l a n r u o

ASLEFThe ASSOCIATED SOCIETY of LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS & FIREMEN J SEPTEMBER 2016 Britain, Brexit and the railway – what next?

SIMON WELLER on what leaving the EU means for rail GREGOR GALL reveals the truth about One Nation Tories MARZ COLOMBINI enjoys TRB and cricket at Tolfest

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Mick Whelan mans the aSlEF stall at Tolpuddle We could be in for a long battle 7 8

E ARE used to hearing how politics is boring, the young are not engaged, and News W there is no difference between the parties; and, at this time of year, the papers and blogs are usually full of silly season stories. Not  Colas, Southern, and Corbyn in Bristol 4 this year! It is quite clear that, despite having years  Playing Pokemon Go on the railway 5 to prepare for a referendum they called to try and solve their own internal problems, the Tories had  Ballast dust problems for freight drivers 6 not prepared for the possibility of a vote for Brexit.  Time for Wilkinson to go, says think tank 7 Given the traditional leanings of the party, this is a 10-11 surprise; but, in an era of infighting, Michael Gove,  D-train on track for the Ricoh Arena 8 arch-Brexiteer, is sidelined as Boris Johnson, David Davis and Liam Fox spend more time empire building than getting on with it. There was always going to be a period of uncertainty, post- Features referendum, but this fumbling and incompetence does not help.  Brexit and the railway – AGS Simon 10-11 As for the Labour Party, we have a leader that Weller on where we go from here the CLPs and hundreds of thousands of members, but not the PLP, want. Wouldn’t it be strange to  Marz Colombini on TRB, cricket and 12-13 have a popular leader with policies with which another exhilarating Tolpuddle festival voters identify? Not according to some in the PLP,  Education: Graham Chesters on getting 14 and NEC, who think, ‘Let's try and force out a railway workers up to speed with IT leader who was the overwhelming choice of 2015,’ 12-13 under a system they wanted but now seek to  Gregor Gall examines the curious 15 gerrymander. I can understand a cut-off point for phenomenon of the One Nation Tory administrative purposes – maybe a month – but six months to exclude 130,000 members, and then opening it up for two days to those prepared to pay £25, is the worst form of hypocrisy. Kudos Regulars to those who challenged this shabby decision, both for their perseverance and their passion for  Branch News and 100 Years of Union 16-17 representative democracy. We have been out campaigning as the annual  Obituaries 19 RPI figure for July is released in August and tells us  Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21 how much fares will increase in January. The public have had enough. Many have to travel  Last Word: Best of the books. Two pints 22 further due to the high cost of housing, transport of lager and a packet of crisps, please poverty remains a real issue, and it's you, and  On Track, Prize Crossword, ASLEF’s Legal 23 those on the front line, who take the abuse for an 22 increasingly overcrowded and, in many cases, Services and Change of Address poor experience. Imposition of rosters in abrogation of all our agreements is reflected in our ballot for industrial The ASLEF Journal is published every month by: action in District 1; what will be next? Colas IM told us had told them not to recruit; ASLEF, 77 St John Street, , EC1M 4NN Tel: 020 7324 2400 we checked and that is untrue. This is another email: [email protected] website: www.aslef.org.uk disingenuous company which wants to hurt its employees. It could be a long battle... EDITor Mick Whelan l DESIGnEr Michael Cronin l PrInTEr TU Ink, 107 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2AB Yours fraternally aDvErTISInG Ten Alps, Portland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5BH. Contact Edwin Rodrigues on 0207 657 1819 or [email protected] l ClaSSIFIED aDS [email protected] or call 020 7324 2400 Mick Whelan, general secretary The acceptance of an advert does not necessarily imply endorsement of that product or service by ASLEF CHanGE oF aDDrESS Please post your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN

September 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 3 news

aSlEF members at Colas – hell bent on Colas rail voted overwhelmingly in not talking to us favour of industrial action UR DISPUTE with Colas continues as the company drags its heels over O pay, driver establishments, the QUOTE … abrogation of agreements and associated ‘There’s a small group willing to safety concerns. The company has proved destroy our party just to remove reluctant to get round the table and resolve Jeremy Corbyn.’ – John Mcdonnell the problems. …UNQUOTE ‘It would appear that Colas is hell bent on avoiding any discussion with ASLEF on these together with our annual pay submission, are issues and is determined to use disciplinary reach agreement, as we have done with other still outstanding. ‘Throughout this dispute we procedures in an inflammatory manner to operators, on payment of average earnings have reiterated our willingness to meet Colas target drivers and representatives,’ said GS whilst on leave; the refusal of Colas to recruit to resolve these issues,’ said Dicky. ‘Colas has, so Mick Whelan. ‘When employers act with such or replace drivers on IM contracts; and far, failed to respond to our offer of a meeting.’ intransigence, and aggression, we are concerns over the abrogation of working Mick added: ‘Colas are pursuing an openly confronted with the harsh choice of either agreements and related safety issues,’ said aggressive attitude to discipline; there are now putting up with it, or using industrial action to DO6 Dicky Fisher. ‘The result gave our three drivers suspended on allegations of gross get them back around the table to negotiate, executive committee a very strong mandate misconduct, including the company council and ensure justice for our members.’ to put in place the cessation of overtime secretary.’ Members voted overwhelmingly in June in working, the initial 24 hour strike, and to later  A meeting for members with the EC favour of taking industrial action: 82.9% voted advise of further dates.’ president, company council and lead officer in for strike action and 91.4% voted to take part We have, now, received an acceptable attendance has been arranged for 1pm on in industrial action short of a strike. proposal over holiday pay, which is awaiting Saturday 27 August at the Brunswick, 1 Railway ‘The ballot was a result of not being able to implementation. But the other issues, Terrace, Derby. Passengers’ Southern discomfort Angry passengers complained that said: ‘The level of piled more pressure when she asked for ‘a disruption has been on under-fire definitive time’ that immense, and Southern boss Charles services would enough is enough. Horton at a meet the improve, she received The way in which the managers session in only ‘waffle and strike has been Victoria station. The evasion.’ She added: handled GTR CEO said ‘I’m sick of the demonstrates, yet commuters had been constant excuses. I again, that GTR is not ‘very honest’ when pay Southern £4,000 a fit for purpose. It’s expressing their year for a service I time to strip them of frustration with the don’t get.’ this franchise and put Jez we will dismal service – the Paul Maynard, the this rail line in public delays, cancellations new Rail Minister, has hands. The aSlEF, led by Do7 Brian Corbett and reduced said the current level government has the and branch secretary Bernard timetable – his of service the TOC is power to listen to On track with ASLEF Kennedy, in action at the Jeremy company provides. offering is passengers, remove Corbyn rally in Bristol in august Rona Hunnisett, a unacceptable. the franchise from charity worker who And Caroline GTR, freeze fares and TWEETS OF ThE MONTh commutes from Lucas, Green Party MP compensate people Brighton to London, for Brighton Pavilion, fairly.’ Inheritance tax: Duke of Westminster’s £9bn CLASS CALL estate is held in trust so will not pay billions in tax. The first of ten new dual-mode Class 88 locomotives has been Aditya Chakrabortty delivered to Direct Rail Services by Stadler from its factory at Valencia in Spain. The company says the 88 offers ‘a step change for the Mick and Marz at osa’s Waterloo How the grotesquely delivery of freight and passenger services’ in the UK. branch diversity day. unfair ‘something for nothing’ inheritance culture of the super rich robs Britain. MINd ThE GAp Kevin Maguire new figures reveal the Conservative government is spending more on Crossrail in Anyone willing to sink london than on all projects in northern so low, so often, should England. The DfT will spend just £280 per never be allowed to serve as person in the north over the next four years our Commander-in-Chief. compared with £1,870 per person in london. hillary Clinton

4 The ASLEF Journal l September 2016 news

Gamers play Pokemon Off the rails

Go on railway tracks , who presents the drive time show on LBC, and runs Biteback Publishing, was ETWORK typically waspish about Theresa May’s new N RAIL has line-up on Tim Montgomerie’s website warned Conservative Home : ‘Love the old rogue as I do, Nintendo that people I and many others were left scratching our playing its popular heads that John Hayes has survived yet another reshuffle. online game Better to have him pissing out than in? What other reason Pokemon Go – which can there be? He’s gone back to a job in the Department for involves finding virtual Transport, where he was universally loathed in his previous characters in real Signs at stint there. Patrick McLoughlin, I am reliably informed, locations – are Birmingham moved heaven and earth to get him moved out, so I do walking on railway new Street wonder how he and Chris Grayling will get on…’ tracks at Birmingham warn gamers New Street station. of the pETER SNOW , the veteran broadcaster, Electronic signs warn dangers didn’t exactly cover himself in glory with gamers: ‘It’s easy to Trainspotting Live on BBC4 in July. The get distracted by have safety concerns and are too close to programme turned out to be less than live catching Pokemon. It about the locations the working railway. – a front page splash in The Sun pointed is illegal, and very of certain PokeGyms, We have shared our out that ostensibly live footage of a Class dangerous, to trespass where gamers go to concerns with the 66 was actually an old clip posted on on the railway – don’t train their virtual app developers and YouTube, bare winter trees and all, five months before – risk it for a game.’ monsters, and Nintendo in the hope and all that time spent on gushing about how wonderful Lisbeth Fromling, chief PokeStops, which that we can work the Class 66 is showed – to our members who drive the old health and safety players visit to collect together to make the rattlers – how little he really knows. officer at NR, said: ‘We items in the game, app safer.’ EdWARd hEATh , according to a new biography by Michael McManus, was so DfT PPS speaks out against HS2 unpopular with his own MPs that Timothy Victoria Prentis, the new Parliamentary Private Secretary to junior Kitson, his PPS, begged him to step outside ministers at the Department for Transport, has come out against HS2. Downing Street and buy colleagues a drink The Conservative MP for Banbury, through which the proposed high or two in the House of Commons. A few speed rail route runs, said: ‘While I recognise the importance of days later Kitson was delighted to see the investment in our transport network, I am strongly opposed to the Prime Minister in animated conversation building of HS2. I will continue to oppose it in principle, as I do not with a prominent backbencher over a pint. Until he heard think it represents value for money for taxpayers, and the the PM pompously tell the unfortunate fellow, ‘That was a environmental costs are too high.’ bloody awful speech you made today.’

SOUThERN cancelled services from TOCS hIdE Wallington and Streatham Common to QUOTE … Victoria after graffiti was scrawled on ‘The Conservative Party ChEAp FARES carriages overnight. Fed up commuters must double its joked on social media that Southern membership – it’s time for Millions of passengers are Failways had been spray painted on the carriages, while Maymentum.’ – Jake being overcharged as the others wondered why – and how much – graffiti would Berry , Tory Mp for privatised train operating cause an entire train to be cancelled. One said, ‘Does it say Rossendale & darwen in companies hide cheap fares in “Charlie Horton resign”?’ referring to the troubled Conservative home a bid to exploit customers and company’s hapless chief executive. …UNQUOTE drive up profits, according to an investigation in The Times . ANdY hUdd , in his piece on Zimbabwe (Journal , August) revealed that when he CONFERENCES & RALLIES and Brian Corbett visited ZARWU’s head The Burston strike school rally is at Crown Green, Burston, near Diss, office he had a quick look at their collection Norfolk, on Sunday 4 September. The Trades union Congress is at the of books in the boardroom – and spotted a Brighton Centre from Sunday 11 to Wednesday 14 September. The copy of The Lighted Flame by Norman McKillop, presented is at the BT convention centre in by Ray Buckton. Here it is on the shelf! from Sunday 25 to Wednesday 28 September. The Battle of Cable Street march is at Altab Ali Park, London E1, on Sunday 9 October. The got a shout-out Scottish Trades union Congress is at the Macdonald Highlands hotel, during Andy Murray’s victory Aviemore, from Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 April 2017. aSlEF’s speech after the men’s singles final annual assembly of delegates is at the Marriott Royal Hotel, Bristol, at Wimbledon. Much to his chagrin from Monday 22 to Thursday 25 May. the capacity crowd on centre court – most of whom vote Tory – 500 CLUB: K Graham, with number 145, won the August draw, promptly booed the soon to be ex-Prime Minister. scooping the RMS prize money jackpot of £374.

September 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 5 news

put these controls in place. The ORR has made the reduction of worker Ashes to ashes exposure to silica dust a priority of its occupational health programme and is saying the right things to employers. But what about dust to dust ASLEF members driving ballast ? MICK hOLdER of ASLEF’s health and On the surface it doesn’t look like being a safety department wants to know if massive problem for drivers as they are likely to be well away from any dust in a sealed train ballast dust is a problem for freight cab. However, we know how badly some drivers windows and door seals fit on some locos (eg GBrf train with ballast on board ISTER unions are raising concerns Class 66s), and how dirty some of the cab with employers about the risk to silicosis, a progressive and debilitating lung interiors get, so it could be an issue the union S their members who are exposed to disease, and cancer. As well as this the dust should take up with employers, but we don’t potentially unhealthy ballast dust on the can seriously irritate the nose, eyes, and skin. know for sure. railway – and we’d like to know whether this is All permanent way workers laying ballast We are therefore asking any ballast drivers problem for the drivers of ballast trains, too. will be exposed to airborne silica dust but it who have had a dust up working ballast to let Ballast is made up of broken rock and can need not happen as dust can be controlled by us know in the health and safety department contain high levels of silica dust which can – damping down and there are high efficiency at head office. Please contact either Dave and does – become airborne and will be vacuum cleaners which will extract the dust. Bennett [email protected] or Mick Holder breathed in by anyone exposed to it. This is All of this is well known but it appears some [email protected] if you have anything to known as respirable dust which can cause railway employers need encouragement to tell so we can report on it.

£1BN METRO FOR NORTh-EAST Mafia in awe of TOCs The North East Combined Authority has approved a metro and local rail strategy with £1 billion of planned investment in the Tyne & This wickedly funny Wear Metro and main line passenger services ‘story’ – Mafia in awe over the next 20 years. Nexus, the regional of UK train companies transport agency which owns 78km of – appeared on the dedicated Metro infrastructure around satirical website The Newcastle-upon-Tyne, is due to submit a Daily Mash last detailed business case by the end of the year. month: NECA notes that there are several ‘disused or A group of New little-used rail routes that thread across York mobsters has Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear’ visited Britain to get which have the potential to be revived ‘for tips on exploitation local passenger services’. These provide, it says, from train companies. a ‘starting point for detailed evaluation’ of The gangsters Metro extensions, either using dedicated expressed their infrastructure or shared running with regional admiration for the Don Corleone pulling the strings trains. way trains operate in expensive one, it’s government. Cook up maintenance then the UK, which they BOMBARdIER BOOST consider to be the nice. Real nice. Season some bullshit about blow the loot on Bombardier has been awarded a £1 billion most beautiful racket commuter tickets are vital track women and horses.’ contract as part of what the DfT calls ‘the ever devised. Wise the sweetest part of biggest investment in the railways since the guy Tommy Logan the operation Victorian era.’ The contract is for 660 state of said: ‘One day it’s £75 because there’s no QUOTE … the art carriages to be built at the firm’s factory for an off-peak return. other way for people ‘Remainers sought to rebut the case for in Derby for service with Abellio East Anglia, The next day – boom to get to work. Plus Leave by insisting that the notorious which has been awarded a new franchise – it’s double the price! they got this family £350m was bogus. But, though correct, running from October 2016 until 2025. A Nobody asks any saver grift that’s more those Remainers were responding in the further 400 new carriages for the franchise are questions. They got expensive than the wrong idiom. Leave was channelling a to be supplied by Stadler Rail of Switzerland. this other shit like regular fare. All this howl of pain from those who felt that super off-peak just to and they don’t even 21st century life was passing them by. make it real bother to fix the Remain replied as if they were taking confusing. Poor toilets. You know the part in a policy seminar.’ – Jonathan Marz Colombini models schmucks don’t know best thing? If they Freedland in aSlEF’s Kes tee-shirt – what ticket to buy so want more money, …UNQUOTE with a Harvey Smith to they just get the most they just ask the the Tories’ anti-Trade union Bill – based on the iconic image from the RAIL FARES – ANd dIVIdENdS FOR ShAREhOLdERS – SOAR famous Ken loach film. Rail fares have increased at double the rate of wages since 2010, according new analysis by the £10 (inc p&p); email TUC. It reveals that fares have risen by 25% in the last six years, while average weekly earnings [email protected] or have grown by 12%. Dividends paid to shareholders of the privatised train companies soared by visit our online shop at 21% in the last year to £222 million. ‘Passengers are paying ever more and getting even less,’ said www.aslef.org.uk TUC GS Frances O’Grady. ‘Enough is enough. It’s time for rail services to be publicly owned.’

6 The ASLEF Journal l September 2016 news

FREIGhT TRAIN ShOT AT Wilko – over and out? A driver was shaken, but not hurt, when his freight train was shot at causing the ETER WILKINSON, Trains, a company windscreen to smash. The attack happened the controversial “established in 1997 to near a railway bridge in Swindon Road, p civil servant who promote the formation of Cheltenham, on 25 July. British Transport earns £265,000 a year as private sector companies Police says it believes the attack was carried director of rail passenger operating in the UK rail out by a high powered air rifle or slingshot. services at the Department sector”. The financial benefits Gloucestershire Police sent armed officers to for Transport, and who of shareholders in private the scene. A spokesman said: ‘We were called created a storm earlier this train operators is at odds with by BTP reporting the driver’s window of a train year when he described train the provision of a safe, Peter Wilkinson of the DfT is had been shot at and completely shattered.’ drivers as ‘muppets’, and said reliable train service for the under fire for a conflict of he was determined to force benefit of paying customers. interest us out on strike, has been told ‘Wilkinson’s personal threatens the livelihoods and QUOTE … he should resign because of a interest in making money out well-being of those ‘All the evidence suggests staff deter conflict of interest. of Britain’s transport employees who have crime.’ – Stephen Joseph , Campaign The think tank 38 Degrees infrastructure jeopardises the subscribed to join a trade for Better Transport says: ‘Peter Wilkinson is also good running of a service union, and places profits …UNQUOTE co-owner of Renaissance crucial to the nation, ahead of passengers.’ Show me the way to go home

AOIFE FINNERAN of the RSSB wants engaging with you, please get involved in the end user, and in the driver interviews your help with a new study about route the coming months we will be running. If knowledge in the rail industry we plan to talk to you have any drivers to get your questions, please The Rail Safety and specific tasks (eg input in developing contact our Standards Board has controlling train the route story researchers Huw launched a route speed, emergency approach. So look out Gibson and Aoife Andrew Dickinson, a driver, knowledge project to events, and station for us getting in touch Finneran at the RSSB. has picked up a Serco Pulse award for trying investigate how duties). The RSSB with you, through You can email them to save a man’s life at Meadowhall station, drivers can best understands the your employer, and, if via humanfactors@ Sheffield. Andrew spotted the man, who had acquire and maintain importance of you’re interested, rssb.co.uk collapsed on the platform after a heart route knowledge. We attack, as he pulled into the station. ‘People are interested in the were stepping over him to board the train so route information provided to drivers EC president Tosh I left the train to call the paramedics and McDonald offer assistance.’ Sadly, the man died. But and how route knowledge addresses Northern MD Alex Hynes praised Andrew’s supporters of quick thinking and selfless behaviour. competencies are developed. labour leader We are aiming to Jeremy Corbyn at a Tea and coffee tastes develop a ‘route story’ rally in london better in a red and white approach, which is a against (hashtag aSlEF mug! Price £3.50 route-specific labour coup) the (inc p&p); email summary of route right-wing plotters [email protected] or visit our online knowledge cues of Progress and shop at www.aslef.org.uk along a route and the PlP. how they are used for

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September 2016 l The ASLEF Jour n al 7 news

Shooter’s D-train sent to Coventry

ONDON MIDLAND is to run a Vivarail D-train prototype ( Journal , July) in L passenger service on the Coventry to Nuneaton line. The three car train is being leased to a consortium, led by the West Midlands Combined Authority, for a year. Adrian Shooter, Vivarail’s chief executive, said: ‘I’m delighted the Class 230 will soon be QUOTE… running on the main line carrying passengers. ‘Too many Labour politicians look We will be supplying a train of the highest like they’d be itching to use their hand sanitiser as soon as they touch quality with three carriages fitted out in a The prototype D-train on test at Quinton range of designs to get valuable feedback on an ordinary person.’ – Chelley Ryan , Morning Star what passengers want. The two driving cars We are proud to be based in the West will retain their original crowd-busting layout Midlands and pleased to see our train running …UNQUOTE whilst the middle car will showcase different on a local route.’ seating and table arrangements. Our aim is to Roger Lawrence, transport lead on the on this line.’ Councillor David Welsh added: gain direct thoughts from the public about WMCA, said: ‘The D-train is an innovative ‘Anything we can do to boost the number of what suits their needs which we will be proposition which could help us get around people that can travel to the Ricoh by train has important in discussions with future operators. the UK shortage of suitable diesel trains to run got to be good news.’

GAME ON FOR SOUThERN FAILWAYS Labour Web developers frustrated by continuing delays on Southern railways – the company dubbed Southern Failways by long- all his life suffering passengers – have used their ordeal as inspiration for a new online game which ridicules the ToC and its ‘rubbish’ A big ASLEF contingent led by management. Tens of thousands of angry GS Mick Whelan and EC commuters have downloaded ramJam’s president Tosh McDonald paid game Southern rail Tycoon – the aim of tribute to Dave Hopper, which is to stop guards from boarding secretary of the Durham Tosh, Davey and Mick at aaD in Brighton two years ago trains so services are cancelled and ‘boom’ Miners’ Association, who died profits are picked up from passengers. once unexpectedly on 16 July, at his 1984/85 and the closure of the 132nd Miners’ Gala – the 31st a sufficient number of train guards board a funeral in Durham on 29 July. Durham coalfield,’ said Mick. on his tour of duty – which train and a delayed service eventually ‘Davey was elected general ‘He was an inspirational leader attracted the biggest crowd in departs, the player loses the game. a secretary of the Durham area who held firm to his deeply felt 60 years. ‘That achievement, as Southern rail spokesman said: ‘It’s nothing NUM in 1985 and led the union socialist principles all his life.’ well as the Big Meetings to to laugh at.’ through the very difficult years Just a week before he died come, are his legacy to the after the bitter miners’ strike of Davey presided over the labour movement,’ said Mick. RUSSIAN ROULETTE a woman was decapitated by a speeding TRAINLINE pUShES FOR SUpER pEAK pRICES WITh BIG BROThER SNOOp App train while having sex just inches from the Trainline – the online rail ticket retailer which trades as thetrainline.com – is developing Trans-Siberian railway line, according to technology, using location tracking data from customers, to push up prices for passengers on russian media. Her lover survived the busy services. Clare Gilmartin, the company’s chief executive, said the website will use GPS dangerous romp near Zaudinskaya station installed in its app to update ticket prices. ‘We’re collecting information from everyone,’ she in the suburbs of ulan-ude in Buryatia in admitted. ‘We want to help train operators manage their yield more effectively.’ ‘Manage their eastern Siberia. ‘The woman was on top of yield means push up prices and make more profit,’ said Lianna Etkind of the Campaign for her partner and, when she heard an Better Transport. ‘We object to any move towards super peak pricing. Fares are already too approaching train, she started to stand up,’ high and creating a peak time travel premium discriminates against people who have less said a spokesman for russian railways. discretion over when they travel.’ ‘right then, the speeding train tore off her head. Had she remained in her previous COMpANIES ON NOTICE position, she would have stayed alive. The ASLEF has written to all TOCs and FOCs saying the union will not tolerate members being man survived.’ The couple, who have not disciplined for carrying out their health & safety responsibilities. been named, had been on a vodka binge.

NOW TORY Mp SLAMS SOUThEASTERN Our hip, hot and happening black , Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and Conservative MP for baseball cap will keep the sun out Tunbridge Wells, has had a pop at the TOC that serves his constituency after it was rated the worst of your eyes. £5 (inc p&p); email in the country for value for money in the National Rail Passenger Survey. ‘Southeastern’s low score [email protected] or visit our is no surprise,’ he said. ‘In return for paying high fares I, and my constituents, expect to be able to online shop at www.aslef.org.uk get a seat, travel in a pleasant environment, and arrive on time. Southeastern’s franchise is up for review and should not be renewed without a guarantee of significant improvements.’

8 The ASLEF Journal l September 2016 A

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On Thursday 23 June despite being privatised the rail industry still Britain decided by receives huge subsidies from the state. 17,410,742 votes to It is unlikely that we will see any fundamental 16,141,241 to leave the change to the structure of the railways because of Brexit. The privatisation of our railways European Union which predates a lot of EU legislation and, as such, is in we joined, when it was a significantly more advanced stage of the European Economic Community, in liberalisation. Leaving the EU could give us an 1973. But what will Brexit mean for opportunity to vertically integrate the system Britain’s railways? ASLEF’s assistant again and to do away with the artificial division general secretary SIMON WELLER between operation and infrastructure. It does examines what it might mean for us mean our pensions are free from the spectre of the EU Solvency II directive. OT WANTING to sound too fatalistic Another area where we are unlikely to see any Theresa May’s three wise monkeys – Michael Gove but the answer to that question – change is standards or, more Davis – are in charge of negotiating the terms of B N where next for the railway after Brexit? specifically, technical specifications for – is, now, quite simply, ‘No one knows.’ It all interoperability. As rail equipment hinges on the terms of the negotiated exit. manufacturers want as wide a market Theresa May, who became Prime Minister when as possible, anything sold in the EU will David Cameron stepped down after losing the still need to adhere to those TSIs so referendum on Britain’s membership of the anything a UK rail operator buys or sells European Union, has thrown everything up in will, in all likelihood, comply with EU the air by putting in charge of the negotiations TSIs, now and in the future. the three wise monkeys – Tory Brexiteers Michael Currently European rail regulations Gove, David Davis and Liam Fox. do not allow Network Rail to There may be some smart(ish) internal Tory or discriminate between operators in the domestic politics going on by putting them in way it sets access charges. They could, charge (as well as throwing Boris Johnson into post-Brexit, apply differing pricing the mix as Foreign Secretary), but this may not regimes, which would allow subsidy for result in the best deal for Britain’s workers – freight operators or even price open shock! access off the railways. My fear is we are The amount of legislation that needs likely to see the reverse, especially decoupling from various EU treaties and given the current government’s love of directives is significant in both quantity and the passenger market in rail and, if I content. Whilst the Tories are keen to be free were to be cynical for a moment, the from what they see as the shackles of level of influence the road haulage have to implement some, but not all, EU laws, bureaucracy and over-regulation (environmental lobby has at the Department for Transport. and free movement still applies. There is a regulations, social chapter, TUPE, the working However, all this is pure speculation, as no complex arrangement of bilateral treaties time directive, and the like) they are equally keen one knows what form Brexit will take. governing trade and services between to retain access to the single market, free Switzerland and the EU single market. movement of labour and competitive tendering. ThE NORWEGIAN MOdEL Norway is a member of the European Economic ThE CANAdIAN MOdEL pLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE Area and has access to the single market. The Canada, that well-known European nation, is just With the Westminster elite looking like a downside of that is they have 75% of EU laws finalising a Comprehensive Economic Trade sweating prisoner of war forced to play Russian and regulations (including all the railway related Agreement with the EU. This would open some roulette no-one seems to want to pull the trigger ones as well as free movement) but have no vote aspects of Canadian markets to EU member on Article 50 (the mechanism to start the process or say in Brussels or Strasbourg, and still pay a states in return for some access to the single of leaving the EU). The government dithering on significant contribution to the EU. European market but, again, the focus is on the decision puts everything in doubt. trade, not social standards. The leave campaign’s commitments to ThE SWISS MOdEL protect EU levels of funding in some regions, and Switzerland has some, but not full, access to the pOUNd OF FLESh for some sectors, notably agriculture, will mean single market, is not member of the EEA but Whichever road Gove, Davis and Fox take us further cuts in other areas. This could affect instead is party to the European Free Trade down one thing is clear – the EU will want its future funding levels of the railways because Agreement. They still pay a contribution and pound of flesh and any deal the monkeys do will

10 The ASLEF Journal l September 2016 Eu D THE nExT?

Where do we stand with the ETDl as Britain heads for the exit?

A licence to create a more flexible labour market

SIMON WELLER looks at the future of the European frequency. In fact, the train drivers’ licence directive medical standards have e, liam Fox and David been relaxed slightly, Britain’s exit from Europe HERE has been Firstly, it belongs to the mostly in regard with much discussion driver, not the company. eyesight, but there is a T on the The licence is issued by the slightly stricter implementation – or not – national safety authority – requirement to have of the revised European in our case the RSSB – and binocular vision, ie sight in train drivers’ licence while it may be done via both eyes. The frequency directive. To be frank, it is your company for ease of increase from five to three difficult to say as it all administration it is not for yearly is supported by the depends on the terms of the company to decline or trade unions involved in Brexit. If we were to go revoke a licence. Therefore, the consultation exercise down the Norwegian those driver managers (including ASLEF) model or the Swiss model it scuttling around some conducted by the would still apply and, even depots gleefully telling European Railway Agency. if we didn’t, it could take drivers they will not be It is important that two years to achieve exit so getting one are in for a medicals are utilised as a the directive would be nasty shock when they find way to catch potential implemented in that time out it is not in their gift to problems early. There is anyway. Whatever form do that. also a duty on us to ensure Brexit takes it will have the The licence confirms everyone entrusted with European single market at that a driver meets operating on the railway is its core and the quid pro minimum requirements for fully fit. be for the benefit of the markets and business, quo for that will be the free medical and psychological When the TDLD comes not the workers. movement of capital and fitness, basic education and into force from 29 October They were keen to talk about sovereignty, labour. Even by the EU’s general professional skills. 2018 restricted drivers who and our right to self-determination, but not in own admission, the EU The employer issues the do not work on the open terms of the rights of the millions who voted out licence was designed to accompanying certificate network (say, only on a because they have seen their communities ‘create a more flexible and it details the specific depot) should see no hollowed out by unfettered globalisation. Their labour market for the competencies of the driver change as they do not families’ futures less secure, their industries [train] drivers themselves’; (routes, traction, etc). If a come under the TDLD. The flogged off to foreign owners, then closed and in other words, to create driver transfers between ORR has agreed that, in moved around the world chasing an extra competition for jobs, and to companies, the employer certain circumstances, pound of profit. drive down costs. My has to provide a copy to medically restricted drivers While we wait for the deals to be done our instinct is that the allow the driver to will not need to hold these national infrastructure sits under a cloud of government will not be demonstrate previous train driver licences when uncertainty. Will this Conservative government dropping that, no matter all competencies to any future carrying out limited grasp the potential for us to have an integrated their rhetoric about ‘taking employer. operations on the main line railway system of which we can all be proud, run back our country’. Medical standards have railway but we are still for the benefit of the nation, or just continue What does the revised changed and examinations waiting final confirmation punting it out to the highest bidder? licence mean in practice? have increased in from them. I have a good idea which one it will be.

September 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 11 agenda Motorway sun coming up with the morning light

MARZ COLOMBINI , executive committee member for district 1, listens to Jeremy Corbyn and Tom Robinson, helps an ASLEF XI beat the TSSA at cricket, and drinks a pint or two of Brigadista during three days in deepest dorsetshire

HE annual gathering in the usually sleepy Dorset village of Tolpuddle, aSlEF in action at T celebrating the birth of modern day Tolpuddle. We were union activism in Britain, has long been one of joined by labour the focal points of the trade union calendar. leader Jeremy Many of our members have been regular Corbyn, actress attenders at the Tolpuddle Martyrs festival but it Maxine Peake, and was, perhaps, the items adopted at successive TuC GS Frances AADs in 2009 and 2010, mandating an official o’Grady on the ASLEF presence, that cemented the event as martyrs’ march central to the ASLEF year. The three day festival each summer is a weekend of varied entertainment featuring stalls, political debate, stocking our gazebo in preparation for the next evening heralded the start of what is rapidly comedy, live music and, of course, a procession two days. Having completed what was clearly becoming something of a Tolpuddle institution through the village on Sunday. It continues to thirsty work refreshments were taken in the beer as, at 17.00 exactly, in the GMB@Tolpuddle field, grow in popularity amongst our members and, tent where, for some, it was a first opportunity to the meat hit the heat for the ASLEF/TSSA despite several Tolpuddle regulars being unable try Brigadista, a beer specially brewed to barbecue; a collaborative effort with food and to attend this year, we had another good commemorate the 80th anniversary of the drink shopped for by ASLEF, the TSSA and the turnout, with six of our eight districts Spanish Civil War which was on sale throughout GMB, and bread and cakes provided by – who represented. the weekend. Friday evening’s main fringe event else? – the Bakers, Food & Allied Workers’ Union. was held by the Campaign for Trade Union With the eating out of the way, the teams ‘We raise the watchword, Liberty. We will, Freedom. took the field for the annual ASLEF v TSSA we will, we will be free!’ – George Loveless Saturday saw the festival get into full swing sporting challenge, which has become an ‘ with a broad range of political debate sessions integral part of the Tolpuddle barbie. The The ASLEF presence began to develop on Friday and the usual open mic event. The popularity of pressure was squarely on the collective afternoon as our members started converging our No DOO badges, balloons and tee-shirts shoulders of the ASLEF team which, having won on the festival site to assist with the tasks; first of became clear as a queue formed at the ASLEF the wheelbarrow relay in 2014, and the football unloading the van and then erecting and gazebo. The onset of late afternoon and early challenge in 2015, now faced our sister union in a cricket match in which victory would mean an unprecedented hat-trick. The weight of expectation hung heavy overhead but was duly Under the wild sycamore tree despatched as our team once again secured a S THE sun rose on 24 standing together – to fight triumph. February 1834, George against poverty and austerity A Loveless, a Methodist and to argue for better terms ‘I was sold like a slave for £1. The convicts’ lay preacher and farm labourer, and conditions of employment. names were written on slips of paper, the kissed his wife Betsy and their That, of course, is what ‘agent drew lots, each man at £1 per head.’ three children goodbye and set trades unions have been doing – James hammett off to work. He didn’t see them for the best part of two hundred again for three years. Because, as years. And that is why the story The celebrations, though, came to an abrupt end George left his cottage in the of Tolpuddle and its martyrs is at as we heard the sad news from Durham, where village of Tolpuddle in Dorset, he the heart of the history of the many of us had celebrated the Miners’ Gala only was served with a warrant for his trade union movement in the week before, about the sudden death of arrest. Britain. Davey Hopper. Davey was a long-standing friend George was one of six The boss class – the people and comrade to ASLEF; a respectful toast was agricultural labourers – the who own the land, and the made in his honour, along with a period of others included his brother factories, and the big reflection. James Loveless; James companies in this country – The curtain came down on day two back in Hammett; James Brine; Thomas don’t want us to stand together. the main field with the Tom Robinson Band Standfield and his son John They never have. And that’s why playing a nostalgic set in the Martyrs Marquee. Standfield – who were charged unions are, once again, under That old TRB favourite 2-4-6-8 Motorway , a Top 5 by the authorities with making The Tolpuddle Martyrs were attack by the Conservative hit in 1977, had the crowd in the tent punching an illegal oath. Their real crime sentenced at Dorchester Assizes government and the material the air and singing along, but it was their 1978 was forming a trade union to to seven years’ transportation interests – as Joseph Conrad political anthem Glad To Be Gay that got voices protest about their pay of six for having the temerity to stand describes them in his novel right across the festival site joining in. shillings a week. up for themselves – and for Nostromo – they represent. Traditionally the highpoint of the festival is 12 The ASLEF Journal l September 2016 Tolpuddle

the Sunday afternoon parade through the village, and while, as a spectacle, this year’s parade easily matched those of previous years, with brass bands, dance troupes, singers and, of course, the usual array of colourful trade union banners, there can be little doubt that the main event this year was the speeches, from the Miami Five, Frances O’Grady, and Jeremy Corbyn.

‘My Lord, we were uniting to preserve ourselves, our wives and our children, from the Labour leader prepared to address the ‘utter degradation and starvation.’ crowd. The near silence that descended as This is exactly why so many of us make the – George Loveless Jeremy spoke was broken only as he concluded, trip to remember and celebrate the Tolpuddle by the loud applause and cheers that had Martyrs each year and why we look forward to Frances paid a moving tribute to Jo Cox, Labour marked his arrival earlier. Jeremy honoured seeing you there in 2017. MP for Batley & Spen, to whom this year’s festival Davey Hopper and recognised the struggles of Thanks to everyone who attended and was dedicated, reminding us of the words that the past and highlighted the fights we face in played a part in ASLEF’s contribution to this are now inseparable from Jo’s memory: ‘We have the present. We face an ever more ruthless Tory year’s festival. Special thanks to Carl Wainwright far more in common than that which divides us.’ government and the importance of not only of Weymouth who represented ASLEF at the By this time what looked like record numbers celebrating our history, but the value of Tolpuddle planning committee in February and of festivalgoers had congregated in the bottom understanding the past to try and help shape to EC vice-president Dave Calfe for driving the field, with many spilling into the road below, as our future, has never been clearer. van down from London and back. Cricket, lovely cricket AVING won the toss, and brace, leaving the opposition’s looking to capitalise on batting order in tatters and h the best of the light, and Manuel Cortes with everything to what was clearly not a wicket to do. But Manuel’s visit to the crease favour the bowler, TSSA captain was short-lived, losing his wicket Manuel Cortes elected to put his to a Jon Coulton delivery and a team in to bat. Their opening pair questionable LBW decision from took to the field clearly intent on umpire Phil Devonport. What scoring some quick runs and remained of the middle order and setting us a hefty target. The TSSA tail was left to the mercy of Ryan plan was soon showing its flaws, Howe who wasted little time in though, as the ASLEF attack tore tidying things up; his four wicket through their batting line-up with haul included the scalps of Andy The aSlEF first xI celebrates a famous victory Marz Colombini only narrowly Bain, Melissa Heyward and Big Al action suggested he would have hand, and ASLEF requiring four missing out on a hat-trick after Stoten, leaving TSSA all out for 36. been able to generate some spin runs for victory, Ryan hoisted the taking two quick wickets With the target set, ASLEF on a more responsive wicket. Jon ball beautifully and effortlessly including that of their promising openers Brian Corbett and Marz went from hero to villain in the over long on for a six that sealed president Mick Carney with a Colombini started in a measured same over, an impressive six our win. characteristically well-placed and disciplined fashion, trying followed two deliveries later by aSlEF xI: Brian Corbett, Marz yorker. patiently to craft some easy him hitting his own wicket. Colombini, Jon Coulton, Hussein The wicket of Vic Paulino fell as singles but the unco-operatively Hussein Ezzedine came in at Ezzedine, Ryan Howe, Debbie wicket keeper Mick Whelan slow outfield proved too great an number four and held up his end Reay, Mick Whelan, Zoe Calfe, showed why he is the safest pair obstacle. The partnership was of the partnership until Sooty’s Sean Dunne, Jacob Howe, Jamal of hands in the trade union barely into double figures when wicket fell. Ryan Howe was next at Ajjane. TSSa xI : Wayne movement, diving athletically to Marz’s patience failed and he the crease, an early six that Geoghegan, Mick Carney, Manuel his right to make an acrobatic called a single leading to his own cleared the GMB marquee serving Cortes, Vic Paulino, Steve Roden, catch from the thinnest of thin run out. as a clear statement of intent. The Andy Bain, John Morris, Melissa edges. Debbie Reay followed up Next up Jon Coulton faced the pairing of Ryan and Hussein soon Heywood, Bridget, Jason Turvey, with another cheap quick fire bowling of Mick Carney whose settled and, with seven wickets in Big Al Stoten.

September 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 13 Education

Getting rail workers up to speed with IT

ASLEF Education project worker aSlEF is GRAhAM ChESTERS reports on courses committed to at Newcastle Central and King’s Cross to week would not have worked because lifelong learning improve drivers’ IT skills railwaymen and women can start very early for our members and finish very late and have rest days during SLEF’s union learning reps have been the week. Consequently, our course was working across the rail network specially designed as a drop-in workshop, workplace’. A setting up IT courses to help railway where learners are able to work at their own Doug Stafford, a train driver from VTEC, workers improve their IT skills (and get a pace and attend around their shift patterns. said: ‘I was keen to increase my knowledge of qualification). New courses started recently at Agreement was reached with computers and improve my skills,’ and Darren Newcastle Central – in partnership with the East Coast to allow learners from other train Routledge, a VTEC driver and ULR, said: ‘It has trade union education unit at Newcastle operating companies to use the computer been very useful. I’m surprised how much College – and King’s Cross – with the College facilities in their learning resource rooms. there is to learn, including how to create of Haringey, Enfield & North-East London – Additional laptops were provided by ASLEF documents, store and share files and photos, and are proving very popular. Education. etc.’ There has been increasing demand for IT Mick O’Shea, a VTEC driver and the ASLEF courses in the rail sector in recent years. New FLEXIBLE ATTENdANCE ULR at King’s Cross, said: ‘There has been huge technologies are being introduced and many TUC Education provides tutors who are interest in the IT courses at King’s Cross. employees want to bring their IT skills up to available one full day each week for 10 weeks. Increasingly we are seeing new technologies speed. ULRs have noticed a growing demand Attendance is flexible, allowing learners to being introduced on the railways and some of among colleagues, following analysis of drop in for one, two or three hours each week, our colleagues do not feel they are up to learning surveys, and from informal depending on work commitments. Learners speed yet. Some colleagues have very good IT conversations with union members at branch can complete all their work in the lesson or do skills but we are providing support to those meetings and in the mess room. some at home and email it to the tutor. We are who feel they are being left behind a little.’ offering Level 1 courses at King’s Cross and pOSITIVE RESULTS Level 1 and 2 qualifications in Newcastle. The MAKE A dIFFERENCE Here at the ASLEF Education project we help courses cover some of the Microsoft Office Tracy Bartle, people development manager at ULRs to establish partnerships with local software including Word, Excel, Outlook, and VTEC, said: ‘Virgin is a business that prides itself colleges and support them setting up courses. PowerPoint. Learners also get the opportunity on developing its people. Here at Virgin Trains ULRs have worked hard to generate interest in to learn about organising files, emailing and East Coast one of the many ways we do this is these courses and it’s clear there is a demand online security. by working in partnership with ASLEF and the from rail workers for help in improving their IT At King’s Cross railworkers from VTEC have other trade unions to support union learning. skills. We have enabled partnerships between attended the courses along with workers from A great example of this is the set up of IT further education colleges, employers and Southeastern and . In courses at King’s Cross and Newcastle. Helping trade unions to make these courses happen. Newcastle the courses have been attended by people get to grips with technology is just one We have to ensure there is a viable group of as well as VTEC of the ways our ULRs can make a real learners for the college, and provide the employees. Feedback has been very positive difference for their colleagues.’ necessary hardware and software. The results with railworkers enjoying the opportunity to ASLEF Education has also been working have been really positive, with nearly 50 develop their IT skills. with other providers in Birmingham, Derby employees across the two depots enrolling on Andy Saunders, an Arriva Trains North and Leeds to provide IT courses for union the courses. driver from Newcastle, said: ‘I wanted to learn members. Further courses are planned The courses were set up to accommodate how to properly use the technology available throughout 2016. For more information please rail workers’ complex shift patterns. A to me and this union learning course has visit the ASLEF Education pages at traditional course of two or three hours each provided a great opportunity to do that at my www.aslef.org.uk

14 The ASLEF Journal l September 2016 Commentary

Return of the one nation Tory

The new prime Minister, Theresa May, says she wants to be a one nation Conservative. GREGOR GALL examines what that means – and what it has meant – for Theresa May (above) says she wants to be a working men and women in Britain one nation Tory, like Harold Macmillan (far since Benjamin disraeli coined the left) and Benjamin Disraeli (above), and phrase 170 years ago unlike Margaret Thatcher (above left) and David Cameron (left) OR THE last 100 years, workers have been represented, however most obviously after the Second World War, ‘shameless lie’, exemplified by claiming a F imperfectly, by Labour, and bosses by when the Tories under Prime Minister Harold slightly raised national minimum wage to be a the Tories. Before that, before the Labour Party Macmillan accepted the welfare state and ‘living wage’. was founded by the trade unions, the Liberals nationalised industries created by the Labour Fast forward to today. With Theresa May, we laid claim to represent the workers by dint of governments of 1945-50 and 1950-51. The have the return of the one nation Tory. Her being more politically progressive than the Tories then believed that schools and seminal speech, on Monday 11 July, as a Tories. hospitals, in the public sector, were needed to leadership contender, laid out its Yet the realpolitik is a little more provide healthy, educated workers for the contemporary contours. She railed against complicated and there has been a factories and offices of British capitalism in the elitism and inequality. She promised ‘a vision of longstanding assertion by ‘one nation’ Tories second half of the 20th century. They also a country that works not for a privileged few that they can represent workers, too, understood that, in the first half of the century, but for every one of us’ and said ‘under my simultaneously looking after the interests of the capitalists in the coal, steel and rail leadership, the Conservative Party will put both capital and labour. industries, among others, had shown itself… at the service of ordinary, working This form of paternalism – as well as the themselves incapable of providing the country people’. political expression one nation – dates back to with the services it needed. Benjamin Disraeli in the 19th century. As a Margaret Thatcher put the nails in the coffin ATTACK ON LIVING STANdARdS young MP he wrote a novel called Sybil, or The of this post-war settlement by declaring, in But, like Disraeli in the 19th century and Two Nations , published in 1845, the same year Woman’s Own , ‘there is no such thing as Macmillan in the 20th, May is maintaining as The Condition of the Working Class in England society’. Instead, there should, she thought, capitalism by means of class collaboration by Friedrich Engels. Later, as Prime Minister only be individuals competing against each while Cameron, despite the rhetoric, from 1874-1880, he introduced some social other – something Disraeli warned against for maintained capitalism by class warfare. He and employment reforms that did benefit reasons of self-interest. Consequently, she allowed open season on workers’ living workers. dismantled vast chunks of the welfare state standards to restore the profitability of big and sold off the nationalised industries that companies after the economic crash of 2008. dOG EAT dOG belonged to us all. May wants workers to play a greater part in But if we are to get to the bottom of what one the running of companies – to make them nation Toryism is really about we need to ask ThE NASTY pARTY more competitive. May wants workers to have why he did this. Was it because of genuine – ’s proclamation of a ‘classless a greater share in the prosperity they create – albeit limited – compassion for workers? Or society’ was patently untrue – he did nothing to support their own exploitation embodied by was it because he was far-sighted enough to to resuscitate the practice of one nation capitalism. And May wants companies better see reforms as necessary for the social stability Toryism and privatised . regulated – so what they do doesn’t seem so needed to safeguard capitalism? More recently, in 2014, former Tory Party unfair. The enlargement of the franchise meant co-chair Grant Shapps tried to rebrand David Even if one sounds nicer, and gentler, we Disraeli needed the votes of workers to be in Cameron’s Conservatives as the workers’ party should remember they are two means to the office so one part of the answer is realpolitik . because it was fast becoming known as the same end, namely, the slavery of workers to But appealing to workers with an agenda of nasty party again – a phrase first coined by the pursuit of profit while the boss class limited reform was also about understanding Theresa May at the Conservative Party benefits from the labour of the workers. that social unrest – as a result of a growing conference in 2002. Deputy Tory Party chair divide between the two nations of rich and Robert Halfon plugged the same line early last poor – is not conducive to the long-term year before Cameron did the same at last year’s  Gregor Gall is Professor of interests of capitalism. party conference. Industrial Relations at the University In other words, capitalists had to be Unsurprisingly, there was no evidence of a of Bradford, Visiting Lecturer in regulated to protect capitalism because a ‘dog Cameron turn to one nationism as his big International Labour and Trade Union eat dog’ world could lead to the demise of all society big idea was subterfuge for backdoor Studies at Ruskin College, Oxford, and capitalists and, thus, of capitalism itself. privatisation; the bedroom tax penalised the a visiting lecturer at the University of By contrast, the Liberals at this time were poor; and his slogan ‘We are all in this together’ Hertfordshire. His research on the use adherents of free trade and free enterprise – couldn’t disguise the fact that the rich got of injunctions by employers in which meant letting the market rip. The Tory richer and the poor became poorer on his industrial disputes is published in the Party gradually dropped the one nation watch. His talk of ‘opportunity for all’ was all British Journal of Industrial Relations – ideology and became more like the Liberals. about encouraging individuals to compete a copy of which can be obtained by But the concept of one nation against each other. It was, as Guardian emailing [email protected] Conservatism came back in the 20th century, commentator Owen Jones said at the time, a

September 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 15 Branch news

Daniel: I want to hear from you Upcoming events Cambridge branch welcomed Daniel Zeichner, our local MP,  CRICKLEWOOd – FRIdAY 30 SEpTEMBER to our August Reunion from 12.0 at the Royal Air Forces Association Club, meeting. Daniel, a rare Ashburnham Road, Bedford. Labour Party success in East Anglia, thanked  FRATTON – FRIdAY 30 SEpTEMBER members for the Reunion from 12.0 to 18.00 at Portsmouth Railway Social invitation and ASLEF Club next to Fratton station. Bring photos of railway interest. for its support of the Free buffet and raffle. Call Gary White on 07798 706204. Labour Party. Daniel was keen to Daniel Zeichner addresses the branch  RAINhAM – ThURSdAY 6 OCTOBER understand the Southeastern retired and working members’ reunion from problems faced by and fully committed message to those 11.0 at Rainham Social Club, 86 Station Road, Rainham. train drivers and told to Crossrail 2. He was present was, ‘Please the branch to get in concerned at delays tell me what is going  pETERBOROUGh – FRIdAY 7 OCTOBER touch direct with him. with the Abellio on at the grassroots Booz’n’Chat meeting at the Parkway club, Maskew Avenue, As part of the Shadow Greater Anglia level, your local MP Peterborough. £5 in advance, £6 on the door. Call Malcolm Transport team he franchise and the wants to, and needs Bell on 07884 43242 or [email protected] only hears from chief uncertainty faced by to, hear from you.’ The executives who think staff and passengers branch would also like everything is while the figures are to pay its respects to  Please send your all branch news, reports and photographs wonderful on the analysed again. He retired driver John to [email protected] railway. He was appreciated how Curtis who has passed amazed at the much investment is away at the age of 88. everyday problems needed in rolling John was a well- drivers face and said stock, track and respected member of Send-off he Labour was fully signalling upgrades the depot and our committed to and the problems condolences go to deserved bringing the railway encountered on Joan and her family at back into public public transport, this sad time. A well-attended branch in July ownership, fully particularly in Martin haylett , had a visit from WRC D3 rep Julie committed to HS2, Cambridge. His final branch secretary Clegg-Haver who put us in the picture about equalities, and Pride, and thanked us for our QUESTIONS FROM ThE FLOOR support. After much discussion RMS committee members Les Muir, Tony West, Ernie Whitfield and about local freight issues, the Alan Taylor attended the August meeting of Exeter branch with chair meeting ended with a retirement Jon Morton and branch secretary Ricky West. Ryan Howe gave a very presentation by chair Dave Evans Good luck, alan good district council report, and the drivers’ district council report to Alan Pickford who has been on everyone. A buffet and drinks was eloquently given by Derek Billings with many questions from the the railway for more than 20 followed to give Alan the send-off floor. Tony West presented a 45 year badge to Andy Snowdon and a years, 14½ of them on the he deserved. 10 year badge to Steve Wade. Retired member Richard Westlake gave footplate. He is going earlier than paul Costello , Buxton & peak a report on proposed transport policy changes in the West Country he’d hoped and will be missed by Forest and announced he was stepping down as a local Labour councillor after serving for 30 years. Les Muir gave a very good presentation on the work of the RMS and the NPC. Alan Taylor , RMS Badges and beer Wimbledon branch invited Do1 Graham Morris to present long service medals after our monthly meeting in July. There was lots of support for the 37 receiving medals, and those who aspire to follow in their footsteps, including Dave Spring RMS TO SELhURST (35) and Paul James (30), seven drivers Our sincere thanks for the kind invitation to Selhurst branch on 20 July, who completed 25 years, two on 20, where excellent reports were given by Angela O’Sullivan about the Senior driving nine on 15, nine on 10, and eight Women’s Representatives Committee, Dave Maclennan (who was instructor larry completing 5. Graham thanked them for presented with his 15 year service award) on district council and Dan Williams proudly their hard work and dedication and King on local level. Les Muir gave an up to date report on the work of displays his 25 support for the union over the years. the RMS, and our future plans, while Alan Taylor spoke about the year badge Larry Williams National Pensioners’ Convention and the RMS 500 club. Tony West , RMS committee

16 The ASLEF Journal l September 2016 100 Years of union

Dug by hand like Brunel After our previous branch was dominated by developments at DB Cargo, and other freight operators, our last meeting was attended by Mick holder turns back company council rep Howard Rugg time to September 1916 and District Secretary Brian Corbett Well over 100 retired drivers, guards, who gave us a full report on non- maintenance and active staff attended the The War Levy, profiteers, and the developments at GWR. After ten years Old Oak Common retired members’ reunion Battle of the Somme were all of GWR being one company covering on 14 June and had a great day. topics in the Journal 100 years ago the whole of the former Western Presentations were made to Phil Meakin, Region terms, conditions and pay all Jagdeep Mahli and, belatedly, Geoff Walker. remain separate and different. It was WhEN WAR ShALL BE WAGEd Many thanks to Paddington branch and all reported that no progress has been ‘The British offensive in France has who support this event. achieved, with management quite brought in its train a serious drain on our Mark Urpeth happy to operate the three sections of War Levy Fund, for a very large number its day to day business under separate of claims has been made on behalf of our sets of t&cs. Progress on electrifying soldier members since it began. Is it too the main route to Bristol and Cardiff much to hope that when it is over the has been slow, with only one very common people will take a hand in short isolated section in the Thames saying when war shall be waged, or will Valley completed, and the whole thing the lessons now being so bitterly learnt three years behind schedule. It was be forgotten immediately the present reported that, in places, the upright horror is ended? The people of Europe support holes are being dug by hand can say, if they will, there shall be no in true Brunelian fashion! The new more such halocausts [sic]. Will they be express trains will have large under wise and say it, or will they again leave it floor diesel engines to get them to the governing classes to set people at through the long wait for OFF TO OZ each others’ throats?’ electrification, which sort of makes Three Bridges wishes all the best in retirement to them a high speed with a pan Steve White and Dave Kington. Steve has been a NATION’S pROFITEERS on the roof. Bro Steve Davies, who loyal member for over 40 years, starting on the ‘The cost of living shows no sign of served on the Wessex drivers’ divisional railway in 1974 at redhill (where his dad was a coming down, in spite of all protests council for many years, received his 45 steam driver) as a traction trainee. Steve, a great from the trade unions against the year service badge and Bro Steve character, moved to Three Bridges in 1998. Dave, exploiter being permitted to continue his Clements, our resident badge and who started here, has been a member for over 15 nefarious work. We should not complain route map designer, his 35 year badge. years and is moving to pastures new by emigrating were it for the fortune of war only that Ex-Westbury drivers Ted Stretton, Fred to australia. Presentations were made at our caused soaring prices, but when we Tucker and Jimmy Thomas have meeting, attended by many friends from the know the greater part is caused by the passed away; our condolences go out railway, and we would like to wish them both all the undue profits being made by the nation’s to their families. best in the future. profiteers out of the nation’s agony we dave Griffiths , branch secretary paul Eden , branch secretary feel protest is necessary.’ BATTLE OF ThE SOMME JRR writes: ‘I sat two hours intensely On the road interested in the progress of the Battle of the Somme, that “big push” which began District 6 took to the debate organised by on the morning of 1 July and has not road on 21 and 22 students at the ceased yet. It was strange to sit there in June to the far university on the an armchair and see within a few feet reaches of our district in/out referendum. gallant young fellows shot down by at Aberystwyth. Glenn The following EC vice-president Dave Calfe and Do6 Dicky invisible bullets and stretched out dead Latham from morning our regular Fisher in aberystwyth or dying. Such an experience sets one Machynlleth depot meeting was held at deeply thinking. Here one has a faithful hosted us; we were the Aberystwyth bringing Sundays into Newtown meant most ungarnished record in pictures of what looking forward to Railway Club. Our EC the working week. A of us travelling by bus actually happened in France in 1916. some good Welsh member Dave Calfe buffet was supplied between those two Imagine this film reproduced to the next hospitality and we gave us an update on by the club and we all points while some of generation! What will they think of it?’ weren’t disappointed. the Southern dispute enjoyed the the party decided to Whilst some of us and other topics from hospitality from our sit it out at a local were waiting for head office. DO Dicky hosts Lawrence and hostelry and follow on others to arrive we Fisher was on hand to Mair. Our journey back when services took up residence in update us on matters from deepest Wales resumed later in the Don’t let it cost the Spoons on the relating to our TOCs was not without day! concourse of including the East incident when a Martin Bromage- Aberystwyth station Midlands pay deal bridge strike between Griffiths , district 6 you your job! and joined in a which includes Machynlleth and chair  September 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 17 only £10 +£2 p+p

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dARE dEVIL AUTUMN TOUR dATES 24 September The Place, Bedford (01234 354321; www.theplacebedford.org.uk) RIdES TO 26 September-1 October Harrogate Theatre (01423 502116; [email protected]) 4 October loganlea Miners’ Welfare (01501 763354) JARAMA 5 October north Edinburgh arts (0131 315 2151) 6-7 October lowry, Salford (0843 208 6000) 8 October Waterside Theatre, aylesbury (0844 871 7607) 11 October Guildhall, Derby (01332 255800; [email protected]) A new play by 12-15 October oldham Coliseum (0161 624 2829; www.coliseum.org.uk) 18 October Quorn Grange Hotel, Quorn, leicestershire (01509 412167) Neil Gore 19 October Peterborough Trades Council (venue tbc) 20 October Chilwell arts Centre, Beeston (07861 308044) 21 October lansdown Hall, Stroud (01453 760900) ‘To you we speak, you numberless Englishmen, 22 October The Seagull, lowestoft (01502 589726; www.theseagull.co.uk) To remind you of the greatness still among you 24-29 October The Bussey Building, Peckham (07949 635910) Created by these men who go from our towns 30 October Marx Memorial library, london (0207 253 1485) To fight for peace, for liberty, and for you.’ 1 November Hertford Theatre (01992 531500; www.hertfordtheatre.com) 2 November Wedgwood rooms, Southsea (02392 863911) 3 November Plough arts Centre, Great Torrington (01805 624624; Clem Beckett and Christopher Caudwell were two www.theploughartscentre.org.uk) such men. Moved by most Spaniards’ determination 4 November Dorchester arts Centre (01305 266926; to defend themselves against Franco, Hitler and www.dorchesterarts.org.uk) Mussolini, they crossed the Pyrenees to fight for 5 November Bridport arts Centre (01308 424204; www.bridport-arts.com) democracy and against Fascism in Spain. Clem ‘Dare 7 November Theatre royal, Margate (01843 292795; Devil’ Beckett, the rugged speedway star, and [email protected]) Christopher Caudwell, poet and literary critic, were 10 November The Civic, Barnsley (01226 327000) 11 November Withal Hall, Barnard Castle unlikely friends; but a common cause brought them 12 November Cast, Doncaster (01302 303 959; castindoncaster.com) together and they fought and died at a machinegun 13 November Severn Theatre, Shrewsbury (01743 281281; post covering their battalion’s retreat at the Battle of www.theatresevern.co.uk) Jarama in 1937. 14-19 November lantern Theatre, Sheffield (0114 255 1776; Commissioned by the International Brigades www.lanterntheatre.org.uk) Memorial Trust, dare devil Rides to Jarama tells the 22-23 November St Michael’s Irish Centre, liverpool (0151 263 1808; story of the British and Irish volunteers in the brutal www.stmichaelsirishcentre.org) 24-26 November rural touring scheme (venues tbc) Civil War in Spain, capturing the idealistic hopes and 30 November The Place, Bedford (01234 718112; www.theplacebedford.org.uk) dreams, raw passions, fear and anger in a powerful 1 December Square Chapel, Halifax (01422 349422; www.squarechapel.co.uk) new drama which features stirring songs, poetry and 2 December The Hat Factory, luton (01582 878100) flamenco dance. 3 December ruskin College, oxford (01865 759600; www.ruskin.ac.uk)

18 The ASLEF Journal l September 2016 obituaries

MICK hAYWARd TRUE GENTLEMAN GRAhAM EVANS It is with great sadness that I have to inform you of the unexpected SCRAp IRON death in april of our friend and colleague Michael (Mick) Hayward at the age of 57. Mick followed in his father’s footsteps – Bernie I have just received Hayward was well-known to many, having a long career on the confirmation from his brother underground – and Mick started working for london Transport, as Clive that ex-Fishguard it was known then, in 1977 as a station guard, making his way up Goodwick, Swindon and Bath the ranks from panel shunter to road trainer/driver on the road driver Graham ‘Scrap Iron’ Piccadilly line. He then applied as a driver for the Metropolitan line Evans passed away in July 2015 before joining the engineers train unit as an engineers train driver after a brave fight against on the marshalling link, and then as a night ETo. He was well-liked bladder cancer. He was 79. and known as a true gentleman; to which the excellent turn-out at Graham was a Western man, his funeral was a testament. Mick leaves behind a wife, Teresa, four beginning his career at children, and grandchildren, and will be sorely missed. Goodwick shed, 87J, at Christopher Robey Mick – from station guard to ETo Fishguard in 1951. He was promoted to fireman and moved to Swindon in 1954. He IVOR pETT MOdEL RAILWAYMAN did national service, like many Ivor Pett passed away on 18 May. He was 86. Ivor came from a railway family; his father of his generation, from 1954 to Ted was also a driver. Ivor was a Western man serving all his career at St Philip’s Marsh 1957. In 1960 Graham moved and Bath Road depots. Like many of his generation, he returned to the railway after back to Goodwick in West Wales doing his national service. Ivor was a bit of a loner, preferring his own company. He where he worked until 1963 became an accomplished engineer, making many different types of railway models. He when he was made redundant, had his own workshop set up in a bedroom at his bungalow in Whitchurch. It was equipped with lathes and lots of other tools to make models. He was also an Ivor’s father was a enthusiastic cyclist and went everywhere round Bristol on his bike. driver, too Bernard Kennedy , Bristol VIC BURTON ONE OF ThE ApOSTLES the house was not tidy enough but, as soon as Vic came in, he put Further to Geoff Burton’s obituary her at ease, which I knew he (Journal , August) I knew Vic from would. Vic never stood on 1979 when he became a ceremony because that was the councillor for the ward where I kind of person he was. was the local Labour Party Vic was an active member of secretary. He was a genuine the Labour Party. He was assistant councillor who cared about treasurer of the Constituency people; also a committed trade Labour Party and organised the unionist and a proud and loyal Hundred Club (we had 100 member of ASLEF. Vic was also a members who would pay £1 a family friend, having worked on vic and violet in the chains of week) and, by heck, he made sure office people paid up, and helped raise the railways for nearly 50 years; he any old iron? Graham with the was mayor in 1992/93 and made thousands of pounds for our CLP. knew my father, who had also Class 56 locomotive Castell an alderman in 2001. Vic was affectionately known been on the railways a very long ogwr/ogmore Castle time, and they used to drink As a councillor he would, as he as one of the Railway Children, together at the Labour Club in put it, ‘walk the ward’. He lived in along with his two fellow ward because of the brutal Beeching Hartlepool, so there was an the ward he represented and no councillors, and ASLEF members, closures, and moved to Bristol affinity between us. Vic was on one could say, as far as Vic was Chris Llewellyn and Horace Bath road. He was promoted to Hartlepool borough council from concerned, that they only saw Bishop. He was also one of the driver in 1978 and progressed 1979 to 1999, serving as chair of their councillor at election time Apostles, from the Gospels, along up through the links until he the housing committee; he was because he would walk round the with Matty Daley (Matthew); Mark retired in the mid-1990s. also on Cleveland county council ward on a regular basis. I Curry (Mark); and Horace Bishop Graham’s nickname of Scrap from 1981 to 1989, serving as remember on one occasion he (John). Vic was Luke. Because they Iron was well earned. He had a chair of the further education went to see my granny with his were all active members of the great talent for fixing committee from 1985. As a district mayoral chains on. I told her, ‘The same union branch, and mechanical things and all sorts councillor and county councillor mayor is coming to see you’, and represented the same ward, of other devices. He could mend he served the area for 20 years. He she was in a panic and thought which I suspect is unique in anything from cars to washing ASLEF. machines and, later, turned his Vic was born in West hand to television sets! He Hartlepool in 1928 and lived in spent much of his spare time NEIL ANdERSON JOVIAL MAN the town all his life, along with his combing scrap yards for spare Neil Anderson sadly passed away recently after a short illness. wife Violet, daughters Susan and parts to fix whatever he was He was 86. Neil and Florence came to live at Three Bridges Valerie and sons Stephen and currently working on. Graham, from Edinburgh after the Beeching cuts. Neil first went to Geoff (who is also an active who moved back to Fishguard Epsom Downs then Coulsdon North, Selhurst and, finally, member of ASLEF). He never after he retired, is much missed Three Bridges. Neil retired in 1995. He was always a pleasant forgot his roots and was a real by Clive, family, friends and and jovial person to be with, and a keen branch member. man of the people. former work mates. dave Shopland , RMS Carl Richardson , hartlepool Bernard Kennedy , Bristol council branch secretary

September 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 19 letters

We welcome letters, either by email to [email protected] or ACT NOW OR FREIGHT WILL by Royal Mail to ASLEF Journal at 77 St John Street, London, EC1M GO THE WAY OF THE DODO 4NN . The writer of our star letter wins a rich range of ASLEF regalia. uncertainty surrounding positive action to substantial traffic from the steel industry is just support the rail freight South Wales to the the latest blow for aSlEF industry and get freight north-east of England members working in the back on rail, either by have been reduced to a Stirring up a hornets’ nest freight sector, a business design or policy. Mail, few core flows. Yet any I don’t know whether Arno Brooks intended to that has become parcels, wagon load, less major road features a disturb a hornets’ nest ( Journal , May) but, if he increasingly regressive, than full train load, trip constant stream of did, he certainly succeeded. Perhaps I can pour concentrating on and yard workings, oil lorries and HGvs some oil on troubled waters because there are intermodal and trains – these have either adjacent to a railway two sides to every story. Throughout my years bulk/core flows based on gone, or exist in a few with little or no freight on the footplate I considered myself a what’s left of heavy marginal flows. on it. professional railwayman but I had a family, manufacturing. The infrastructure Pathing rail freight on friends, and interests away from the railway. as heavy industry that used to support this an increasingly busy Consequently, when I reached that certain age, faces more downsizing – – freight yards, depots, passenger network is five years ago, I grabbed retirement with both or extinction, in the case sidings, terminals and, another obstacle. arms, walked away and didn’t look back. One of coal – what happens crucially, staff – have action is needed, stage, which I treasured, was closed and now? as the general largely disappeared, too. otherwise freight on rail another was starting. I now fill my time with secretary stated, in a Swathes of the uK are will go the way of the my wonderful family and various hobbies as recent edition of the effectively a rail freight dodo. well as voluntary work. I am one of the lucky Journal , it’s time for desert and locations Jp Morgan , Ipswich, ones. I should add I went because I found it politicians to take which used to produce Suffolk increasingly difficult not to tell modern management (or mismanagement) what I thought of them and what they are doing to our industry. Finally, if Arno Brooks wrote with the big red writing, these are high risk signals. So However, I know colleagues who do not intention of getting a reaction, then you have why are Network Rail allowed to install brand have a close family, whose friends are all at played right into his hands, so please take this new signals that are high risk? Why don’t all work, and who have no interests outside the advice from an ‘old git’ like me; shake your the TOCs who use Cardiff, as well as ASLEF and job. When they retire they lose the only life and head, walk away and concentrate on trying, the RMT, say to Network Rail these signals are family they have known. Can you imagine with ASLEF, to bring our railway back to the dangerous and demand they be removed what that feels like? They therefore grab every state in which it will benefit everyone. before the inevitable happens and another opportunity to go back to that life, even if it Steve le Tissier poor driver has a SPAD? means working on a zero hours contract, Mark Couchman , paddington hSS driver which I abhor as much as the next man. This is d train to disaster obviously a very emotive subject but, before you condemn individuals out of hand, I agree with Bro ross Hamilton (Journal, Spinning for big pharma august). More than 30 years ago, people in consider why they are doing what they do, and , who is challenging Jeremy london decided to inflict units on the have a little understanding. Corbyn for the labour Party leadership, northern railway network, while hundreds Preserved railways are not used solely by claims to be a radical, from the left of the of expensive trains proliferated all over ‘puffer nutters’. The vast majority of passengers party, seeking unity, but his record needs london and the south-east. are families and schools and they contribute scrutiny. He supports Trident which, in the now people in london say we need an invaluable service by showing youngsters words of Tony Benn, makes our food banks another low cost stop gap. We should not what life was like years ago, both in terms of the ‘best protected in the world’. put up with this; we pay our taxes in the the trains themselves and society in general. He had the chance to vote against the north as well. These cheap, nasty D-trains As for those colleagues who continue on Tory austerity cuts to welfare, but lamely scraped through crashworthiness on the footplate past 65, I don’t understand why abstained. Perhaps his move from a labour grandfather rights. It’s oK to inflict them on someone in their 60s would choose to Party job to be a Pr for the giant drugs firm the north because they don’t collapse when continue to get up at 0300 or still be working Pfizer is the real giveaway. odd move for a hit by a big water bottle? at 0100, either, as there’s a big world out there socialist, especially since Pfizer actively Get real! Hit them with a real train (even and, yes, they are blocking youngsters from supports the privatisation of our nHS. The a Pacer) or HGv on a level crossing and the starting a career. But, again, perhaps they have company also gifted £53k to Progress, result will be very different. serious reasons for doing so and it’s not for me which promotes right-wing market-friendly John Clark, darlington to judge them. Blairite policies. When I was still driving, I remember having owen Smith’s record suggests he is many West Coast drivers in my cab, route dangerous new signals neither a socialist nor a radical. In contrast learning, etc, and found most of them Just had my Cardiff briefing about the new the honourable and principled politics of interesting and good company so to hear that signals coming in at the end of December. Jeremy Corbyn, whose position has rattled individuals and company council reps refuse There are two calling on signals being the establishment, both inside and outside them in the cab makes me very sad. After all, installed. In the briefing we were told there labour, makes voting for a labour leader a we do, or did, the same job, albeit under have already been three SPADs at Reading no-brainer. different contracts and conditions. involving this type of signal and it even said, in John Metcalfe , Carlisle

20 The ASLEF Journal l September 2016 Classified advertisements here in cloud cuckoo land Our future in the balance branch 125 I am appalled at the naivety of my trade union, Thank you for the support you have shown to year celebration badge. £4 and the majority of union leaders, and the Jeremy Corbyn in the face of the appalling including p&p. Contact Labour leadership, during the EU referendum. ongoing coup attempt by the right of the PLP. ASLEF’s Glasgow branch The TU movement seemed split on the EU It is absolutely disgraceful that with the future secretary John McCue at question of how leaving would impact on of our country in the balance, a worrying rise [email protected] members, and that is understandable, but in racist attacks, and the Tories weaker than what seems to be forgotten is that we have to they have been for a decade, many MPs ON LOAN from British Rail hard have a Labour government to have any chance turned their fire on their leader, democratically enamel badge. Individually numbered, of fulfilling our ideals. elected just ten months ago. brooch fastening. £6 + £1 p&p from ASLEF’s main reason is the nationalisation Ian Townson , Battersea CLp [email protected] of rail. A perfectly rational ambition, but not achievable without Labour in power. Was that OAKS MEMORIAL worth our stance without taking in the Sky’s the limit I’d like to commend Mick Whelan for the commemorative badge honouring economic impact leaving will have on our 361 miners killed in an explosion children? Believe me, what is happening now comments he made on Sky news and for your support for Jeremy Corbyn. Those at the Oaks colliery near is nothing to what is around the corner after Barnsley on 12 December 1866. £3 from Brexit. It’s not about how many euros or dollars wishing to oust Mr Corbyn are not [email protected] you get for your pound, it’s about negative displaying leadership qualities or, indeed, a equity, interest rates, inflation, and access to united front. free trade agreements without the free Laura Collings LONGSIGHT badges to movement of capital and labour. And if you mark 125th anniversary. £5 + think you can have one without the other then don’t spoil the party £1 p&p. Also a bespoke tie at £8 + £1 p&p. Contact Jim you are living in cloud cuckoo land. Please do not destroy the Labour Party with Labour is in turmoil. Jeremy’s economic Hopkins on 07810 564804 or your support of Mr Corbyn. I have voted [email protected] for details. message is sound, but what else is? His policy Labour all my life although, sometimes, this on Trident is appalling and against party has been difficult. This country needs a strong BESPOKE CUSHIONS Hand policy. We have lost Scotland to the SNP, Labour Party which plainly is not going to made 40cm square cushions of millions of our supporters are turning to UKIP, happen under Mr Corbyn. railway engines and carriages. for Christ’s sake, and before a general election Bob Morse the reduction in MPs to 600 will hurt Labour £50. Call Abi on 07954 659849 or email me at more than the Conservatives. [email protected] I’m a lifelong Labour man. Nye Bevan, A guard on every train Michael Foot and Tony Benn are my heroes. as you know, South West Trains has a guard SALTLEY 023 branch badge. £4 But I am also a democrat. I realised long ago on every train and returns the highest inc p&p. Contact Michael that the majority of my fellow countrywo/men premium to the government. If Clatworthy by email did not support all my ambitions and if I Stagecoach/SWT can do it, then so can [email protected] wanted to achieve any of them I had to make Southern. Questions should be asked – or by mobile on 07786 338650. compromises, for without power we can how come they can do it but not a foreign- achieve nothing. So I say to my union and, to owned company? PROfESSIONAL ENGRAvING at the union movement in general, take a long Kris Jendesen , Salisbury sensible prices. I can engrave anything look in the mirror, or you will be marching you wish, such as the ASLEF logo on behind the same banners I have for most of Nicky, pauline & Tosh the pint tankard. Contact Paul Potts by my life, feeling good about what you stand for email at [email protected] but not making an iota of difference. I am writing to express my gratitude to Nicky Len Worboys , RMS, 63 years in ASLEF Whitehead, Pauline Cawood and Tosh McDonald for securing me a satisfactory BRISTOL branch 125 year package for finishing on ill health as a driver at celebration badge. £5 plus £1.50 p&p. Contact Andy Gregg at Keep left and Jez we will Northern Rail. I started at Leeds in 1991 when [email protected] Since Jeremy Corbyn was elected I have Nicky and Tosh were still drivers and very rejoined the party and seen a tremendous much value their comradeship. I will miss the wave of respect and affection towards banter and friendship of drivers but will BLAND ENCOUNTER by Donald Jeremy from aSlEF members and ordinary remain a member of ASLEF as part of the RMS. Wightman is a comedy novel about working people. Despite have a PlP JS donlon, Wakefield , West Yorkshire risqué encounters on the railways. A dominated by careerist MPs he has done an donation from the sale of each book excellent job and is very capable of winning will be made to the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes. Paperback a general election for labour. I attended Thank you, Thompson’s £7.99 ebook £3.95 from www.amazon.co.uk and spoke at a Keep Corbyn rally in Hull I want to thank aSlEF and Thompson’s attended by more than 500 people. The solicitors. The advice I received about overwhelming mood is to keep Jeremy. The sorting out the complications over the CLASS 73/1 JB 50 year current situation highlights how important death of my father, who did not leave a will, badges for sale. Three it will be in the future to get more working- was invaluable to me and my family. It is variations as shown at £5 each class MPs even if that means deselecting very hard to please every member of plus £1 p&p. Cheques, payable to Network South East Railway Society, to 41 those who ignore their trade union and aSlEF, but the important thing to Highfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 6DD. party members. I know Mick has given full remember is that, as a member, there are support to Jeremy and I would very much invaluable services such Thompson’s available, and it is reassuring to know they like this to continue with Jeremy staying as To advertise please phone 020 7324 2400 are there when needed. leader of our party. or send an email to [email protected] Gary Wareing , hull 104 branch Edward pearce , Marylebone

September 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 21 last Word

Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps, please

Well, it’s late September and I really should be back at school. So KEITh RIChMONd looks at some of the books that have dropped on the ASLEF Journal desk this summer

HEN the Speaker of the House of Commons shouted, ‘Order! Order!’ W George Brown, Labour’s old school Gaitskellite deputy leader, is said to have shouted back, ‘One large whisky, two pints of bitter, and a packet of crisps, please.’ But then this was the man who, after announcing his resignation from the Labour Party in 1976, promptly fell over in the gutter, prompting The Times to declare, ‘George Brown drunk is a better man than the Prime Minister [Harold Wilson] sober.’ Order, Order! by Ben Wright (Duckworth, £16.99) is a history of political drinking, a guzzler’s guide to governing while, to use the Private Eye euphemism, ‘tired and emotional’. Damian McBride, ’s spin doctor, says he and his boss used to get so drunk in 11 Downing Street that they would hammer on the walls and shout at next door in Ben Wright, Colin Marsden, Colin Number 10, ‘When are you going to f*** off?’ Maggs, Christian Wolmar, Seema And , Margaret Thatcher’s Sharma, alvin Feinman and linda spinmeister , recalls Denis Thatcher’s in-flight France on the write lines this summer drinks itinerary: ‘An opener, a brightener, a lifter, a tincture, a large gin and tonic without pipes had been delivered, decided that 15 inch provide us with the sights and the sounds, as the tonic, a snifter, a snort, a snorter and a pipes would be better… well as the analysis, of the development of rail snorterino. Which more or less emptied the Margaret Thatcher once said that a man on the sub-continent. bottle.’ who, beyond the age of 26, finds himself on a bus can count himself a failure. But then Mrs ‘Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best ‘Books do furnish a room.’ – Anthony Thatcher, as well as being an inveterate snob, friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.’ powell , A dance to the Music of Time said many things that were simply not true. ‘– Groucho Marx ‘ She didn’t like trams, either, because they were The railway line from Exeter to Plymouth, too socialist – well, popular in the Eastern bloc ‘The best of Alvin Feinman’s poetry is as good particularly the part where it drops down from – which is why Christian Wolmar rather dryly as anything by a 20th century American,’ the county town towards Newton Abbot and calls his new book Are Trams Socialist? Why reckons the great American critic Harold Totnes, is one of the most spectacularly Britain Has No Transport Policy (London Bloom. That may be overselling him – and the beautiful in Britain. The stretch which runs Publishing Partnership, £8.99). Wolmar is two were friends – but Feinman has been along the coast from Starcross, just across the extremely knowledgeable about the rail unjustly neglected, something the publication River Exe from Exmouth, down through industry – even those on the other side of any of Corrupted into Song: The Complete Poems Dawlish and Dawlish Warren to Teignmouth, is argument he has concede he really knows his (Princeton University Press, £14.95) might be famously pretty, if susceptible to the waves stuff – and he writes like a dream. This book – about to put right. Because he writes, with and, from time to time, breaches of the sea more of a polemic, really – is his plea not just astonishing precision, of ‘The miraculously wall. In Dawlish: The Railway from Exeter to for a vertically integrated railway, but for a turned margin of our lives’ and ‘the fig-tree’s / Newton Abbot (Ian Allan, £22.50) Colin properly integrated transport policy, in Britain. Sudden, rounded fingers;’ of how ‘memory Marsden, who lives at Dawlish, and loves the only / Gathered to a shade in the sun- railway, offers a colourful photographic record ‘I have always imagined that Paradise will sorrowed square’ and ‘only / jackbird sulks in of this glorious route. be a kind of library.’ – Jorge Luis Borges his tree / the fire of his silence in me.’ The line was built, in 1845, by Brunel, the ‘ In Through the Turnstile Gate , the last poem subject of a new biography by Colin Maggs. The importance of transport, especially rail, in in her thoughtful new collection, Reading the Isambard Kingdom Brunel: The Life of an the forging of a modern state is high lighted in Flowers (Arc Publications, £8.99), Linda France Engineering Genius (Amberley, £20) is a India Junction: A Window to the Nation asks plaintively, ‘Who’s to say / on which side of comprehensive – warts and all – account of (Rainlight, £8), a collection of essays, edited by the gate the dream begins?’ Who, indeed? ‘At the great engineer’s strengths and Seema Sharma, on the role that rail has played the end of November snow fell, / snow like no weaknesses, triumphs and disasters. in the development of the country. Mark Tully one had seen before; / an Eden lost while the Characteristic of the man is the story Maggs (‘Without the railways the state created by the sky slept. // The old tree couldn’t bear the tells about the Exeter to Newton Abbot section Raj could not have come into existence’); weight / of its white coverlet, creaking till its of the South atmospheric railway; Sharmila Kantha (‘Indian Railways is rightly trunk / and branches split, exposed the chilled Brunel initially thought that 13 inch iron pipes described as the lifeline of the nation’) and Ian bones / of a dying year.’ would be adequate but, after 4,400 tons of Kerr (‘No railways, no India’), among others,

22 The ASLEF Journal l September 2016 on Track Prize Crossword

Prize Crossword 125 by Tom Williams across Down 1 Brilliant red 1 A rank of police 5 Open air officer hELp ME IF recreation area 2 Handclapping 7 Tear roughly 3 A shed adjoining a YOU CAN 8 Forefather wall (4, 2) 9 Precise 4 Football challenge ’M A retired British 10 A great deal 5 Spanish coin Transport Police officer 13 Unit of land area 6 Section within I from Bangor, North Wales, 14 Collection of a house and secretary of the British stacked tables 11 Write messily Transport History Group. I recently 18 Every one 12 Dark red co-wrote a book with Michael individually pickling vegetable Layton, retired BTP, West Midlands 19 A lift for heavy 15 Inn Police and Sovereign Bases Police, goods 16 Place of public Cyprus, called Police Dog Heroes . 21 Domestically- worship Mike has co-written two other made beer (4, 4) 17 A bathroom spray books, Tracking the Hooligans , a 22 Jeer 20 Sixty minutes 23 Small brown history of football violence on the Solution to Crossword 124 songbird UK rail network, with Alan Pacey, across: 1 Barrel 4 Japan 7 Secondhand 8 Boil 24 Crop-gathering and Hunting the Hooligans , with 9 Eagle 11 Dessert 13 Diagram 15 Chaos 17 Slit season Robert Endeacott, about the 18 Discipline 20 Tense 21 Robber Birmingham City fans known as the Down: 1 Boobed 2 Reel 3 Leopard 4 Judge Zulus. Mike and I are now in the 5 Pea 6 Nudge 7 Siesta 10 Gargle 12 Tiddler 14 Mother 15 Cadet 16 Spice 17 Snub 19 Sin Name......

Congratulations to Derek Kent Address...... of Holmes Chapel , Crewe , , who was last ...... month’s winner. The winner of this month’s Prize Crossword will ...... receive Marks & Spencer vouchers to the value of £25 ......

 You can see more of Tom Williams’s Postcode...... crosswords, word games and puzzles at wordgames.co.uk

Thanks for all your responses to the 124th prize crossword in the August edition of the ASLEF Journal . If you successfully complete this month’s crossword please send the solution to the Editor, ASLEF Journal , 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN by 14 September ASLEF’s legal services If you are being harassed at work, bullied or discriminated against, and process of writing a sequel to if your local, branch or district rep is unavailable, call the industrial Tracking the Hooligans called The relations department at union headquarters (020 7324 2400) or email Hooligans are Still Amongst Us . [email protected]. If you are arrested or interviewed by police and need I wonder if any ASLEF members legal assistance – day or night – call the members’ emergency hotline on have any recollections about 0800 587 7530. aSlEF also provides first class legal advice free for dealing with football hooligans, members and dependents. particularly within the last three years, or, if not, at any other time, that they may wish to share with us. We are particularly interested in sectarian incidents in Scotland and racist attacks. Changed your address? Please let us know! Just fill in this form Of course, full recognition will be given to ASLEF union members Name...... should they wish to assist us, or a Address...... nom de plume can be used if they prefer to remain anonymous. You ...... can contact me via email at [email protected] Postcode ...... Telephone...... Many thanks in anticipation of Branch...... Membership No...... your kind and valued assistance. Bill Rogerson Please return coupon to: ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN

September 2016 l The ASLEF Journal 23 HEALTH SAFETY R P POSSESSION M MANAGEMENT L H S SE E I O A A N COMPETENCE E LEVEL-CROSSING L A N S

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