ASLEFJOURNAL FEBRUARY 2020 The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen Oh, you don’t get me I’m part of the union Inside: We mark the day, 140 years ago, when William Ullyott became ASLEF’s first member; Gregor Gall on what went wrong The train drivers ’ at Thomas Cook; and Darran Brown celebrates LGBT+ history union since 1880 railway enginemen’ s tax fr ee saver plans tax fr ee savings plans for anyone who works on the railways... we don’ t mean just train drivers..! tax fr ee policies fr om 70p per day , £5 per week and £20 per month for further information call us on freephone 0800 328 9140 visit our website at www.enginemens.co.uk or write to us at Railway Enginemen's Assurance Society Limited, 727 Washwood Heath Road, Birmingham, B8 2LE @RailwayEnginemens Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authorit y. Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authorit y. Incorporated under the Friendly Societies Act 1992 GS Mick Whelan HS2 should go ahead ASLEFJOURNAL FEBRUARY 2020 The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen ’VE been reminding I people that it was the trade unions that formed the Labour Party and most working men only got the vote because of the women’s suffrage movement which removed property requirements 10 for men and allowed women over 30 to vote. Mick: ‘Your passion, 5 This led to the election and solidarity, of the first trade union inspires us for the News MPs who formed the battles ahead’ party, under the Labour Party leadership election candidates 4 l auspices of the unions, and, for the first time, l Oliver Postgate’s Ivor the Engine could be 5 gave working people a voice in Parliament. back on track; plus Off the Rails: Mauricio We now have five years in opposition and Pochettino; Paul Routledge; Alasdair Gray; the chance to choose a leader and deputy leader to take us from opposition into Daniel Mallory and Reich Said Fred government. One of the benefits of union l Northern: Grant Shapps’s ‘sloppy thinking’ 6 membership, and of being in the political fund, is that you get a say in who that might be. The l Train companies push up rail fares yet again 7 12 executive committee will shortly be deciding, l Slightly foxed: hunt runs riot on railway line 8 after conversations have taken place with all the candidates, who we endorse and, as always, we Features urge you to use your vote. We took the time to contribute our views to l Gregor Gall: Why did staff at Thomas Cook 10 the much-vaunted Williams rail review, but it is in Germany do better than staff in Britain? concerning that the Prime Minister, and industry stakeholders, were saying its l Darran Brown marks LGBT+ history month 11 recommendations would be adopted before l We celebrate the day, 140 years ago this 12-13 the report was even published. This does not auger well for future engagement but we are month, when ASLEF was founded not surprised; this is a Prime Minister who, as l John Stagg drives live with ERTMS (and 14-15 15 Mayor of London, hid from and did not engage Rhodri Lloyd) on the Cambrian line with trade unions. The Oakervee report says the cost of HS2 will balloon to £106bn; but it should still go ahead. Regulars £7bn has already been spent, Andy Burnham l Branch News and Upcoming Events; plus 16-17 and other northern leaders say it should not be 100 Years of Union from February 1920 truncated, and upgrading northern Victorian infrastructure is not the answer. HS2 is the only l Obituaries 18-19 way to deliver real capacity. We need it to deliver a boost to construction, the economy, l Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21 16 and to be at the forefront of a green revolution. l Last Word: Chris Proctor on Britain, 22 I upset a few people by saying we are America and the special relationship against forced labour, indenture, or modern slavery, by being denied the right to strike. This l On Track: Matt Stoller’s book about big tech, 23 was deliberate. It is chosen, forceful, language monopolies and democracy; Prize Crossword; that reflects the strong opinions of all those I Legal Services; Change of Address form have met in our industry and elsewhere (without the industrial language) about our Cover: Over London by Rail by Gustave Doré position. If this is what it takes to have the voice of train drivers heard, we will not apologise for The ASLEF Journal is published every month by: doing so. The impact on industrial relations will ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN be counterproductive and we will do what you Tel: 020 7324 2400 l email: [email protected] have told us to do to defend our rights. website: www.aslef.org.uk l twitter: @ASLEFUnion Thank you. Your passion, solidarity, and unity 22 invigorates us for the battles ahead. EDITOR Mick Whelan l DESIGNER Michael Cronin l PRINTER College Hill Press, London, SW19 4HE Yours fraternally ADvERTISING ASLEF Journal, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN. Contact Keith Richmond on 020 7324 2407 or [email protected] l CLASSIFIED ADS [email protected] or call 020 7324 2400. The acceptance of a Mick Whelan, general secretary display or classified advertisement does not necessarily imply endorsement of that product or service by ASLEF CHANGE OF ADDRESS Please post your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN February 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 3 News Leaders of I love trade unions Heart Unions week – organised by the TUC to encourage workers to join a trade the pack union – is being held from Monday 10 to Sunday 16 February. ‘It’s a chance to tell the story about why unions are vital for SLEF’s executive committee will meet everyone at work,’ says TUC general on Monday 10 February to endorse a secretary Frances O’Grady. ‘And A candidate in the elections for leader encourage people who aren’t yet in a and deputy leader of the Labour Party. union to join. A chance for reps and The eight-strong EC – Jim Baxter, Dave activists to publicise what they’ve been Calfe, Marz Colombini, Andy Hudd, Howard doing and make the case for union Kaye, John Metcalfe, Mark Wakenshaw, and membership.’ Terry Wilkinson – will make a decision about who to support after considering a report by general secretary Mick Whelan, who is also REACH FOR THE SKY Mick Whelan was interviewed live by Sophy chair of LabourUnions, and a member of Rebecca Long Bailey, Keir Starmer, Lisa Ridge on her agenda-setting show on Sky News Labour’s NEC, and having listened to what Nandy, and Emily Thornberry (top); Dawn on Sunday 19 January about the Labour Party each of the candidates has to say about the Butler, Richard Burgon, Angela Rayner, Ian leadership election. future direction of the party. Murray, and Rosena Allin-Khan All the candidates have said they are committed to bringing Britain’s railways back Contenders for the two positions – who TWEETS OF THE MONTH into public ownership – a policy not just in the each had to be nominated by 22 Labour MPs last Labour manifesto, and not just the policy or MEPs – now have to get nominations from Greater Anglia’s brand new intercity of this trade union, but a policy that is popular at least 33 Constituency Labour Parties or trains have now entered passenger with passengers, too. three affiliates, of which two must be trade service between Norwich and London There are now four candidates for leader – unions, representing at least 5% of the Liverpool Street #NewTrains Rebecca Long Bailey, MP for Salford & Eccles; affiliated membership. Nominations close on @GreaterAngliaPR Lisa Nandy, Wigan; Keir Starmer, Holborn & St Friday 14 February. Pancras; and Emily Thornberry, Islington South If they cross that hurdle, they will make the Please @GreaterAngliaPR explain why & Finsbury – after Jess Phillips, Birmingham ballot from which Labour Party members, new 12 car intercity trains only have 3 Yardley, stood down on Tuesday 21 January. trade union members, members of affiliated wheelchair spaces rather than 4 to comply And five candidates for deputy leader – societies, and registered supporters will vote. with PRM-TSI. Can wheelchair users access Rosena Allin-Khan, MP for Tooting; Richard Voting, which begins on Friday 21 February, the café? Is there wheelchair space in first? Burgon, Leeds East; Dawn Butler, Brent Central; closes at 12pm on Thursday 2 April and the Jelly Head @LordOrk Ian Murray, Edinburgh South; and Angela results will be announced at a special Rayner, Ashton-under-Lyne. conference on Saturday 4 April. Half of workers plan to ask their boss for a pay rise this year – report by GERMANY SLASHES LONG DISTANCE RAIL FARES IN BID TO GO GREEN IN 2020 @roberthalf @AlanJonesPA Germany has cut fares – for the first time in 17 years – for long distance rail travel in response to fears about climate change. Passengers making journeys of 50km (31 miles) Why only half!!! or more on Deutsche Bahn’s intercity express services have seen fares slashed by 10% in @FinnBrennan a bid to make train travel more attractive. Really disappointing no mention of FATAL AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE CRASH SPARKS FEDERAL INVESTIGATION IN US role of @NUJofficial supporting US investigators are examining a fatal crash in Los Angeles involving a Tesla car @SamiraAhmedUK in her #equalpay case in equipped with a semi-autonomous driver assistance system to see whether the autopilot The Observer .