ASLEFJOURNAL JUNE 2021 The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen Free to members ASLEF Zooms in for conference

Our annual assembly of delegates meets virtually by Zoom The train drivers ’ for the first time. Dylan Nardini is landscape photographer union since 1880 of the year. Heather Waugh on solitude and camaraderie railway enginemen’ s tax fr ee saver plans

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

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@RailwayEnginemens Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authorit y. Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authorit y. Incorporated under the Friendly Societies Act 1992 ASLEF GS Mick Whelan JOURNAL We shall not be The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen afraid to stand up ‘£1.5bn savings is a euphemism for service for ourselves reduction and job cuts’

E HAVE completed our first virtual conference in 141 years and delegates showed fortitude, and patience, with the online format, and teething problems, W and determination in questioning and making policy to have the members’ voice heard. Personally, despite the efforts of the tech team, and all the work that the staff put in behind the scenes, I hope it is our last virtual conference. The passion, compassion, and empathy shown by the delegates was palpable – but seems greater in person. All the policy items were dealt with, but time ran out on some of the rule changes, which were not discussed, but can come back, as has happened with in-person conferences. Our AAD was held virtually, for the first time, by Zoom No matter how many times I have explained that it is the branches and members News that make the policy of the union, there are still those who complain on social media when we carry it out. We remain, I believe, the only union that elects every position – l At long, long last! It’s the Williams rail review! 4 with no appointments – and has such a democratic parliament as AAD. Our union And it’s Bunnygeddon in Simon Weller’s garden ancestors gave us a great legacy – and strong foundation – on which we continue to l Gerald Ratner regrets that confession to the IoD 5 build. So I thank the branches that put forward the agenda items, and all the delegates plus Off the Rails: Adam Love on lobbying the who, once more, demonstrated what trade unions are about, and the values we share in government for Hitachi Rail; Coke head needs to common on a truly collective basis. wake up and smell the Costa Coffee; Sian Berry It is these collective values, strength, and responsibility that we are going to need on premiers; Lionel Barber on Boris and his bike; in future with a government playing games with our future on the Tube and the and Miriam Margolyes as Sexy Sonja on tape announcement of Great British Railways in the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail. l Heather Waugh tells the Beeb what it’s like as a 6 Let’s deal with the bailout of Eurostar first . The fact that the government took no freight driver, being a woman in a predominantly part in securing the future of the company, HS1, or our UK driver, is a matter of national male industry, and suicides on the permanent way shame. So much for encouraging passengers back? The lack of a truly long-term solution l Dylan Nardini’s award-winning landscape photos 7 for TfL smacks of political game playing – to attack the recently elected Labour Mayor – and smacks of levelling down. Let’s not forget the large level of poverty and l Alan Moss on the power of the branch res 8 unemployment in the capital; we should be driving all those with needs forward. Features As for Great British Railways , what does a government bereft of ideas do? It takes l Gregor Gall on bluster, bombast, and buffoons 10 policy out of the Labour Party manifesto, rebrands it as its own, but leaves out the good bits and goes light on detail, representation, green investment, and removes private risk. l ASLEF’s annual assembly of delegates 2021 11-14 The Prime Minister talks of greater private usage in the new model, whilst the paper talks l Peter Acheampong reports on the TUC’s black 15 of £1.5 billion of savings. Is that a euphemism for service reduction and job cuts? I believe workers’ conference, held virtually via Zoom so. I welcome the wheels and steel coming together and the idea of long-term planning Regulars but not on this basis. The opportunity to nationalise, invest greenly, level up, and drive the railway – and the country – forward has been missed, as well as the chance to l Branch Lines 16 decarbonise for the health and security of future generations. l Rob Spilsbury reports on the online TUC young 17 We have two new NCRs – national railway concessions – already awarded, without workers’ conference; and Nandita Shivakumar competition, so how many more will we see just to keep the privateers in the industry? reveals the truth about poverty wages and sexual And how much will they be generating for the savings in the Williams paper, as they now harassment among garment workers in India bear no risk? Nobody can tell me why we need them! The paper does attack our wages making fashion clothes for top British brands and conditions, but spectacularly fails to mention the decades of flexibility and productivity given to keep the previous model afloat! No meaningful mention of the l Obituaries 18-19 future of freight in any tangible way, either. l Letters 20 We need a sustainable railway , not a cash cow for third parties. I hope the references l Chris Proctor on the world’s first passenger 21 to devolution are real and not the devolution of cuts which we have seen in other areas, railway, the Swansea to Oystermouth tramroad especially after a decade of cuts for those in all forms of local government. We shall not l A few splendid mood-enhancing books to 22 be afraid to stand up for ourselves and call out anything that impacts on safety. brighten up the longer days this summer What a world we live in when it is reported that the Prime Minister and his immediate family have had £27,000 worth of takeaways allegedly paid for by others in l On Track: new papers reveal Duke of Windsor 23 was a Nazi spy; Prize Crossword; Legal Services; the last eight months when campaigns had to take place to feed hungry children outside and your Change of Address form term time and people are thanking the government for the food banks they have caused after their decade of power. EDItOR Mick Whelan, general secretary l DEsIGNER Michael Cronin Finally, I have to report the passing of former sectional council member and PRINtER College Hill Press, London, SW19 4HE l ADvERtIsING ASLEF Journal, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN. Contact Keith Richmond Stratford branch stalwart Andy Ramsey who I had the privilege of working with when I on 020 7324 2407 or [email protected] l CLAssIFIED ADs was a young local representative. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. And I want [email protected] or call 020 7324 2400. The acceptance of a display to echo the best wishes of AAD to Ray Jackson, RMS chair, in relation to his recent stroke. or classified advertisement does not necessarily imply endorsement of Please stay safe… that product or service by ASLEF ChANGE OF ADDREss Please post your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN Yours fraternally, The ASLEF Journal is published every month by: ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN Tel: 020 7324 2400 l email: [email protected] website: www.aslef.org.uk l twitter: @ASLEFUnion Mick Whelan, general secretary, ASLEF

June 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 3 News

the report by Keith Williams report Williams (left) which Grant shapps (centre) mutters has comes up short been subject to more delays than any rail service in SLEF has described the long- Britain has been A awaited, much-delayed, and rather slammed by Mick watered-down Williams rail review – (right) as deficient rebranded, post-pandemic, as the Williams- Shapps Plan for Rail and published in the middle of AAD – as ‘deeply disappointing’. always will be, a service monopoly where capacity falling through the floor because of GS Mick Whelan said: ‘The railway is a vital there is no real competition? The old covid-19, and a £2.9 billion shortfall in artery in the industrial body of Britain and arguments of “risk and reward” don’t apply. revenue at the fare box, the government is the social fabric of our country. It is one of There are no risks, so why should there be going to use the Williams-Shapps plan to try the prime means of moving people, and rewards? Under this plan private companies and justify cuts in services. We want to see goods, around the UK. That’s why it is deeply will still pocket a profit but the revenue risk proper investment in the railway – the green disappointing that we have had to wait 18 is dumped on the public purse. The transport of the future, if it is electrified, months for the publication of a report which government is changing the model, but which will help the UK meets its emissions was finished in November 2019. The people protecting the privateers, and privatising targets. Sadly, this report comes up short.’ who work on the railway – and the any profit. passengers and businesses who depend on ‘Great British Railways? Well, we believe in l After the tory government, on tuesday 18 us – deserve better. a great British railway – in the public May, extended tfL funding to Friday 28 May, ‘We welcome the – albeit belated – ownership of a public service – where the Finn Brennan, AsLEF’s organiser on the admission that the privatisation of our wheels and steel – the locomotives, Underground, said: ‘It is disappointing that railways by John Major’s Tory government in carriages, and the rails on which they run – there is still no agreement from the Dft on 1994 has been an abject failure. Everyone is are brought back together in a vertically- long-term funding for tfL. Another short- delighted to see the back of the franchise integrated operation to benefit businesses term extension just creates more system. But the big question is why are and passengers.’ uncertainty for rail staff and for passengers. private operators still involved in what is, and Mick added: ‘And we fear that, with It is no way to run a railway.’

OXYGEN EXPRESS Invest in rail and HELPS INDIA BREATHE build back better Indian Railways Mick Whelan slammed the government after it has successfully failed to mention public transport in the run more than Queen’s Speech to Parliament last month. 100 Oxygen ‘Building back better requires investment in Express trains transport, to move people and goods around since April, and this country, but there is nothing new in what delivered 6,260 the government is proposing. Economists tonnes of liquid know there is an enormous multiplier effect medical oxygen from investment in rail, and we need it to help to different states, Britain reach its carbon emissions targets. It as India struggles was also a significant missed opportunity – as to breathe Jeremy Hunt pointed out – to move forward on It’s Bunnygeddon in my garden #Rabbits #BrightEyes # sussex because of the social care, as well as rowing back on that Assistant general secretary Simon Weller @SimonWeller covid-19 crisis. Brexit promise to boost workers’ rights.’

THOSE CRACKS ON THE CLASS 800 ANOTHER MICK AT THE RMT TWEETS OF THE MONTH After Hitachi and GWR revealed problems Mick Lynch has been elected GS of the RMT. with cracks on the new Class 800 series we He won 7,605 votes to beat AGS Steve Boris Johnson is deliberately delaying raised our concerns over why there have Hedley (4,352); London organiser John Leach a covid inquiry until spring 2022, a been so many issues with the new intercity (2,944); and Scotland organiser Gordon year away. Delay is his strategy. express fleet but are glad that the systems in Martin (1,628). Mick, 59, was also an AGS @Kevin_Maguire place were robust enough to ensure they and, before that, on the union’s executive were taken out of service. We will ensure the committee. He succeeds Mick Cash, who I absolutely get that what the Progress trains come back safely into service and keep announced he was stepping down after a gang is trying to do is bait the left and a close eye on what happens next. campaign of ‘bullying and harassment’. hope we all storm off in a sulk. And that a measured and considered and reasonable ON TRACK AND ONLINE response is required. But they can also go ASLEF’s new website is almost ready to go QUOTE… and f*ck themselves. @FinnBrennan live. Eighteen months in the planning, it will ‘The advantage the governing party has have a ‘soft launch’ to iron out any gremlins. is it can produce squirrels on demand’ – The capital stays red. Always proud to Once it is fully live we hope you will find a Stephen Bush New Statesman be a Londoner. @MarzC much clearer, simpler, and brighter union …UNQUOTE site for all our members.

4 The ASLEF Journal l June 2021 News ‘How can we sell it so Off the Rails cheap? It’s total cr*p!’ ADAM LOVE , head of comms at Hitachi Rail, is honest – up to a point – about the dark arts of the lobbyist. ‘We have conversations that aren’t always shared, or in the minutes. We’re helping politicians better understand our market, because they’re not experts. It’s our job to help them; and to help them make the right decisions.’ How benign! Love, a former Network Rail press officer, who also worked for Boris Johnson at City Hall, and was a policy adviser, in opposition, for the Tories’ foreign office team, adds: ‘We’re talking about investment in services, how we’re helping their constituents get to work, or to visit their families.’ Wow! Nothing to do with that lucrative £5.7 billion contract to build 122 new trains for GWR and LNER, then? It’s not about putting private snouts in the public trough? Just helping your right-wing chums in positions of power make the ‘right decisions’, eh, Love? Gerald Ratner gave one of the most infamous after-dinner speeches in JAMES QUINCEY , CEO of Coca- corporate history – and in the City they still refer to it as ‘doing a Ratner’ Cola, reckons, ‘If we’re not making mistakes, we’re not trying hard HIRTY years ago Gerald Ratner, then 41, stood up at an enough’ – one of those fatuous Institute of Directors conference at the Royal Albert Hall remarks, like ‘failure is the T in London and, in seconds, destroyed the family business fertiliser for success’, of which under-performing managers, his father had spent years building up, establishing the 2,500- such as David Brent in The Office , are over fond – a remark store jewellery chain as a fixture of the British high street. that has come back to haunt him. In 2018 Quincey spent a ‘We do cut-glass sherry decanters complete with six glasses on staggering £3.9 billion on the Costa Coffee chain – a a silver-plated tray that your butler can serve you drinks on, all business Whitbread had acquired for just £19 million in 1995 for £4.95. People say, “How can you sell this for such a low price?” – which raised many an eyebrow in the City. Covid has I say, “Because it’s total crap.” We sold a pair of earrings for under proved disastrous for coffee shops, sales have plummeted, £1, which is cheaper than a shrimp sandwich from Marks and and fund managers say Costa, today, is worth a fraction of Spencer, but probably wouldn’t last as long.’ what Coke paid for it three years ago. ‘Time to wake up and After the speech – which was, as you might imagine, widely smell the coffee,’ they say. ‘Too much froth from the boss.’ reported – the company’s share price tanked, the group underwent a financial restructuring, and Ratner was forced to SIAN BERRY , co-leader of the Green Party, was resign. It obviously still rankles. Taking to Twitter, he tweeted: ‘It asked by The Mace magazine which former is 30 years since I made “that” speech. Seems like yesterday. I premier, if she became Prime Minister, she wish it was tomorrow. Then I would cancel it.’ would not seek to emulate. ‘There are too many to choose from! Theresa May for her deadly hostile environment policies? David Cameron First sells school buses as the architect of austerity? Tony Blair for the disaster of Iraq? Margaret Thatcher for half a century of privatisation First Group, which in Britain every day in 40 US states and and neoliberalism? I wouldn’t emulate any of them.’ runs services including the seven Canadian provinces, for Great Western Railway, South some time. LIONEL BARBER , former editor of the Western Railway, TransPennine Matthew Gregory, chief Financial Times , described by the Daily Mail Express, and Avanti West executive, said: ‘First Group as a ‘weapons-grade social climber’ and Coast, has sold First Student, will be a more focused, ‘name-dropper extraordinaire’ and by The the biggest operator of yellow resilient, business in a strong Guardian as ‘capable of sentences that Craig school buses in North America, position to deliver for bus and Brown could steal wholesale for a Private Eye and the public transport rail passengers in the UK.’ parody’, recalls in Private Diaries in Turbulent contractor First Transit to the Times (WH Allen, £25) how Boris Johnson left lunch early, Swedish private equity fund virtuously explaining that he had to cycle home. Only for EQT Infrastructure for £3.3 Lionel to look through the restaurant window and see Boris billion. QUOTE… ‘folding his bike and disappearing into a gas-guzzling taxi’. First, which is still trying to ‘My fellow Americans, sell its Greyhound inter-city trickle-down economics MIRIAM MARGOLYES , who has been bus service, has been trying to has never worked’– US busy during lockdown recording get rid of First Student, which President Joe Biden voiceovers, recalls that she was once paid runs 43,000 buses, taking …UNQUOTE £300 by the Ann Summers sex shop chain millions of pupils to school for her vocal talents. ‘Yes, I did a couple of sex tapes, as Sexy Sonja,’ she confesses. ‘I should stress, though, that they were 500 CLUB: Dennis Connelly, with number 250, won the May draw, audio, not visual, tapes…’ scooping the Retired Members’ Section jackpot of £502.

June 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 5 News

A freight train just looks phenomenal

EATHER Waugh, a member of our Motherwell branch, gave a thoughtful H – and extensive – interview in May to Jon Kelly of the BBC News website about being a freight driver, being a woman in what is still, predominantly, a male industry, and the peril of suicides on the permanent way. ‘You’re going alongside the motorway, at times, and looking at the lorry drivers, feeling quite smug,’ says Heather, 44, who drove passenger trains for ScotRail for 15 years before switching to Freightliner in 2019. ‘When you see a freight train, it just looks phenomenal. It can carry 76 times as much cargo as a single heavy goods vehicle. And to know that you’re the one who is responsible for that is a great feeling.’ She loves the camaraderie of the mess that’s why there is such a strong bond between room, talking with other drivers and train crew, train drivers. They don’t see that you’ve only and a sense that the railway is one big family. been doing the job for two minutes and they heather is the only female freight train But the solitude of the driver’s cab suits her, don’t see you as female – they just see you as a driver in scotland. Photos: Emma Lynch/BBC too. ‘When I went over to freight, my mum was train driver.’ worried I’d be lonely, driving by myself Eight years into the job, she suffered ‘one through the night. But, in the cab, I feel under’ when a boy used her train to end his QUOTE… empowered and trusted. I like the idea it’s just own life. It’s not unusual, as we know. ‘Recycle your squad or, before you me and the train.’ According to Network Rail, 1:20 of all suicides know it, you’ll find they have recycled The railway is in her blood. Her father Neil in this country are on the railway; in the year you’ – Alex Ferguson’s advice to Pep was on the iron road for 45 years, a guard 2019-20, 283 lives were lost this way. Heather Guardiola towards the end of Pep’s working out of Edinburgh Waverley, but it was was signed off work for three months and she tenure at Barcelona her mother Kathleen who helped her fall in is grateful for the support she received from love with locomotives. ‘My mum’s Glaswegian, colleagues. ‘Big, hard, burly, men, who don’t …UNQUOTE has a great sense of humour, and thanks to the show their emotions, rang to say, “I’ve been free passes to which British Rail staff were through this, too, and I’m here for you.’ entitled, she took me to lots of different places, When she moved over to freight the gender and that’s where my first love of the railway dynamics were stark. ‘At ScotRail female drivers A good union is comes from.’ were a small minority, but there were women She joined Royal Mail straight from school guards and train ticket examiners. Now I am but, after ten years, wanted a change and saw entirely surrounded by men. worth its weight that ScotRail was looking for drivers. ‘There are ‘Diversity at work is about bringing different I was a driver for Freightliner Heavy Haul but so many things that can go wrong, I think energies into the room.’ had to go off sick in October 2019 because of pain caused by prolapsed discs. In February 2020 I had a steroid injection but this failed to In the top link work so I had to wait for an op; covid kicked in and it was September by the time this was After 43 years, my dad, he became an carried out. All seemed well for a while, but Andy Haywood of instructor in 1991 but, then I started suffering headaches for Nottingham branch, when EWS took over, extended periods coupled with large doses of has decided to hang realised he could not fatigue. It was suspected that I had a spinal up his driver’s key and work under their fluid leak but, after two MRI scans, this was take early retirement. terms and conditions discounted. Of course, after October my pay Dad started as a and moved back to the best link! And as stopped, but it took until March until the second man at Nottingham in 1998. I’ve now passed out as company finished me, as my condition and Nottingham in 1978, He carried on a depot driver, Dad back were not improving. was passed for driving instructing but, in tells me I’ve got a lot to I would like to express my sincere gratitude in May 1984, but, soon 2010, decided to put live down to! But, to ASLEF for stepping in with a hardship after, was made himself up for the LLC seriously, he’s happy payment and to Buxton & Peak Forest branch redundant and went and, after successfully I’ve carried on the for launching an appeal on my behalf which to Coalville where he getting onto the LLC, Haywood name in the was gratefully received. became a registered decided, after 23 years footplate grade after Pete Coles, DFC rep; Special thanks to FLHH LDC Andy Wetherall driver in 1987. He instructing, to give it my grandad Ken tom Nicholson, LLC and Tony Venson for their help in keeping stayed at Coalville up to fully (Colwick) and uncle rep; Andy haywood; things moving and to Paul Costello at branch until its closure in concentrate on his Wayne at GBRf. and Andy Wakefield, for organising the appeal. A good union is 1990. After union duties. He now Zoe Haywood depot LLC rep and Andy worth its weight! Thanks again… transferring to Toton, tells me that he is in driver, Nottingham with Zoe (above) Driver (ex!) Dan Fox

6 The ASLEF Journal l June 2021 News Picture this – DBC driver crowned king of the glens YLAN Nardini, a member and Martha, for putting up with of Motherwell branch, me going on about light D has won the prestigious everywhere we go, and for Scottish landscape photographer disappearing early on so many of the year competition. He won mornings, to hunt those little with a portfolio of three magical moments that highlight spectacular images taken on the our beautiful country.’ Isle of Arran, at Leadhills, and at The judges said Arran Light Chatelherault country park in ‘captures the dynamics of typical South Lanarkshire. Dylan, 47, who Scottish changeable April weather lives in Hamilton, has been a keen on the beautiful west coast island’, photographer since high school, while Submerged impressed them but developed a real passion for as ‘a dramatic image of winter landscapes from his work as a light peppering the landscape freight train driver for DB Cargo for near Leadhills, the highest village the last 28 years. in Scotland’. The winning images He said: ‘I am absolutely thrilled will be displayed in a permanent to have been chosen as the overall exhibition at Bonnie & Wild, an winner of a competition I admire enormous new food hall in the St for its process of judging not just James’ Quarter in the east end of one image, but a portfolio of work, Edinburgh and organiser Stuart from each photographer. Knowing Low hopes to take them on tour, the judges have seen something when all restrictions are lifted, pleasing in my work is so flattering, around the Scottish Highlands. and has given me a huge boost in They are also to be published in a what has been a very tough year book, The Scottish Landscape for so many. I’d like to thank my Photographer of the Year: Dylan Nardini’s award-winning portfolio included these gorgeous images wife Louise, and my kids Gypsy Collection 7 (Breeze Media, £27). of Leadhills in winter (top) and a rainbow on the Isle of Arran (above) PM wails on rails Cathy can’t QUOTE… to save the union come home ‘Joe Biden may have run as a cuddly centrist, but he is Mick: sLC’s governing as someone deeply attracted to the leftwards drift of Boris Johnson is planning to ‘spend big’ on academy the Democratic Party’ – Douglas Murray Daily Telegraph new rail and road links – ‘and treat Scottish will have …UNQUOTE patients in English NHS beds’ – in a no impact ‘desperate bid’ to save the union. Well, according to the Daily Telegraph , anyway. After news emerged that And Jack Doyle, a former Daily Mail hack, SLC Operations, a rail Sign o’the DELIVERING WELL-PAID JOBS and now director of communications in consultancy that boasts it Angela Rayner, popular with voters on the Downing Street, has the number of has ‘23 full- and part-time doorstep, was sacked by Keir Starmer as Christopher Hope, the Torygraph ’s chief staff’, is opening what it Times Labour Party chair and campaign co- political correspondent, on speed dial. Hope likes to call – somewhat ordinator – to save Jenny Chapman – and is reported, perhaps more in hope than grandly, mutter industry now Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of expectation, that ‘the blueprint to save the cynics – The Rail Lancaster, and Shadow Secretary of State for union’ being put together by the PM with Academy at King’s Norton the Future of Work, as well as deputy leader. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove, in Birmingham, GS Mick Graciously, she said: ‘I came into politics as a Chancellor Rishi Sunak, and Alister Jack, the Whelan said: ‘Anyone can shop steward standing up for care workers Secretary of State for Scotland, ‘will use call themselves “The Rail on the minimum wage. In my new roles I will powers given to London in the UK Internal Academy” but it has no focus on the future of work and the future of Market Act to spend billions of pounds on impact – and will have no our economy, working with our trade union road, rail, and other transport infrastructure.’ impact – on the agreed movement to deliver good, well-paid jobs in And a ‘union connectivity review’ by Sir training courses we every region and every community.’ Peter Hendy, chair of Network Rail, to be already have in place with published in July will recommend higher the train operating NETWORK RAIL PLANS CUTS capacity and faster journey times on train companies and the Andrew Haines, chief executive of Network journeys between England and Scotland as freight operating Rail, in an email to his 43,000-strong well as better connections for passengers companies.’ SLC Ops MD workforce, has warned that there are ‘tough from the new HS2 line to Scotland and Cathy Bellamy claimed: ‘At decisions’ ahead because ‘change needs to North Wales. The trouble is that although a difficult time for the rail happen’ in a post-pandemic shake-up. ‘A Boris Johnson loves to ‘talk the talk’, he industry, we will be the message is loud decision to stay as we are is untenable,’ he rarely ‘walks the walk’ and the funding helping the industry and clear, indeed. But said. ‘This will be tough for every one of us.’ pledged beneath a breezy smile is usually solve unprecedented not great at spelling. NR staff, on social media, added: ‘Mostly, followed by a failure to deliver. training challenges.’ Andrew Neil @afneil though, for you rather than me.’ June 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 7 News

the grassroots of our Branch meetings and union, in the branch room. I want to thank fellow members at Longsight, the power of the res our EC, and our DO and EC member for supporting OLLOWING the the Stop Funding Hate the cause. But, most tragic accident at Campaign, and issued a importantly, all the other F Stonehaven in circular encouraging members and branches August, Longsight branch branches to support the who have championed was not only saddened, outstanding work how The Scum treated the stonehaven crash prompted such a worthy cause. sharing the grief of our undertaken by the Alan Moss to get involved with stop Funding hate Remember – if you want comrades north of the campaign. to forge change, attend border, but enraged at the Then ASLEF did what it Stop Funding Hate advertising in papers like your branch, and use its headlines printed by The does best, working in began when a group of The Scum and Daily Fail . democracy, because the Sun in Scotland. We were unison as comrades to people came together ASLEF is at its most branch resolution has the not surprised, as papers further the cause, and online to express concern powerful when we work in power to make a real like The Sun and Daily Mail along with our district at the way certain unison. Together we can difference. thrive on division, hatred, organiser and executive newspapers use hate and and will make change for Alan Moss Longsight bigotry, and committee member we division to drive sales. the good and it all starts at 126 branch chair sensationalism but, as a put a plan together to Advertisers are a major branch, we decided to use promote the work. Our DO part of this business the tools at our disposal to donated from his model. As newspaper sales QUOTE… do something about it. organising fund, we used decline, their ads ‘Joe Biden appointed a largely technocratic I tabled a motion at our social media to spread the contribute by funding the cabinet, presumably to perform managerial September branch word, our own branch hate being printed. functions. Maybe make the trains run on time a meeting expressing our donated, we encouraged Through the campaign a bit better, but not change all the rolling stock, feelings and the cogs in others to do the same, and number of notable let alone alter the gauge of the railway. A fitting the wheel that is ASLEF we addressed our district companies – including ambition for Amtrak Joe’ – Jon Sopel BBC began to turn. The EC council to urge delegates Lego, Body Shop, Evans North America editor supported the motion, to promote and contribute Cycles, Center Parcs and …UNQUOTE made a £250 donation to to the campaign. Travelodge – have stopped The dream ticket? New Two killed in Tesla crash sleeper trains to Europe

Elmer van Buuren, co-founder of the European Sleeper co-operative, which has just announced a new night service between Brussels and Prague, stopping at Amsterdam, Elmer van Buuren thinks t he ‘Greta effect’ Berlin, and Dresden, starting in April next year, could mean that more people will travel by with tickets from €60 one way, has an even train instead of plane across Europe more ambitious project in mind. Citing the ‘Greta Thunberg effect’, a change there’s definitely a market there.’ in attitude wrought by fears of climate change, Van Buuren’s plan would be the realisation the tesla Model s driverless death machine he said: ‘I think there’s huge potential in of a vision first mooted three decades ago. A More evidence that driverless cars are death running sleeper trains through the Channel fleet of sleeper trains for journeys via the traps was provided after two passengers were tunnel. London and the UK are just that much tunnel was built in the 1990s for a Nightstar killed when a Tesla Model S crashed at speed further away from the rest of the continent service connecting London, Plymouth, into a tree in Texas and burst into flames. Traffic that it would actually be very sensible to have Swansea, and Glasgow with Amsterdam, safety officials in the United States are a sleeper service. Despite Brexit, I think there Frankfurt, and Cologne. But the popularity of investigating several Tesla crashes in which the are still many people in the UK who want to budget airlines saw the plan shunted into the vehicle’s autopilot function has failed. And the come to Europe for business, and holidays, so sidings and it was formally dropped in 1999. technology, at some point, always fails. That’s why fly-by-wire planes have a pilot and co- pilot in the cockpit and why trains will always MPs call for a 30 year rolling rail electrification programme need a driver. The UK needs to set out a 30-year rolling programme of rail electrification if it is to reach its l Transport Minister Rachel Maclean says she net zero emissions target. The House of Commons Transport Select Committee has called on will give the green light to ‘lane-keeping self- the government to take action as soon as possible, and accelerate the use of battery and driving vehicles’ before the end of this year. hydrogen technology, to get the job done. MPs say electrification is the only ‘immediate decarbonisation option’ for most of the rail network. RETIRED MEMBERS’ SECTION ‘Decarbonising rail, and making our trains cleaner and greener, will be a considerable The coronavirus crisis means that head office is challenge,’ admitted committee chair Huw Merriman, Conservative MP for Bexhill & Battle. unable to send out letters reminding RMS ‘Trains in Great Britain still rely mainly on diesel traction, and an estimated 62% of the rail members, who pay annually by cheque, that network is diesel-powered, compared with 38% electrification. It will be sometime before your membership is up for renewal. So if your battery- and hydrogen-powered trains are ready to depart the station, leaving electrification renewal is due, please post a cheque, payable as the main option. It’s time to invest in a rolling programme which will speed up delivery, to ASLEF, to head office in St John Street. An drive down costs, and hold to account those who do not deliver to time or budget.’ annual subscription is just £15. Thank you! 8 The ASLEF Journal l June 2021 Report

When I get older losing my hair many years from now

BILL DALE , Chingford branch, Retired Members’ Section committee member, and currently acting chair of the RMS, reports on the state of play of this important ASLEF section

HE Retired Members’ Section is still active and membership – at 2,596 – is T healthy, even though covid has restricted our normal functions, until the world of new technology led us into Zoom communication. Unfortunately, a number of members don’t Zoom, but access to meetings is available via your phone by using the details on the Zoom invite. Hopefully, though, we will Executive committee president Dave Calfe, Ray Jackson of the Retired Members’ section, and soon all be able to return to near normality. general secretary Mick Whelan at the last RMs AGM to be held before lockdown, at the British Our chair, Ray Jackson, suffered a stroke in Rail sports & social Club in Ashford, Kent, in the Garden of England, in October 2019 April which has affected the right side of his body – his arm and leg – as well as his speech. your branch meeting, to give a report, please care, where NHSE is consulting on plans for He was hospitalised for three weeks before inform Les Muir, with the details. ‘integrated care’ including changes to being moved to a rehabilitation unit in The RMS 500 club has grown, gradually, legislation. The intention is to reduce the 200- Sheffield. His progress will be slow, although and you will note from publication of our plus clinical commissioning groups to 40 this he is now able to use his right arm, but not his monthly winner, on page 5 of the Journal , that year and then to abolish them completely in hand for writing. He is beginning to walk a the prize has consequently increased to 2022. The government pledge to reform the little better and his speech has slight £500+. We would still like more members and Social Care Act, to abolish having to sell your improvement. branches to join, to help us reach our goal of a property for care, seems to have disappeared Ray has received a number of cards and get £1,000 jackpot payout – oh, happy days! – and off the radar. Even the Budget didn’t mention well messages from colleagues, and Dave you can usually find an application form on any finance for social care. Court and I have been in regular contact with page 9 of the Journal (although not this his wife regarding his progress. We all wish Ray month as my report is here!) ‘You’ll be older, too, and if you say the word, a speedy recovery back to his old self. The National Pensioners’ Convention, I could stay with you’ Meanwhile, the RMS committee has had to which has 1.5 million members, is a strong appoint an acting chair until the AGM in campaigning organisation, fighting on many Health and care will affect all families at many October, by which time we will know more important fronts, not just for the pensioners of ‘points during a lifetime. It is, therefore, an about Ray’s condition. The committee elected today, but also for those of the future. What we especially important subject for all of us and me to act as chair until our AGM. lose today in pensioners’ rights and benefits we should campaign for it with vigour and will be lost forever for future pensioners. That’s conviction. We look forward to seeing you at ‘Will you still be sending me a Valentine, why the young, as well as the old, should join our AGM; until then I hope you and your loved birthday greetings, bottle of wine’ the NPC’s campaigns, and why we should ones keep safe and well. stand together, rather than being salami-sliced ‘The annual general meeting will take place on by those who would like to divide us so they Wednesday 6 October, in Sheffield, subject to can rule us. government guidelines regarding social QUOTE… distancing and the wearing of masks. If that is ‘Will you still need me, will you still feed me, ‘Tony Blair has shielded himself too the case, it will go ahead, virtually by Zoom, when I’m sixty-four?’ much from the way other people instead. Invitations will go out in due course. see him – and there is great truth in Currently we have two vacancies on the ASLEF RMS members are well-represented on the way that other people see us; committee and if you would like to be ‘the London Region NPC committee – our perhaps they see us more truthfully considered for the committee, please send an delegates include Les Muir, Peter Smith, Alan than we see ourselves. In many application to our secretary, Les Muir, in time Taylor, and me. Alan and I are also on the NPC’s ways Blair was a very fine human for the AGM. NEC , and Ray Jackson is our delegate to the being, but his fatal flaw is a vanity The weekend forum that we hold each year NPC EC. The NPC AGM had to be cancelled in and an unwillingness to listen to at Low Hall, Scalby, North Yorkshire, will now 2020, and again for 2021, and, as a result, the viewpoints of others’– take place from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 incumbent elected members will remain in Anthony Seldon promoting his November. Again, subject to government office until 2022. The London Region NPC book May at 10 (Biteback guidelines. AGM did go ahead by Zoom and, I am pleased Publishing, £12.99) RMS committee members have been able to say, all ASLEF’s committee members were …UNQUOTE to give reports to ASLEF branches, and some returned unopposed. district councils. If you would like us to attend One of the key issues for the NPC is social

June 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 9 Firebox When bluster, bombast, buffoons – and lies – get in the way of progress

GREGOR GALL , an affiliate Oxford University, with AstraZeneca, through research associate at the its Jenner Institute, and Vaccitech, a university University of Glasgow, and spin-off, financed by Oxford Sciences editor of the Scottish Left Innovation, Google Ventures, and Sequoia Review , examines ideals of Capital, among others. Then a not-for-profit co-operation in the light of licencing deal was signed between Oxford the Prime Minister’s University and AstraZeneca plc. So, on the first count, there was public Keep on running, Boris, and keep on hiding… remark – at a meeting of the 1922 money involved because Oxford is a public Committee of Tory MPs – that ‘We have university, although it also seeks funds from that progress equates to consumerism, and the vaccine because of capitalism, private endowments such as that which the value of everything should be measured in because of greed, my friends’ created the Jenner Institute. And, on the monetary terms. second count, the profit motive was knocked While some scientists want to become the ORIS Johnson is the master of out because Oxford – which famously refused rock stars of their industry by becoming the buffoonery, with his bombast and to give Margaret Thatcher an honorary degree leader of a team that makes a career-defining B bluster. He often extols the so-called – wanted to secure the widest possible scientific breakthrough (along with the ‘great British spirit’ to rise above pressing distribution of the vaccine around the globe. associated TV and newspaper interviews, etc), problems, especially as a way to actually most scientists are motivated by finding cures ignore them, and certainly to absolve himself ‘There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s for diseases and ailments because they are of any blame for creating those very problems need but not for man’s greed’ – humanitarians with altruistic values. in the first place. Mahatma Gandhi This is the same basic sense of In his diaries, recently serialised in the Daily humanitarianism, and belief in the common Mail , the former Tory MP who was, once, ‘The other major vaccine used so far, from good, that leads many to work in public Johnson’s deputy at the Foreign Office, Alan Pfizer-BioNTech, was developed wholly services and, especially, in the fire service and Duncan, describes him as ‘a clown, a self- privately. But, even here, we have to remember the NHS. Crucial to this humanitarianism is the centred ego, an embarrassing buffoon’. that the vaccine was bought in advance, by the concept of co-operation. Here the belief is that Duncan does not hold back, going on to say state, and in batches running into the tens of much more can be achieved in terms of that Johnson is also ‘a selfish, ill-disciplined, millions, and administered by the NHS. I think efficiency and effectiveness by working shambolic, shameless clot’. that qualifies on two counts as pretty un- together and sharing the benefits with all. capitalistic and lacking in greed. ‘Greed, for lack of a better word, is good’ – Although capitalism often needs state help ‘He who is greedy is always in want’ – Gordon Gekko in Wall Street written – funding, protection, and regulation – there is Horace (65-8BC) and directed by Oliver Stone still something to what the Prime Minister proclaimed if we step away from the example That’s not closet communism but is certainly ‘But, once in a while, Johnson does say of the vaccine. In the wider pharmaceutical ‘the anti-thesis of what Johnson was banging something true, and insightful, even if it industry, greed and capitalism drive the search on about. It’s just not credible to suggest comes by way of his famous habit for putting for new cures and discoveries. It is an teams of people working together motivated his foot in his mouth. So it was when he told a expensive business with high stakes as by the common good – and with more meeting of backbench Tory MPs during a research and development can take years and resources overall because they are combined virtual meeting by Zoom on Tuesday 23 March cost millions. None of the drug companies will and shared – would not be capable of that, ‘The reason we have the vaccine success ever co-operate with each other on R&D. Each advancing humankind in important ways. is because of capitalism, because of greed, my company is in competition with others, chasing For example, the internet and email were friends’. It sounded rather like BoJo had found to get first to the pot of gold at the end of the created, in large part, by the public sector, his inner Michael Douglas who played the rainbow. Get there, and get a patent, charge a without a profit motive. It’s historically ruthless investor and corporate raider Gordon high price and – ker-ching! – watch the cash inaccurate to think the fourth industrial Gekko in Oliver Stone’s 1987 film Wall Street . come rolling in, whether it be on a particular revolution was created only by the likes of In it, Gekko famously proclaims: ‘Greed, for type of cancer or not. In the process, a huge Apple and Google. lack of a better word, is good’. This has since duplication and waste of resources is created Now, and in the future, it is co-operation for become passed down, simply, as ‘Greed is and the public gets fleeced. And don’t worry if the common good, without the profit motive, good’, and stems from comments made by people who desperately need the drug can’t that should be driver of economic and social Ivan Boesky, an American stockbroker afford it. ‘That’s not our problem, matey,’ say the progress. ASLEF is there already but it will take convicted of insider trading. In 1986, Boesky drug companies. more to achieve its goal to ‘assist in the told an audience: ‘I think greed is healthy. You Away from pharmaceuticals, the same basic furtherance of the labour movement generally can be greedy and still feel good about pattern of behaviour can be detected, whether towards a socialist society’ (ASLEF constitution, yourself.’ it’s new generation mobile phones, electric rule 3, clause vii). But it’s a start. And it’s As always with Boris Johnson, nothing is cars, or shampoos and serums. The certainly a good defence against the capitalist ever straightforward. One of the two main assumptions being made are that only through greed that’s been running, and ruining, the rail vaccines used in Britain was developed by competition can human progress be made, industry since the mid-1990s.

10 The ASLEF Journal l June 2021 AAD Virtually AAD

SLEF’s annual A assembly of delegates, or conference, which was to have been held in Cardiff last year, was cancelled because of covid-19. This year it was held, as a virtual rules top table: the Gs, chair, president, and vice-president; hussein Ezzedine, Edinburgh No 1; Nigel Roebuck, sheffield No 1, Andy Cook, selhurst conference, from Monday 17 to Friday 21 May. ‘AAD is that we carry out. Every IN THE HOT SEAT ASLEF’s policy-making branch has the right to parliament,’ said GS Mick Daniel Masrani, Cardiff, was elected, propose a motion, and the unopposed, as chair of AAD 2021. Whelan. ‘It’s ASLEF’s most chance to send a delegate, to Deborah Reay, of our Women’s important body – the the place where we evaluate Representatives’ Committee, and foundation stone of our what we have done, establish Northern Line North branch, was union’s democratic structure our priorities, and make elected vice-chair, after beating – because it makes the policy plans for the year ahead.’ Chris Windsor of Worcester.

FULL RUNNING ORDER The arrangements committee, Delivering solutions which met, by Zoom, on 26 and 27 April, and 16 May, comprised Sadiq Khan, the newly re-elected Mayor of London, opened AAD on Monday Andrew Bullock, Saltley, chair; Chris morning. He told delegates: ‘This last year has shown us who the key workers Sneddon, Wimbledon, secretary; really are that keep our country running, and our cities moving, and I want to Ian Goodman, West London pay tribute to ASLEF members for the immense contribution you’ve made Electric, and EC1 Marz Colombini. throughout the pandemic, not just in London, but up and down our country. I also want to say a special thank you to everyone at ASLEF for the support you’ve BEAM ME UP, ANGEL shown towards me over the last five years – and particularly during my re- sadiq: ‘Positive working AAD was beamed in from the King’s election campaign. I’m truly grateful for all the backing I received from the trade relationship with AsLEF’ Cross room of the Double Tree by union movement and the ideas you contributed to my manifesto. It’s why I’m firmly committed to Hilton Hotel at the Angel, Islington. maintaining the positive working relationship that I’m proud to say we have. As a lifelong trade unionist, I’ve Phil and Gary Maziere and the tech seen the huge difference unions, like ASLEF, make to improving the lives and conditions of working people. team at T5 Event Media built the Not only in standing up for their members for as long as this crisis lasts, but in helping to build the better, set, as usual, and also the custom- fairer, and more equal London we all want to see. built online platform. Katy Proctor ‘As Mayor, my focus now is on putting the dark days of the pandemic behind us and delivering a brighter and David Gould from head office future for all of our communities, where we strive to protect and create the high-quality, well-paid, unionised, turned up in the ASLEF bubble to jobs that Londoners deserve. I strongly believe that my second term will only be enhanced by our close ensure it went virtually smoothly working relationship. Because it’s through our partnership that, together, we’ll be able to develop the with Julie Hunt and Lee James solutions to the challenges facing London’s transport system – today and in the future. ASLEF is doing crucial doing the minutes remotely. work shaping my priorities, giving workers a voice, and helping to deliver an even better transport network for Londoners. Our city already boasts the best transport system in the world but we need to keep it that way REMOTE CONTROL and take it to the next level. It’s my conviction that we can only achieve this together by continuing our Katy Proctor, in the GS’s office, who dialogue, working constructively, and putting trade union values into practice. So that is exactly what I intend organises conference, informed to do – as your friend and ally – over the next three years.’ branches: ‘As always, AAD is a closed conference, and remote access will strictly be for ASLEF Rules of the game members only. Members are Challenges ahead Rule changes moved by Dave Vaughan, entitled to attend conference as Newton Heath, and Hussein Ezzedine, visitors and will be able to watch Dave Calfe, in a thoughtful, and wide- Edinburgh No 1, on Monday morning were proceedings online but, rather than ranging, president’s address on Monday designed to tidy up ASLEF’s rule book, streaming to an open platform, we morning, paid tribute to key workers who acknowledging the way branch secretaries are streaming to a secure platform.’ have gone above and beyond in the last 12 now do union business. As Nicholas months, to those who have died, including Stewart, Motherwell, put it: ‘We’re just former Gs Derrick Fullick, and former AGs ROLL CALL clearing away the dead wood.’ tony West, and looked ahead to the Dave: ‘We Roll call twice a day – first thing in challenges we will face in the rail industry are a lay the morning at 9am and then, this year and next. Dave also referred, rather member-led QUOTE… again, at 1.30pm after lunch – was trade union’ different with delegates asked by dryly, to the reference by Lord Mandelson, to ‘The only trade union for train drivers the chair to ‘vote’, rather than the Gs as ‘a trade union baron’. ‘I would much rather have a is ASLEF’ – Nigel Roebuck Sheffield democratically-elected union baron – Baron Whelan of …UNQUOTE shouting out ‘here’ when the GS Willesden? – than an unelected peer like Peter Mandelson.’ called out their branch name.

June 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 11 AAD Northern raises the temperature N EMERGENCY motion about been trained and are being pressured to do Northern Trains on Monday so by management, in contradiction to clear A afternoon, moved by Dave directions from their own union. This is Vaughan, Newton Heath, and seconded by unacceptable. This AAD reconfirms the Christopher Thompson, Manchester stance taken by the EC in seeking to Piccadilly No 1, put a warning shot across improve cab working conditions, and the company’s bows: ‘This AAD is alarmed to condemns Northern for imposing the sub- learn that, today, Northern has imposed a standard working conditions of these units. new class of traction – 769 – without cab air- This AAD requires that members are given to Northern confirming that the continued conditioning, in direct opposition to EC clear advice, in line with EC circulars, that imposition of these units will bring the resolutions. Our members are being they cannot be pressured to work trains company into dispute.’ compromised. They are advised locally that that have not been sanctioned by this union The GS said: ‘They bought legacy rolling they should work trains on which they’ve and instructs the general secretary to write stock with no money to bring it up to date. Off the Rails at AAD Affiliation is the high speed line to NIGEL ROEBUCK of Sheffield No 1, a freight driver and gunslinger who likes to shoot from the lip, opened fire on Tuesday morning power and influence in the party by praising the rock DJ – actually techie Phil Maziere – for playing Pulp just before conference began. ‘I never thought I’d see the top UCIO Buffone, like Gloria De Piero; go table tapping their feet to Pulp this early!’ And there were smiles Paddington, and find something L in a warm and new, as Chuka Umunna when DJ Phil played The Kinks’ cross-dressing anthem Lola during a screen break on Thursday immediately after a debate about the witty speech on and Mike Gapes did; or language of gender identification in our union. Tuesday morning on you can do what Wes agenda item 45, about Streeting, Jess Phillips, JEREMY MURFIN , Machynlleth, aware that Lord Mandelson, ‘a our relationship with Peter Mandelson, and right-winger as well as a right whinger’, and never a man to the Labour Party, the vast majority of the underestimate his own importance, had a pop at Mick Whelan in recalled how ‘I joined right did. Stay and fight!’ The Guardian , told AAD: ‘The GS has clearly got under Peter when I was 16, the day The item noted the Mandelson’s skin – and for that he’s to be congratulated.’ after we lost the ’92 Lucio: ‘the worst party’s 2019 manifesto election, went to Labour government commitments to bring CRAIG BEHARRIE, Edinburgh No 2, concluded his contribution to meetings, and got is always better than our railways back into a debate on Tuesday afternoon over ASLEF’s position on Scottish involved’ and was told the best tory public ownership; independence with the wry observation, ‘It’s a little ironic, the by ‘an old stalwart of the government’ rebuild our fragmented people of Scotland being told what to do by West London TGWU’ that to progress railways as a nationally- [Electric] but, hey ho!’ – an unfortunate word, committee of London integrated system; perhaps – ‘you need to TULO. improve accessibility for ANDY HUDD , vice-president, raised smiles with a slip of the be in an affiliated union’. ‘Affiliation is the high disabled people; ensure tongue when he spoke about ASLEF’s Better Driving Cabs on ‘Some of you will speed line to power safe staffing levels; end Thursday morning. Andy – who, politically, could never be know that I was a semi- and influence in the driver only operation; mistaken for Peter Mandelson – thanked Knottingley ‘for successful DJ, an Equity party. Before the implement a rolling reminding us about previous revolutions – I mean, resolutions.’ member, and I still pay London Mayor election programme of full minimum subs, to keep DO8 Finn Brennan, EC1 electrification; and DAN MASRANI did a great job in the chair, keeping things my card, I had a bit of a Marz Colombini, two promote rail freight to moving, sometimes with a light, and sometimes a firm, hand on profile, but they’re not reps, David Gould, and I reduce carbon the tiller. There were moments of levity, too, as when he affiliated. I’ve always lobbied the Mayor, emissions, air pollutants, murmured, ‘Thank you, Edinburgh, and your phone…’ and, first been involved in the taking AAD policy and and congestion on our thing Friday morning, ‘Welcome to the final day of conference, I’m party and, if there was a getting it into his roads. afraid your chair is slightly wrecked, though in a good way…’ fundraiser, and they manifesto. ‘Most, if not all, of wanted a DJ, or MC, I’d ‘A couple of speakers these commitments GARY ARROWSMITH , Gateshead & Newcastle, concluded his get an invite. But I’d have said they’re were included as a contribution to the debate about drug and alcohol testing on never get the votes to uncomfortable, direct result of Friday with this cute observation: ‘Managers extracting the urine, get on the LCF, or be a unhappy, and consultation with eh? You couldn’t make it up!’ delegate to conference, disappointed with the ASLEF, because of our or get on the CLP GC. direction of the party. I’d close relationship with, That changed when I guess a majority here at and affiliation to, the changed careers and conference feel like that. Labour Party,’ said the Reach the Sky got to join this great We have three choices: GS. The motion was With our GS Mick Whelan union. I didn’t need to give up and step back, carried 55-25. (metaphorically) chained to get elected to the GC, I the top table during AAD, AGS just got my branch to QUOTE… affiliate me. I went to Simon Weller was interviewed ‘We need to sell the benefits of the the ASLEF political live by Sarah Hewson, along political fund to do our political work’ – school and, six months with Henri Murison, director Lucio Buffone Paddington later, I’m on the London of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, about the Williams- …UNQUOTE Shapps Plan for Rail on Sky News on Thursday afternoon. regional executive

12 The ASLEF Journal l June 2021 AAD

Northern trains Fairer voting Points of Order has failed to fit Maeve Hanley, Northern Line North, the ‘new’ 769 moved an item, seconded by Ian GARY PORTSMOUTH , head of rail operations at the Rail class of traction Goodman, West London Electric, on Safety & Standards Board, and a former South West with cabin Tuesday about electoral reform. She Trains driver, addressed delegates on Wednesday temperature argued that first past the post afternoon. He is responsible for developing, control ‘means that, for many people, the maintaining, and publishing operational railway group act of voting is just a ritual, with little standards, including the rule book. Gary gave a prospect of unseating the presentation, with slides, about the impact on our incumbent MP. Every vote should industry of covid-19, paying tribute to the part played count and every vote should matter.’ by the Rail Industry Coronavirus Forum working group on which assistant general secretary Simon Weller and We suffer from Maggie’s laws and can’t give An instruction for the executive vice-president Andy Hudd had key roles. direction to not work these trains until we committee to press for proportional go through the hoops. But support the representation to be included as a CHRISTIAN CARROLL , Waterloo Nine Elms, on Friday motion, and support your colleagues.’ flagship policy in the next Labour afternoon condemned companies whose ‘main priority The motion was carried 79-0. manifesto was adopted 47-32. in the design, production, and issuing of uniform is one Comms are key of branding and corporate image’. Poorly-designed, ill- fitting, cheap uniforms are a barrier to carrying out STONEHAVEN: LEARN THE LESSONS John Thorpe, Stratford, in a debate some duties correctly. Christian called on the EC to draft Donald Anderson, Glasgow, speaking on on Wednesday about the comms minimum standards for drivers’ uniforms for all TOCs Friday morning on the health and safety section in the annual report, said: and FOCs. The motion was carried unanimously 80-0. report, praised the work of DO2 Kevin ‘Communication is key to any Lindsay and EC2 Jim Baxter after the organisation’s success – industrially, ROB KITLEY, Young Members’ Representatives’ accident at Stonehaven in August 2020, socially, economically – and I want Committee, speaking about activism, said: ‘Joining the and made the point that Network Rail has to pay tribute to staff at head office, union isn’t an insurance policy. It’s about pay, terms and to ensure that such a tragedy does not especially in the admin dept, conditions, job security, and all the many other things happen again by maintaining the because circulars and bulletins have our delegates are talking about this week.’ infrastructure to prevent another landslip. been second to none, providing members with information and DEBBIE REAY , WRC, drew attention to the dramatic rise HITTING BACK AT BEECHING reassurance, in very trying times. in domestic abuse during the covid-19 lockdown. ‘The Work has been shifted from head Adrian Lunn, Skipton, made a passionate Rail to Refuge scheme allowed victims access to free office to homes and they have done plea for the reopening of railway lines, travel to a place of safety. It’s disappointing that, with an excellent job of keeping us particularly in northern England, Wales, the exception of Southeastern and GWR, it was a informed.’ Andy Hudd, vice- and Scotland, ‘as these areas suffered temporary gesture by rail operators. Rail to Refuge president, added: ‘We have acted disproportionately from closures’. should become a permanent scheme across the whole like a fraternity.’ Although, ‘in particular, this AAD national main line rail network.’ recognises that the Skipton to Colne route should be reopened’, he was clear that the Fate of the nation ASAD REHMAN , executive director of War on Want, the motion – carried 50-32 – was ‘on behalf of Speaking on a motion that ‘this AAD anti-poverty charity, made a passionate speech at our all the branch lines Beeching closed’. instructs the EC to ballot our members’ AAD on Tuesday morning encompassing, as Scottish branches on the issue of Ed d’Bell of Southampton Northam noted, ‘the true FREE PALESTINE independence before it takes a values of the labour movement’. After passionate speeches by Debbie position itself’, Hussein Ezzedine, Reay, WRC, and EC1 Marz Colombini, Edinburgh No 1, said: ‘The Tories last LIVIA SPERA , acting general secretary of the European delegates passed an emergency motion won an election in Scotland in 1955. Transport Workers’ Federation, delivered a solidarity in support of the people of Palestine, Yet still belligerent Tories tell people message from Brussels on Wednesday morning, praising calling on the UK government to put in Scotland what to do. When the AGS Simon Weller for his work with the ETF in Belgium. pressure on the government of Israel to time is right we should be guided by halt its ‘air strikes, annexation, and the views of our members. Anything MARZ COLOMBINI , EC1, added a bit of breaking news apartheid’ and also made a donation to else would be colonial. And it would to the political report on Tuesday by announcing that Medical Aid for Palestinians. help heal the wounds of 2014.’ The Collette Gibson, Shenfield, has been elected vice-chair motion fell 26-47. of the London, East & South East regional TUC. Collette, though, raised eyebrows – and a few laughing emojis – Drivers drive not managers when she later referred to herself as an ‘old bird’… A motion 77-1. ‘It’s simple,’ said And Christian PHIL DEVONPORT , Ilford, said, ‘I’m really pleased that instructing our Chris Windsor, Carroll, Waterloo we helped Sam Tarry to be selected as the Labour negotiators that ‘no Worcester. ‘Drivers Nine Elms, noted: candidate in Ilford South, and then elected as our MP. more productivity drive, managers ‘TOCs should run a He’s now a junior transport minister, and proud of the or pay deals are to manage’. Jeremy full establishment Jeremy Murfin: ‘What trade union link.’ Before he was elected to Parliament, be negotiated’ Murfin, and employ more incentive do tOCs Sam was the TSSA’s political officer. allowing driver Machynlleth, added: drivers.’ have to recruit?’ managers to drive ‘What incentive do TREVOR ROBINSON , BAME committee, took no trains because of a TOCs have to recruit QUOTE… prisoners when he reflected that ‘Our so-called sister driver shortage more drivers if they ‘The Labour Party, notwithstanding its trade union is often, on the London Underground, caused by a can sweat their problems, is the only place for a trade obstructive of the things we want to do.’ Chris Sneddon, company failing to managers a little union to be’ – Andy Cook Selhurst Wimbledon, added: ‘Working with the RMT? Seems like employ enough more, even with a …UNQUOTE a one-way door sometimes!’ drivers, was carried bit of extra pay?’

June 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 13 AAD

always been there. It has been a Welcome to my bedroom pleasure and an honour to serve the members of this great trade AVE Tyson, a trustee union, from my early days as a director of the Railways local rep at Norwich, in 1987, to D Pension Scheme since today. This is the last time I will 2001, began his report on report as trustee director of the Monday afternoon with a dry RPS. It is time to let someone else lockdown observation: ‘Welcome take on the mantle and I know the to my spare bedroom’. president will do a fantastic job on ‘We’ve been through a great result of the pandemic, we were your behalf. I wish you all the very deal. No one could have foreseen also advised that we should pause best for the future and may your the devastating impact the global struggles through this most the Gs (left) paid tribute to Dave the 2019 valuation – a position pandemic would have on the challenging of times bring (at Leeds and in his bedroom) supported by TPR. Your trustees world’s population, economies, forward every success.’ for everything he’s done for us are well aware that the last and rail industry. What happens in valuation was back in 2013 and The GS thanked Dave, praising the world economy has a huge around the world. The RPS is one we need to find a solution to the his ‘strength, integrity, and impact on your pension; if the of the biggest schemes in the UK, problems we face sooner rather honesty’ and paying tribute to a markets take a dive, this can affect and a global investor, and its than later. The TOC sections are man ‘who has spent a lifetime how much you and your assets soon reduced. Several well-funded and, hopefully, looking after other people’. Some employer pay in pension trustees had the 2008 market having ridden out the worst of the swear there was a tear in Dave’s contributions, and also impacts meltdown in the back of our pandemic, we can move forward eye in that spare room of his… on your AVCs. minds. But, as of today, the value and find a workable solution.’ ‘Every three years the scheme of the scheme is almost back to Dave, who joined the railway is valued; assets (the value of our pre-pandemic levels and, in the industry in 1980, finished by QUOTE… investments) are measured past year, the investment thanking the union ‘for the ‘It’s better to try and fail against liabilities (how much will transformation programme, tremendous support ASLEF has than not to try at all’ – EC be paid out in pensions). If assets which aimed to make the RPS a given me over the past 40 years; president Dave Calfe are higher than liabilities the world class investor, and reduce members, officers, the EC, and, in …UNQUOTE scheme is in surplus, and investment manager fees, has particular, the GS. From my first contributions may remain as they saved a whopping £250 million. days on the footplate ASLEF has are, or even reduce. If liabilities ‘The Pensions Regulator are higher than assets the scheme encouraged the trustees to pause is in deficit and contributions the 2016 valuation, in relation to Very healthy finances generally increase. There are the TOC sections, and made it several factors that can increase clear that failure to act would lead Phil Clark – who, with his peroxide hair, looks liabilities, including a reduction in to them using their powers of less like an accountant than a member of The the value of investments, enforcement. While the pace of a Police at their punk rock peak – made a Phil: ‘Membership increases in pensionable pay, and collaborative approach was slow, welcome return to AAD to make the numbers is the bedrock of demographics or mortality rates significant progress was made fun – and intelligible – in his auditors’ report. this trade union’ (pensioners living longer). until, earlier this year, the DfT Despite the pandemic, our finances are strong. ‘As we entered lockdown in withdrew its support which was, ‘An increase in membership, and a reduction in costs, has led to a March last year the value of the as you can imagine, a cause of surplus remarkable in the circumstances in which we find scheme was in excess of £33 frustration to all parties. ourselves. An operating surplus of £1.62m is testament to a union billion; in days the downturn had ‘Given the situation the TOCs which is well-managed by its executive.’ Bill Good, in his trustees’ a huge impact on stock markets have found themselves in, as a report, underlined ASLEF’s ‘clean bill of financial health’. ASLEF fights fair, fights smart Vive le Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC, speaking on Tuesday bailout! afternoon, praised GS Mick Whelan who was recently referred to, by Peter An emergency motion, Mandelson, as ‘Militant Mick’ – ‘I have always found him to be honest, and moved by Alexandra hard-working, who says what he means to your face, which is not always Cochrane, Orpington, and the case’ – and AGS Simon Weller ‘who sits on the TUC general council and seconded by Ian Scrace, is a brilliant champion, not just for ASLEF, but for all the transport unions.’ Ashford, was unanimously Frances added: ‘ASLEF is not just a fighting union, it fights fair, and it fights passed on Tuesday smart. Your campaigns – like greening the transport system, and Mind the afternoon welcoming the Gag – have made a real difference. Get ready to face the challenges £250m bailout by ahead, including those on what I think is a fundamental human right, shareholders – including to withdraw your labour, because the strongest voice for fairness the French government – and justice in this country is the trade union movement. Stick to secure the future of together, stay strong, and together we will win.’ Frances O’Grady: ‘together we will win’ Eurostar and condemning the UK government for its THE PEOPLE’S FLAG IS DEEPEST inactivity and laissez faire QUOTE… RED AT ASLEF’S VIRTUAL AAD approach to deal with an ‘Grenfell Tower– and the cladding scandal – shows capitalism AAD ended at 5.25pm on Friday existential threat to the at its worst’ – M ick Whelan g eneral secretary with The Red Flag , led, acapella, company, the future of …UNQUOTE by Dave Vaughan, Newton Heath, high speed rail, and our a very accomplished folk singer members’ livelihoods.

14 The ASLEF Journal l June 2021 Report Key workers cared for us, now we must care for them

PETER ACHEAMPONG , District 7 rep on ASLEF’s BAME committee, reports on the TUC’s black workers’ virtual conference, held via Zoom, from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 March

HIS year’s BWTUC was thoughtfully presented, and different in nature, T due to the current conditions in which we find ourselves. There were no debates on motions but, rather, many well- orchestrated speeches, workshops, and presentations on various topics affecting the Like so many conferences and meetings over the last 15 months, the BWtUC was held virtually BAME communities during these challenging covid-19 times. The conference brought together activists, merit. But employers have also been using AI, Change should not depend on one of us organisers, and trade unionists from across the which is both sexist and racist. ‘It is important dying; we must continue shouting ‘Black Lives globe who shared their views on how the that we map and deal with issues.’ Matter’ but also ensure that they do. People pandemic has exposed the working-class and Faiza Shaheen, former director of the think talked about the feeling of isolation that what we can do, as unions, to challenge and tank CLASS, said we should not shy away from comes with some jobs when you are the only improve our positions. talking about race. ‘We have to talk about why person of colour. Everyone expressed the The conference was chaired by Patrick equality benefits everyone. We have to make importance of seeing more people like us at Roach, GS of the NASUWT, who began by this about capitalism: how is the economy the top of our unions. People do not feel stressing that last year only 8% of union working, and for whom. We must talk about properly represented within unions as, when members received support from their trade class disparity and everyone’s shared working- we look around, we don’t see anyone unions when reporting incidences of racism. ‘It class experiences.’ resembling us at the top of the ladder. is important that unions do more and we Change must start at home. We need to must, as a movement, concentrate on action, ‘HAVING THE CONVERSATION’ dismantle the barriers that exist within our and work with civil society organisations to Debbie Weekes-Bernard, Deputy London movement. More action and less talk from action change. Unions must commit to an Mayor for Social Integration, Social Mobility & unions will be a perfect start. And, until we put agenda for change, not just for black workers, Community Engagement, spoke about the our own house in order, we won’t be able to but for all our members across the board.’ importance of having the conversation about ask others to make changes. racism as, although racism and inequality have The last day was about race, covid-19, and ‘WE HAVE TO BLOW THE DOORS OPEN’ always been present in our society, the gap the vaccine, with a PowerPoint presentation TUC GS Frances O’Grady thanked key workers has widened during the pandemic. about vaccine development, how the vaccine and pointed out that members from the BAME Lessons for the TUC from the first day were works with the immune system, and how the community are more likely to be key workers, to lead by example and tackle inequalities programme is impacting BAME communities. which means more likely to have unsecured within the movement. Where are BAME Dr Donald Palmer, Associate Professor in zero hours contracts, and no access to workers represented? Are many in managerial Immunology at the Royal Veterinary College, redundancy packages, or sick pay. ‘Key workers positions? What about pay? Talk about socio- talked about the effects of the virus on our cared for us, we must care for them. We need economic backgrounds and economic immune system and explained how the an independent public inquiry into why BAME security. Compel employers to pay a good immune system works. He said the virus is like communities have been highly affected by the wage. Post furlough, there will be a drive to a thief coming into our homes and taking covid-19 pandemic.’ get people back into work, and we must everything. Our immune system works to She said the Policing Bill, conceived in ensure that BAME workers are properly produce antibodies that surround the virus, response to the Black Lives Matter movement, distributed in all sectors. And work to ensure preventing it from destroying our cells. It’s like will see people receive a prison sentence of 10 the government fulfils the recommendations having a guard who prevents the thief from years for toppling the statue of a slave trader; of the Lammy review. This is not a proposal to entering your property. while a modern day human trafficker gets only leave the white working-class behind, simply five years for raping a woman. ‘It is also an an acknowledgement of the work that is ‘CLIMB THE MOUNTAINS TOGETHER’ attack on the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller needed to ensure members of the BAME To conclude, the conference was a success, communities, preventing them from living communities are equally represented within there was a lot to learn, and we were delighted their lives. We have to organise to blow the the workforce and aren’t left behind. to be involved. It is clear that, in order to effect doors open.’ On day two the ASLEF delegation took part change, we, the BAME members, have to be Gloria Mills, chair of the TUC’s race relations in a number of workshops where experiences more involved within the unions of which we committee, underlined the importance of – and how to deal with them – were shared. are members. We have to be the ones who challenging institutional racism and moving First workshop discussed organising in the push for, demand, and steer the change. from words into action. ‘We must acknowledge workplace: how we ensure people get Without our involvement, and without our the power we all have within the workplace.’ involved in the union and feel empowered to work, nothing will change, nothing will Employers are moving toward using numbers, be involved. We need to be clear that real progress from words into action. Get involved rather than names, on job application forms, change has to happen and must be at every level possible, and let us climb the which should ensure people are shortlisted on sustainable, not a fashion accessory. mountains together.

June 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 15 Branch Lines

Remember the dead Upcoming Events and fight for the living n LEICESTER: SATURDAY 26 JUNE Leicester depot’s annual reunion will take place at the Marquis T’S a ASLEF. In joining with Wellington pub, London Road, Leicester (a 10 minute walk from poignant other trade unionists, the railway station) from 12.0. All colleagues welcome. I statistic especially this year, that, every year, more after so many people n TOTON: FRIDAY 29 OCTOBER people die in the have succumbed to In anticipation of the lifting of all covid-19 restrictions, the 2021 workplace than in covid caught at work, Toton old boys’ reunion will be held at the Sportsman, Derby wars. Trade unionists we were not only Road, Long Eaton, Derbyshire, NG10 4HA, from 19.30. All play a pivotal role in remembering the welcome! email [email protected] keeping us safe at dead, but dedicating work but, despite our our lives to fighting Please send your branch news, reports, articles, features, efforts, many people for the living. John Metcafe lays presentations, and photographs to [email protected] still die, just because EC3 John Metcalfe the AsLEF wreath   an employer decides that our safety is not                  RAIL WORD SE A R CH b y M ick Moloney     their priority. Workers’                 Memorial Day, on 28 HOW TO April, is an SOLVE: Word $%&'() * +%,% *  - ).+ opportunity for us to searches are /01,+& %&23
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16 The ASLEF Journal l June 2021 Points & Crossings We need to stand together ROBERT SPILSBURY , of Birmingham New Street branch, and one of our active young members in District 6, reports on the TUC’s virtual young workers’ conference, held on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 March Young workers are vital not just to our future, but to the here and now

HIS year’s TUC young workers’ Charlotte Nichols, Labour MP for Conference on Sunday began with a conference moved online due to the Warrington North, and Shadow Minister for keynote speech from Shavanah Taj, Wales T ongoing covid pandemic. ASLEF Women & Equalities, spoke about the TUC general secretary, who delivered an was represented by four delegates: James importance of the involvement of union impassioned speech, identifying the Sutherland, District 3; Lukas Sutcliffe, District members, particularly young workers, to disproportionate effect of covid-19 on BAME 4; Hollie Yates, District 5; and Alicia Durant, ensure our views are heard. She observed communities, highlighting the increased District 8 . that 74% of over 65s vote but only 47% of impact of inequalities that exist. Shav also Conference opened on Saturday morning under 25s. She emphasised that, due to this spoke about systemic racism in the UK and with a speech from TUC GS Frances O’Grady voting pattern, decisions are made to the stressed that, as a movement, we need to who spoke about the growth of the trade detriment of the young while benefiting tackle racism together. In the workplace union movement which has welcomed an older people. every union member has the responsibility extra 200,000 members over the last three Saturday closed with a panel discussion to tackle racism. years. She also spoke of how the movement featuring Equity GS Paul Fleming, Amy The final session on Sunday was a debate campaigned for the introduction of the Doyley of the Musicians’ Union and the TUC’s on the mental health of young workers with furlough scheme, which at its peak protected young workers’ forum, and Alex Collinson, contributions from delegates which, again, more than 10 million workers, and a support TUC analysis and research officer. They focused on the impact of the pandemic, scheme for the self-employed. discussed how to prevent the mass which has created increased pressure on Covid had a high profile at conference. unemployment of young people – the young workers, particularly those in frontline The pandemic has highlighted existing number of payroll employees under 25 fell by roles. The impact of which was exacerbated inequalities encountered by young workers over 450,000 last year, with 14% of 16-24 year by funding cuts to mental health services. who are more likely to be employed on zero olds unemployed, rising to 27% of young Lukas Sutcliffe, on behalf of ASLEF, hour contracts or in the gig economy; six out BAME workers. The pandemic has highlighted brought attention to the increase in the rate of 10 job losses during the pandemic have inequalities with young workers typically of suicide in the under 25s, and the resources been among young workers. being industry’s hardest hit social group. offered to railway employees, which shows When conference debated the impact of The labour movement needs to push the that physical issues are more commonly covid-19 Alicia Durant spoke on behalf of Tory government to create more security and understood and catered for by employers, ASLEF, delivering a powerful message on certainty by extending the furlough scheme and demonstrated the need for a shift to a behalf of young workers struggling due to and, more importantly, bringing existing much more holistic approach which the impact of the pandemic but who would inequalities in the system to an end. Other encompasses both physical and mental later be needed ‘to repair the damage from inequalities for the under 25s, such as a lower wellbeing. The debate closed with an covid – so they need to respect us now. rate minimum wage, and fewer benefits understanding that we, as a movement, need Young workers are not only the future of the available, also need to be addressed. to recognise the importance of mental union, but important to the here and now – The panel went on to discuss the need for health, and should campaign for employers we need to stand together to ensure equality greater investment in new green jobs in the to do much more to support their workers of employment.’ public sector. who are suffering mental health issues.

top British We hope you will join us! brands turn a blind eye to the NANDITA SHIVAKUMAR , India co-ordinator for poverty wages the Asia Floor Wage Alliance, which campaigns – and sexual against poverty wages in garment-manufacturing harassment – countries, reveals the sordid truth the fashion to which world would rather you didn’t know garment workers in Asia EYASRE Kathiravel was a January. Since her death, 25 more are subject 21-year-old Indian Dalit garment workers at the same suppliers sign an enforceable and transform working conditions for J woman garment worker, factory have come forward to binding agreement to end women and offer proper and Tamil Nadu Textile and describe a culture of gender- gender-based violence and mechanisms to protect workers Common Labour Union member, based violence and harassment at harassment and protect freedom from violence and harassment. organizing against gender-based Natchi Apparels, where Jeyasre of association at Natchi Apparels, We believe that by securing an violence and harassment at a worked. These conditions are not through prevention, monitoring, EBA we can honour Jeyasre’s life major Indian garment an accident – but a direct result of and remediation. The struggle will and stand in solidarity with her manufacturer which supplies big the purchasing practices of not be quick or easy; but, if we struggle to end GBVH. We hope name American and European brands and retailers at the top of succeed, it will fundamentally you will join us! fashion brands. the supply chain and the failure of She suffered months of sexual voluntary codes of conduct. ASLEF’s EC has backed a Victoria line res – moved by Unjum Mirza, harassment by her supervisor The TTCU, and the AFWA, are equalities rep, and Mark Hartley, 182 branch secretary – backing before he murdered her in demanding that brands and the Justice for Jeyasre campaign at www.ukjusticeforjeyasre.org

June 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 17 Obituaries

JIMMY LAMB RIDIN’ THE TRAIN THAT’S TAKIN’ THE LONG WAY

AM sad to report the passing of driver Jimmy I Lamb at the age of 95. Born on 11 July 1925 in the South Manchester district of Didsbury, a village proud of its Midland Railway station, and the service to St Pancras, Jimmy did not seek employment at Trafford Park, but instead joined the Royal Navy. His daughter Pat has his log, which shows Bombay and Kuala Lumpur, and sailing out of Singapore carrying prisoners of war to Ceylon, while minesweeping the North Sea kept him busy in 1946. He left the senior service at 22 and began his railway career at Northwich, a fine CLC shed on the Cheshire Lines Committee country route from Manchester Central to Chester Northgate. Jimmy said it was like walking into the Great Central museum with 29 locomotives ranging in build from 1891 to 1914. Pride of the depot were three 1913 4-4-0 Directors with wonderful names survivor from the Great Central, like Prince Henry , Edwin A Beazley , 65169, was withdrawn on 12 and The Earl of Kerry . The shed was February 1960 and, soon pure CLC, not a joint depot like afterwards, Jimmy headed 13 Heaton Mersey and Trafford Park, miles up the line to Altrincham. although Belle Vue, which was The Manchester South Manchester’s former top Midland Junction & Altrincham Railway shed, outstationed one or two was electrified in May 1931, with locos there. its own car sheds, and, until From 1936, it was common to September 1958, ran to London see, across the Cheshire- Road station. But, in preparation Derbyshire border, 15 or 16 for Piccadilly, services terminated enormous ICI limestone hopper at Oxford Road, a distance of wagons running loaded from seven miles 63 chains, with nine Jimmy enjoying retirement; with wife Betty; and as a young sailor; Tunstead quarry to Northwich intermediate stops. It was one of stanier 8F 48667 with a train of empty ICI hopper wagons heading and then back empty. Because the north’s busiest commuter for tunstead quarry; stanier 8F 48521 dropping down towards Dove there wasn’t a railway across the lines, in addition to carrying holes tunnel with a load of Derbyshire limestone for Northwich; and top, via Macclesfield, the trains thousands of sports fans to the one of the original 1931 units at Altrincham, waiting to leave for ran, as they still do, heading north, two grounds – for cricket and Oxford Road on its last day in service, Friday 30 April 1971 then swinging left in Stockport to football – at Old Trafford. travel west, each journey clocking Jimmy had ten years on the old retirement and, with his love of asked one colleague if he had up 40 miles, not what a crow original Class 505 DC units before gardening, spent many happy ever met him, his reply was once, would tolerate. Altrincham was linked to the West hours on his allotment near the when he was at the side of the I don’t know the life Coast 25kv system. He then drove line at Rudheath. railway line at Rudheath, waiting expectancy of a Stanier 8F 304 (and 303) units from 1971 Jimmy and Betty, to whom he to photograph a diversion, and, fireman working the hoppers but, until he retired on his 65th was married for 53 years, had four by the time he left, he felt as with a continuous climb of 19 birthday, 11 July 1990. I had the children, one granddaughter, and though he had known Jimmy all miles from Cheadle junction to honour of working four trains as one great granddaughter. his life. Peak Forest summit, Jimmy was his guard in March that year. It’s a testament to his witty and Mel Thorley ready for his next move! The last He enjoyed a long and happy jovial personality that, when I Retired Members’ Section

NORMAN ROBINSON A REAL CHARACTER AND FRIEND TO ALL GRADES Norman Robinson passed away, aged 85, following illness on Tuesday 30 March. Like many, Norman fell foul of shed and depot closure in the 1960s, moving across the city to Newton Heath steam shed where his footplate life remained until retirement. He spent two years’ national service in the Army serving in the Suez Canal zone in Egypt. A real character, and friend to all grades, he will be missed by all the active and retired drivers here. JM Black Newton Heath

18 The ASLEF Journal l June 2021 Obituaries

GEORGE BROWN HORNS BLEW FOR GIANT OF BATH ROAD AND BRISTOL BRANCH T IS with great sadness that I report the passing of ex-Plymouth Friary, I Bristol Bath Road, and First Great Western driver George Brown on Tuesday 22 September 2020. He was 82. His funeral was held on Friday 9 October at Bristol South crematorium. Covid restrictions meant that only family and invited guests were able to attend, observing social distancing protocol. George was born at Launceston in Cornwall in January 1938, grew up in the area, and went to school in Okehampton. He started on the railway straight from school in the summer of 1953 when he was 15. As many young lads of his generation, he began his footplate career George’s retirement presentation: Bernard Kennedy, George, steve truman, George Purver, as a cleaner. This was also when he joined and EC7 Bryan Davies; and (right) George getting his money out to buy his mates a drink ASLEF. He earned promotion to passed cleaner and passed fireman but, unfortunately, in the job security, and maintaining work for ASLEF He retired from the railway in 2001 following a mid-1960s, when the Beeching cuts took members at Bath Road, during his terms of distinguished ASLEF membership stretching effect, Plymouth Friary closed and George was office. Everyone remembers what a great job over 48 years. made redundant. He moved to Bristol Bath he did as an LDC rep protecting ASLEF On the day of his funeral word got around Road where he continued his career, members’ jobs at the depot. that his cortège would pass by Bedminster, his becoming a relief driver and, eventually, George would never suffer fools gladly. He local station. Arrangements were made for the getting promoted to driver in the 1980s. would defend his position and point of view cortège to pause for a while for rail staff, George was always very active in ASLEF, vociferously on the few occasions he was unable to attend the funeral, to pay their last right back to when he joined as a cleaner in questioned at Bristol branch. He was a real respects. When this was done a number of 1953. He was elected to the Bath Road LDC giant of Bath Road and Bristol branch during passing trains blew their warning horns loudly and served effectively in this role for many this period. Following the Bath Road depot to give George a great railway send off. years. Having been made redundant himself, split George elected to work for First Great Bernard Kennedy he had very strong and clear principles about Western on the high speed services to London. Bristol 036 branch secretary

WALTER BELL 51 YEARS OF LOYAL RAILWAY SERVICE KEN HEYDON KEEP THE ‘We are about to go Walter RED FLAG FLYING HIGH through a Riddell It is with a heavy heart tunnel…right Bell: that I have to report about... now !’ said 24 March the passing of retired Grandad with glee as 1927 to Victoria driver Ken the Union of South 25 March Heydon. Ken was a Africa steam train 2021 former Battersea plunged into Stewarts Lane driver, darkness and shot moving to Victoria through a tunnel in when BSL closed. Ken the red soil of the was one of the Borders landscape. founder members of Although 88 years the Victoria social club, Ken heydon: 15 old, at the time of the as well as a devout October 1931 to Borders Railway Philip, he could not spent the latter half the trains he was a trade unionist, serving 19 April 2021 opening in 2015, he help telling stories of of his career on the loved member of the on the LSR for many still knew every bend the good old days on growing network of family and he eagerly years. Even after retirement, Ken was a true in the track, every the rails as though he electric trains. Along read his ASLEF activist, attending branch meetings and signal point, every was promoting the the way, as well as Journal pointing out managing the Retired Members’ Section for bridge and tunnel, job to them! He was many miles of people he knew and our social club. A true gentleman who will be and could recite it all of the generation countryside, he engines he loved so sorely missed. Our condolences to his wife back with a cheeky who were firemen on collected friends for much. Rita, and the rest of his family. RIP Ken and twinkle in his eye. the ‘steamies’, life. With his little His train left the keep the red flag flying high. Walter had 51 cooking eggs on railway pin on his station many years Victoria LSR years of loyal service shovels, and heaving lapel, he seemed to ago and has reached from 1941 to 1992 coal into the burning know everyone, even its destination now. and he had engraved open mouth of great long after he retired, He passed away JOHN PICHOWICZ these memories in engines like and not just those peacefully, at 94, still UNTIMELY PASSING Wandering Willie , and from the Millerhill paying his union his mind. Even on I am afraid I have to report the sad and The Flying Scotsman , yard where he dues, dreaming of his that royal train he untimely passing of Bro John Pichowicz to name a couple. started. Drivers, ASLEF adventures, was more back seat who died on Monday 26 April aged just 35. He worked his signalmen (and and telling stories of driver than Our thoughts are with his family, friends, way up to become a women!) and ticket the railways. passenger! In a and colleagues at this very difficult time. driver and, like his inspectors all knew Jacqueline Bell private audience with Rob Reddan Bedford 020 branch secretary the Queen and Prince brother, Jim Bell, him by ‘Wattie’. On granddaughter

June 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 19 Letters

Join the conversation! Send Just in case you’re nostalgic for those old Chadd your letters by email to vans (or have ever wondered what a tub was) [email protected] or by Royal Mail to the ASLEF After the obituary of Journal at 77 St John Street, former Patricroft and Clerkenwell, Longsight driver Joe Edwards was published London, (Journal , April) with the EC1M 4NN story about train man Johnny hagan in the brake van of a Class 47 from Crewe to Remember pull and push? Manchester, old hands A driver was asking a while ago, in the Journal , have been getting if anybody knew anything about pull and push nostalgic about the trains. Well, at Tonbridge we had several routes Chadd vans, whilst our that were pull and push, that is, where the younger brothers and driver is in the front of the leading coach and sisters, who have never this is what the chariot that Johnny rode in (see the Joe the fireman is on his own on the engine. We seen one, or ridden in a Edwards obit, April) looked like, as a fellow train man went from Tonbridge to Sevenoaks, Dunton tub, never mind been recalls a trip when his driver did remember he was there Green to Westerham, and did eight trips in the bounced along at 60-75 morning rush hour, and the same in the mph in one, have been I picked up a sack of coal Patricroft shed mate, evening. Tonbridge to Maidstone was another curious as to what they from the south end Jock, remembered I was route; Paddock Wood to Hawkhurst also, and were. I took the picture cabin, placed my behind him) ride back that and the Westerham route should never above when we were put prepared rollers and an early ‘dart’. We have been closed. Damn Beeching again. inside at sandbach to (newspaper pages rolled were put inside at Tonbridge to East Grinstead via Tunbridge allow a train to pass. It’s into a tube and folded in sandbach, where I took Wells West and Ashurst junction, and the same tub and class of a bow) in the stove, the photograph. this was Tonbridge to Oxted, again via Tunbridge Wells loco, a 47. tuesday 16 added the coal, and sat the only time I ever West and Groombridge and Ashurst junction. November 1989 found back. Class 47 number photographed it and the This trip took 1 hour 15 minutes, on your own me on the Chadd vans on 47351 was our motive only image I know that on the engine. I enjoyed driving and firing to train man turn 441. My power for the journey to exists of an iconic myself, and loved every minute. It was driver, Jock Mullen, was Crewe south yard. working from the past. supposed to be a passed man, but many of us on turn 420. We left Nothing to bring back, so My guard’s hat is on the were not. Good memories! Longsight as 9K13 with 9h03, consisting of just electric tail lamp. And Dave Weddle RMS Tonbridge two defective coaches Jock, the 47, the tub, and what about those heading for repair. At the me, left Crewe 126 paraffin wing lamps, just Little Whizz Kid mystified back was B955219, a minutes early for a for show! happy days… guard’s van or ‘tub’, built sedate (because, Mel Thorley Retired in 1962 at Ashford works. fortunately, Joe’s former Members’ Section

The fire and rehire petition National rail contracts con Earlier this year I had a parliamentary petition After the government hiked rail fares in published to end the abhorrent practice of ‘fire England and Wales by 2.6% in March – the first and rehire’ when an employer fires an above inflation increase for seven years – it is employee, only to bring him or her back on now busy trying to negotiate new national rail worse terms and conditions, in the name of contracts with a host of failed private train cutting costs and driving up profits for operating companies, which could lock us into Union special with Pendle hill in background shareholders. After months of sharing the this broken privatised system for decades to Thank you for the copies of your excellent petition and reaching out to thousands on come. Bringing all rail franchises back into Journal and the review of my book Freight social media, the petition has reached the public ownership would be simple, with the Trains in the North of England (April) and that minimum requirement of 10k signatures. This publicly-owned Operator of Last Resort – plea to ASLEF members for photographs and means the government will respond to the which already runs LNER and Northern – ready anecdotes for my next book Passenger Trains in petition. While this is a big step forward, there to go. This could immediately enable fare cuts the North of England: 1955-2020 (May). I have is a greater opportunity with this petition, as of 5%, and would ensure our railways are run already had a couple of responses, which is reaching 100k signatures can signal a in the interests of passengers, and the good news, including this pic of an ASLEF parliamentary debate on ending fire and environment, to help get our country moving union special train with Pendle Hill in the rehire. Will you join me in the fight for our again as we emerge from the pandemic. background. Enjoyed reading the piece on Ian working rights, by backing this parliamentary Ellie Harrison Bring Back British Rail Hunter of Mott the Hoople fame, and what petition through signing and sharing it as far about Whizz Kid Ariel Bender? Now that was and wide as possible and forcing through a BRITISH RAIL TRAIN CREW some real gone cat with a name to die for! debate on ending this practice, once and for MANUALS 33056 SERIES WANTED Remember the Saturday Gigs ? Great Journals all? You can find it at: for my personal collection. Good and thanks again. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/575544 price paid for all wanted manuals. John Matthews Preston, Lancashire Jack Meredith Neath Port Talbot email Tony Middleton, GBRf driver, at [email protected]

20 The ASLEF Journal l June 2021 Points & Crossings The thunder and swish of breakers on the iron road The world’s first passenger railway, the Swansea to Oystermouth tramway, was approved this month two centuries ago. CHRIS PROCTOR , who has written for The Guardian , The Times , the Morning Star , the New Statesman and Tribune , as well as spending eight years at ASLEF, revisits the Mumbles Railway, where three other transport innovations – wind power, electrical power, and railway stations – were also introduced the swansea & Mumbles Railway down the years N JUNE 1804, 217 years ago this the petrochemical plant at Port Talbot. month, an Act of Parliament When the Swansea & Mumbles Railway I established the Swansea to began it was a freight operation, taking tolls Oystermouth tramway. It became celebrated from firms who used it to haul their own cargo as the first passenger railway, but the line was the booms and the rigging. wagons. They were largely companies also the scene of three other innovative The experiment, based on the expertise of transporting limestone from the quarries in experiments: wind power, electrical power, sailors, had proved that wind power was Mumbles to Swansea, as there was no and railway stations. possible, but there were provisos: even in the connecting road. In the same year the railway – or tramway Mumbles, wind isn’t guaranteed. The event One of the investors who raised £9,000 as it was then called – was set up, the first proved to be an interesting, but unique, (about £8 million today) to finance the original newspaper to be published in Wales, The railway journey. lines was Benjamin French. The following year Cambrian and Weekly General Advertiser for he offered £20-a-year for the right to carry Swansea and the Principality of Wales , was ‘I was conveyed in a carriage of a singular passengers along the track; as a result, the first established. In the third year of its existence it construction, built for the conveniency [sic] passenger service in the world began on 25 reported on ‘an experiment of a novel kind’. of parties, who go to Oystermouth. The car March 1807. This was also the date that the Today we’d call it ‘an eco-friendly, sustainably- contains twelve persons and is constructed Slave Trade Act outlawed the slave trade powered, trial’. It was an attempt to propel a ‘chiefly of iron, its four wheels run on an iron throughout the British Empire. A momentous train carriage by the power of wind. railway by the aid of one horse, and is an day indeed. The only similarity between the 1807 easy and light vehicle’ – Elizabeth Isabella version and modern locomotives is the Spence 1808 ‘What could be more fun for the children presence of a rail. Modern engines are rated at than a coach ride along the shore to between 4,000 and 18,000 horsepower. In A century later, the line was still at the Mumbles? One hears the thud of the horses’ 1807 they had a horsepower of one: and that forefront of what we would call ‘green’ hooves, the gritting of sand between rail was, quite literally, a horse. The experiment of technology. Two years before the railway’s ‘and wheel, the thunder and swish of 1807 was to see if the nag could be replaced 1904 centenary there had been an experiment breakers’ – Patrick Thornhill by wind power. Over to The Cambrian : involving battery-powered ‘accumulator’ cars, ‘An experiment of a novel kind was made to see if they could replace the steam locos Enough innovation, surely? Not a bit of it! on the Oystermouth Tramroad to ascertain the that had taken over from horse-drawn power Passengers wishing to take the trip to practicability of a carriage proceeding to the in 1877. It turned out that the technology Oystermouth from Swansea gathered at The Mumbles without horse, by the aid of wind wasn’t sufficiently advanced and, after a Mount which can lay claim to being the world’s alone. Some Jolly Sons of Neptune rigged a number of failures, the idea was dropped. It first railway station. No one is entirely sure waggon with a long-sail, and then, with the was a concept before its time: electrification what the terminus looked like, but it’s safe to wind blowing strongly, and as fair as could be didn’t come for another 27 years, in April 1929. say it didn’t have very much in the way of wished, set out from the quay and, after The special, rather swish, cars that were facilities. It probably didn’t have platforms or clearing the houses, dropped anchor at the made for the battery experiment didn’t go booking offices. All we can say for certain is end of the tramroad in less than three-quarters entirely unused. One of them had its electrical that it was sited close to what is today’s of an hour, having come a distance of about equipment removed and was used to convey Swansea’s museum. four and a half miles.’ King Edward VII to Swansea so that he could A great deal of railway history came to an Sadly, no images remain of this event, but it cut the first sod of the King’s Dock in 1904. The end on 5 January 1960. Despite vigorous is easy to conjure up a picture of a wheeled same carriage was used 16 years later to protests from the people of Mumbles, the final truck with a vast billowing sail creaking its way convey Edward’s successor, George V, to take journey along the famous p-way came at along the seafront at something over walking part in the ceremony opening the Queen’s 11:42. Now strollers tread a seafront footpath pace. The forerunner of the ‘second man’ Dock. Swansea was then the major centre for along the length of a track that once carried up would presumably have been responsible for imports for the BP oil refinery at Llandarcy and to 40,000 people on Bank Holidays.

June 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 21 Last Word Nothing is a dish for every day On the write lines: henry KEITH RICHMOND opens a Russell, Kevin few newly-published books Crossley- to enjoy with a pie and a pint holland, – now we’re allowed to John Kinsella, venture out to the pub and Justin Bailey garden – this summer

HE Short Story of the Novel by Henry legends, as well as Anglo-Saxon verse – WH T Russell (£14.99) sounds both Auden and JRR Tolkien encouraged him to paradoxical and punny, but Laurence translate the Old English epic Beowulf . His new King, the publisher, has already unleashed The dispatched to a labour camp in Siberia, terrible collection – Gravity for Beginners (Arc, £10.99) – Short Story of Art and The Short Story of Film experiences he used to good effect in Crime reveals that influence on his work. ‘You don’t and it is, in fact, designed, rather nattily, to a and Punishment . need long words when you can use good, successful series template, not unlike some of This is a monumental undertaking: as well clean, short ones’ viz : ‘Here’s a bone-house of those entertaining and informative Eyewitness as the novels and the novelists, Russell sally crabs, | and a wicked witch’s purse, | spikes travel guides from Dorling Kindersley. explains, clearly, simply and easily, literary we’ve never seen before…’ and ‘what I watch is It’s described on the back flap as ‘a pocket terms such as Modernism, postmodernism, your hand steady | as the boom lifts, and the guide to key genres, novels, themes, and fantasy, horror, roman-à-clef, roman-fleuve, boat | drops, and above my knees the surge techniques’ but that might depend on the size bildungsroman, picaresque, epistolary, and departs, departs…’ and the plaintive, ‘Of what of your pocket. Because it measures 8½ by 6in stream of consciousness, as well as tackling once was | what’s left will soon be gone’. and runs to 224 pages! And covers an typical themes like love, death, sex, class, enormous subject from The Tale of the Genji by money, and adultery and subjects such as ‘Someone is revving the shit out of a Murasaki Shikibu (c1010), Gargantua and symbolism, parody, satire, allusion, and, chainsaw’ – The Damage Done by John Pantagruel by François Rabelais (1532) and naturally, beginnings and endings. Kinsella Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes (1605) to The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood ‘Nothing is a dish for every day’ – Norman ‘John Kinsella is a prolific poet, playright, (1985), Disgrace by JM Coetzee (1999) and My Douglas South Wind novelist, academic, and eco-activist whose Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (2012). work is informed by his love for the landscape Although the author’s purpose is to be of his native Western Australia. In Brimstone ‘You never really understand a ‘informative and authoritative – and he is – (Arc, £10.99) Kinsella, ‘a supporter of person…until you climb into his skin and there are several wonderfully waspish asides: worldwide indigenous rights’ and ‘vegan walk around in it’ – ‘In a sense, all novels can be described as anarchist pacifist for 33 years’ wears his heart Harper Lee To Kill a Mockingbird psychological. However, some are more on his sleeve and his art on the page: ‘And ‘ psychological than others’ and ‘The when leaflets fostering discrimination | Appear Russell, who has good taste, good judgement, commercial success of The Lord of the Rings outside a wheatbelt supermarket, they gloss | and an elegant prose style, takes a widescreen brought Tolkien much additional retirement Lines taken out of context and make a approach and includes not just canonical income, which he welcomed, and also great darkness burn.’ English Literature novels such as Robinson fame, which he did not.’ And while this book Crusoe by Daniel Defoe (1719), arguably the has the US market firmly in mind – football, ‘If we want things to stay as they are, things first English novel, Tristram Shandy , heretically, is referred to as soccer – he dryly will have to change’ – Giuseppe Tomasi di Middlemarch , and Pride and Prejudice , but One offers this observation about political novels: Lampedusa The Leopard Hundred Years of Solitude , A Wizard of Earthsea ‘The Quiet American by Graham Greene – a very and The Shining , as well as Moby-Dick , prescient novel, as it turned out – conveys the ‘Today’s London Overground by Justin Bailey Huckleberry Finn and The Great Gatsby , from author’s misgivings about the United States’ (Pen & Sword, £30) is a pictorial record of what across the Atlantic; and, in languages other involvement in Vietnam.’ Quite. is sometimes referred to as the Orange line, or, than English, Madame Bovary , The Name of the more cheekily, the M25 Railway, which was Rose and All Quiet on the Western Front . ‘Gravity is simply mutual attraction’ – Kevin established in 2007 as a suburban rail network, He shines a revealing light on novelists as Crossley-Holland run by TfL, to complement the Underground, different in style and subject as Charles and to serve the capital and the commuter Dickens, Joseph Conrad, James Joyce, Virginia Kevin Crossley-Holland is probably best known belt of Greater London. Woolf, Samuel Beckett, Thomas Mann, Franz ‘for his stories for children but he has enjoyed Justin looks at the routes, the stations, and Kafka, Albert Camus, Georges Simenon and parallel careers as a publisher – he was the trains, including the Class 172, 315, 317, Marcel Proust, as well as explosively radical children’s books editor at Macmillan and, later, 378 as well as the new 710, and also the writers like Emile Zola, Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor editorial director at Victor Gollancz – and poet. freight trains that run over the Overground Dostoevsky, who was sentenced to death for He has vividly reinterpreted British and Irish routes, too. A fine tribute to a neglected revolutionary activities before being folk tales, Norse myths, and the Arthurian suburban railway.

22 The ASLEF Journal l June 2021 Across Down Prize Crossword 3 Roman god of love 1 Extremely cold On track 6 Whirlwind or 2 Short coat Prize crossword 182 by tom Williams hurricane 3 Chestnut colour 7 Liquid part of blood 4 Downy-skinned 8 Examine for fruit Eden feared accuracy 5 Evil spirit 9 Trunked mammal 6 Diplomatic 12 Hard fire-lighting 10 Large rough- Edward was mineral haired terrier 14 A nurse 11 A raging flow a Nazi spy 15 Surgical thread of water 18 Longhandled 13 Compulsion spoon by threat 19 Starting point 14 Underground 20 Garlicflavoured storage room onion 16 The creamy-white 21 Yellow parts of of 9A’s tusks eggs 17 Fourth month

the Führer welcomes the Duke in 1937 solution to Prize Crossword 181 Across: 1 Pat on the back 7 Donut 8 Bang HE Duke and Duchess of 10 Today 11 Sieve 13 Sprain 15 Recess 17 Dress Name...... T Windsor, fresh from their 18 Brand 19 Name 21 Igloo 22 Standing honeymoon in Venice, after his joke Down: 1 Pedestrian 2 Tendency Address...... abdication as King Edward VIII, enjoyed 3 Natters 4 Hordes 5 Baby 6 Can a 12-day tour of Nazi Germany, the highlight of which, on 22 October 1937, 9 Grindstone 12 Waterloo ...... 14 Padding 16 Scampi 18 Bean 20 Ant was tea with Adolf Hitler at his private retreat, the Berghof, in the Bavarian ...... Congratulations to Jeeten Patel of Alps. The Führer warmly shook Wallis’s Enfield , Middlesex , who was last hand, turned to the Duke, and gave a month’s winner. The winner of this ...... Nazi salute. Edward reciprocated, month’s Prize Crossword will receive Marks & raising his right arm: ‘Heil Hitler!’ Spencer vouchers to the value of £25...... Those who would excuse the Duke have argued that he was merely being polite. But, as Dean Palmer reveals in l You can see more of Tom Williams’s Postcode...... Tea with Hitler (The History Press, £20), crosswords, word games and puzzles at the Duke was not just an anti-Semite wordgames.co.uk with exceedingly right-wing views, who told Hitler he should ‘encourage the If you successfully complete this month’s Prize Crossword please send the solution by post to the mass emigration of the Jews from Editor, ASLEF Journal , 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN (or take a photo on your Germany’, he was a Nazi spy who would, mobile phone of the grid and send the image to [email protected]) by Friday 11 June had the Luftwaffe won the Battle of Britain, have been put back on the throne as a puppet king for the greater glory of the Third Reich. ASLEF’s legal services ‘The truth, borne out by recently- released papers,’ says Palmer, ‘is that the have you been sacked, or are in trouble at work, and cannot get hold of Windsors were staunch Nazi your branch secretary, local representative or District Organiser in an sympathisers who intrigued against emergency? Call our industrial relations department on 020 7324 2400 Britain.’ Edward was a close friend of Oswald Mosley, leader of the British (9am to 5pm Monday to thursday or 9am to 4pm on Friday) or leave a Union of Fascists, while Wallis Simpson message on the answer service, or email [email protected] with a subject – ‘very fond’, noted Special Branch, ‘of heading of ‘For the attention of the the company of men’ – enjoyed a torrid industrial relations dept’. affair, behind his back, with the German ambassador, Joachim von Ribbentrop. Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden began withholding confidential information from the King in 1936 after the Security Changed your address? Please let us know! Just fill in this form Service discovered he was leaking Name...... secret material, including plans for the defence of Belgium, to the Nazis. Address...... Churchill insisted the Windsors leave Fascist Spain for the Bahamas in 1940 ...... where they could be closely monitored. Postcode ...... Telephone...... Edward was never held to account but, in the 1960s, cheerfully confided to his Branch...... Membership No...... chum Lord Kinross, ‘I never thought Hitler was such a bad chap.’ Please return coupon to: ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN Keith Richmond

June 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 23 social justice law rm 100 years as a leading

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