomed to extend until 2025. Especially as these A news that ‘We welcome this profits – cash which East Coast main line announcement, leaks from our railway services will continue which is a sensible system – is made off to be run by the state decision, and which the back of an for up to five more offers clarity and enormous public years. The security in the short- subsidy!’ Mick added: government has term to both ‘As the government announced that the passengers and staff,’ has indicated it is publicly-owned train said GS Mick Whelan. ‘Good news about lNER,’ said Mick. moving from the operator London ‘But we think the ‘Now let’s make it permanent!’ failed franchise North Eastern government should model to a new Railway will run announce that this what passengers after survey, that it’s opinion, want, too. concession model, services on the line line will stay in public want, it’s what rail what voters, of all ‘Because the why do we need the between London and ownership staff want, and we political parties and railway, which is a key involvement of these Edinburgh until June permanently. It’s know, from survey shades of ideological part of this country’s privateers, anyway?’ Capital punishment Up on the roof After Sadiq Khan, the failure to help. Mayor of London, GS Mick Whelan revealed the crushing said: ‘London is not financial cost of the just Britain’s capital, coronavirus crisis on but one of the world’s the capital on biggest and most Finn: ‘We will fight to defend Thursday 18 June, exciting cities, with a our pay, t&cs, and pensions’ predicting a £500 public transport million shortfall over system essential for working conditions, the next two years, helping people move lifted, play. It is also the not more cuts. ASLEF condemned about for work and, only major metro ‘Government the government for its when lockdown is system in the world incompetence has led Mayor Marvin Rees (left) and Mike Gallop of with zero central to some of the worst Network Rail (centre) join a socially distanced funding. And that is a public health (and a very carefully gender balanced) Are subs tax deductible? disgrace.’ outcomes in Europe, restoration team pic at Temple Meads Mark Kennerley, of Manchester Piccadilly, DO8 Finn Brennan, coupled with huge wrote to the Journal last month: ‘Whilst filling our organiser on the economic damage. The famous Grade 1 listed Victorian roof of in my tax return it came to my attention that Underground, said: But they still find no Bristol Temple Meads station is to be union subscriptions could be tax deductible. I ‘Deep cuts to essential difficulty in organising restored to its former glory in a £24 found a list of HMRC approved organisations public services in the a multi-billion pound million three year restoration scheme. for deducting tax against subs but, capital are on the way. quantitative easing ‘This is a great moment for Bristol, and regrettably, ASLEF is not on the list.’ For months essential programme that the whole of the West of England, ‘Thanks, Mark, for bringing this to our workers have been benefits those who providing a brighter station for attention,’ said GS Mick Whelan, who called “heroes” but are already wealthy. passengers worthy of Isambard Kingdom promised: ‘We will look into this.’ now they will have to ‘We don’t need Brunel,’ said Mike Gallop, Western route Nikki Newing, ASLEF’s finance manager, fight to protect their applause for low-paid director at Network Rail. ‘We’re ambitious has. ‘HMRC has defined subscriptions that can jobs, their pay, and essential workers. We about our plans, and this is the first step in be used for tax relief,’ she reports. ‘ASLEF subs their conditions of need strong and providing a world class station to enable are not one of them. We have raised this but it employment. determined trade more people to get to their jobs and is in the hands of HMRC. If you look on the ‘The London unions that will fight encouraging more investment in the area.’ HMRC website there are definitions and they Mayor has decided to to defend them if the Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, who stem around being professionals (Institute of cut his own salary but government is not addressed AAD at the Marriott Hotel in the Directors, ICAEW, ACCA, etc). HMRC is not, public service workers, prepared to properly city in 2017, added: ‘This is a much-needed sadly, particularly forthcoming with non- and millions of others, fund our public step forward in the enhancement of the professional associations and trade unions!’ need better pay and services.’ station and a significant boost for Bristol during this really difficult time.’ ASLEF’s young members QUOTE… The project is part of a programme of are driving the future. If ‘Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick rail upgrades designed to improve you’re 35 or under, wear sweated under the glare of the reliability and capacity which includes the our badge with pride for Commons lights like a saveloy in a chip remodelling of a crucial junction just just £3 (inc p&p); email shop’ – Henry Deedes , outside Temple Meads station, complete [email protected] or visit our online parliamentary sketch, Daily Mail rewiring, and the construction of a new shop at www.aslef.org.uk …UNQUOTE entrance for a new Bristol University campus and the east of the city.

8 The ASLEF Journal l August 2020 The ASLEF RMS 500 Club

Colleagues

The 500 Club is a fundraising venture for ASLEF’s Retired Members’ Section.

Conditions of Membership: Only retired and working members of ASLEF, including district councils and branches, plus permanent staff employed by ASLEF, can make an application to join the RMS 500 Club. The application form and standing order form can only be completed and submitted by the ASLEF member, or staff member.

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

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

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

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 £

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July 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 9 Firebox

Take a long day’s journey into night

GREGOR GALL , an affiliate research associate at Glasgow University, and editor of the Scottish Left Review , reveals how Munira Mirza and several other if you’re glad, members of the Revolutionary i’ll be Frank. Communist Party have quietly moved Richards or into positions of power and influence Furedi. Mirza or Fox UNIRA Mirza is a name you may not – dissolved in 1997. but should get to – know. Because RCP politics – often described as ‘typically M she may end up as powerful as Trot’ – were originally based around opposition Dominic Cummings although she is less keen to the intervention of the capitalist state in the on being in the public eye. She was appointed lives of working-class people, fierce criticism of director of Boris Johnson’s Downing Street Labour as a reformist party, and the rejection policy unit last summer, having previously of state controls over immigration and imports. worked for him as a Deputy Mayor when he In 1983 it launched its general election was Mayor of London. manifesto called, somewhat optimistically, desirability of minimal government But it was her appointment as head of a Preparing for Power . Its four candidates, led by intervention and control. This ranges from government commission on racial Furedi, got just 581 votes. climate change and vaccinations to fox inequalities, following the Black Lives Matter hunting and paedophilia, amongst many other protests this summer, that really got her THINK TANK OF SWIVEL-EYED LOONS subjects. noticed. The RCP’s far-left politics slowly morphed into The story of progressive young lefties ‘Why?’ you may ask. Well, Johnson was cute opposition to any form of state intervention. becoming crotchety old Conservatives is not enough to appoint a young Muslim woman of Seizing their chance, right-wing libertarians new. The International Socialists, which Pakistani descent rather than an old white welcomed these ‘Johnny-come-latelies’ into became the Socialist Workers’ Party, once man who used to be a judge. But, troublingly, their ‘advanced disruptor’ fold, railing against boasted Garry Bushell, who went on to The Sun Munira Mirza is on record, and on message, as the ‘nanny state’ and calling for more neo- and promoted the proto-fascist Oi movement; a critic of multiculturalism which, she believes, liberal deregulation. Mirza worked for Policy Peter Hitchens, who now writes a column for ‘fuels a sense of exclusion’. Exchange, favourite think tank of the ‘swivel- the Mail on Sunday ; Wendy Henry, who She has also attacked the anti-racism eyed loons’ – as David Cameron called them – became editor of the News of the World ; and movement as a ‘bogus moral crusade’ and between 2005 and 2007. Rod Liddle, who writes racist columns for The casts doubt on whether institutional racism She is not the only fellow traveller to tread Spectator and Sunday Times . In fairness to this exists. Which, of course, is just what Whitey in this path from the RCP to a position of power motley crew, they did renounce their former Westminster wants to hear. and influence in the UK today. politics. Claire Fox founded the Institute of Ideas, And therein lies a key difference. While the MIRZA’S MADE AN EXTRAORDINARY got a regular spot on Radio 4’s Moral Maze , SWP crowd turned their backs on their former POLITICAL JOURNEY FROM FRANK and, briefly, became a Brexit Party MEP. She is comrades, the RCP crew have not. They are far FUREDI TO BORIS JOHNSON also a climate change denier. And was co- more influential now, as entryists and But lying underneath this BLM controversy is publisher of Living Marxism which closed in infiltrators, than they ever were before. Some the extraordinary political journey Munira 2000 after falsely accusing ITN of faking say they will end up as a Tory version of those Mirza has undertaken from one end of the evidence of Bosnian genocide. thinkers behind the Communist Party’s political spectrum – as a far-left Trotskyist Her sister Fiona Fox runs the Science Media Marxism Today magazine who later provided revolutionary – to the other – as a far-right Centre, a ‘pro-science’ organisation that lobbies the intellectual ballast for Tony Blair’s New libertarian reactionary – because she used to aggressively – and not always accurately, say Labour project. be an active member of the Revolutionary critics – for industry, on controversial subjects Communist Party which has exerted a such as genetically modified crops and MAKE THE LONG MARCH THROUGH profound influence on her ideological ‘Frankenstein food’. THE INSTITUTIONS JUST LIKE RUDI thinking and political actions. Other former RCP members – such as James Calling them entryists may be unfair. Antonio Mirza was born and brought up in Oldham, Heartfield, Mick Hume, and Brendan O’Neill – Gramsci, the Italian Marxist imprisoned by went to state schools, and read English at have become influential writers and Mussolini, developed the idea of establishing a Mansfield College, Oxford, before doing a PhD commentators or – like Kenan Malik – counter-hegemony through a ‘war of position’ at the University of Kent under the supervision broadcasters. Spiked , backed by the US oil – in other words, developing alternative values of Frank Furedi, a former member of the billionaire Koch brothers, is still going. and an alternative ideology to those that International Socialists – where he used the The common thread is the acquisition of dominate present society. nom de guerre Frank Richards – and then power and influence in the media, academia, And Rudi Dutschke, the German founder and leader of the RCP. or at the heart of the state – the tarnished state communist student leader, turned this, in the She wrote articles for its magazine, Living they wish to not just downgrade but dismantle late 1960s, into ‘the long march through the Marxism , its website Spiked , and was well- and destroy as Dominic Cummings’ Praetorian institutions’ as a way of establishing the acquainted with the RCP’s network of guard of ‘great disruptors’. conditions for political change by joining the influencers even after the party was formally They disseminate a libertarian belief in the leading organisations of society.

10 The ASLEF Journal l August 2020 Black lives Matter Racists right in my face

ED D’BELL , Black & Minority matter’; this, too, should be applauded. Ethnic Representatives’ Because how will change come if we Committee member for cannot argue that black lives matter to District 1, and a member of highlight our cause and our call for change? it won’t. Change does not – and will not – Southampton Northam come of its own accord. But, after pressure branch, on why the BLM movement is from BlM, the leaders of countries have Black and white an important vehicle for change taken these concerns seriously, something together unite that, frankly, in this day and age shouldn’t against the fascist ll livES MATTER ’. of course they have to be a concern. and racist right ‘ do! i’m sure no one disagrees but i’ve heard people say ‘racism doesn’t A say ‘black lives matter’ and, for exist any more’. Back in the day, it was ‘just anything, i said my good-byes, and carried some reason, there will be several people one of those things’. i’ve been called the on. Something i probably should not have who disagree! usual: ‘Pak*, nigg*r, black c**t’. Anyone who done. George Floyd, a black American, was knows me knows i’m a pretty mellow chap Being racially abused is unacceptable killed in custody by police officers in so, when i’ve been racially abused, i don’t but it still happens in Britain today and Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Monday 25 take it personally, to me, but i do for my people suffer discrimination because of the May. A knee was placed upon his neck by an family, to a point where i may lose my job colour of our skin. officer, resulting in asphyxiation and death. over it! So i am saddened when i hear people This was not the first time this has been i’ve had racism right in my face. Having a condemn movements that are trying to done and, even when other officers car stop abruptly in front of me on the way change society for the better for minorities. attended, and heard George pleading ‘i home by cycle, a bottle thrown at me and Should we try and find ways to stop black can’t breathe’, nothing was done to stop it. called a ‘Pak*’. Being laughed at when i put people from being treated equally? is it Since George Floyd’s death the Black my head out of the cab window. i’ve even wrong to say that black lives matter and lives Matter movement has gained rolled into a station on a red, heard ‘nigg*r’ offend the far-right? momentum, not only in America, but right by a couple of lads who jumped in the train, The BlM movement highlights the across the world. it wants fair and equal carried on to the next station, where i got unacceptable deaths of black people in the treatment for black and minority ethnic out and followed them into the waiting US by the hands of law enforcement as well men and women in all walks of life and this room, and asked them ‘not politely’ what as the wider inequality against the BAME should be applauded. Just like ‘all lives they said to me? They denied they had said community in societies across the world.

An iconic Taking a knee, Cry for freedom image of the ’60s making a stand This Black Power salute, who had pinned an protest one of the most Olympic Project for movement Josiah powerful protest images Human Rights badge on Wedgwood, a of the 20th century, was his tracksuit, suggested prominent taken by Life magazine they share. abolitionist as photographer John The photograph was well as a Dominis after US a progressive slingshot potter, who sprinters Tommie Smith which went right around specialised in and John Carlos stepped the world, capturing all stoneware and onto the podium at the the agony, anger and Olympic rules, added: ‘I walked to the podium earthenware Olympics in Mexico City angst of the civil rights fingered my beads and very slowly, as if in Wedgwood’s at his factory in 1968. Smith had just movement. thought about the mourning, hands poignant plea in Stoke-on- won gold, and Carlos ‘It was a cry for pictures I’d seen of the clasped behind their Trent, made this medallion for the bronze, in the 200 freedom,’ said Smith. “strange fruit” – black backs, each holding a anti-slavery campaign in 1787. He metres. Peter Norman, of Carlos, who wore a long men lynched by the Ku running shoe. They donated hundreds of his ‘Am i not Australia, took silver. string of beads around Klux Klan – swinging walked across the grass a Man and a Brother?’ cameos for As the PA started to his neck, his jacket from the poplar trees.’ in socks, to protest about distribution by the Society for play The Star-Spangled unzipped in defiance of The runners had poverty back home. Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Banner , Smith lowered Trade. ‘ladies wore them in his head and raised his bracelets, and others had them right fist. Carlos raised his San Francisco 49ers fitted up in an ornamental manner left. Dominis raised his quarterback Colin Kaepernick as pins for their hair,’ wrote Thomas lens and his shutter (centre), linebacker Eli Harold Clarkson. ‘At length the taste for captured a shattering (left), and free safety Eric Reid wearing them became general, moment of silent (right) take a knee during the and thus fashion, which usually protest. American national anthem confines itself to worthless things, The reason Carlos before the NFl game with the was seen for once in the wore a glove on his left dallas Cowboys at levi’s honourable office of promoting hand was that they only Stadium, Santa Clara, the cause of justice, humanity and had one pair of gloves California, in 2016 freedom.’ between them. Norman,

August 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 11 Black lives Matter Then like my dreams they fad

SHEKHAR BHATIA is a journalist and television documentary maker who has worked for the Evening Standard , Sunday Mirror , BBC, NBC, C4 and Mail Online . Shekhar was brought up in the East End of London and here he reflects on his love of football, his passion for one team, and the racism he encountered at grounds around the country

T WASN’T only the wonderful sight of Bobby Moore lifting the World Cup on I 30 July 1966 that plunged me into a life of suffering with West Ham United and, of course, England, too. I was just a schoolboy aged seven when he and two other West Ham legends – Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters – ensured the Jules Rimet trophy stayed in England after the tournament with that famous 4-2 victory over West Germany at Wembley. But there was more – much more – to it than West Ham’s terrific World Cup winning trio. West Ham was a club where, subconsciously, I felt my support belonged largely because the club paraded a couple of talented young black players in Clyde Best and Ade Coker.

BUS RIDES WERE ALWAYS EVENTFUL I am black – or brown, if you like – and, if I ever forgot, people were always there to remind me. As an East Ender, I suppose I had little choice about falling in love with the claret and blue. But the inclusion of Messrs Best and Coker in the Hammers’ line-up made it that much simpler. I spent those years in the early 1970s being called ‘Paki’ and ‘Enoch’ and this didn’t exclude some of the West Ham following when I turned up at the old Boleyn ground, penniless, and went in when the gates were opened for the final few minutes to allow for early leavers. The number 58 bus ride home was nearly women and children they passed on the street. Upton Park. always eventful and I would cower at the The abuse I suffered did make me turn my West Ham also played a black left-back, John menacing sight of some of my fellow West Ham attention for a while to another East End side – Charles, and a Turkish forward called Yilmaz fans. Leyton Orient – and I marvelled at their young Orhan and I can remember how excited I was They would stand outside the Boleyn tavern black starlets like Laurie Cunningham and John when I saw his name printed in the team line-up on the corner of Green Street and the Barking Chiedozie. I felt I belonged there, too, and would in my father’s Daily Telegraph one day. Road buying and selling copies of National Front jump over the wall and, later, sell football There were so few black faces to cheer in News and Bulldog , the newspaper of the Young programmes to watch the Os at Brisbane Road. football, or on television, that anyone who was National Front, both of which espoused the non-white became someone to cheer as notion that people like me should be ‘sent back EXCITED WHEN I SAW HIS NAME representative. to where they came from’. In my case, that would But I had been caught up in the magic of West When I first worked on Fleet Street at the age have been Leytonstone, because that was where Ham’s free-flowing attacking football and I was of 22, the Falklands War was raging; I was I was brought up. hooked – despite my fear of the ‘Paki-bashers’ in mistaken for an Argentine and there was abuse The irony was lost on me that those racists I their bovver boots. to overcome in the newsroom, too. I was once saw outside the pub, and on the bus home, to It dawned on me, years later, that perhaps it called a ‘monkey’ and asked who had cut my tree whom Clyde Best and Ade Coker were Saturday wasn’t just the beauty of the game played by the down. On another occasion, a newspaper afternoon heroes, out on the pitch in a claret and boys in claret and blue, but the colour of the skin executive made a speech referencing ‘wogs’. My blue shirt, would spit bile at the black men, of players like Best and Coker that drew me to true East End spirit came to the fore – and I gave

12 The ASLEF Journal l August 2020 Black lives Matter

de and die Kill the immigration Bill

At an extraordinary meeting of Bakerloo line branch 250 on Thursday 18 June the following motion, moved by Trevor Robinson, and seconded by Mark Gilkes, was passed unanimously.

RANCH and BAME members continue to be concerned about B the immigration Bill that we believe will have a detrimental effect on the already underfunded and Clyde Best (top row, far left); Ade Coker; and The Tories are targeting understaffed NHS. John Charles; Yilmaz orhan (second row, left); a the NHS with this bill The House of Commons library young Shekhar Bhatia tries on the shirt for size; information service provides the and John Charles (back row, third from right) in NHS workers and carers under the following statistics. of 1.28 million staff a team pic with Martin Peters (back row, far government promise. employed by the NHS, 170,000 are non- left), Bobby Moore (back row, far right), and Also contained in the plans is being British. The majority are low paid which Geoff Hurst (front row, second from right) able to speak English to a certain limits the quality of life they are able to standard and having a job offer from a afford. government-approved employer. Such him what for. BAME groups have been moves risk chaos to a health system that That West Ham haven’t won anything of note disproportionately impacted by covid- struggled to cope as the covid-19 since landing the FA Cup 40 years ago – beating 19; this was particularly apparent pandemic swept Britain. An NHS Arsenal 1-0 thanks to a header by, of all people, amongst NHS staff. As the clapping for devastated by years of cuts and Trevor Brooking who, while majestic with his NHS workers finally ends, Tory hypocrisy privatisation saw shortages of PPE and feet, was rarely known to head the ball – is not over support for those who put their workers unable to get tests despite lost on me. lives on the line during the crisis is working on the frontline. And it is a stark fact that football has a long, exposed by the immigration Bill. This More than 200 health workers have long way to go before the game can be truly racist legislation threatens the very died from covid-19 so far; 122 of those, labelled as all-inclusive and welcoming. bedrock of the NHS, targeting the non- 61% of the total, are from BAME I no longer fear being beaten up, or racially British staff who make up an essential backgrounds. abused, at a game but that is probably because I part of the workforce. As the world reverberates with global am 6ft tall and racist behaviour is now a hate The immigration Bill edges Britain protests over structural and institutional crime and the police appear keener to enforce towards an Australian-style points- racism and inequality we must stand the law. based system, placing visa requirements against legislation that will only serve to West Ham should be praised for having on care workers and NHS staff while entrench this system and deepen the notices around the new ground that racist abuse repealing EU freedom of movement. disproportionate impact on those from will not be tolerated, though I wish they had Setting a salary threshold of £25,600 to the BAME community. done that way back when. qualify for a visa sends a message to We must stand together and demand I once took a girlfriend to watch West Ham at anyone earning less than this that they the scrapping of the legislation in its Port Vale when an Ian Bishop goal gave us the are not welcome in this country. This is a entirety and stand with all those points. A fan next to us made monkey noises massive Tory slap in the face by those affected by this racist legislation. throughout the whole match against George who clapped so vigorously on the The branch and BAME members Parris, a journeyman professional for whom I downing Street steps just a few weeks request that the GS and EC lobby the always had a soft spot. It spoiled the event for ago. government to immediately withdraw her so much she never went to a game again. The £425 NHS surcharge for non-EU the NHS surcharge applied to all foreign migrants which it is planned to raise to nationals and their dependents working THE DAY A SIKH SCORES THE WINNER £625, including those working in the and paying taxes in the UK, especially Losing fans to racism is a huge own goal for NHS, is still being paid by large those working in the NHS; oppose and football. As a season ticket holder at the London numbers, despite a U-turn by the condemn the immigration Bill that puts Stadium, it is still disappointing to see so few government last month. The date for working-class families at risk of not black and brown faces walking through Stratford when the fees will be scrapped is still not being able to afford family reunion to the ground. known and guidance has not yet been visas; lobby the government to remove I once saw a Sikh gentleman with his son, released by the department of Health the salary threshold requirement that both in West Ham shirts, and it made me smile and Social Care, with conflicting advice clearly discriminates against working- broadly even though we lost. There needs to be in the new rules. it means migrants class families; and exert pressure on the more people of colour in the seats at all grounds. working in the NHS pay three times over government to remove costly visa I long for the day a Sikh scores a winning goal to use it – through their service, their requirements on health workers who are for West Ham and for him to bhangra his way taxes, and the surcharge. the backbone of our National Health across the pitch along with his teammates. But Clarity and assurances are needed Service. then I long for West Ham to be crowned Premier over the exemption of the families of Steve Crowley , branch secretary League champions. I can’t stop dreaming, you see...

August 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 13 Points and Crossings

ASLEF reps must regularly review files on computers and in cupboards to destroy what Protecting is no longer required and make sure that what is retained is kept up-to-date. Spreadsheets with contact details, for example, become obsolete very quickly. your data After a member has lapsed some information will be retained for as long as is Has GDPR legislation left necessary to satisfy legal, accounting, and you dazed and confused reporting requirements, and some union about what you can – and records. cannot – legally do now? It If you leave the union, or stop being a rep, is a minefield. But, here, you must delete all union-related personal data on personal devices and either shred or KATY PROCTOR plots a safe and secure return any hard copies of documents in your path through the GDPR minefield with possession. the dos and don’ts of data protection STORAGE LL organisations that hold or share ASLEF reps should continually review personal information have to comply arrangements for storage and retention of A with regulations covering how data is personal data. This includes thinking about collected, stored, used, and destroyed. In 2018 how, where, and in what format, records are the Data Protection Act and the General Data stored, and ensure that everything is secure. Protection Regulation made the UK’s data No confidential or restricted information should be left on desks or in unlocked drawers. protection legislation more stringent and What Katy did next was to provide all ASlEF Take care carrying paperwork, like provided individuals with new rights, as well as members with a clear and concise guide to GdPR introducing much tougher fines for non- membership forms and lists, and do not leave compliance. We rely on our members and, these in pigeon holes in common areas. particularly, our elected representatives, to Password protect USB sticks and other before adding anyone to an email help us ensure that our data is up-to-date, and removable media. conversation, review the conversation history secure, and that any issues are brought to our Lock electronic devices with passwords that and participants. attention without delay. are changed regularly and have a screensaver If sending an electronic file password that locks the screen when the device is protect documents containing personal data, WHAT IS PERSONAL DATA? unattended. Log off when you finish working and remind the recipient to delete after use Personal data is ‘any information relating to an and ensure that anyone else using your device (specify whether immediately or within seven identified or identifiable natural person’ and has a separate login. days) and not to share with anyone else. relates to information that allows an individual Use up-to-date encryption and anti-virus Do not use open networks, unsecured wi-fi to be identified (such as name, contact details, software, and don’t download unverified or connections, public cloud-based sharing, or date of birth, and bank details). The legislation untrusted apps that may pose a threat to the public back-up services unless you are certain requires particular care when handling ‘special security of information on your device. they are secure. category’ data concerning trade union When video conferencing, Chrome or Edge Mark envelopes containing sensitive membership, ethnic origin, political opinions, browsers are best because they update correspondence ‘private and confidential’. data concerning health, or information about a automatically. Clearly write a ‘return to’ address on the back person’s sexual orientation. of the envelope. SHARING DATA Double check addresses and email CONSENT On grounds of legitimate interest ASLEF shares addresses. Bear in mind that information in the If an individual has not explicitly agreed to his personal data with external third parties ASLEF contact directory and ASLEF diary may or her personal information being shared, or to including the Electoral Reform Service (for become out-of-date during the twelve their contact details being used to ballots and referendums), the Labour Party (for months they are in use. communicate with them, we must obtain that political fund and Labour affiliates), Remind members to keep their contact consent. We must also ask for consent before Thompsons solicitors, APT (our membership details up-to-date and check with head office using photographs or footage of people at database and website), Netrix, accountants for changes before sending out meetings, training sessions, and events. Even if and auditors, learning providers, funding correspondence. Personal email addresses someone has posed for a photo we cannot providers, awarding and certification bodies. must be used for union business, not assume it’s okay for it to appear in the Journal We also share data for communications and company-controlled email addresses. without checking with them. events with publication designers, printers, Tell the recipient to destroy by shredding, If a member wants to opt out of event organisers, hotels and conference not simply by putting in recycling. communications, he or she should inform us centres. so we can update our records (although this Before sharing any personal data, ensure MEETINGS, NOTICES AND SOCIAL excludes communications about membership you have permission and an agreement in MEDIA FORUMS fees, and elections, since we have a legal place with the recipient, stipulating how they Members taking up any representative obligation to ballot). should store and process the data, and that position in the union must be reachable by Personal information must not, under any they must not pass data on to any other third other members and, therefore, their contact circumstances, be used for any purpose other parties without consent. Only share details will made available via the relevant than for trade union business and as directed information that is relevant and necessary. channels. or instructed by the union. All personal information must be Never reveal non-public information or transmitted in a way that is secure. comment on pending litigation. This includes RETENTION Use the blind copy function when sending financial information, confidential information, Personal data must not be retained for longer emails to multiple individuals. Before replying or undisclosed personal information such as than is legitimately necessary. ASLEF staff and to a group email, review the participants. And medical conditions, professional performance,

14 The ASLEF Journal l August 2020 GRT History Month Turning back a tide of hate

ROGER GALLOWAY- SMITH , Black & Minority Ethnic Representatives’ Committee member for District 3, reflects on the demonization – and destruction – of Gypsy, Roma & Traveller communities

YPSY, Roma & Traveller history month was established in the UK G in 2008 to raise awareness of GRT communities, GRT history, and GRT contributions, and to educate people in order to reduce negative stereotyping and Roger: GRT history month is a bid to prejudices. change the often negative perceptions of or employment status. in the UK travelling communities are these ethnic groups Care should be taken in the conduct of referred to as Gypsy, Roma and Traveller; in branch meetings, so any personal data that is Europe as Roma. But there are several Holocaust, with the Nazis targeting Roma disclosed is limited to that which is necessary distinct groups of travelling and nomadic and Sinti (Gypsy people who do not identify and relevant. peoples which include Romany Gypsy, irish as Roma). Roma and Sinti children, women Nothing of a personal of sensitive nature Traveller, English Traveller, Scottish and men were deported first to ghettoes should be shared in a public forum without Traveller, Welsh Traveller, Showmen, and then to concentration camps. They permission. This includes posts on Facebook Bargees, and New Travellers. Showmen, were subjected to brutal medical and in closed WhatsApp group conversations. Bargees and New Travellers are cultural, experimentation and forced sterilisation. Adding ASLEF members to any social media rather than ethnic, groups; Showmen are Many died from disease and malnutrition; group is not permitted without their consent. involved in travelling fairs; Bargees live on those that survived were murdered at Never display personal data on notice board. Britain’s waterways; and New Travellers Bergen-Belsen, Auschwitz, Chelmno, ASLEF cannot take responsibility for grew out of the hippie movements of the Treblinka, Sachsenhausen, dachau, content on unofficial, informal WhatsApp 1960s and ’70s. Ravensbruck, Sobibor, Blezec, Mauthausen, groups, Facebook groups, Twitter or other Historical records reveal that Romany and Buchenwald. social media not managed by the union. Gypsies have been in the UK since the end As records were largely destroyed, or Members who set up social media groups are of the 15th century, after travelling through sometimes not kept as the Roma and Sinti not permitted to use the ASLEF name or logo Europe during their migration from india. were classed as sub-human by the Nazis, without authorisation and must make clear The word Gypsy comes from Egyptian, the death toll is difficult to calculate that anything they post is not in the capacity because the British thought the Roma came accurately but is estimated to be as high as of a union spokesperson. from Egypt, but analysis of the Romani 1.5 million in the Historiography of the language, and of genetics, has proved that Holocaust published in 2011. European WHAT IF I ACCIDENTLY BREACH Romany Gypsies originated from Northern Roma Holocaust Memorial day occurs on THE REGULATIONS? india sometime in the 12th century. 2 August each year which marks the day Immediately contact head office to report the irish Travellers originate from the island when 3,000 Roma children, women and loss of a laptop used for union-related of ireland and have a heritage and culture men were exterminated in gas chamber v at activities; loss of mobile phone; loss of a non- distinct from the general irish population. Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1944. password-protected USB stick; loss of hard References to irish Travellers can be found For this reason, and the many other copies of papers; or emails sent to wrong in documents as far back as the 12th episodes of demonization, oppression, and address; etc. century, with migrations to mainland destruction of GRT peoples, we have Gypsy, If you think you or someone else might Britain starting around the early 19th Roma & Traveller history month to make have breached GDPR please contact your century. Travellers of irish heritage can some headway into the ignorance and district organiser or GSP (Katy Proctor and Ian identify as Pavee or Minceir, from the irish negative stereotyping surrounding these Beckett) at head office. We will be able to Traveller language Shelta, also known as cultures and communities. investigate and identify the best course of Cant or de Gammon. Attacks against GRT peoples are rising in action. GRT communities globally have faced the UK, Europe, and worldwide, with little Never ignore a potential breach of data violence and persecution for centuries, and effort made by governments to prevent protection regulations. If you are unsure, err on there is now a rise in such attacks. The them. our fight continues and through the side of caution and check with us. worst case of such oppression and violence education, activism, and protest, with the Guidance previously issued about data in recent years occurred during the Second support of unions such as ASlEF, and its protection and GDPR can be found in the World War at a time known as the Porajmos, members, we hope to turn the tide of hate members' area of the ASLEF website. meaning ‘the devouring’, or Romany that threatens to engulf us.

August 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 15 Branch lines

department at head We keep this love office. Upcoming Events For digital files, photographs should in a photograph be a minimum of n RAINHAM – THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER 1200x1800px and in All welcome for our Southeastern reunion from 11.00 at the JEN THORNTON , policy jpeg or tiff format. Rainham Social Club, 86 Station Road, Rainham, Kent. ‘Dig deep researcher and digital As we will need to when the raffle comes round as that’s what pays the bill!’ says PJ communications adviser store and catalogue Smith. ‘And remember, this is your reunion; use it or lose it!’ at head office in London, photographic is after your photos for images, please also n TOTON – FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER our new image bank include with any ‘Ever the optimist, I’m hoping we can hold our reunion at the submissions: very end of October,’ says Reg Sergeant. From 19.30 at the (1) The subject of Sportsman, Derby Road, Long Eaton, Derbyshire. ‘All current S ASLEF paying professionals the image, including and previous Toton colleagues and partners are cordially takes for their work, it’s the names of any invited. A help yourself buffet will be provided and a raffle run A advantage just an opportunity people shown in the to raise funds towards future reunions.’ of the opportunities for the union to picture. of digital and social make use of images (2) The date of l These events are planned but, in the light of government media channels, that members have the image. advice about social distancing during the covid-19 crisis, are we’re able to available, (3) Any other subject to cancellation. Please check before you travel. communicate to a particularly that tell relevant details. much wider the kind of stories Please avoid audience and get we wouldn’t sending multiple our messages necessarily be able versions of very Can we hold meetings again? across. to provide a similar images, or The best online photographer to images which are Skipton branch sent this resolution to ASlEF’s executive content is visual so access. blurred, out of focus, committee: ‘As bars, cafes, and clubs have started to reopen, we are using more Some of the or very dark. and with the reduction of the two metre social distancing photographs and types of images that By sending in rule, we as a branch committee ask that branch meetings images than ever, could be used are: your photographs, can be held if social distancing can be adhered to.’ it was and we want to keep members at events; you agree that proposed by Adrian lunn, branch secretary, seconded by up this high quality. drivers in cabs or ASLEF can use them Pete Sheldon, and carried unanimously. The union has with rolling stock in print, or online, access to stock (taken only in safe including cropping, photography but we and authorised overlay and editing, are also opening a conditions); stations; and that you will not Vacuous wokeness and call to members for rolling stock; or seek, or be entitled your photographs. other elements of to, any financial virtue signalling We know there are a the railway like compensation for lot of members who freight interchange the use of images. I read with disappointment, though no surprise, the general secretary’s enjoy photography or level crossings. To submit your comments in his editorial ( Journal , July): ‘We are proud to support Black as a hobby and have We are interested images, you can Lives Matter.’ many images of the in both modern and email them to Jen BLM is an extreme far-left Marxist organisation whose aims include railway, train drivers, historic Thornton at abolishing capitalism, white supremacy, the police force, patriarchy, and and other associated photographs. [email protected]. the family unit. They engage in iconoclasm, vandalism, law breaking and events. If you have any uk; or send by a violent protest, leaving many damaged properties, ruined businesses, ASLEF pays photographs that WeTransfer/Dropbox and even deaths worldwide. Do you endorse these behaviours? professional you would like to /GoogleDrive link to The Labour Party is currently unelectable because it has drifted photographers and make available for the same email toward such extreme left-wing ideologies and has completely lost touch artists for images we ASLEF’s use, you are address; or visit the with its working-class roots. This must change. commission. This invited to send them ASLEF website for a In my experience the ‘silent’ majority of rank and file ASLEF members call out isn’t to the policy & link to submit via are in despair at the creeping rise of cultural Marxism prevalent in every intending to avoid communications Google forms. UK institution, leaving only vacuous wokeness and virtue signalling, the stymieing of free speech, and shutting down of rational debate. I urge you to concentrate on your core responsibility of organisation in the workplace rather than polemic political revolution. Remember, the transport industry in the UK has a long history of employing people from a wide diversity of ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds and long may that continue. Now that really is something to be proud of. Paul Amer , LNER, Edinburgh Waverley

GS Mick Whelan says: ‘I’m not sure that your characterisation of the BLM organisation is correct – though I know that is the argument of some right-wing commentators in The Sun and Daily Mail – but I was setting out our support, as a trade union that believes people are – or ought to be – equal, for the idea that black lives matter as much as white lives. A proposition with which only the Ku Klux Klan, apartheid if you could only picture this – a GWR loco and a sky full of thunder South Africa, or Donald Trump, would surely disagree’.

16 The ASLEF Journal l August 2020 Points and Crossings A home of our own SlEF has a proud history of while Erdogan is in power. And calling on supporting the Kurdish people and the labour movement to work with the A their demand for self- Kurdish solidarity movement to end the determination. The recent repression of the repression. People’s democratic Party – which includes ASlEF is a longstanding affiliate of the the arrest of leyla Guven and Musa Freedom for Öcalan Campaign calling for Farisogullari on trumped up charges – is the the release of Abdullah Öcalan, a political latest in a long line of attempts to destroy prisoner, who has been fighting oppression the party. The arrest of democratically for decades and, as a consequence, been elected MPs and mayors tramples on the imprisoned and held in solitary rights of the people who voted for them. confinement for 21 years. ASlEF stands in The Erdogan regime is brutally solidarity with the Kurdish people in their The flag of Kurdistan – 30 million Kurds still suppressing journalists and free speech in fight for justice and self-determination. dream of living in a state of their own its attack on the Kurdish population of Turkey. Turkey has put more journalists in l The Kurds are one of the indigenous peoples of what was once called Mesopotamia. jail than any other country in the world – a Around 30 million Kurds – the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East – live in staggering one-third of the world’s total. what is now south-eastern Turkey, north-eastern Syria, northern Iraq, north-western despite this, Turkey remains a ‘priority Iran, and south-western Armenia. They have not yet managed to realise their dream of market’ for UK arms sales as the Tory living in their own state. After the Western Allies crushed the Ottoman Empire in the government ignores Turkey’s actions. That’s Great War of 1914-18, provision was made for a Kurdish homeland at the Treaty of Sèvres why we are calling on the Johnson in 1920; but the Treaty of Lausanne, which set the borders of modern Turkey three years government to freeze arms sales to Turkey later, dashed those hopes and the Kurds still don’t have a country of their own . Capital punishment – Transport for London, the Mayor, and the money The Mayor of London responded income from the abandoned to the government request to Western extension of the provide as full a service as congestion zone, the additional possible for key workers and was cost of the New Routemaster over attacked for not operating even more conventional hybrid buses, more. Despite the problems from money expended on a project to Crossrail, TfL held reserves, but build a private bridge over the the provision of services with Thames at taxpayers’ expense almost no fare income quickly ate should be easy to identify. into them and, eventually, the The cost of the under-18 pass, Mayor was compelled to accept introduced by Ken Livingstone, whatever was on offer. Criticising everything the the over-60 pass introduced by The government originally said Mayor does and failing to Boris Johnson, and the fare freeze it would underwrite costs articulate the reasons which introduced by Sadiq Khan, in line incurred from the pandemic, but vitriol directed at Ken Livingstone, might justify criticism, and failing with a clear manifesto this was manifestly not the case who might be thought to be to notice when the Mayor fails to commitment in each case, require here. Some of the money was in politically further from them. At take action, simply offers more of more detailed consideration the form of a loan, and strings first it was put down to past the same: a horrendous failure to because the financial benefits were attached, relating to the clashes when Khan was grasp any detail. The last Mayor have never been properly availability of free passes, income shadowing Chris Grayling at the even admitted to this; the present analysed. These arise from from the congestion charge, and Justice Department. Like most one is not doing a lot better. The embedding the public transport the future governance of TfL. people who come up against negotiations with government habit in the young; greater The government claimed that Grayling, Khan was vindicated by might have been less catastrophic economic activity from the old the Mayor had left finances in a subsequent events. Grayling’s if the Mayor had taken the right with associated health benefits; parlous state referencing the fare successors have invariably advisers with him. It is little short and arresting a decline in public freeze and Crossrail delays, and attracted relief and plaudits as of disgrace that no-one either on transport use in favour of less ordered a review of TfL finances they carefully unravelled the the government side or the sustainable modes or reduced before a longer-term settlement is havoc that had gone before them. London side appeared to realise economic activity. It should also made. This one only covers four A similar campaign was that charging fares to Freedom be clear that the removal of and a half months of continued mounted in the West Midlands pass holders in the evening peak government subsidy, making social distancing and the and succeeded in electing a would require an amendment to London the only major world city government did not contradict Conservative Mayor there. The the 2008 Transport Act and would to operate public transport the Mayor’s description of it as ‘a Conservative mayoral candidate extend across the country into the without one, was predicated on sticking plaster’. in the capital appears to be Tory shires and the Red Wall. In there being income for Crossrail, a Coming hard on the heels of a copied in and primed to weigh in the event, this proposal was joint project of central and highly political letter rejecting the with further criticism of the Mayor. quietly dropped. London government which must New London Plan, one has to ask The difference is that he has yet to An independent review of the share any blame for target dates why Sadiq Khan attracts such replicate the skill of the finances should consider all the that proved unrealistic. opprobrium from this Birmingham Mayor in presenting obvious Mayoral decisions that Andrew Bosi , Friends of government, far greater than any a plausible alternative. brought us to where we are. Lost Capital Transport

August 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 17 Trade Union Badges

Join the Trade Union Badge Collectors Society for FREE

TRADE UNION BADGE COLLECTORS SOCIETY Trade union badges form a central part of the rich visual culture of the labour movement that also encompasses trade union banners, emblems and ABOUT US membership cards and other The Trade Union Badge Collectors Society was formed in the early 1980s by ephemera. a group of union activists and officials. often taking their design from The first issue of Trade Union Badge Collectors News was produced in 1984 aspects of the larger and more and has recently been relaunched. intricate union emblems of the 19th century, or illustrating the A website has also been set up at www.tubcs.wordpress.com tools of the union member’s The aims of the newsletter and society are collecting, cataloguing and trade, badges were first produced researching trade union badges and related items. by trade unions as far back as the As our late editor John Hammond put it: 1870s, and by the 1890s were “i believe that this hobby of ours is one of the most fascinating ones. When routinely being issued by some i pick up a new badge or artefact, i enjoy the research in to its history and unions to new members. each book i look up gives me more and more interesting information. And i Probably the first trade union know that i am helping to preserve the past. There is a great difficulty with badge collector was Walter the historical memorabilia of this great movement disappearing as more Southgate, who started and more unions merge and disappear. Many trade union leaders have collecting union ephemera as little or no time to be concerned with the history of the movement and early as 1905, and would later many interesting artefacts and memorabilia are thrown in the dustbin become one of the founders of rather than being kept for posterity. The badge collecting fraternity has the National Museum of labour helped salvage some of the best items and ensure that important items are History. available for the next generations" The collecting tradition is kept alive today by the Trade Union TUBCS members have also produced two booklets: A Guide to British Trade Badge Collectors Society, a UK- Union Badges and A Guide to Irish Trade Union Badges based group set up by like- The society and newsletter have been mentioned in a number of minded enthusiasts to promote a publications including: wider appreciation of trade union ASLEF Journal March 2007, K Myers, What’s behind union badges badges and ephemera, and to Paul Martin (2002) The Trade Union Badge - Material Culture in Action, create a friendly environment for Aldershot, Ashgate sharing information and research land Worker Feb 1991, i. Monkton, Worn with Pride – The badge of nobility about trade union badges and labour Research Feb 1987, N. Clark, Worn with Pride – Union Badges ephemera. TUC 2006 Congress Guide, K Myers, Badges of Honour

INTERESTS (PLEASE TICK ALL INTERESTS ) NAME ...... o GENERAL TRADE UNION BADGES SPECIFIC UNION/INDUSTRY, ADDRESS ...... o o WHICH ...... o INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION BADGES o MEMBERSHIP CARDS TELEPHONE ...... o CERAMICS EMAIL ...... o OTHER PRINTED MATERIAL

UNION ...... OTHER ......

Please email your completed application form as a photo attachment to [email protected]

18 The ASLEF Journal l July 2020 double Heading

Time to tackle effects of climate change sayORsE ne edOs to bRe donRe to ’swit h Pa repreato of lasst yseare’s lowres t- tackle the impact of ever number of two fatalities, and M climate change on praises Network Rail’s long-term Britain’s railway – which has seen strategy for efficient improvement risks increase over the last year – to level crossings. according to a new report There has been a levelling out published by the Office of Rail of the risk from SPADS – signals and Road. passed at danger – over the last The rail regulator’s annual year but the ORR reports an The impact of climate change on report about health & safety on increase in incidents where driver infrastructure and (right) the GS our railways reveals that although alertness was an issue. The report thanks ian Prosser for speaking safety has improved over the last says: ‘Train and freight operating at AAd in leeds last year twelve months, exceptional companies have been increasing seasonal weather conditions have their focus on developing driver Network Rail must comply adversely affected safety training and the regulator is with the notices by July 2022. It performance. working with trade unions and has responded by setting up a The number of earthwork operators to enable the task force and making made across the industry over the failures and trains striking objects installation of equipment to aid improvements to the deployment past decade. – such as trees – increased four- drivers.’ of new technology to protect ‘However, the last year saw fold compared with last year. On fatalities, the ORR reports: workers. significant increases in flooding, Infrastructure has suffered ‘Sadly, in the last year there were Ian Prosser, Her Majesty’s Chief earthwork failures, and trains from climate change – hot dry four railway workers who lost Inspector of Railways, a role that striking trees on the line, which summers followed by high rainfall their lives while working on goes back to 1840, as well as had a big impact on the number – which have caused earthworks Britain’s railways. This further director of railway safety at the of delays on the network. to collapse, while movement in emphasises the high-risk Office of Rail & Road, said: ‘There is ‘It is so important that the clay embankments have environment in which many no doubt that our railway remains sector employs best practice if we adversely affected the precision railway staff work and the one of the safest in Europe. There are to meet all the pressures on layout of tracks. importance of good safety have been improvements in the network in the future and to The ORR reports that although working practices.’ health and safety to the operation make sure the railway plays its full Network Rail has drawn up plans In July 2019, the ORR issued of Britain’s railways and this bears role on climate change and to address climate change and two improvement notices on testimony to the great efforts reducing carbon emissions.’ increase resilience to extreme Network Rail to drive weather, these plans are not improvements on safety for track keeping up with the frequency workers; ‘these were targeted on and severity of weather events. improved access, planning, and The ORR reports that although Network Rail must, it says, focus improving the use of technology’. Network Rail has drawn up plans to on improving identification of The ORR says that, in the wake imminent failure by means of of the deaths in south Wales, address climate change and resilience monitoring and refining the these are designed to eliminate to extreme weather, these plans are not measures it has to respond to planned work taking place on forecasts of extreme conditions. railway lines open to traffic where keeping up with the frequency and The ORR reports some the only protection is a lookout severity of weather events progress in level crossing safety, person. obituary Cut your cloth accordingly ANDREW KITSON KEEN BIKER i was annoyed at the self-pity displayed in an article The railway has lost driver Andrew Kitson to a tragic accident. Andy in the Journal (June). When my wife and i decided on found the railway later in life, after a conversation with a schoolfriend, children, she gave up work when the first child was who worked for TransPennine Express, in 2016. He decided on a comp‘lete born. As train drivers, and the salary we are on, one change of career and secured a job as a trainee driver with Northern, wage should be sufficient to raise a family. it’s based at Leeds, and qualified in June 2017. typical of today’s society that it’s become a He moved to TPE in February 2020 and was looking forward to the yesterday society where everyone want things new challenge. Andy was a keen biker and was seen off with a full yesterday; today is not soon enough. it’s pure greed. motorbike parade on Monday 29 June. Such a loss with his life still in Cut your cloth accordingly and live to your means. front of him at only 44. He leaves his wife Jess, and family, and our Nick Clarke , Retired Members’ Section, heart goes out to them all. Queensland, Australia Adrian Cook , branch secretary, York 243 ’ August 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 19 letters

UK rail industry faces the gravest crisis in 25 years Stagecoach bid kicked out as flaws and failures of It is with the utmost concern that I believe the franchise system reveal a model not fit for purpose rail industry is facing one of its biggest crises, as a consequence of the current pandemic. The judgement handed government expenditure A financial crisis due to the loss of down by Mr Justice will be seen as a railway commuting as we knew it; inevitably, due to Stuart-Smith in the High cost. Unnecessary the economic nosedive happening now, and Court on Wednesday 17 expenditure and not one still to reach rock bottom; combined with the June should be welcomed penny of that will be consequent job losses, and then businesses within our industry; a rare spent on improving any either downsizing or realising the supposed phenomenon when service, the benefits of staff working from home. expressed via an infrastructure, rolling Ultimately, those who see commuting as emanation of the state. stock, or passenger totally undesirable now. The action was Judge dredd: Mr Justice benefit. A crisis of confidence within the casual submitted by companies Stuart-Smith had more Franchising leaves travelling public, many who now see rail travel (which have operated bad news for Stagecoach unsuccessful bidders with as an unattractive option, partly due to the many franchises a large loss. To readily (necessary) rules currently in place but, more previously) against the interfering, resulting in exclude yourself from the unfortunately, a perception that rail travel is department for Transport government departments process after spending now a hostile and unwelcoming environment. and the Secretary of State disagreeing, and putting money on the bid, then Those members of the public who gave rail for Transport. They the new independent spend even more money a go in recent years are also highly unlikely to sought to prove Pensions Regulator at on lawyers, return. Thanks, in part, to the confused and inequality regarding their odds with various unsuccessfully arguing incoherent policy messages given by this disqualification from legislation dating back to tepid technical legal government, publicly stating ‘do not use the certain bidding processes. the Railways Act 1993. interpretations, could be train, you are safer in a private car’ is akin to a After 13 days of The companies believed considered financially death knell. For those members of the public submissions, and the new interpretation incompetent. This level of who had any doubts regarding their transport considerable costs, it was from the Pensions obfuscation renders Yes options, this message will leave them in no found that the Regulator could leave Minister an advocate of doubt about which to choose! disqualification was them with financial plain English. Closer to home, friends and family basically justified, caused liabilities. The franchise system is will not consider using the train ever again, indubitably by their own A great deal of money flawed with regard to and it’s fair to say this feeling translates to the volition. was then spent on court running an efficient majority of the public, too. This exemplifies the proceedings, evidence nationally integrated Having to follow the rules to fly away on virtues of poor leadership gathering, and paying railway that operates holiday may be a necessary inconvenience, so and governmental lawyers; from both sides. safely and uses technical why do that in the UK? When you can get in departments having self- The companies know this developments to pursue your car – your rules – and ‘be safer’ because centred agendas. The money will come back by efficacy regarding freight the government has told you so! judge found that, in the savings from existing and passenger This isn’t being pessimistic, but realistic, first 20 years of rail franchises or future requirements. Now is the about the dilemma our industry is facing. Also, franchising, pensions did franchise income. With time to ditch it and crunch time is looming in the autumn. The not cause a problem. The the Rail delivery Group properly legislate for the Chancellor’s budget, the various financial and Treasury and the newly supporting the continued improvement furlough arrangements coming to an end, and created Pensions companies’ cartel, the of this key service to the how the increased national debt is to be Regulator then sought to income is probably nation. repaid. Get the super rich to pay their dues? justify themselves by assured; the pointless Wayne Larman , Watford Now that’s another issue! For the rail industry, somehow, a process needs to start quickly to restore rail as an the TOCs and FOCs and various authorities. We people they look after. It’s the usual blame attractive alternative to the car. But this needs face probably the most challenging times game. Mistakes were made by the leadership, and clear ideas, not the useless since privatisation. government, causing lives to be lost, and now sound bites from Dominic… sorry, Boris! It Jeff Morgan , RMS Ipswich the Prime Minister is looking to make it pains me to say it, but the industry is facing a anyone’s fault but his. I notice when he made real uphill battle. PM’s fault, not care homes that remark he was on a building site, with his As a retired railwayman, I fully understand hard hat on, climbing into a bulldozer and why there was a need to prioritise for essential I am disgusted by the comment made by Boris playing with the controls like a schoolboy. I workers, but, ultimately, running empty trains Johnson that care homes should take hope any train driver unlucky enough to have is not a viable, or realistic, option. responsibility for many deaths after the him in the driver’s cab doesn’t let him have a I’m certain that ASLEF is fully aware of the coronavirus outbreak in Britain. It’s an insult to go at driving the train. problems ahead, and for the reps at all levels the owners and staff who have worked hard to P Begley , RMS Bedford there will be challenging meetings ahead with keep the coronavirus at bay and away from the State-sponsored Come and join the conversation! Send letters by email to euthanasia [email protected] or by Royal Mail to the ASLEF Journal I was absolutely staggered to read an article in the Metro in which Boris Johnson seeks to at 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN distance himself, and the hapless symposium of serial dunces he calls his cabinet, from the

20 The ASLEF Journal l August 2020 Classified Advertisements catastrophic decision, at the start of this FINAL RUN current insanity, to discharge 25,000+ sick and by Flaming June! it was July Gareth Tomkins. elderly people from hospitals (where they Painting in acrylics were placed for a reason) to under-prepared, In Derrick Fullick’s obituary to mark the last run ill-equipped care homes where – guess what? in the Journal (May) you say of the HST on – many died! the flexible roistering western region. High We were told by the government that those dispute was in June 1982. quality giclée prints using archival inks on fine art most at risk from this virus were those with That’s wrong. It was July. Here’s a paper available at £50 plus p&p. Unframed. existing underlying health issues, those with Overall size 20x16in; image size 18x14in with picture of my badge to prove it! 1in white border. Delivered in strong cardboard suppressed immune systems, and the elderly, dJ Chambers , RMS Derby tube. To order email me at [email protected]. and that these were the people we needed to Payment accepted via PayPal. protect most. You’re right, of course, dJ, and thank Yet one of the first actions of this you for pointing out the mistake in THE KING’S CROSS STORY by Peter Darley (The History government caused the deaths of tens of the obituary in the Journal . it should Press, £20) as featured on the thousands of the very people they had earlier not have slipped through. The centre pages of the January committed to protect. This was nothing short flexible rostering dispute – often Journal . Buy it direct from the of state sponsored euthanasia. referred to by railwaymen and Camden Railway Heritage Trust at a discounted Now we begin to see the ugly spectacle of women as the flexible roistering price of £15 inc p&p; email [email protected] or Johnson, Hancock, Gove, et al frantically dispute – was from 5 to 18 July, not phone 020 7586 6632 for details. ‘All income from swatting at the buck as it settles gently in their June, 1982. sales goes to the trust,’ says Peter. lap. Will anyone be called to account for the HANDMADE miniature appalling decisions made, seemingly on a driver’s keys to wear as a charm daily, or even hourly, basis over the last few whichever sex (or neither sex) they like. or round the neck. Solid silver weeks and months? Given the Teflon nature of The ways in which this can be abused and solid 9ct gold weighing this country’s ruling elite I won’t be holding my should be obvious. There are many instances approximately 7 grams. Just over 2cm in length breath! of men using self-identification as a way to and just under 2cm width. Gold £300, silver £100 + Britons, we need to take our heads out of access single-sex spaces and abuse women £7 p&p recorded delivery. Contact Brad McCarthy on 07929 350146. the sand, wake up, and understand what has and children. Stating this fact should not be been, and is being, done to us, our country, interpreted as an attack on trans women. Trans CASH paid for original pre 90s and to the very fabric of our society, by those people deserve protection from abuse and railway photographic slides or who so eagerly place personal and political discrimination, but not at the expense of negatives. Please contact GBRf ambition above the best interests of this women and girls. Biological sex is real and, if Tonbridge driver (and railwayana collector) John country and its people. we deny that, we are in danger of Waddington at [email protected] Bob Rowley, Bristol Temple Meads sleepwalking into an Orwellian future, where NORWOOD depot special pin badges defending reality is considered a thought including Cowden 25th anniversary. Closure of Bridge House crime. £3 each or £5 the pair (inc p&p). Luke Brennan , Luton Proceeds to Norwood Drivers’ Social Our last railway convalescence home is closed Club. Email Stuart Boxall at and the staff are being made redundant. I GS Mick Whelan replies: ‘Statistically, luke, i [email protected] would appeal to you, as genuine railwaymen am afraid that you are wrong. There are not and women, to consider what we once were as GROVE PARK branch 50th ‘many instances’ of men using self- a railway family that looked after its own, anniversary badge. £6.50 inc p&p. identification to access single-sex spaces irrespective of what uniform you wear. You, Contact branch secretary Ray Garland and abuse women and children. That is an 07931 612615 or [email protected] too, may be in need of a stay at Bridge House argument made by some women’s groups, in Dawlish in the future when the tide of life AIRDRIE has produced a badge to and a few right-wing commentators, but hits rough water, like it did to me, as in my commemorate its reopening as a the facts do not stack up and back that wife’s case after having brain surgery. After separate branch. £6.50 inc p&p. Please argument. Nor are we ‘sleepwalking into an receiving some fresh Devon air, good food, contact branch chair Ivan Wilson orwellian future’ on this issue. Trans rights (07949 862393) for details. and the beautiful gardens, all the ingredients are where gay rights were 30 years ago and to make you better, she ‘recovered’ and all we are trying to do, along with many PERTH branch badge to received two precious months of her life back commemorate 110 years (1908- other progressive organisations, is to for which I will always be grateful So think 2018). £6 plus £1 p&p. Cheques ensure that trans men and trans women are carefully. You may be in need of a stay there payable to Perth branch ASLEF No treated with the same respect as the rest of but there’s only one problem, this is the last 134 General. Please contact branch us. ASlEF has formal policy on this issue, secretary Grant Murchie for details on 07412 one, and it won’t be there when you need it. I which favours self-identification for trans 453454 or [email protected] ask you to contact the the trustees and ask people, and which was drawn up in them to reconsider this decision. consultation with our Women’s and lGBT+ BUXTON & PEAK FOREST 125 Stuart Barnes , RMS Derby committees.’ years limited edition badge 1892- 2017. £6 plus £1 p&p from branch Biological sex is real secretary Paul Costello; email BRITISH RAIL TRAIN [email protected] David Jones writes ( Journal , June): ‘Trans CREW MANUALS PROFESSIONAL ENGRAVING women are women and trans men are men. It’s 33056 SERIES at sensible prices. I can engrave anything not so difficult to accept.’ However, many do WANTED for my not agree with him. He wants us to put critical you wish, such as the ASLEF logo on personal collection. the pint tankard. Contact Paul Potts by thinking aside and accept unthinking meme- Good price paid for all email at [email protected] speak without examination. What matters to wanted manuals. To place an advertisement please phone him is not truth, but that everyone should tow email Tony Middleton, 020 7324 2400 or send an email to the gender ideology line that says the law GBRf driver, at [email protected] must allow people to self-identify as [email protected]

August 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 21 last Word Pay to play

CHRIS PROCTOR is a union man. He worked for the CWU, then ASLEF, where he worked with the general secretary – first Keith Norman, then Mick Whelan – to put the Journal together, and handled press and PR. He has written for The Guardian , The Times , the New Statesman and Tribune and now amuses happens if you hang around with shady types. fellow hacks with his ‘And Finally’ Did no one in the Tory Party learn the column in the NUJ’s magazine The lesson from the Neil Hamilton and Tim Smith Journalist . Here he reflects on Robert affair in 1994? This pair of senior Conservative Jenrick’s ill-advised relationship with MPs thought it would be an excellent idea to cosy up to Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed, Richard Desmond or, at least, to the plain brown envelopes he liked to hand over. This man (who has a mouth HE Tories really do need someone to that would make a sewer blush) wanted advise ministers on how to choose publicity in a dispute between his company T their friends. Perhaps their mums and Lonrho. Dutifully, cash in hand, the Robert Jenrick and Mary Anne Clarke could help vet applicants, especially the ones politicians fired off questions in the Commons with thick wallets and thicker skins who, like Browning machine-guns. would have been well-advised to keep at least instead of sitting next to them in class, sit one eye on his so-called friends. down next to them at a business dinner and MPs CAN BE RENTED LIKE TAXIS Mary Anne Clarke should never have made start bending their ear for a ministerial So what would any good friend do? Take them the acquaintance of Major Denis Hogan. This decision that could earn them a fortune. out for a slap up lunch? Pat them on the back lady was one of the many mistresses of the and say ‘thanks, boys’? Not Al-Fayed. He turned Duke of York in the early 1800s. Feeling that CASH FOR PARLIAMENTARY FAVOURS them in. Shopped them. Told the papers. Gave she was not being kept at the standard she Because, left alone to their own devices, so their full names, and addresses, and said the required, she developed a nice little sideline in many ministers seem to have no sense. The going rate was two grand a question. ‘MPs,’ he selling army promotions. She tacked a list of recent fracas about Robert Jenrick and torrid boasted, ‘can be rented like taxis.’ those she had bribed over her bed; an item of allegations of ‘cash for favours’ is a prime Why did their mothers never tell furniture that frequently contained Frederick, example. government ministers to be wary of gangsters Duke of York, and Commander-in-Chief of the The Housing Secretary got into hot water and thugs? Perhaps, being Tories, they knew army. Promotions were duly made. because of his chum Richard Desmond. no one else. But it was not always thus. There But these lists, both bed and promotions, Wouldn’t any mother have told him to be a used to be some decent types, like Sir Thomas consistently failed to contain the name of little cautious before getting up close and Cooke, master of the East India Company. In Major Denis Hogan. The cad insisted this was personal with a chap who published such 1695 he was interrogated about £90,000 because he’d declined to cough up the money intellectually stimulating magazines as Mega (worth around £140 million today) spent on that Mary Anne had requested, and he Boobs , Asian Babes , and Big and Black ? Could ‘special services’ while Parliament was published an Appeal to the Public about his no one sense a warning niff? discussing a charter giving a monopoly of complaint. All hell let loose, although, in Dirty Dick wanted a Planning Inspectorate trade to the company in the Far East. Thomas fairness, it did seem an irregular promotion decision overturned pronto as he was kept schtum; although later it emerged that procedure, especially as the country was at extremely anxious to develop a site in East one of the MPs to have been bribed was war with Napoleonic France at the time. It all London and turn a print works into a housing Speaker of the House Sir John Trevor. came down to Mary Anne not knowing her estate. Jenrick, obligingly, tripped over his toes He plainly had no idea about advisable man. in his rush to do the porn king’s bidding. The friendships, and struck up an understanding application was promptly approved – saving with the City of London, the most celebrated DID HIS MOTHER NOT WARN HIM? Desmond a sum not unadjacent to £45 million. fraudsters in the land. They wanted the But do you know what troubles me more than Two weeks later the wealthy businessman London Orphans’ Bill to be made law; it would anything? It’s the miserly twelve grand that made a substantial donation to Tory Party be beneficial to the City as it falsified debts Tricky Dicky handed over to the Tories. He funds. Ker-ching! owed to the orphans in question. So they must have sat there one evening thinking how The Labour Party, ever quick to spot an greased Sir John’s palm with 1,000 guineas, fortunate he was to have saved himself £45 open goal, said this ‘raised concerns’ about which is over £1.6 million in today’s brown million. Full of gratitude to the person who ‘cash for favours’. envelope bungs. had been instrumental in this, he pulls out his Well, yes, it does, doesn’t it? Just a bit! But I Somebody split on him; the evidence was pen and writes out a cheque. For £12k! am astonished that a man who had just been plain to see in the Chamberlain of London’s This is like offering the bin man a 5p piece saved £45 million by a politician he might have books; and he was booted out of the House of for Christmas. Or telling the cashier in the 99p been forgiven for thinking he had in his top Commons. His displeasure was eased shop to keep the change. Or like thanking NHS pocket, then, as a goodwill gesture, donated somewhat as he was allowed to keep the staff for their recent efforts by offering them a £12,000 to advance the cause of the bribe. Actually, he was never the ideal man to wage freeze (which is already on the agenda Conservative Party. Twelve grand! It’s not be Speaker because he was cross-eyed, a of the booby’s cabinet colleague Matt). exactly generous, is it? No wonder the Bobby deficiency that led to uncertainly about who Did little Robert’s mother not warn him looked disappointed. But then that’s what had ‘caught the Speaker’s eye’. In any case, he about people like this?

22 The ASLEF Journal l August 2020 Across down on Track Prize Crossword 1 A married man 1 Sailors’ dance 5 Abstain from eating 2 Road direction Crossword 172 by Tom Williams 7 Hearth mat marker 8 Dartboard 3 Reddish-brown Thunder of centre (4’1-3) hair colour 9 Writing material 4 Canadian coin 10 Sour tasting 5 Rock-preserved the rollers 13 Open air relic swimming pool 6 Chinese cookery RIAN Jackman, the 14 Shove sauce award-winning travel 18 Roman garment 11 Slantwise B writer whose work has 19 Weekly pay 12 Just less than appeared in the Sunday Times , 21 Stressful demands probable Daily Telegraph , and Condé Nast 22 Seize suddenly 15 Villas and Traveller , grew up in suburban 23 Needle holes mansions Surrey after the Second World War 24 Determination 16 South American but knew there was a wide, wide big cat world out there ‘beyond the 17 Candies and surrounding rooftops’. Why? toffees ‘Because my father worked for the 20 Dull neutral hue Southern Railway and, every year, Solution to Crossword 171 he was given privilege tickets that Across: 1 Goblet 4 Tramp 7 Tournament allowed him to take us on holiday 8 Drum 9 Hefty 11 Giraffe 13 Yashmak anywhere in Britain at no 15 Hated 17 Blot 18 Strawberry 20 Yodel Name...... expense. So, while my friends 21 Tendon down: 1 Gun dog 2 Loom 3 Terrify spent their summers at south 4 Trash 5 Axe 6 Petty 7 Turret 10 Family Address...... coast resorts such as Bognor and 12 Earnest 14 Kitten 15 Husky 16 Dowel Littlehampton, we travelled by 17 Bran 19 Red steam train to Britain’s own Côte ...... d’Azur: Cornwall.’ The family set off Congratulations to Nigel from Paddington for Penzance on ...... Bishop , of Hull , who was last the six hour Cornish Riviera month’s winner. The winner of this Express, the flagship of GWR – month’s Prize Crossword will receive ...... ‘God’s Wonderful Railway, to its Marks & Spencer vouchers to the aficionados’. value of £25 ...... ‘In the golden age of steam its elegant chocolate and cream l You can see more of Tom Williams’s Postcode...... carriages were hauled by King crosswords, word games and puzzles at Class and Castle Class locomotives wordgames.co.uk painted a glossy Brunswick green and gleaming with polished brass. If you successfully complete this month’s Prize Crossword please send the solution by post to Since my father was a railwayman, the Editor, ASLEF Journal , 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN (or take a photo on he would speak to the driver and I your mobile phone of the grid and send the image to [email protected]) by Friday 14 August would be allowed on the footplate for a few precious moments as the fireman shovelled coal into the engine’s ASLEF’s legal services blazing maw. ‘Afterwards, standing in the Have you been sacked, or are in trouble at work, and cannot get hold of corridor, nose glued to the your branch secretary, local representative or district organiser in an window, I waited for the longed- emergency? Call our industrial relations department on 020 7324 2400 for moment when the first glimpse of the sea appeared at (9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday or 9am to 4pm on Friday) or leave a Dawlish, framed by the red cliffs message on the answer service, or email [email protected] with a subject of south Devon. Then, as the train heading of ‘For the attention of the raced on to Plymouth and industrial relations dept’. beyond, my mother would open our picnic lunch. Chicken sandwiches – such a treat in post- war Britain, when the only other Changed your address? Please let us know! Just fill in this form time we ever ate chicken was on Christmas Day. Name...... Because they only went to Cornwall in summer, it was a place Address...... where the sun always shone. ‘If life’s a beach, mine should be ...... enclosed in granite, washed by Postcode ...... Telephone...... thundering Atlantic rollers. And that is why I can’t wait to go back, Branch...... Membership No...... as soon as I am able.’ Please return coupon to: ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN Keith Richmond

August 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 23