Sydney, Australia Paper of the Anarcho-Syndicalist Network 50c Vol.35 No.3 (230) Dec. 2017 - Jan. 2018

NSW GOVT. PRIVATISATION OF STA BUSES WILL HAVE A DOMINO EFFECT ON THE NSW PUBLIC SECTOR! ONLY DIRECT ACTION ON THE JOB WITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT CAN STOP THE FALLING DOMINOS!

Sydney Inner West Council Vs STOP on Bus Privatisation p.2

NSW Railway News p.3

State Transit News- flash p.4

New Insights on the Bus Privatisation Conspiracy p.6

Sydney Ferries p.7

Victorian Railway News p.8

Irish Rail News p.10

New Zealand p.11

Britain Today p.12

Anarchism & Syndicalism in Indonesia p.14

Book Review Corner p.16

News & Notes p.19 2 Rebel Worker

I won’t comment on Mayor Darcy privatisation was reversed. The letter was Rebel Worker is the bi-monthly Byrne’s so-called opposition to published where, like the previous letter Paper of the A.S.N. for the propa- West-Connex but to remind him of his published on the subject, the specific ref- gation of anarcho-syndicalism in mentor Anthony Albanese’s response to erence to an invitation to Mayor Darcy Australia. two exact same questions prior to the last Byrne and local State member Jamie Federal elections. Darcy chaired both Parker were edited out by the paper’s edi- Unless otherwise stated, signed community meetings. The first at Balmain tor. However the original drafts were Articles do not necessarily represent Town Hall Albo said “An ALP Govt will “blind cc’d” to both Mayor Byrne and the position of the A.S.N. as a whole. not contribute one cent of Federal money State Member Parker. Separately a press Any contributions, criticisms, letters to West-Connex”. At the second meeting, release was forwarded to the media and or a week later in Rozelle at the Hannaford the Councils announcing the community Comments are welcome. Centre, in response to the same question, picket invited all politicians, community Albo responded “A future ALP Federal leaders and the commuting public.Again REBEL WORKER Govt will not spend a cent MORE on Bcc’d to Byrne and Parker. P.O. BOX 92 West-Connex”. Implied here...then the Please note that I personally emailed the BROADWAY 2007 NSW $$billions already committed by the Libs Mayor five times with a request for his E-mail: at the Federal level to West-Connex would presence at the first Leichhardt Depot Via Web Site www.rebelworker.org be honoured in the breach by a community picket against privatisation on SUBSCRIPTION RATES: post-election Shorten Govt if it had got up December 4th. I also visited the Federal against the Turnbull Liberals(2016). But Office of his former employer Anthony AUSTRALIA: $12 a year they didn’t. So Albo was spared the em- Albanese (who I believe have a hot line to OVERSEAS barrassment of double back-tracking on his mobile phone) to invite both Albanese $25 (Aus.) by Air his original pro-West-Connex funding at a M.P. and Mayor Byrne to speak at either $20 (Aus.) by Sea mail Federal level the previous election cam- Tempe or Leichhardt Depot on December Free to Prisoners paign(2013) which the Daily Telegraph 4th. I also invited him with the same invi- and other papers duly exposed. Being Supporters Subs. $40 pa tation across the roadway in Marrickville Albo’s 3 day a week employee in Marrick- Rd at State M.P. from the ALP Jo Haylen, Receives copies of RW & ASN ville...while he was supposed to be em- Opposition spokeswoman on Roads, Mar- Pamphlets as published. ployed in Leichhardt Town Hall as itime,Transport and Freight in NSW and Send to the above. Cheques should be “Mayor of Leichhardt” with rate-payers State Member for Summer Hill, only to be made out to Black Cat Media. money, lap-dog Darcy would have been told she was pregnant and could not at- tarred with the same hypocrite brush as tend. I then invited her to nominate a staff Albo, one suspects? But I will let those member to attend and to extend yet an- who are focused on the West-Connex other invitation to Mayor Darcy Byrne Inner West Council Vs campaign argue the toss about Darcy’s (via her ALP hotline). former Mayor credentials here...They The following Tuesday I attended the In- S.T.O.P. on fighting STA have the dirt, not me...apart for the ner West Council meeting at 6pm at Ash- knock-back of a full time campaigner on field Town Hall and gave out invitations to the issue from the first IWC all councillors (including the Mayor) via Bus Privatisation post-Administrator meeting...which Councillor John Stamolis (after the speaks heaps to Darcy’s sincerity? heavy-handed security guard told me you Bus Privatisation Morning Jefferson are not allowed to hand out information to I wrote a letter to the Inner-West Courier individual councillors prior to or at coun- I just wanted to make sure that you were in November on behalf of STOP announc- cil meetings...another one of Mayor Darcy aware that Cr Byrne moved a Mayoral ing we would be mounting community Byrne’s limitations on free speech at Minute in October opposing bus pickets at all Sydney STA Bus Depots Council meetings...along with “fill in a privatisation. I drafted the letter to the commencing on Monday December 4th form if you want to ask a question or make Minister myself and we are chasing them 2017 between 8-9am until the Transport a statement...24 hours for a reply. Minister Constance policy on bus He also continues to stand in complete op- See Page 18 position to WestConnex, as he did prior to Amalgamation. A copy of the Mayoral Minute is included ASN APPEAL below. Regards The Anarcho-Syndicalist Network requires suitable Kate cost effective Permanent premises. A$750,000 is

Addendum sent Sunday 17/12/17 urgently sought to buy premises for The proposed Rebel Worker Anarcho-Syndicalist Media Centre. To Kate Walsh, Media and Communications Officer at In- ner-West Council...to be forwarded to the Please make out Cheques to Black Cat Media & Send Mayor and other Councillors...with the to P.O. Box 92 Broadway 2007 NSW. original correspondence Kate... 3 Rebel Worker N.S.W. RAILWAYS NEWS

ists between those workers on the buses The Facilitation Clause should be struck EBA, What Agreement? and ferries and those charged with the day out of the agreement altogether. As it cur- to day running of trains. It’s a case of rently stands, the clause, if included in the Never before have we needed a more ac- “Never the Twain Shall Meet”. Agreement, would allow management to tive rank-and-file movement in our un- That’s why it has been easy to get rid of bring in workplace change without proper ions than now. With privatisation Booking Clerks, Cleaners, Station Man- consultation and without fair compensa- looming on all fronts, not just on the agers, Duty Managers and the like. Guards tion. The union believes that the current buses, but the whole of the rail network and drivers may have cared, but they never proposal will cut them out of negotiation and workplace agreements limiting were organised to be part of a much larger for workplace change. All management wage rises to two and a half percent P.A. industrial campaign. They never cared would have to do is hold a ballot to bring over the last decade, something drastic enough. Once again sectional interests as about the changes they needed. Seeing that needs to be done. well as self preservation was the driving no workplace change has been positive The Leadership of our unions seem to be force. Likewise many station staff counted over the last few decades I don’t see why clutching at straws and has run out of themselves lucky when they saw others, we need to accommodate this clause at any ideas. The latest Enterprise agreement in rather than themselves, on the chopping level. Let’s not give them this right. New South Wales rail is a prime example block. We know that in the future these changes where they are bereft of solutions to com- My question is Why? When management will pave the way for privatisation if they bat management’s onslaught. The filing of has more tools in it’s armory than ever be- go ahead. How many of the current perma- a dispute in relation to management “fail- fore, why are we not bringing the whole of nent jobs will just disappear into the ing to bargain in good faith” with the Fair our industrial workforce to bear on out- privatisation ether. Metro Trains on the Work Commission shows that they are ig- Bankstown and Epping noring the real force that they have with Chatswood line will em- the membership. Do we really believe that ploy fewer station staff management would bargain in good faith, than at present. Also ever? Are Managers not to just out to fur- guards are certain to be ther their careers and to save money for the cut from the “driver New South Wales government? They’ve only” operation that never given a s*** about workers in all the Metro Trains uses. In the years that I’ve worked there. So why future even the jobs of would they listen to a bunch of union dele- train drivers is precari- gates when there is so much more at stake ous. for them. Unionism is not about niceties, If you are unlucky it’s about getting the best deal for mem- enough for your job to bers by members. be abolished in the The differences between the union leader- privatisation lottery then ship and us is about the way we go about under present proposals getting the best deal. They say, “well you your redundancy pay- elected people to represent you, they make ments can be reduced decisions on behalf of you”. from the current 65 We say that true leadership is about taking week maximum payout. the membership with you and giving them What they are planning a voice, being guided by the membership, in terms of redundancy respecting the wishes and thoughts of is yet to be spelt out in membership and lastly building trust and full. What is on offer solidarity so that you always get the best however is far a less possible outcome using the strength in the generous redundancy collective will that they exert. package than you have At the moment the Union is divided up comes that affect us all? We have much now. You also will never be guaranteed to be taken on by the into separate entities, often with their own more in common across the various sec- new private transport owners. budgets, their own leadership, acting au- tors than is commonly realised or ac- tonomously only for a narrow range of knowledged. Privatisation, for instance, Management want to use Labour Hire disperate groups. affects us all. companies to supplement the workforce. The whole of the membership in our in- At stake in the latest EBA is the loss of free This is an attempt to weaken the unions operating in the workplace. It is basically dustry, acting in solidarity, could bring travel for public transport employees that the contracting of a non-union workforce much more pressure to bear. This has get moved over to the private sector. At the never really happened due to the sectional moment this proposal is only targeted at in an attempt to water down the working conditions of existing employees. Wher- interests where guards and drivers issues employees who will be part of the priva- ever Labour Hire companies have oper are going to be very different to those tised companies that run the railways, - working in the customer focused areas. from what I can gather. However there are ated in the workplace it has led to lower wages and much lower conditions of the This is to say nothing of the chasm that ex- no guarantees that the removal of free travel will not be carried across the work- existing workforce. place for all public transport workers. 4 Rebel Worker

So now the Unions have sought a Pro- This cannot be done by appealing to hier- know about your struggles, your frustra- tected Action Ballot from the Fair Work archical forces within the bureaucratic tions, your wins or losses against manage- Commission umpire who decides what ac- Union leadership. We need totally new ment, or your opinion about the ways the tions can be taken, when they can be taken ideas, only you can provide that. However struggle can be improved. This is about and for how long. Strike action is a distinct it is much better if you all are working to- you and your work colleagues. This is not possibility because of the intransigence of gether to achieve the same goals, with about waiting for a union delegate, that management but as in the past it is highly strength, determination and utter solidar- usually dismisses your grievance, to come unlikely. ity, rather than sectarian, narrowly politi- and save the day for you. What the actions of the union’s leadership cally focused, opportunism. Sparks needs to know about struggles that do however is put the blame fairly and Sparks wishes you all the best in the New are happening in your workplace, so that squarely at the feet of the employer. If the Year and a successful struggle against the the experiences can be shared across the Commission on the other hand decides worst aspects of your Enterprise Agree- board spectrum of sectors from buses, fer- that enough is enough and calls a halt to ment. ries, trains, stations, offices, trams, work- any action then the unions can say that shops and all manner of workplaces. Drop they are hamstrung and throw their hands us an article if you work in public sector in the air, like they have in the past, with Calling all Aspiring transport or even in private sector trans- exclamation “We’ve done all we can”. Journalists port. Resorting to systematic processes rather To save yourself from reprisals you can than organic organisation at the grass roots Sparks magazine which is published even use a nom de plume (pen name) level does not serve us or the struggle well. several times a year needs people at the Sharing our experiences helps build soli- There is no substitute to the pressure that shop floor level to tell us of their experi- darity, something that is sadly lacking. can be applied from the ranks when it is ences in the workplace. Sparks tries to So grab your pen or computer and send us done democratically and well. encourage people who believe that the your thoughts. Our shared experiences en- We urge all members in the public trans- best way to win the industrial struggles rich us all and makes us stronger together. port industry to get together and organise is by helping yourself and your col- Contributions can be sent to: PO Box 92 themselves as one. We need to be bold, we leagues by organising in solidarity on Broadway 2007 NSW and Email: need to work together, we need to build the job. [email protected] strong roots, we need bonds that cannot The best source of information about what break under the pressure of Management. is happening on the job comes from those who work on the front lines. We want to

getting $6 per hour less than the non-trainee drivers in wages, in contrast State Transit Newsflash to the STA, where the trainee’s wages were $2 per hour less. As the new owner is trying all lurks to cut wages and in- KINGSGROVE DEPOT NEWS media that he was not ruling out further in- crease profits. It’s certain further down dustrial action over the NSW Govt’s pro- the track they will impose more savage at- RW: What are your impressions of the posed Inner West Region 6 depots tacks. It goes to show that privatisation is a Inner West depots 24 hour strike on privatisation. Our impression is that this device for employers to save money and 18/5/17 over the privatisation an- announcement by Preston was a ploy by that the dark clouds are coming. In the past nouncement? the union officials to find an excuse for not Waverley and other depot drivers had waging further industrial action on the is- transferred to Newcastle, for a better life Kingsgrove Driver (1): The union is a joke sue. We are very angry with the union offi- due to lower rents and house prices in at the depot. On the day of the strike I was cials over their treacherous and ineffectual comparison to Sydney. Now with the ad- out on the road doing my runs when I role in the fight against privatisation. vent of privatisation, many Newcastle heard on the ABC News that I was sup- There is tremendous interest amongst us in drivers, including some former Waverley posed to be on strike for 24 hours! The building the campaign for the picketing of drivers have transferred back to Sydney union rep didn’t even bother to be at the all the depots in December advocated by depots as they don’t like the new depot when I and other drivers arrived for STOP (Sydney Transport-users Opposing Keolisdowner management. work that day to advise us about it! I am Privatisation). thoroughly pissed off with the union. But RW: What are impressions of changes recently the union delegate at Kingsgrove Recently on two occasions Chris Preston to routes connected with the has had a change of heart and realises that and a local member of the NSW Parlia- privatisation push? the union hierarchy is the main problem. ment have come out to the depot to hose WB: Associated with the new rosters for He is angry with them for selling us out. down the enthusiasm for the campaign. the upcoming new timetables in late No- RW: What are views on the role of the vember, there is a significant change af- union officials in the fight against WAVERLEY DEPOT NEWS fecting the depot. Route 389 which is a privatisation? long route which we previously shared with Leichhardt, will now be exclusively Kingsgrove Driver (2): After the lightning RW: What are the latest developments operated by Leichhardt. It will go from strike and free fare day, Fair Work Aus- following the privatisation of Newcastle Pyrmont to Bondi Junction. We will oper- tralia Commission imposed a 3 month STA buses? ate a new route the 379. The new route will block on the union taking industrial action. Waverley Busie: In contrast to Transport go from Nth Bondi to Bondi Junction then When this period ended, Chris Preston the Minister Constance promises that there to Bronte. However the 379 is shorter than RTBU (Rail Tram & Bus Union) Bus Di- would be no changes for drivers, trainee the new 389, and as the STA is paid per vision Secretary held a press conference at drivers now employed by Keolisdowner kilometre of bus running, so with this new Leichhardt depot where he advised the which has taken over the STA routes are run, the STA will receive less income. 5 Rebel Worker

There seems a case of favouritism with A disgusting example of favouritism to- the buses which were privatised are now these changes. Associated with the ward business mates associated with the mainly casuals and part timers. Whilst, the privatisation push a juicy route for Leich- NSW Govt. privatisation push was illus- frequency of buses on routes has been re- hardt has been provided and more income trated by the recent news that in Nov. 2015 duced. for its proposed private owner. We appear the Vales Point power station was sold to to be gradually being acclimatised to Sunset Power International, now Delta BURWOOD DEPOT NEWS privatisation. Electricity for $1 mill. This price was al- RW: What are your views on the legedly above the retention value. How- changes to bus stops? ever, now in 2017 the power station has RW: What is the situation with privatisation at the depot? WB In Region 6, Transport for NSW has been valued at $739 million. Through sell- removed 90 bus stops. They are using the ing off assets to the rich and business Burwood Driver: In recent weeks, we had rhetoric and propaganda of more effi- mates and stamp duty on real estate, the a visit from the CEO in the mid afternoon. ciency to disguise giving a helping hand to NSW Liberal Govt. has made ½ trillion Apart from the CEO claiming to be on our the profitability of the bus services under dollars in revenue. Whilst NSW has the side regarding privatisation, we received proposed privatisation. Whilst signifi- highest tolls in the world for privately op- little enlightenment on the subject. There cantly undermining the buses as a commu- erated tollways, highest parking fines in is a general sense of uncertainty with many nity service Australia and highest housing prices in drivers transferring to other depots and Australia. A new area on the chopping some leaving the job. There are various ru- RW: What are other ramifications for block are 4 TAFEs. These cut backs will mours about the issue, but nothing con- Waverley from the privatisation push? seriously affect the number of apprentices crete. Constance seems to be keeping WB: There has been an influx of drivers and skilled workers. Whilst employers al- things on the issue close to his chest. from the Inner West – Region 6 depots. As ready are now obliged to recruit overseas Other news is that the STA is intending to a result there is much less overtime avail- for skilled workers. get out of the way its Admin. Restructure able. Consequently the pay of drivers at RW: How are drivers responding to the before privatisation. Its aiming at finalis- the depot is often lower. There is also proposed privatisation of the Inner ation by the end of Nov. 2017. In the case strange situation developing with the bro- West depots and routes? of the Staff Supervisor, the current occu- ken shifts. Now there are often 3 sign on pant in the job, will have to reapply for the times. WB: Many are experiencing anxiety over the issue. They have serious concerns over position. RW: What is the latest news with the RW: What are your impressions re- Light Rail extensions? garding the removal of bus stops? WB: I recently attended a public meeting BD: Like in other parts of the STA there on the issue at the Masonic Centre in have been the loss of many bus stops par- Kensington. There was hardly anyone at- ticularly along Parramatta Road. In some tending. Only representatives of the Light parts you now have to walk 2 to 3 kilo- Rail builder attended. There were no NSW metres to get to a bus stop. Many commu- Govt. or Transport for NSW representa- ters are angry about the cuts. In the case of tives. It was largely an exercise in self pro- the University side of Parramatta Road in motion by the Light Rail builder. There Glebe and Camperdown, 4 stops have were no speakers, just a model on a table of been removed and replaced with 2 of equal the Light Rail extensions. I spoke to an en- distance. However in Burwood there are gineer from the builder, who advised that bus stops every 50 metres. With the re- the Light Rail was all about relieving moval of bus stops on Parramatta Road as I transport problems and an opportunity for mentioned, drivers on AM and broken the Govt. to spend money on building new shifts are finding they can now meet the infrastructure. running times. Whilst there has been seri- In my view it’s a completely unnecessary ous safety issues with the location of the construction. There is a similar situation previous stops. Drivers had complained with the Metro rail line. It’s completely about it over the years, but nothing was unnecessary and will require 25 bridges to done. Now with the privatisation threat, be replaced or modified. The hidden suddenly the bus stops have been changed. agenda of the project being the opportu- We have heard nothing further from the nity to construct apartment towers in the union on privatisation or the enterprise area. In the case of the West-Connex out- a range of related issues, such as the im- agreement. let at St. Peters, the adjacent land near the pact of privatisation on their super funds, RW: What are your impressions of the Princess Hwy which was once used for a rosters, runs and transfer procedures and so called “lightning” strike over Con- brick works and the rail line is having lim- availability. They are also concerned that stance’s proposed privatisation an- ited height apartment blocks constructed, the privatisation of the Inner West depots nouncement? as a result of restrictions associated with will encourage the bosses to orchestrate BD: One the day of the announcement we the nearby Airport. In the Marrickville ever more competition between remaining were told unofficially that it was likely area I recently noticed a massive parcel of STA depots. There is a lack of certainty of there would be a strike next day. If the land has been flattened for the having a job in the years to come. They strike was called off, we would be advised West-Connex, with the loss of many ter- seem dispirited. Interestingly a recent sur- by phone or SMS. On the day of the strike, race and heritage homes. These projects vey by union groups has revealed that there was also no official advice from the will just benefit Liberal Govt. business privatisation does not deliver cheaper or union that we were on strike. As a result mates and a small layer of workers em- better services. In the case of Adelaide, ac- some drivers did their runs without know- ployed in such sectors as building and con- cording to a friend there, most drivers in ing there was in fact a strike. We believe struction. the whole strike was highly manipulated by both the union officials and the STA. 6 Rebel Worker

which are supposedly not targeted. In real- RW: What are your impressions of the LEICHHARDT DEPOT NEWS ity all depots will be subsequently sold off. changes to bus operations with the new Others have left the job. Other news is that timetables? we have had a visit from CEO. He was Leichhardt Driver: On Nov.24-25 with the RW: What is the situation with very uninformative and just talked rub- privatisation? new timetables the 440 will terminate at bish. Bondi Junction, as the proposed new pri- Leichhardt Busie: Latest news is that RW: How are developments with the vate owner does not have the legal foot Keolis Downer has got the contract for the bus stops? print beyond Bondi Junction. So now trav- Inner West depots as the other companies LB: We have noticed lately a big pruning ellers from Leichhardt or Central will have interested in the tender have dropped out. to take catch two buses to travel to the As presumably, the Liberal Govt. had of bus stops in our area. One of the most important which has been removed is at beach. The word coming down from New- promised Keolis Downer the tender. This castle is that under privatisation no more company however doesn’t like working Leichhardt Plaza. It’s likely to make many locals angry. It’s all about helping the pri- coffee cups, water bottles, etc will be al- under Govt. supervision in the operation lowed whilst on our runs. of public transport. Since the announce- vatised buses run faster and meet the time- ment of the proposed privatisation, many table. We have heard nothing further from drivers have transferred to other depots the union officials on the enterprise agree- ment. NEW INSIGHTS ON THE BUS vice and media reports. This no doubt con- stream press. Sparks has checked the Min- tributed to unintentional strike breaking istry of Transport Press Releases for all of PRIVATISATION CONSPIRACY & and confusion. Particularly with other de- October-November. No mention of Ryde HOW TO DEFEAT IT pots doing cross-city runs. anywhere. So when Chris Preston from RTBU leaked the story to the Inner West A fortnight before the announcement BLOCK ON INDUSTRIAL ACTION Courier and a week later on Friday 10th by Transport Minister Constance of PLOY? Nov at 10am orchestrated a lame duck the proposed privatisation of the Re- protest outside Ryde depot without any media interest, it is clear that he and the gion 6 Inner West depots, there was a After the free fare day and so called “light- union reps meeting at the RTBU office. RTBU were the only ones in the know ning strike” the Fair Work Australia In- from the Minister himself? Is this what the At that meeting, the reps were advised dustrial Commission imposed a 3 months that Constance was going to make the RTBU calls “mass campaigning”? block on industrial action by the union. At There was a very poor advertising of the privatisation announcement on Wed the end of this period Chris Preston Fortnight from then. At that meeting it event and only a small crowd of Local RTBU Bus Division NSW State Secre- ALP hacks attended. In addition there was decided to hold a one day strike of all tary held a press conference - where he ad- depots in Sydney on the Thursday after were drivers from Ryde on their meal Constance announcement. It had unani- breaks who wandered out to the gate in mous support. However interestingly, the curiosity. In attendance apart from reps were called into the RTBU office Chris Preston was the Mayor of Ryde again, one week before the announcement and Luke Foley, Leader of the NSW for another meeting. At this meeting ALP. It had all the appearance of an- Mark Morey Unions NSW Secretary or other ALP election stunt, with the union one of his delegates talked the union de- hierarchy looking like they are doing pot reps into not holding an all Sydney de- something on the privatisation issue? pots 24 hour “fake lightning” strike, only Some drivers were asking had had a the initially affected 4 depots were to dirty back room deal been made by the hold the 24 hour strike. Some drivers sus- union officials to include Ryde now on pect that the STA/Transport for NSW the chopping block in exchange for bosses may have been in on this decision. Minister Constance reinstating of the in- After all they had plenty of time to organ- dustrial allowance. This allegedly oc- ise scab buses from out of town. (Only 4 vised that “he didn’t rule out further curred 9 weeks(?) after Constance depots in the strike would have greatly industrial action”. Whether he intended it ripped it up in Parliament last June. Why helped the strike breaking and Liberal or not, this announcement was used by was there no jubilation by the RTBU with electoral fortunes in what were the up- Minister Constance to apply immediately the members over the “victory” of the re- coming local council elections.) to the Fair Work Australia Commission to turn of the industrial allowance. Their si- Despite Television News reporting quote impose a further 3 month ban on industrial lence on this issue has led to the members “a late night union delegates meeting”, action. Constance must have been rubbing speculating of a Ryde depot trade off. immediately after the Constance his hands with glee over the RTBU “mis- Why was there no mention on Bus Express privatisation announcement, no mass take”. web site of the date and conditions of the meeting of all the Bus Division was held to return of the Industrial Allowance? Another much more likely scenario driv- discuss the industrial campaign. Only a “RYDE MYSTERY” “rally” was held near the NSW Parliament ers have discussed is that the leaking of the on the day of the so-called “lightening” info about the alleged proposed strike. It appeared on the TV news that According to a marginal Lefty newspaper privatisation is a ploy by the union offi- only 30-40 drivers were there. Yet hun- source who often rely on union bureau- cials to claim a “fake” victory. They can dreds of drivers were affected. No “offi- crats for info, Ryde had been added re- say “We saved Ryde, but unfortunately we cial” advice was given at the depots of the cently to the Region 6 Inner West depots couldn’t save the Region 6 depots.” As strike either by union reps or via a union for privatisation. The announcement Ryde is not targeted just yet, until after the “Strike Bulletin”. Only “un-official” ad- seemed to be missing from the daily main- 7 Rebel Worker next State elections. For Ryde to be tar- odd(?) commuters in the gallery. It did not Opal Free Day. After the third complaint geted with Region 6 a new separate tender impress Transport Minister Constance in two bus stops the driver could only say would need to be made and Constance who walked out of the debate. The 20,000 “it’s news to me, suit yourself.” So much would have made a press release. workers at the union rally remained oblivi- for the depot level union organisation of ous to the busman’s plight having already industrial action that led to a three months THERIDDLEOFTHEUNIONS returned to work after a half day stoppage. Industrial Court ban on industrial action NSW MARCH & RALLY by drivers? Special General Union Meeting On Thursday 16/11/17 Unions NSW or- IDEAS FOR ON-THE-JOB ACTION ganised a combined unions march from Disgruntled drivers launched a union peti- Belmore Park to, according to Preston to tion for a special general union meeting to Some suggestions have come in from Parliament House where it would be asso- discuss the “Don’t Sell Our Buses Cam- drivers on types of on-the-job action to ciated with the second stage of the debate paign”. Due to general dissatisfaction with fight privatisation. We neither endorse or inside Parliament over Bus Privatisation. the Union’s inadequate response on the oppose these ideas because they fall into However, strangely the march was di- undustrial front. The petition got 500 sig- the grey area of the law and we cannot take verted to the “Perfumed Garden” behind natures. In response, the union officials any responsibility for bus drivers facing St. Marys Cathedral for a rally on workers’ booked a tiny room in Pitt Street CBD in the consequence of their own actions. But rights from a range of industries, but no early Dec for the holding of the meeting. to win this battle the drivers will have take mention of the buses. No announcement Drivers were advised of the meeting via their own initiatives to draw attention to was made by the union officials at the personal letter, email or text message. It their opposition to privatisation of their Rally that the bus privatisation debate on was made clear, that there would be no ca- jobs and to keep the community on side. was now “delayed” until 4.30 pm on that tering, not even coffee. To attend the meet- Lightning “union meetings” at choke day. ing drivers would have to use their day off. points in traffic where there is a natural Drivers around the depots were misled on Some officials said they would attend to build up of delayed buses, accidently this point and thought the RTBU were field questions. Sparks would appreciate a blocking more than one lane, may draw at- building broader union support for their report of the meeting. tention to the essential role of the industry cause. They weren’t. However, commu- in traffic flows. Obviously drivers would ters who completed the Unions NSW OPAL FREE FARE DAY have to discuss their rostered position on “Save Our Buses” petition were advised the road beforehand to avoid any sugges- about the changed time of the debate and tion that they were intentionally in breach told to turn up by 4pm at Parliament. On loan to Willoughby a driver headed of the law. out at 5.30am only to be abused by the Given the ALP politicians grandstanded See Page 18 inside, it must have impressed the 80 public. They heard on the radio it was an

Prior to privatisation you could book up a Ferry on the repair sheet and it was re- Sydney Ferries News paired and back on routes in 24 hrs. Now you can wait weeks or months for it to be RW: What has been the situation with cutting going on. The fleet is not being repaired. Torn seats are common. Exhaust the Ferries since privatisation? painted enough. Consequently, passen- fumes are leaking into the engine rooms of Ferries affecting workers. As a result Ferry Worker: Sydney Ferries Corpo- of the lack of repair, there are near ration was privatised on 28/7/12 via misses in Darling Harbour. franchising involving a 50%/50% ar- rangement between Transdev RW: What are your impressions of Australasia and Broad spectrum. Sub- the current training in the Ferries? sequently the staffing of the Ferries in- FW: The training of workers in safety cluding deck hands, engineers and procedures is going by the way. skippers has been cut in half. There are Marine courses at Ultimo and Balmain shipyard which does Ferries Brookvale TAFES. In the past marine maintenance has had 200 redundan- training involved all teachers with 12 cies, after the workforce was “buttered years experience as captains with cargo up” for 1 or 2 years when no staffing ship experience. They would teach cutbacks occurred. After this period costal mapping, sextant use and other fitters and turners have been re- skills. So that skippers with master cer- trenched. The bosses also commenced tificates would be trained by profes- spying on workers at the shipyard. sional and retired captains. Now When they go to the nearest pub for teachers fresh from university teach the lunch, the bosses set Govt. drug testers courses. on them when they return to work. 6 or In the past, trainees were examined by 7 have been sacked on the spot. As the master mariners. Now only paper tests tests revealed the workers being over are involved. Consequently, deck 0.05. hands and mariners have inadequate gers have had accidents due to slipping on RW: What is the state of repair of the training. The TAFE sacked the master the boats, particularly near the entrance, mariners as it was cheaper to employ uni Ferries? where the paint is wearing off. FW: Since privatisation the Ferries have graduates. The Govt handles revenue and become run down. There is a lot of corner the company cuts back staff. 8 Rebel Worker

RW: How is solidarity on the job? hands, the AMOU for skippers, and the by victimisation and workers informing FW: The workforce is divided by member- AIMPE for engineers. In the past ferry on their workmates. The last stop work oc- ship of three unions, the MUA for deck- workers worked as a team but now the curred as part of a NSW public sector pro- Ferry bosses are encouraging divisiveness test last year and involved the deck hands. Victorian Railway News

In this issue of RW, we will discuss vari- V/Line Customer Service employees who Penelope: An example was the refurbish- ous issues facing V/Line employees. applied for the Drivers positions as V/Line ment of Buffet Modules. All eighteen Buf- Once again Drivers, Conductors and Sta- was not recruiting Drivers due to the Right fet Modules were to be upgraded, but after tion Staff will discuss these issues. As of Return policy. six modules were upgraded, the project with previous issues of Sparks names Rastus: The Right of Return policy which was suspended. have been changed. operated until 2009 was discussed in the Jethro: In the last State Budget money was RW: I hear that V/Line is being investi- last issue of Sparks. allocated for the upgrade of the Regional gated over issues of corruption. Roscoe: Over the last eight years there has Carriage Fleet. Rastus and Roscoe: The Independent been internal recruitment plus Drivers Denzil: What should be happening is con- Broad Based Anti Corruption Commis- from the Sparks and Freight Companies. sideration being given to replace these sion is investigating V/Line. This is the first time no one has been se- carriages with Diesel Multiple Units with Denzil: The issue is about a former lected from the Sparks or Freight Com- Buffet facilities similar to the Explorer Rolling Stock Manager and his partner be- panies. Drivers are upset. units in NSW. ing involved in a scam. In other words Sheona: As has been said in a previous is- Rastus: In the meantime if maintenance is these ripped off V/Line. sue, V/Line wants a compliant workforce. not concluded or a breakdown occurs in Sheona: This issue is ongoing and we will Some of the persons who have been ap- the Rolling Stock, on some trains, the car- have to wait for the final report. There pointed to become Trainee Drivers are en- riages for these trains will be replaced by could be prosecution through the courts. gineers, academics and former executives. carriages only suitable for short commuter Clarence: I hope the I.B.A.C investigates No wonder they can pass the selection test. runs. Human Resources and the way they select Denzil: A number of people have applied Penelope: Look at the Shepparton line. In employees for various positions. for internal positions a few times and now the last six months certain trains have Peneope: Yes we hope so, as the way they do not obtain an interview. been replaced by commuter carriages. Drivers are selected was corrupt. Rastus: No wonder morale is low. Denzil: Imagine if you have booked first class to Shepparton and you ar- rive at Spencer Street to see a no- tice “NO FIRST CLASS ACCOMODATION” and “NO BUFFET”, how would you feel? You get a refund on the difference of fare, but you feel cheated. Penelope: If you are travelling economy the journey is rough. Rastus: V/Line does not care. You see as long as the train is running, they are not fined. If the train was replaced by buses, they would be fined. Clarence: This is not the only thing to happen. Trains which are operated by Six Car DMU’s are sometimes operated in peak hours by a three car DMU. Imag- ine the crush load in the train. Jethro: So is the way other positions were RW: We must move on. What is the Sometimes V/Line has buses to back up filled at V/Line. Rolling Stock situation? the train but people want to get home RW: These issues were discussed in Rastus: It is like a third world railway op- quickly and very few use the buses. Some- previous issues of RW. eration. times the conductors working these trains Rastus: The last way they selected RW: What do you mean? do not know until they arrive at the plat- Drivers was corrupt. Clarence: Due to budget cuts, which hap- form. They are subject to abuse. The rea- Roscoe: You can say that again. A number pened under the previous Government, son they run a three car DMU’s is because of Spark Drivers applied for the positions where $130 million was ripped out of the it is a train and they are not fined if it is and did not pass the selection test. V/Line budget only maintenance was car- cancelled. Local Media in country Victo- Diedre: I can say it was rigged. Firstly ried out for the system to operate safely. ria is getting stuck into V/Line on these is- some of these Spark Drivers were former Hardly any money was spent on upgrades sues. to rolling stock. RW: I wonder what is the future of V/Line? 9 Rebel Worker

Clarence: V/line is a Government Depart- Roscoe: This work of converting the broad Abner: Some Whizz Kid came up with the ment of Public Transport Victoria. gauge line was contracted out and after 12 idea if a fourth carriage set to be used as a Rastus: V/Line is supposed to show how a months mud holes appeared in the line and spare set to cover for unforeseen break- Government Rail Operator is operated, but speed restrictions were imposed. This was downs. due to their misadventures over the last the reason it had taken a longer period to RW: Where was V/Line to obtain the few years, they have let the side down. restore passenger services. carriages. RW: Once again we must close the in- Rastus: When services resumed and the Arlene: Reduce the Albury trains to four terview. mud holes reappeared so special restric- carriages but where were they going to ob- Rastus and Roscoe: Once again in having tions were imposed. As a result springs on tain a power van? the final say, we hope employees come the carriages were breaking, thus trains Rastus: We, drivers heard a rumour that forward to IBAC about corruption. Finally were cancelled due to a lack of spare parts. v/Line was to obtain an old air condi- we only hope V/Line can improve. Abner: V/Line operated on the just in time tioned carriage from NSW. We do not principle for spare parts. know where the carriage was to be pro- Rastus: ARTC controls the line and due to cured from but it was to be converted to a MELBOURNE TO ALBURY the condition of the track, decided to take power van. LINE ISSUES back track maintenance in house with Roscoe: A number of drivers on locomo- their own labour. tive transfers to Newport saw a guttered In this issue of RW we will discuss prob- Roscoe: Over the last few years a fair NSW carriage on a siding in Newport lems in the Melbourne to Albury line. amountofworkhasbeendone tobring the Workshops. One of these drivers asked Drivers and Conductors will discuss line up to standard. what this carriage was being used for and these issues. Once again names have Abner: Another reason why the trains are was told the car had been stripped to a shell been changed. cancelled is due to defects of the rolling so a diesel engine could be installed. RW: What are the problems on the stock and a number of times the trains have Rastus: The car was stripped then it was Albury Line? been cancelled due to no spare carriage discovered that the carriage frame could Rastus: V/Line has had problems with sets. not support a diesel engine. You see power both track and rolling stock. Arlene: Due to these cancellations ques- vans were built with a stronger frame. Roscoe: May we introduce you Arlene tions have been asked in State Parliament RW: I think of the amount wasted on and Abner who will discuss on train is- about these cancellations. So V/Line de- this project. sues. cided to operate some trains with reduced Abner: They wanted to produce a power carriages and sometimes the train was op- Arlene and Abner: We work as conductors van at least costs. They should have con- erated with these carriages but no Buffet structed a new power van. at a depot which rosters us on the Albury Service. Line. Rastus: They should be looking at new Abner: One day the Buffet Cars were oper- rolling stock for the line. A suggestion RW: What is happening when you sign ated but due to defects in the cars no buffet on? would be to build new Velocity Trains service was provided. Free drinks of min- with Buffet facilities. The manufacturer of Arlene: When we go on duty we are in- eral water were hounded out to passen- these trains has said they could be con- formed the train has been cancelled and is gers. structed. replaced by buses. Arlene: That is not all. When the service Roscoe: With the Power Van debacle now Abner: We do not go out, but we check was resumed, the Buffet service was con- V/Line is looking at an option for a new passengers’ tickets for the replacing buses, tinuing but to save money because the shunting locomotive. copping abuse from passengers then we do Buffet conductor was working a rest job RW: What is that? customer service duty around Southern and to save on shift penalties, some Whizz Cross until the conclusion of our shifts. Kid decided to have a crew change mid- Rastus: Obtaining a Locomotive from a RW: Why the bad track? way in the service. defunct Tourist Railway, overhaul it and use it as a shunting locomotive. Drivers Rastus: Originally the line was broad Abner: The Buffet service operates to have only heard the rumour and have no gauge with the standard gauge line run- Echuca and also Seymour where crews evidence to back it up. The rumour will be ning parallel to the Broad Gauge line from change over. As a result of these changes, discussed in a future issue of Sparks. Broadmeadows to Albury. the Buffet car has to close down between Seymour and Echuca. RW: Once again we have run out of Roscoe: In 2008 after years of deferred space but V/Line should look at pur- maintenance of the Broad Gauge line, the RW: Think of the inconvenience to pas- chasing new rolling stock for the Albury Victorian Government handed over the sengers. Line. Broad Gauge to ARTC for conversion to Arlene: Because the Buffet cars use a point Standard Gauge. Rastus and Roscoe: In having the final say of service system, the conductor has to V/Line should stop wasting money on sec- Abner: In 2011 passenger services re- close down to balance the takings and ond hand rolling stock and construct new sumed and by 2012 a full service of three a check the stock sheet. rolling stock. To Arlene and Abner we day serviced the line. Abner: Because of the political toll over thank you for having the guts to have come Abner: For these services 3 five car N sets bus replacements of trains as on one occa- forward and discuss the issues. were overhauled at Newport Workshops. sion, a train was delayed up to ninety min- Two for the service plus one spare set. utes so as is it is run as a train. Conductors Rastus: These N class locomotives were were left in the dark over the delays. No converted for the service. Two for the ser- one gave them information and the con- vice plus one spare locomotive. ductors were copping abuse. Abner: To provide power for the N sets RW: How was V/Line going to solve the their power vans were converted to stan- problem? dard gauge. 10 Rebel Worker

They are also saying that there is be a æno strike’ agreement. WSM: What do workers think of all Irish Rail News this? J: The concern with workers is that those conditions are tied to the agreement. Any- areá members of SIPTU as well. They thing mentioned in the agreement or in the should get strike pay because they help our recommendation, we can’t strike for. But Irish Rail workers were out strike by not crossing it. But they don’t get then you have to go back to another para- on strike recently. What’s strike pay. They’re down pay and they’re graph which says that the company can’t low paid workers. It’s something we bring in those items without - now it does- going on? should put pressure on the unions to do]. n’t say without agreement’, it says with- WSM: Strike action has been called off out æproductivity discussions’ and The WSM recently caught up with J, an for now. What have been the latest de- referral back to the Labour Court if needs activist and worker at Irish Rail, to find velopments? be. I suppose, of course, the fear would be out. [For background details, see our J: We were called back in to the Labour that the Labour Court, because it is not im- analysis, “Why Irish Rail workers are Court just before the third day of action. partial, would deliver a recommendation right to strike”, published here. This would have fallen on the day of the that we would have to comply with those Ireland-Denmark match which would conditions further down that road. WSM: Hi J. So why have workers at have caused the company some disrup- So the unions, on the one hand, can see that Irish Rail been out on strike recently? tion. The Labour Court has delivered a rec- it is something over a three year period ommendation. It’s a peculiar one in that They’re saying that any sort of productiv- J: Hi. Yeah - so workers have been in pay it’s complicated. You read it back around talks with the company through the unions over the last number of months. We’ve had a pay freeze since 2008 and there have been pay cuts. We have given in terms of productivity and we’ve just been putting in for pay increases. In the negotiation we were looking for an increase with no con- ditions attached. The company were say- ing that there was no money and it was looking like nothing. We were looking for a 3.75% increase. The company were of- fering 1.5% with about 20 conditions at- tached to it in terms of productivity. We were about to secure a deal for 2.5%, I think, within a 12 month period with a 500 euro voucher at Christmas. The CEO re- fused to sign it. The CEO was not engag- ing with the unions at all and sent the HR director to negotiate with the unions. When that document was agreed by the unions and brought back for the CEO’s signature he refused to sign it. The work- ers, the unions and the Labour Court were frustrated to say the least. The CEO is to see what they are actually saying. ity or pay talks that have happened in the overá from the UK, could be described as Basically, they recommended a 2.5% in- past have had a no strike’[presump- Thatcherite and does not negotiate with crease over three consecutive years and a tion]and that hasn’t prevented us from act- unions. He was brought over with an 500 euro voucher bonus. (It’s in voucher ing anyway. Weá take it that there are still agenda presumably - privatisation and form to avoid the tax aspect of it). ways. cuts - and is very anti-worker. The unions are interpreting the recom- Some workers are saying[...that they At that point the company started lying mendation as saying that there are no con- would take action...]if the company does saying that we were the ones not negotiat - ditions attached to that. There are a few - I try to bring in anything unilaterally with- ing andá that we walked out of talks. They think they’re called initiatives’ - that out our agreement or without some sort of put out there PR spin but at that point we workers will have to comply with the rail- payment attached to each of those condi- were balloted for industrial action. And way safety legislation - you know, things tions. They see it as tying those conditions the anger of everybody! I think there was that we would have to be complied with into payment separate to what we have. If 80% or so voted for strike action. We went anyway. Then there’s a list of further con- the company tries, then they are, in effect, out then over a series of days. ditions, items to be discussed. We agreed breaking the agreement. Then we would WSM: What form did the strike action to go into talk again with the company on be able strike on that basis. take? What happened? these items. Some of them are outsourcing I don’t know. It remains to be seen how J: Pickets were formed at each work loca- and pay roll reform. There’s a list of that will play out. Some people are talking tion. We worked a rota on the pickets of them.[J later added that theá company’s about voting against until it is explained to workers doing that duty. initiatives’ feature increased them more. Other people are saying that [J later added: The cleaning workers re- æperformance management’, including they want to take this and fight further bat- spected the picket and didn’t cross it. They GPS trackingá on the workers’ vans]. tles down the line. They think that these conditions are now tied to something in re- 11 Rebel Worker turn. The agreement did say that no extra aá workplace that is organised, find just and having more people from your own costs are to be claimed by the unions but that one other person because often times work area around you. In my work loca- something in return for those conditions they try to keep you isolated within a tion there are workshops and offices. would be cost-neutral in a sense. workplace. Two great - but even just one There were more people from the work- WSM: Is it difficult being in a union at other person! Youá can organise from shops out with me on the first day. On the Irish Rail? there. second day, we got a ratio of about 23 from J: No. It’s part of the culture. It’s a very WSM: Thanks J. To wrap up, what the workshops and 16 from the offices. unionised environment. You’re encour- would you say you have learned from You’d feel that bit safer. The only way to aged to join a union. this strike? combat the fear is through collective soli- J: A few things. Iæve realised my own fear darity with your fellow workers. You can WSM: What effect has the strike had on actually win, I suppose! the way that your colleagues, fellow around being on strike. It’s not my firstá workers relate to one another? strike. I was on strike in 2014. Finally, I suppose it’s easy for us to get de- This time around I’ve learned that - as moralised as activists. What was very J: Between workers who scabbed the clear to me throughout the strike was that strike and those who were on the picket, somebody on the left and knowing the im- portance of agitating for revolution - there the struggles that have gone before are still there is the obvious tension there. Between there, that we’re not doing this for the first workers who were on the picket together, is also a line as to not patronising workers when they’re on strike and not fetishizing time, and that it’s not just happening in aá you can’t beat the feeling of just walking vacuum. The struggles that have gone be- past and there’s a how-are-ya?’ acknowl- us. There would be some people whose support is welcome on the picket but fore have ingrained in people not to cross edgement. You know thatá you have each your picket. The importance of that is other’s backs. You know the solidarity. maybe some people overly enthusiastic. You know, leftists asking So what’s the there. That all of the struggles that have WSM: What would you say to any gone before still matter and that our strug- worker at present - not necessarily those mood?’ and clapping their hands - real en- thusiastic when the mood at that particular gle now will matter into the future as well. at Irish Rail - who was afraid to go out We’re building this, passing the baton on on strike? moment was a mood of fear. We had just been photographed from a window. I think through time. What you do now - even J: I would say that it is scary. The way to it’s a bit distasteful. It feels kinda though it may feel like something isolated overcome the fear is through the collective fetishized, not meeting workers where or not having an impact - it does have an action. they are at, or listening. impact and it helps continue that on for the future. Find just one other worker who thinks the I’ve learned that the only way to overcome same as you in order to organise. If it’s not the fear though is through collective action

These workers are setting a good example. Redundancies and cost-cutting at the ex- New Zealand Labour News pense of workers always need to be met with resistance and too frequently in this country at present they aren’t. well-trained and who will work for less. If you’re anywhere near Rotorua you can ROTORUA AQUATICS Existing workers can reapply for their go along to the march. SACKINGS jobs, but at the much-reduced rates of pay Otherwise you can like the workers’ and worsened conditions. facebook page, sign the petition against Last Friday (December 1) all the staff at Sid Warena, a lifeguard at the centre for 29 the Council moves, donate to the cam- Rotorua Aquatics, which is owned by years, has described what is happening asá paign and share the news to your friends, the localá council, were presented with “gut-wrenching”, especially given workmates and union. redundancy notices. —— The Council Rotorua’s unemployment rate. The offi- Show your support: Rotorua Aquatics wants to bring in aná outside manage- cial rate is 6.7%, notably higher than the SOS - Save Our Staff ment company, and is preparing the national average; while the real rate of un- You can also email your disapproval to ground for this with the redundancyá employment andá under-employment is mayor Steve Chadwick and the Council notices. The Rotorua Lakes Council is much higher. CEO Geoff Williams:geoff.wil- so high-handed that it didn’t even Alex Te Kowhai, a shift supervisor at the [email protected];ásteve.chadwick@ro bother with theá usual employer pre- Aquatic Centre, notes, “Like everyone in torualc.nz tence of “consultation”. Rotoruaá we’ve got a mortgage, a house, AWSM note: This article originally ap- The mayor involved in this assault on three young kids- eleven, six and five. . . peared at workers’ rights is Steve Chadwick, a for- Although you can apply for those posi- https://rdln.wordpress.com/2017/12/06/w mer four-term Labour MP —— Not sur- tions, you lose a lot of your terms and con- orkers-resist-redundancies-outsourcing-a prisingly, the mayor involved in this ditions that come with it. And what nd-cuts-at-rotorua-aquatic-centre/#more- attack on workers’ rights is a former La- they’re offering is minimum wage.” 19218 bour MP, Steve Chadwick. —— The The workers and local community aren’t http://www.awsm.nz/2017/12/08/worker Council’s over-riding motive is clear - taking the Council’s high-handed austerity s-resist-redundancies-outsourcing-and-cu penny-pinching at the expense of the lying down. Their facebook page already ts-at-rotorua-aquatic-centre/ Aquatic Centre workers and the local com- has 800 likes and over 800 followers. They munity who use the centre and whose chil- are holding a protest march next Thursday dren learná to swim there. The Council (December 14), coinciding with the next WELLINGTON RAIL STRIKE says outsourcing management will save Council meeting. $700,000 in the first year alone. Rail workers in Wellington went on a 24 What this means is that the new manage- hr strike on 16th November, in defence ment will hire workers who are less ofá employment conditions, after nego- 12 Rebel Worker tiations with employers broke down. The fact the bosses happen to be domiciled It is the New Zealand government that has Members of the Rail Maritime Transport overseas is irrelevant. No matter which set the overall conditions here of course Union (RMTU) took action which af- faction among the ruling class technically andá there have been times in the past fected all commuter services on the Hutt, owns the railways, they are all driven by when local workers have also had to take Johnsonville, Kapiti and Wairarapa and the same imperative to make profits and to on the state itself to defend themselves. In- Melling lines. bully and pressure workers to conform to stances of this can be found going back This resulted in over 30,000 commuters their dictates. Rail workers in France and nearly 100 years. For example, during having to make alternative arrangements. South Korea are pretty much in the same 1920 they struck during a royal visit and —— The strike was called due to the com- economic position as the ones here. They the government had to back down. It’s panies that own the Wellington system, have to pay rent, food and wonder how worth remembering such things before go- TransDev and Hyundai Rotem demanding they can get by while their bosses are do- ing down the path of an us/them’ division an end to long standing terms and condi- tions in the collective agreement with RMTU. Salient among these being the re- duction of penal rates for weekend and night shifts and an insistence employees work public holidays. A strike is a rare phenomenon in today’s working environment in Aotearoa (see https://teara.govt.nz/en/graph/20513/num ber-of-strikes-1920-2007). For the past 30 years in particular, workers in various sec- tors have had to deal with one piece of hos- tile legislation after another, from the Employment Contracts Act to the 90 Day Act. In this case, the strike is the first time since 1994 that the Wellington rail system has been affected for longer than 2 hours. As such it is surely a step forward for those wishing to maintain and extend the few gains workers have been able to achieve in this hostile environment. We should defi- nitely applaud this action, even a defen- sive fight is important. On the other hand, there are disturbing ele- ments in the rhetoric RMTU leadership ing fine thank you very much. A few based on which piece of soil somebody have used. For example, General Secre- weeks ago, rail workers on the Korean bul- happens to be on, rather than the power re- tary Wayne Buston has tried to play a na- let train went on strike in defence of their lationship operating in the situation. tionalistic card by highlighting that the pay and conditions (http://eng- To conclude, despite reservations regard- companies involved are foreign owned, lish.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/09/29/ one being French the other South Korean. ing the way the strike is being officially 0200000000AEN20170929003300320.ht Buston was quoted as saying “And framed, we extend our support and soli- ml) and on the same day as the Wellington darity to the workers who have embarked they[RMTU members] will continue to strike, public transport workers, including take theá action until we get Transdev and on this action and hope it brings the de- rail staff went on strike in France Hyundai to understand that multinationals sired results. (http://anglophone-direct.com/gen- can’t bully Kiwi workers.” http://www.awsm.nz/2017/11/19/welling eral-strike/). ton-rail-strike/

Additionally, vulnerable passengers are no longer guaranteed assistance, unless BRITAIN TODAY booked 24 hours in advance. On board staff are trained to help elderly and dis- abled people access rail services in lieu of In a dispute that began 18 months ago, five unstaffed stations - seven out of every ten train operators are stripping public safety South Western Rail station is unstaffed, RAIL WORKERS STRIKE FOR measures and equal access mechanisms exacerbating this scandal even further. PASSENGER SAFETY for disabled people and the elderly. Although the Rail Delivery Group, speak- Under a pretence of upgrading infrastruc- ing on behalf of the operators, condemn 9/11/17 ture, train operators Southern, South the industrial action, only two years ago it Train conductors, represented by the Western, Greater Anglia, Northern and said: “It is conductors who are best placed National Union of Rail, Maritime and Merseyrail are shifting safety critical roles to ensure that assistance is delivered effec- Transport Workers (RMT), are on from the advantage of hands-on conduc- tively and in accordance with the law. A their second day of coordinated strikes tors to a system of closed-circuit television key risk area is availability of help in get- on multiple services. screens accessible only to the driver. A ting off a train”. hazardous system particularly in low-light Safety regulators have signed off on the and on busy platforms. operators’ strike-breaking plans. Much of it amounts to haphazardly training people 13 Rebel Worker with no experience to cover for highly Cash on a previous strike against DOO on against each other. Jeremy Corbyn, while trained guards. This comes in light of the Virgin Trains East Coast mysteriously critical of Southern Rail, fell short of con- recent discovery that Greater Anglia’s didn’t mention ‘foreign-owned rail com- demning Driver Only Operation, instead training of ‘replacement staff’ was defi- panies’ - because of course Virgin Trains saying “I would want that franchise cient - when a scab replacement guard is incorporated in the UK. The idea that brought back into public ownership and opened doors on the wrong side of the train Virgin Trains subsidises the British econ- the public sector. After all, we provide the October 5th out on to open track. omy would be laughable so why make that rails, we provide the trains and they make With operators switching to driver-only claim for Abellio and Germany? If TFL the profits from running them”. Whether a operated (DOO) trains, the industry, how- started running American rail franchises Labour government would support strik- ever, regards the conductor’s job obsolete. and investing the profits into the UK rail ing workers while in power can be as- Even General Secretary of ASLEF and and tube system would we see complaints sessed by looking at Ken Livingstone’s member of Labour’s National Executive from British unions about TFL robbing record as Mayor of London, when he told Committe, Mick Whelan, had been work- American passengers? RMT members striking against TFL to ing with Govia Thameslink Rail to extend This comes off the back of TSSA union cross picket lines. DOO trains on Southern Rail. The same and Momentum (the membership organi- Yesterday, Shadow transport secretary members of ASLEF striking alongside sation set up following Jeremy Corbyn’s Andy McDonald sent a letter to rail opera- RMT members are now being bribed with successful Labour leadership election in tors saying that a Labour government pay rises to sit out the strike although Not 2015) argued a similar line earlier this year would put a halt to any future plans to roll out Driver Only Operation. Absent from the letter was a commitment to roll it back, since DOO is already in operation on some services and may be on more if the current wave of strikes are unsuccessful. We 100% support fights against high fares, underinvestment, overcrowding and all the other problems on the UK’s rail net- work, but reject any attempts to pin this on ‘subsidised foreign passengers’, the fight is against rail operators and the state, not with the working class of other countries. What matters in disputes is not the nation- ality of the capital, or whether the com- pany is nationalised, but the strength of workers against their employers. Mean- while as the RMT leadership takes a na- About the Doors has reported that 193 when they released a video featuring tionalist angle, press coverage as always ASLEF drivers on Southern Rail refused gloating EU citizens describing how they focuses on disruption to passengers. Not to accept the deal. were profiting from British taxpayers sub- the disabled passengers who’ll need to sidising their nations’ railways. book 24 hours in advance if the changes go Unfortunately, General Secretary RMT, through, but commuters facing disruption Mick Cash, has attributed this assault on Both the TSSA/Momentum video and the due to the strike action itself. It has been conductors to “foreign-owned rail compa- RMT statement needlessly use chauvinis- left to workers and passengers themselves nies” who are “robbing British passen- tic nationalism at a time when millions of via self-produced media to get this mes- gers” shipping profits “across the EU citizens are currently unsure of sage across. channel” in order to subsidise foreign pas- whether they’ll be able to stay in the coun- sengers. Although these narratives are be- try after Brexit. They don’t need the left to Only RMT members on Southern, South coming increasingly common on The Left, join in stoking the flames of prejudice. Western and Greater Anglia will be taking strike action on Thursday 9 November. All it is extremely unlikely that the fate of con- The trade unions and the Labour Party these operators run services into London. ductors will have been any different had consistently reach for national chauvinism photo credit: twitter/@TomHainesDoran the rail company been originally incorpo- in order to bolster support for national cap- rated in the UK. A statement from Mick ital, pitting different groups of workers co-written by QQ and MH for libcom

action - to win back stolen cash and to im- posit the campaign had demanded to be re- Housing Dispute prove their conditions. —— The first dis- turned in full, the six tenants received just pute was a group of tenants whose over 6000 pounds as a result of the cam- Campaign landlord and lettings agencies had left paign. them living in damp, infested accommo- The second dispute was a tenant who had 30/11/17 dation for a year. The landlord switched 510 pounds withheld from her deposit for agencies half way through the tenancy, cleaning and maintenance charges. The Three groups of tenants organising with though both failed to address the problems tenant had the house professionally Brighton Solidarity Federation in the house. After a direct action cam- cleaned before she left, and had evidence Housing Union over the past three paign, the landlord and the two agencies that she had not caused the damaged al- months have each secured victories in paid out 3900 pounds in relation to the leged. The letting agency refunded theá their disputes. damp issue. Together with the tenancy de- withheld amount after a direct action cam- Working with our Housing Union, these paign. tenants used the everyday tactics of soli- The third dispute was a tenant whose land- darity and mutual support toá take direct lord left him without a working cooker for 14 Rebel Worker a year and a half. The tenant and Brighton other to stand up for ourselves against the with your landlord or letting agency, you SolFed wrote to the landlord about this, bullying landlords and agencies - and can get in touch with us by emailing hous- and he installed a new, gas safety certified fighting back against the poor living con- [email protected], or by texting cooker after the threat of a campaign. ditions, extortionate rent and fees, and ne- 07427239960. We’re really pleased about the compensa- glect that will be familiar to so many Like Chelsea says, We Got This! tion, refunded deposits, and improved people living in Brighton and beyond. http://www.brightonsolfed.org.uk/brigh- conditions that these tenants have won. Through direct action and solidarity, we ton/brighton-solfed-housing-union-round We’re also really excited that tenants are have the power to improve our lives! -up-three-months-three-victories taking the solidarity that so many of us un- We’ll have full write ups of these disputes dertake every day - helping friends with soon - for now, if you’re having trouble their housing situation, supporting one an-

One Balfour Beatty worker told engage properly with requests for a com- WILDCATCROSSRAIL libcom.org that the union had called off the pletion bonus as work begins to wind picket at 8am and that workers going on down has left “feelings running pretty STRIKE site after that time would not be breaking high.” Meanwhile, another Balfour Beatty 14/12/17 the strike. The worker also told us that it worker told libcom.org that there were ru- More than 200 workers at the flagship seemed like workers were “going down mours the company planned to replace the rail construction project have downed the appeals route.” sacked staff with agency workers starting tools today in solidarity with more col- Balfour has said the redundancies were from January. leagues who have been sacked and part of standard operations, saying “we Industry reports suggest that bosses are locked out. The dispute blew up after Balfour Beatty made 54 workers redundant at short notice yesterday and a further 50 were locked out, allegedly at the behest of blacklist- ing-linked boss Gerry Harvey. The job cuts came just days after electri- cians at their Woolwich Station in London had filed for an industrial action ballot over pay and finishing bonuses via union Unite. There had also been complaints overthelistofwhowas tobecanned,with long-term workers and shop stewards made redundant while new workers were retained. Around 150 electricians walked out in sol- idarity today at Woolwich, with more than 70 joining them from sites at Plumstead, City Airport and North Woolwich, accord- ing to construction industry and have always been clear that our works keeping a “close eye” on the situation as anti-blacklisting activist Dave Smith. would start to wind down towards the end they fear calls for finishing bonuses could Talking to union-news.co.uk Smith said: of this year” and that consultation had spread to other sites. “We are told blacklisting is a thing of the started in November. A mass picket was held at 6.30am this past but today’s anti-union hostility is Site sources explained however that prob- morning at the Whitechapel station site. plain for everyone to see.” lems with pay rates had been bubbling Re-posted from Freedom News, with ad- since the summer and Balfour’s refusal to ditional reporting from libcom.org.

fighters for the liberation of the colony, including with Shyamaji Krishnavarma Indonesian Anarchism & Syndicalism India, which later described him as “po- litical anarchist”, which carries out the tactics of individual movements and murders. In Het Tijdschrift The left-wing movement in the Indies and articles that attacked, and tried to magazinepublished by EFE clearly emerged through the influence arouse public opinion against the invaders. Douwes Dekker in Java since 1911, arti- of the Social Democrats and the Dutch At the beginning of the 20th century, cles from leftist writers and foreign radi- Socialists. But only a few ideas about Multatuli texts had a significant influence cals were published, including Anarchist are known.[1]Even so one of on Anarchist and syndicalist workers in Krishnavarma and the Indian anarchist the first to criticize the colonial system the Netherlands.[2] Har Dayal. The publisher in the in the Indies was the author-anarchist The grandson of Multatuli, Ernest self-emphasis he wrote, reminiscent of the Edward Douwes Dekker, known by his François Eugène Douwes Dekker (1879 - limitations of workers’ rights in Europe pseudonymas ‘Multatuli’ (1820-1887). 1950), a mixture of European-Indonesian itself, and he does not believe that parlia- He worked in 1842-1856 within the Dutch families, became one of the anti-colonial mentary democracy can be useful as a way East Indies colonial administration, where movement fighters in the Indies. During to the society he wants to create. He hinted he became acquainted with the brutality of his journey to Europe in 1910-1911, he es- at the possibility of using revolutionary colonialism and made speeches, artworks tablished contacts with radical methods of violence, although he added 15 Rebel Worker that the proposed revolutionary path did formed the Indies Social Democratic So- Rietschoten, dismissed the fact that the not always use the method of violence. In ciety (ISDV). Members of the association military joined the unions and associa- February 1913, he publicly wrote that the also worked actively in the colonial and tions that made the “anarchist propa- resistance to colonialism was a moral naval army, who joined the union were ganda.”[7] task, for no matter how “soft” the colonial members of the low-lying Dutch East In- Propaganda works in the Indies were car- regime, the system was always based on dies fleet. During the First World War-a ried out by many Christian anarchists and inequality, injustice and privilege of the group that called itself the “ Union of Sol- Tolstoysians who organized the Move- rulers, and therefore colonialism is inevi- diers and Sailors ” (Union of Soldiers and ment for Clean Life in the Netherlands in tably a form of despotism and tyranny. As Sailors), in November 1918 committed an 1901. On 1 January 1907, the movement a method of struggle, EFE Douwes army and naval rebellion in Surabaya, began publishing Levenskracht Magazine Dekker mentions demonstrations, agita- also undertook the formation of a Deputy on a monthly time scale, edited by Dirk tion, revolutions, passive resistance, Council of Soldiers and Sailors. Apart Lodewijk Willem van Mierop (1876 - strikes (especially in communications and from the hegemony of Social-Democracy 1930), who is one of the Union of Reli- transport), boycott and rebellion. He wel- within this movement, there are also refer- gious Anarcho-Communists . comed the modern revolutionary move- ences to the anarchist influence in it, ment in various countries of the world and, though not entirely clear from the source, The publications advocate nonviolence, supporting anarchist and socialist propa- whether they are proponents of conscious life in nature, natural dress, vegetarian- gandists in Europe, welcomed sabotage anarchist ideas, or this definition refers ism, and so on. Through the publication, and syndicalism, condemned reformist only to the sentiments of the anarchist active agitation was also performed in the socialism. He calls Jesus Christ “a great word itself. Dutch East Indies, where in 1923 a branch anarchist” and a fighter for free- of the movement was formed.[8] dom.[3]Nonetheless, in 1912 Chinese anarchists tried to spread Douwes Dekker founded E Douwes the revolutionary idea among the Dekker mentions demonstrations, Chinese population in the Nether- agitation, revolutions, passive resis- lands. Zhang Ji, who later partici- tance, strikes (especially in the areas pated in the Tokyo Asian Solidarity of communication and transporta- Society in 1907, spent some time in tion), boycott and rebellion. He wel- Java, where he translated parts of an comed the modern revolutionary English book, “ The History of movement in various countries of the Java ." He also fueled the resistance world and, supporting anarchist and of Chinese immigrant groups socialist propagandists in Europe, against Dutch colonial rule. His welcomed sabotage and syndical- translation was published in the ism, condemned reformist social- Zhongguo ribao newspaper , pub- ism. He calls Jesus Christ “a great lished in Hong Kong as part of the anarchist” and a fighter for free- Chinese revolutionary newspa- dom.[3]Nonetheless, in 1912 per.[9] Douwes Dekker founded E Douwes The work of Chinese anarchists in Dekker mentions demonstrations, the Indies began before the First There was a report on the actions carried agitation, revolutions, passive resistance, World War, local activists worked and es- out by sailors in Surabaya, the action took strikes (especially in the areas of commu- tablished close contacts with anar- nication and transportation), boycott and place on May 7, 1916, caused by dissatis- chist-anarchists in China, the Philippines rebellion. He welcomed the modern revo- faction of treatment by superiors, nutrition and Malaya (Malaysia). Initially, different lutionary movement in various countries and poor health care, as well as lack of revolutionary ideas clustered around the of the world and, supporting anarchist and cleanliness and anger because of the tor- Chinese reading house, which began to socialist propagandists in Europe, wel- ment of the war . Local newspaper, open throughout the Indies since 1909 comed sabotage and syndicalism, con- Soerabaijasch Nieuwsbladmentions that: and became a kind of political association demned reformist socialism. He calls a “very young sailor with a clear anarchist against the Dutch and Chinese authorities, Jesus Christ “a great anarchist” and a idea" tried to convince his colleagues not then created newspapers (“ Hoa Tok Po ”, fighter for freedom.[3]Nonetheless, in to stop the lawlessness. The demonstra- “ Soematra Po ”, etc.).[10]After the over- 1912 Douwes Dekker founded condemn- tion was held without the consent of the throw of the monarchy in China in 1911, ing reformist socialism. He calls Jesus Sailor Union leadership and led to a clash anarchists focused on organizing the Christ “a great anarchist” and a fighter for with police. During the firefight, 5 people workers’ movement and spreading the freedom.[3]Nonetheless, in 1912 were injured. The Social Democrats idea of social revolution. They do work, in Douwes Dekker founded condemning re- barely managed to stop the protests. In the particular, through the “Workers’ Party” ( formist socialism. He calls Jesus Christ “a next wave of repression, one of the orga- Gongdang /Kungtong ), which in fact is great anarchist" and a fighter for free- nizers of the movement was sentenced to not acting as a political party, but rather as dom.[3]Nonetheless, in 1912 Douwes 8 months in prison, followed by the dis- a kind of workers association or trade un- Dekker foundedIndische Partij , there is missal of 47 other sailors.[4]The head of ion organization. At the initiative of the no anarchism in its program, nor in the ac- the Dutch Labor Union in the lower ranks Communications Bureau of the South tivities of this organization. criticized his branch in Surabaya for not Asian Workers’ Party (South East Asia) quickly abstaining from the action, and Three couples in Indonesia (Soewardi based in Singapore, its branches were es- Dutch Social Democratic Labor Party Soerjadiningrat, Douwes Dekker, Tjipto tablished in Dutch East Indies cities such leader Pieter Jelles Troelstra mumbled as Makassar (Celebes), Batavia, Surabaya Mangoenkoesoema). Dock. National that there had been a ‘loss of control’ over Awakening Museum Unions that emerged (in Java) and Kupang (west of Timor Is- his leadership in the union,Union of Sol- land).[11] in the Indies from the first decade of the diers ).[6]While the commander of the To Be Continued twentieth century were influenced by Royal Dutch East Indies Army , Van Marxist socialists, who in May 1914 16 Rebel Worker

cellent grasp of strategic organising and the associated deployment of limited per- BOOK REVIEW CORNER sonnel and resources in key sectors. Suc- cess in this organising would facilitate the winning of major victories in the class Left of the Left: My Memories of Sam Dolgoff sort of incremental struggle raising the morale of workers By Anatole Dolgoff, AK Press. organising of mainly across industries, slowing the tempo of the small shops oriented to- employer offensive and turning the tide in ward winning contracts the class struggle. Facilitating strike The advent of the Trump Administra- which have had no strike waves and the emergence of transitional tion in the US has witnessed more clauses. Where there has been success in steps toward mass syndicalist industrial waves of attacks on civil liberties, more this approach, the result has been a situa- unionism. This orientation is illustrated intense police repression, more tax cuts tion similar to shops organised by some with the IWW’s organising drives in the favouring the rich, the beefing up of the sections of the corporate unions with a Philadelphia maritime sector up until the military and a range of other on- largely passive membership. Effectively mid 20’s and the Detroit auto industry in slaughts. Employers have been encour- in these shops the IWW had become a mi- 1937. This memoir of Sam Dolgoff throws aged to intensify their war path against cro democratic version of the corporate important light on this and other organis- workers on the job. Whilst an impor- unions. (1) ing issues which are critical to a resurgent tant base of support of the Trump elec- Whilst another focus by wobblies and mass syndicalist union movement. toral campaign has been demoralised some in the so called “anarchist” milieu This memoir by Sam Dolgoff’s son, workers in the “rust belt” hard hit by has been “solidarity networks”. Where Anatole sheds light on his father’s many de-industrialisation. Lately Trump has relatively small groups of workers are as- years of militancy in the IWW and various even been whipping up support from ultra sisted with grievances. A role performed socialist and anarchist groups. After ini- rightwing forces by his provocative by the corporate unions on occasion, tially being involved in the Socialist tweets. The union bureaucracy associated Party, he was expelled as he was critical with the AFL-CIO-CIA has typically an- of the careerism of its middle class and nounced its willingness to “work” with student members and statism. Dolgoff the Trump administration. went on to be involved in a range of an- The syndicalist movement and the so archist and syndicalist groups. called anarchist milieu is currently in a In the early to mid 1920’s he joined the poor state, unable to tackle the increased syndicalist IWW. The author shows he tempo of the employer offensive associ- became drawn into its strategic organis- ated with the Trump presidency. Accord- ing and associated major organising ing to a major article in the Summer controversies in the organisation. edition 2017 of “Industrial Worker” paper Dolgoff played an important role in the of the IWW (Industrial Workers of the IWW organising drive amongst soft World) a major tendency in the organisa- coal miners in South Illinois in the tion is associated with the oppression 1920’s which resulted in the Progres- mongering and enthusiasm for identity sive Mine Workers Union (PMWU) be- politics which is such a feature of the mid- coming closely associated with the dle class leftist subculture. Interwoven IWW. Dolgoff played a very effective with this tendency is the influence of role as a soap boxer helping defeat the much Stalinist legacy informed ”navel well funded and resourced Communist gazing” associated with “safe spaces poli- Party United Mine Workers Union at- cies” featuring in many IWW locals and tempt to make inroads in the base of the the so called “anarchist” milieu. This ten- PMWU. dency in the IWW, however is being con- “Taft-Hartley” Pledges fronted by an industrial organising A major organising controversy in the approach. IWW involving Dolgoff discussed in A major contribution to this unwhole- the book which touched on the question some influence of the former tendency of strategic organising versus a simplis- must be seen in regard to the IWW’s re- tic incremental growth in non strategic surgence in the 1960s stemming from a which in no way raises the morale of sectors was associated with the loss of the major influx of radical students and work- workers on a large scale and plays into the Cleveland Metal Shops in the mid 1950’s. ers with high levels of autonomy in their role of activoid super heroes and psuedo A major contributing factor to a devastat- jobs associated with the education and the social workers. It fits neatly into middle ing IWW split in the mid 1950’s. It is dis- university milieu. Constituting a signifi- class leftist oppression mongering and cussed in a quote from an analysis by Jeff cant base of its membership. As a result, guilt tripping, providing excuses for social Stein. It involves the issue of whether the resurgent IWW lacked the core of occasions and has nothing to do with seri- IWW shops should sign the anti-radical highly experienced militants which played ous syndicalist industrial organising. Taft-Hartley pledges. Dolgoff and others such a dynamic role in its formation and Again this activity is very much in the or- opposed the signing of these pledges due expansion in the early 20th century. bit of corporate unionism. The corporate to the obvious contradicting of the IWW’s “Incremental Shop” Versus “Strategic” unions are effectively having their normal revolutionary aims. According to Stein Organising work farmed out to leftist activoids, who this stance propelled this huge chunk of The contemporary IWW pursues all man- do it for free. the remaining membership and industrial ner of organising drives in diverse sectors In sharp contrast, key militants of the base of the organisation to leave. Whilst for many years has engaged in a IWW in its early days, displayed an ex- 17 Rebel Worker

However, the Cleveland shops were all spite being extremely opposed to the mur- thy Day, leader of the Catholic Worker drawn into fixed term contracts in breach derous policies of the early Bolshevik movement; Ben Fletcher, Philadelphia of the IWW constitution. These IWW regime in Russia following the October Wobbly maritime organiser, David Van shops were also effectively marginalised, 1917 Coup, he became drawn into the Sta- Ronk, folk singer; Julian Beck and Judith as they were surrounded by the AFL-CIO linist orbit and copied their paranoid con- Malina of the Living Theatre and lesser business union covered shops cemented in spiratorial ways. Contributed by the known figures like Russell Blackwell, placed by a vast web of contracts. Conse- panorama of international expanding Sta- Richard Ellington,etc. quently the IWW had ceased to be an ex- linism and the rise of Fascism in those In Dolgoff’s final years of militancy, the panding movement based on direct action years. The author shows these factors to- author shows he became involved in the on the job and inspiring workers in diverse gether with controversy over whether to Libertarian Labor Review, now sectors to follow suit in strike waves. The support the Allied war effort against the Anarcho-Syndicalist Review group. Its or- IWW in Cleveland had effectively be- Axis in WWII contributed to the demise of igins being amongst a group of young mil- come a micro democratic version of the the group and paper. Another factor the au- itants in the IWW involved in the business unions and had effectively left thor misses is the demoralisation of the in- Rank-and-File Organising Committee. the syndicalist fold. Whilst the original ternational anarchist and syndicalist They were influenced by Dolgoff’s ideas breakthrough in the Cleveland shops movements associated with the defeat of on industrial strategy favouring the IWW stemmed from a spinoff of an unsuccess- the Spanish Revolution of 1936-39. linking up with wildcat and grass roots ful strategic organising drive in Detroit “The Libertarian League” workplace insurgencies. It opposed the auto in 1937. (2) In regard to the Libertarian League the au- IWW focusing on incremental organising Sam Dolgoff is most notable in the history thor discusses some of the major activities of shops based on winning contracts based of US syndicalism and anarchism in the of the group which included solidarity for on the Cleveland metal shops experience 20th Century apart from his soap boxing overseas anarchist and syndicalist mili- of the 1930’s-50’s and NLRB (National and organising activity on behalf of the tants facing state repression and exposing Labor Relations Board) recognition for IWW, his authorship and editorship of a the authoritarian nature of the Castro Re- shop bargaining coverage. series of important books and pamphlets gime in Cuba. The author outlines many of In conclusion, the book provides plenty of on aspects of anarchism and syndicalism, the interesting speakers who featured at food for thought about what serious is his involvement in a range of different the regular forums of the group. However syndicalist organising should look like anarchist groups and publications with due to various factors beyond the group’s and important organising controversies in mostly an anarcho-syndicalist orientation control it was unable to break out of being the US which are also relevant to other from the 1920’s to the 1990’s. The most a small circle. The author fails to mention countries in certain aspects. Whilst pro- notable being the Vanguard Group 1932 to that it was finally dissolved by Dolgoff viding plenty of gritty and graphic por- 1939 with its paper “Vanguard” and the and his closest collaborators due to an in- traits of US radicals in the 20th Century. Libertarian League (mid 1950’s to mid flux of drugs and violence obsessed ele- However, the book is marred by the au- 1960’s) with its publication “Views and ments. thor’s over indulgence with some aspects Comments”. A particularly interesting aspect of the of Dolgoff’s private life. “The Vanguard Group” memoir is the author’s gritty sketches of a Mark McGuire “Vanguard” was one of the most outstand- gallery of outstanding IWW, anarchist Notes: ing on the international plane of anarchist and other radical militants and New York 1. See Discussion on Libcom.org of the US publications. Dolgoff mainly focused on characters which Dolgoff was associated IWW and contracts. labour issues with his regular “On the with in his many years of militancy. Some Class War Front” column. It was in sharp of the most important were Herbert 2. See “Fellow Worker: The Life of Fred contrast to today’s exotic identity politics Mahler, Wobbly organiser and legendary Thompson” Edited and Compiled by Da- and oppression mongering obsessed leftist campaigner for framed-up strikers; Carlo vid Roediger Published by Charles H. rags. The key figure in Vanguard who Tresca, Wobbly organiser and anti-fascist Kerr. For a discussion of IWW organising wrote under the pen name SENEX was fighter, Murray Bookchin, author of some in the Detroit Auto Industry in the 1930’s. Mark Schmidt. The author shows how de- questionable books on anarchism; Doro-

One Man’s War is a collection of articles, in Barcelona, he joined the 21" Century of Fighting the War in essays, interviews and historical docu- the Durruti Column and headed out to- ments by one such anarchist, Joaquin wards Saragossa with the rest of the mili- Spain Perez Navarro, a veteran of the Durruti tias. column and Friends of Durruti. Like many in the Durruti column, Joaquin REVIEW BY JEFF STEIN Joaquin Perez Navarro joined the Perez Navarro, did not agree with the anarcho-syndicalist CNT Foodworkers’ compromises of the CNT in the opening Joaquin Perez Navarro with contribu- Union in 1919 after becoming a waiter at weeks of the civil war. Perez considered tions from Luis Monferrer, One Man’s the age of 12. As he learned more about the anarchist leaders, including Garcia Ol- War in Spain: Trickery, Treachery and anarchism and syndicalism, the young iver and Montseny, to have been bamboo- Thievery. Translated, edited and anno- Joaquin joined an affinity group of four zled by offers to share power with the tated by Paul Sharkey, 2013. Available members that was to play an important CNT by Companys, Caballero and the online from Christie Books. role in a number of strikes and direct ac- Communists. He had doubts about the Stuart Christie has been providing an in- tions which included a jailbreak of impris- democratic nature of the proceedings by valuable service to the anarchist move- oned CNT strikers. When the Spanish the CNT leaders (many of whom had been ment by publishing and keeping available Army revolted against the Republic in Treintistas) to legitimize the decision to not only anarchist classics but historical 1936, Perez helped storm the Atarazanas join the government. This collaboration biographies of Spanish anarchists able to barracks, the same assault in which Fran- was supposed to get the provide us with eye witness accounts of cisco Ascaso was killed. After the victory CNT the arms they See Page 20 the Spanish Revolution and its aftermath. needed to fight the fas- 18 Rebel Worker

STOP PRESS: New Insights in the privatisation imposition without any curred. As Andrew Constance, the NSW industrial action. Consequently the exist- Transport Minister announced in the me- the Bus Privatisation ing unions particularly the RTBU, dia that in 15 years time, he expected all Conspiracy AMWU, etc were assured continued cov- public transport in NSW to be privatised. Continued From Page 7 erage of the workforce and pay roll deduc- This source also pointed out that the suc- tion of union fees. The bus executive cessful tenderer could only make big prof- informant felt these union officials would its through cutting services (bus routes or Likely Rorting of Bus provide continued industrial “peace”. The frequency of services or by extracting ex- Tendering? perceived more militant TWU, who have tra efficiencies from the drivers on the job) general coverage of private bus company he gave the example of the takeover of the New information has been received drivers coverage of the Newcastle bus NSW Ferries generating an extra million from a very senior executive with thirty drivers was stymied. dollars a year profit from fuel savings by years in the private bus industry and slowing down the ferry service by 2 was involved as a consultant in bus ten- The contact also made the point that most Liberals are scared that the privatisation KMPH for each and every journey. This dering. He mentioned that there are 6 affects commuters with a slower service tenderers for the STA Region 6 routes. of the Region 6 routes will definitely cause an electoral back lash which will favour and ferry staff with less turnaround time Each company has spent approx. $1 between trips. Clearly the privatisation of million in developing tenders. The ten- the ALP at the next State elections in mid 2019. Resulting in the Liberals losing of- Inner West Region 6 will result in the re- derers are Transdev/Veolia, Comfort moval of unprofitable runs and/or fare in- DelGro a Singapore Govt owned com- fice. Another point made was that the ma- jor reason for the reduction in bus stops in creases. He made another point that it was pany and parent company of Hillsbus, difficult for the new owner to attack work- Keolis Downer and three other compa- region 6 is associated with the new private owner being able to reduce costs on fuel ers conditions in the Ferries because of the nies. He thought if the tendering process number of unions involved. He said most was going to be fair and square the likely through avoiding buses idling. The contact also discussed the reason why the pro- transport companies aim to whittle away successful tender would be Comfort union working conditions over 18 months DelGro. posed privatisation of the new B-Line route on the Nth Shore pushed by the to two years period as they know they have However, due to Keolis-Downer having Berejiklian faction was not successful. a 5 to 10 year contract and make the bulk of close links with the unions involved in the According to the contact, the proposed their profits in the latter years after remov- privatisation of Newcastle STA bus de- tendering of the B-Line was discussed in- ing militants and eroding job conditions pots and Keolis-Downer’s successful ten- ternally in the Liberal Cabinet. However a by attrition. Given the track record of the der for Light Rail in the same city, this may local Northern Beaches Liberal MP Brad RTBU, the new owner will erode workers tip the balance for them winning the region Hazzard and another opposed it on likely conditions at a quicker rate. 6 Sydney bus contract. In Newcastle, last electoral grounds. However our contact year, the unions caved in completely to agreed that only a stay of execution has oc-

Continued From Page 2 before the inactivity on the issue...beyond the Hamer Government’s drafted in police IWC Council Vs STOP meeting”...So face-saving minute of the August 2017 force to remove the blockaders. Locally, I on Bus Privatisation much for the meeting ...three lines buried in a hundred also remember ALP Councillors and Nick Origlass page document...via a publicity campaign. Mayors Hand and Cotter’s use of hun- tradition of The publicity campaign is now in full dreds of Council garbage trucks in the late “Open Council” meetings, eh?) swing. For reasons outlined in the initial 1980’s-early 1990’s to blockade the inter- The following Friday I rang the I.W.C. reply to you Kate Walsh, I believe your let- national airport against the Third switchboard and asked to be put through to ter to the Minister on behalf of Council run-way. the Mayor to issue another request for him will end up in Minister Constance’s rub- The current Inner West Council October to attend the second community picket on bish bin...which is where he put the 24,000 2017 motion would have more impact if it Monday December 11th at Leichhardt or signatures of the Unions NSW Petition was passed out the rear-end instead (ex- Tempe Depot as he had ignored and not re- and the 1,000 petitioners signatures on the cuse crudity) and Kate your “blowing in plied to my endless requests via email or Jamie Parker petition over removal of bus the wind” letter to Constance, ditto. via the ALP “bush telegraph for aspiring stops on the 440 route...as evidenced by ONLY DIRECT ACTION involving politicians”...i.e. his walking out of the NSW Parliamentary Councils, commuters, bus depot employ- Albo/Haylen/RTBU/Unions NSW/etc... debate on November 12th 2017. ees, trade unions and the general public This time I managed to get through to a re- My campaign to expose the Mayor now is will save our buses from the greedy French corded message service of his secretary further exacerbated by the Mayor’s lame and Singaporean multinationals who are (after a 20 minute phone run-around of attempts to promote himself as a progres- competing for a slice of the public sector “push button1"...”now push button3",,,etc sive in the media (Rozelle school kids last pie to be carved up “in the first quarter of etc....what a advertisement for Tuesday and Cover boy on December is- 2018" as Minister Constance November de-amalgamation the new Council phone sue of Ciao...and Chinese pushbikes and 12th press release bragged. message system is???)...On this recorded floating buses, etc). Kate and Darcy...you are either with us or message I explained to Mayor Byrne his As an activist in Melbourne in the late against us...but don’t pretend you are tak- silence was consent on the issue of 1970s I remember the Fitzroy and ing action when you are not. privatisation (at this stage I was unaware Collingwood Mayor’s providing hundreds of the IWC October meeting motion and regards, of old bomb cars from the council com- Jefferson Lee, spokesperson for S.T.O.P. the letter you drafted Kate to the Minister). pound to blockade the F7 Eastern Freeway I warned the Mayor that STOP would Sydney Transport-Users Opposing extension through their inner city streets Privatisation. 17/12/17 have no choice but to expose the Mayor’s and leading the struggle where thousands of residents fought to defend their houses and streets from the Liberal Premier 19 Rebel Worker

News & Notes Where we stand: A.S.N. DIRECTORY Some of the most important news in the 1.Our aim is to create a free and equal so- NSW Railways is the continuing charade ciety of the Sydney Trains and NSW Trains En- ASN Sydney Local terprise Agreement 2017 negotiations. PO Box 92 2. We are a revolutionary labour move- Some very serious nasties are becoming Broadway 2007 NSW ment that uses as its only means of strug- evident such as Labour Hire firms gle, direct action in all its forms – recruting for the Railways in the context ASN Melbourne: occupations, strikes, boycotts, sabotage, of privatisation. Whilst the union hierar- etc. We are independent from all reformist J.Dixon chy continues to wage a bogus campaign. and hierarchical unions and political par- (See article page 3.) [email protected] ties, and we are creating an alternative to these and to existing society. We do not In this edition we throw new light on the ASN Newcastle seek to gain political power, but rather to likely rorting of the tendering for the PO Box 106 see it distributed amongst all. STA’s Region 6 bus routes and depots. Kotara 2289 NSW (See article page 18.) Whilst the ASN has 3.We are a network of been assisting militants to foil the union anarcho-syndicalists practising The Anarchist Media officials attempt to concoct a fake victory co-operation and mutual aid. We have an over Ryde Bus Depot’s alleged targeting Institute equal part in the making of decisions. Re- for privatisation, to divert attention from PO Box 20 sponsibilities within the network are sub- the officials sellout of the Region 6 De- Parkville Vic. 3052 ject to agreement by the members. pots over privatisation. (See article page 6.) SPARKS 4.We are engaged in struggle where we (Anarcho-Syndicalist Transport Paper) work and where we live, to develop self An important sector of public transport PO Box 92 Broadway managed production, distribution and ser- which was privatised in recent years was vicing for the world community, to meet Sydney Ferries. In this edition, we shed 2007 NSW human needs rather than profit. We give light on how the Ferries and workers con- Web site: http://www.sparksweb.org solidarity to others in these struggles. ditions have been run down since the selloff. (See article page 7.) Members’ Voice 5.We are fighting to abolish all authoritar- Grassroots NSW Public Transport ian institutions such as the State (including STOP (Sydney Transport-users Opposing Workers Organisation its communist variety), capitalism, all hi- Privatisation) has been waging an ener- Web Site: erarchical and oppressive divisions be- getic campaign to fight the privatisation of Users.tpg.com.au/retepsni/MembersV tween people. STA buses in Sydney. This activity has in- oice volved petitions, flyers and letters to the Email: Membersvoice2010@ya- 6. We have no country and are organised media to oppose the removal of bus stops. on an international basis in opposition to Lately STOP has been organising the pick- hoo.com Facebook.www.face.com/pages oppression everywhere. The ASN is striv- eting of bus depots. Its serious campaign ing to build a viable revolutionary has been in stark contrast to the feeble ef- M e m- syndicalist movement in Australia as part forts of Local Councils, the ALP and the bers-Voice-RTBU-rank-and-file-Grou of a world wide movement able to meet the hierarchy of the Greens. (See article page p/531240043571323?fref=ts challenge of the global employer offen- 2.) sive. Grassland Infoshop Help Build Rebel Worker! Your Help is 207B Nicholson St. particularly sought with its distribution. Footscray So why not order bulk copies to distro. Sell at your local shopping centre on Saturday 3011 Vic. TO FIND OUT MORE mornings, leave at the lunch room at work and at your local café, library or cinema. STOP “Sydney Transport-users I would like more information about the Your assistance on the financial plane is Opposing Privatisation” Anarcho-Syndicalist Network. Please also welcome. PO Box 703 send me information. Leichhardt 2040 Facebook STOP Privatisation REBEL WORKER (@STOPPrivatisation) Name ...... WEB SITE: Address...... General Secretary www.rebelworker.org PO Box 106 Kotara 2289 NSW. If undeliverable, return to PO Box 92, Broadway NSW 2007

cists but the get arms for the CNT military units, the as a betrayal. Perez provides supporting Continued From Page 17 Republicans, leaders of the CNT, including “anarchists” documents to show that not only were the S o c i a l i s t s Federica Montseny and Juan Garcia Oli- anarchists denied weapons needed to and Commu- ver, called on the anarchists to cease fire, fight the fascists, but they were forced to nists had no intention of arming the anarchists. When the order came down to militarize the militias, Perez jumped aboard a truck carrying a number of anarchist militants with their weapons back to Barcelona. Many of these militants later became the Friends of Durruti, an under- ground organization of anarchists still committed to the social revolutionary ideals of the CNT. In Barcelona, Perez witnessed the steady erosion of the gains of July and August 1936, as the Communists took control of security, and reintroduced capitalism by withholding supplies from the collectives and favoring pri- vate businesses. On May 3, 1937, Com- allowing the government to flood the fight under incompetent Communist offi- munist security forces tried to seize the streets of Barcelona with troops loyal to cers, while they were hunted down in the Barcelona telephone exchange to take it the Communists. rear areas by Communist secret police and away from worker management. The These facts are well known for anyone stooges (some of whom even were al- Friends of Durruti, along with the who has read the works of Bolleten, Rich- lowed to join the CNT) Perez, himself was anti-Stalinist POUM, joined forces and ards and Peirats. What One Man’s War thrown into the notorious prison of fought back. Within a day the anarchists provides that these other works do not is Montjuich and would have been executed and their POUM allies had wrested control the perspective of an anarchist fighter. had the Communist guards not run away to of Barcelona from the Communists and Contrary to what the advocates of escape the advancing fascists. the Catalonian government. Rather than “circumstantialism” argue, the entry of the Thanks to ASR (Anarcho-Syndicalist Re- press their advantage to remove the Com- CNT into the Republican government was view) munists from positions of authority and seen by the anarchist fighters at the front