ASLEF ANDY MCDONALD: A PUBLIC RAILWAY UNDER LABOUR
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ASLEF
JOURNAL
The ASSOCIATED SOCIETY of LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS & FIREMEN JANUARY 2017
Andy McDonald:
a public railway
under Labour
Andy Wakefield: how I Southern and DBC The train drivers’
lost 14st in 12 months the latest positions union since 1880
railway enginemen’
enginemen’ss tax fr
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ASLEF
JOURNAL
JANUARY 2017
Published by the ASSOCIATED SOCIETY of LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS & FIREMEN
Mick with Andy McDonald (left) and Mick Lynch
In the eye of
the storm 5 12-13
HEY say it’s peaceful at the eye of the
T storm but, let me assure you, it’s not. You
quickly learn that the media, the
government, and some of the public don’t care
about the real issues. The media, with one or two
News
interesting exclusions, pander to the rhetoric
about nasty unions hurting working people. I am Southern DOO and DB Cargo disputes 4
yet to hear many people defend us for standing John McDonnell at District 1 Council 5
up not for gain, but for safety, on GTR Southern.
And where is the public outcry for 1,116 freight Mick, the RDG and a sign o’ The Times 6 14
train drivers facing uncertainty at DBC after years L/Cpl Thomas Norman Jackson VC 7
of loyal service?
The government has chosen not to intervene Osa Aimienoho on our political course 8
or investigate the issues that may put the viability
of our infrastructure at risk and I do not hear a lot
from the appropriate industry quangos. As for GTR
Southern, having employed them to do their dirty
Features
work, and caused all the issues that face us, the
government attacks our right to strike; something Ian McFall on asbestos – the silent killer 11
we never do lightly or without family, and and Wullie Simpson on the SUL in Glasgow
personal, cost. They’re getting desperate when
they claim we are seeking to bring down the
Tories; we are simply reacting to issues not of our
Shadow Transport Secretary Andy
McDonald on Labour’s plans for Britain’s
12-13
15
making. Apparently we have a pact with sister railways and life in a punk rock group
trade unions; we do not, we have a joint campaign Bill Dale on the RMS forum at Low Hall 14
and are not even both affiliated to the same
political party and, of course, compete with them Slimmer of the year Andy Wakefield tells 15
in several areas. how he lost 14st in the last 12 months
We understand that passengers, paying
inflated fares for a service that was crap before any
action was taken, are naturally upset. Evidence of
full crews sitting around while trains are cancelled
Regulars 18
makes you wonder what the company is up to. But
we are receiving far more messages of support Branch News and 100 Years of Union 16-18
and 73% of the public want a guard on every train. Obituaries 19
I am never surprised at the solidarity and unity
you are showing at this difficult time. The constant Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21
drip feed of lies that we are refusing meetings, or Last Word: Books on which to spend that 22
of offers being made, and of course taking us to Amazon voucher you got for Christmas
court, is all designed to undermine that. Offers to
meet if we suspend or cancel action are not On Track, Prize Crossword, ASLEF’s 23
genuine; going to ACAS to be told ‘let us complete Legal Services and Change of Address
what we are doing and then we can talk about
how we normalise relationships’ is not an offer,
Cover photo by Andrew Wiard 22
and you would rightly castigate us if we pursued
either of those avenues. This is not about DOO, but
The ASLEF Journal is published every month by:
dwell times, and is a scenario likely to be repeated
in other franchises in coming years. ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN Tel: 020 7324 2400
Despite our challenges, may I take this
email: journal@aslef.org.uk website: www.aslef.org.uk
opportunity to wish you a Happy and Peaceful
New Year.
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
Mick Whelan, general secretary 0207 657 1819 or edwin.rodrigues@tenalps.com l CLASSIFIED ADS journal@aslef.org.uk or call 020 7324 2400
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
January 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 3
News
Standstill on Southern
when drivers walk out
SLEF members on
A Southern Railways went
on strike on Tuesday 13,
Wednesday 14 and Friday 16
December in a dispute over the
company’s decision to try and
force through driver only
operation on the franchise.
Drivers, who voted
overwhelmingly for action –
87.3% to strike, and 95.6% for be possible to do a deal – as we
industrial action short of a strike, did with ScotRail – but it takes Trains stayed in the depot
on a turnout of 77%, well above two to tango and the company as passengers suffering
the government’s artificially high has not been prepared to Southern Discomfort
new threshold – will walk out properly negotiate.’ demonstrated against
again from Monday 9 to Saturday The company – with a Chris Grayling and the DfT
14 January. Train drivers have not desperately thin argument about
been doing overtime since EU laws on freedom of movement
Tuesday 6 December. and the right of people to get to
The strikes closed the Gatwick Airport, described by the Weller appeared live with Steph partially run by operators in other
Southern network – not one train judge, Sir Michael Burton, as McGovern just after 8am on BBC countries the court case, calling
moved – and, as the TOC refuses ‘novel’, a legal euphemism for Breakfast; with Michael Crick on into question the right of British
to employ enough drivers to fulfil ‘risible’ – took the case to the High Channel 4 News; and with Jeremy workers to strike, was perverse.
its legal franchise commitments, Court, where it lost, and then to Vine on Radio 2. DO1 Graham Fortunately, the court saw sense.’
the overtime ban has hit the the Appeal Court, where Lord Morris was on BBC South-East and
company hard, too, forcing it to Justice Elias, sitting with Lord Radio 5 Live and EC1 Marz
cancel dozens of services every Justice Lewison and Lord Justice Colombini did BBC London and a QUOTE…
day. Lloyd Jones, backed our right to phone-in on 5 Live, too. ‘ASLEF not on strike. If
‘A strike is always the last resort take lawful industrial action. Mick said: ‘Our critics, in the Southern actually had
but, faced with an intransigent ASLEF officers were out in government, and in the media, do enough drivers in the first
management, our only option,’ force explaining our action. The not understand that unions, place they could run a
said general secretary Mick GS was interviewed by John especially this one, are service. #SouthernFail
Whelan. ‘We tried to reach a Humphrys in the prestigious membership-driven and that we #DoingItOnTheCheap.’ –
sensible, workable compromise 8.10am slot on Today on Radio 4; articulate the voice and the Simon Weller
with Southern in the interests of by Jo Coburn on Daily Politics on concerns of all the train drivers in …UNQUOTE
passengers, the company, and BBC 2; by ITV News, Sky News and the UK. Bearing in mind that up to
staff. We always believed it should Channel 5 News. AGS Simon 80% of UK rail is now wholly or
DBC DEAL IN SIGHT CONFLICT OF INTEREST
After long, and extremely difficult, negotiations with DB Mick Whelan has written to Chris Grayling
Cargo, an end to the uncertainty hanging over the future expressing concern about the merger of ATOC
of 1,116 freight train drivers may be in sight. ‘The and the RDG to ‘provide greater clarity about the
voluntary redundancy programme is coming to an end,’ services offered.’ Mick wrote: ‘At the time of rail
said AGS Simon Weller. ‘And a new set of terms and privatisation the remit of ATOC covered the
conditions will be presented to the executive committee.’ provision of staff travel facilities and railway
Simon Weller, ASLEF’s pensions. I am concerned that what is essentially
TWEETS OF THE MONTH assistant general secretary, a rail industry employers’ association, the RDG,
told delegates at the will now administer these important areas and
Southern is a company desperate to seek to International Transport benefits for railway staff. This creates a clear
prevent the voice of their put-upon employees Workers’ Federation conflict of interest.’
being heard. conference in Brussels last
Alan Jones, Press Association month, ‘Une vision claire
sera nécessaire pour QUOTE…
Millions of low paid, zero hours, exploited workers organiser les conducteurs ‘The public, says Chris Grayling, wants to
need a trade union. But the ones who have one de train et surmonter les know who is in charge and do not
are demonised for using it. obstacles posés par la understand the present system. They will
Paul Lewis, Money Box on Radio 4 fragmentation du réseau probably not understand the new one,
ferroviaire,’ or, in English, ‘A either. If public understanding were the
Ordinary people do not organise themselves to clear vision is needed to main criterion for how the railways should
defend their rights. They stay mute, as we have organise train drivers in be run, they would have been renationalised
bade them, and sup that which trickles down. overcoming the obstacles long ago.’ – Peter Wilby, New Statesman
Barney Farmer posed by the fragmentation …UNQUOTE
of our railway network.’
4 The ASLEF Journal l January 2017
News
Off the rails
MEL THORLEY fondly recalls the days
that other depots referred to Longsight as
Blood on Maplins. ‘We still had a shed master and
the 9A depot code, which was introduced
in 1935, and replaced in 1973 by TOPS-
the tracks friendly LO and LG, was used on all rosters
until closure in 1994. If you phoned the
JOHN McDONNELL,
shed and asked whether to start the shift
the Shadow
at Piccadilly or Longsight the answer came 9A if that was
Chancellor, with a
the start of your diagram. One day a Tinsley man came for a
forensic examination
Class 47 which had been stopped for wheel flats and visited
of the Tory Party’s
Marz Colombini, John McDonnell, Chris our lathe. He strolled into the mess room and said, “So this
failed economic
Sneddon and Steve Richardson (above); is Maplins?” That’s what they called us on the Eastern. He
policy, launched a
while Mark McGowan, taxi driver and comic, asked me if it was an urban myth that we still booked on
coruscating attack on
brings a smile to the top table (below) and off on a clipboard. I took him into the lobby, took the
the Conservative
board off the nail, and showed him my entry that morning,
government at a lively
then amazed him further by telling him that when we
District 1 Council
booked on, or off, the window man always looked away.’
meeting.
‘Austerity is not just
PAUL ROUTLEDGE turned up at the
a word. Austerity
Etihad stadium, home of Manchester City,
means freezing or
to play walking football for a feature in
cutting wages and
the Daily Mirror proudly wearing his red
cutting back on public
ASLEF sweatshirt. ‘But they made me
expenditure. Has the
wear a proper strip.’ Incidentally, Paul seems to think we’re
debt been reduced? work. at the Waterloo Action an old school version of Facebook. ‘Having read his stuff in
No, borrowing has ‘The Tories may Centre on 5 December. the ASLEF Journal, I went to see Gregor Gall in Bradford, a
risen. Has the deficit think that those The others were Ben very agreeable couple of hours.’
been eradicated? No, people who are “just Griffin, a former SAS
it’s £47 billion and about managing” are trooper and founder of BOB DYLAN, criticised for being rude and
rising. an electoral Veterans for Peace; arrogant for failing to return calls from
‘In my demographic, but for internet sensation the Swedish Academy when they
constituency, of Hayes Labour they are our Mark McGowan, aka awarded him the Nobel Prize for
& Harlington, it’s friends, our Chunky Mark, the Artist Literature, and for pleading a previous engagement on the
meant blood on the neighbours and the Taxi Driver; and Vincent big night itself, has a bit of previous on this sort of thing.
tracks. The truth is that people we represent.’ Reynolds and Vicky Once, when a fan went up to him and said, ‘You don’t know
trickle down John was one of Phillips of Thompsons who I am, but I know who you are,’ Dylan famously replied,
economics, the five inspiring speakers solicitors. ‘Let’s keep it that way.’
dominant economic
theory of
THE GAMES people play. Stephen Bush
neoliberalism, hasn’t
worked. They think QUOTE… takes to task those who view politics only
‘My mama used to say that America’s in the Westminster bubble: ‘They make
that if you make the
the big melting pot. You bring it to a the mistake of seeing the Labour leader
rich ever richer some
boil and all the scum rises to the top.’ – as a poor player of the Parliamentary
of that will trickle
Jim Jarmusch, Down by Law game rather than realising he is someone who altogether
down to poorer
…UNQUOTE disdains it. This was the mistake his Labour rivals made
people. But it doesn’t
when they attempted to remove him last summer. As the
work and it will not
shadow cabinet resignations mounted, his enemies
congratulated themselves on their skill at chess, blissfully
CONFERENCES & RALLIES unaware that Jeremy Corbyn was playing Scrabble.’
The Scottish Labour Party conference is at the Concert Hall in Perth
from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 February. The Welsh Labour Party CLIFF BLACKWELL spotted this mini
conference is at the Venue Cymru in Llandudno from Friday 24 to freight loco, sending it to the Journal
Sunday 26 March. The Scottish Trades Union Congress is at the with the dry observation, ‘Due to cut
Macdonald Highlands hotel, Aviemore, from Monday 24 to Wednesday backs in the freight sector, a new
26 April. ASLEF’s annual assembly of delegates is at the Marriott Royal eco-friendly loco undergoing trials?’
Hotel, Bristol, from Monday 22 to Thursday 25 May. The Durham
Miners’ Gala is on Saturday 8 July. The Tolpuddle Martyrs’ festival,
near Dorchester, is from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 July. The Trades Union
Congress is at the Brighton Centre from Sunday 10 to Wednesday 13 Meet Reg the shih tzu, ASLEF’s newest member.
September. The Labour Party conference is at the Brighton Centre Well, OK, not really one of our members, but he
from Sunday 24 to Wednesday 27 September. certainly took a shine to our Retired Members’
Section – and this ASLEF tie – when the RMS
500 CLUB: H Newbury, with number 119, won the December draw, met for their recent weekend forum at Low Hall.
scooping the RMS prize money jackpot of £390.
January 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 5
News
represents.
Sign o’ The Times ‘As the trade union which represents
Britain’s train drivers, we, too, believe in
ICK WHELAN spoke out in response investment in the railways; but investment in
M to a letter published in The Times on
21 November which was picked up as
what should be a public service, run properly
and efficiently for passengers, businesses and
a news story and for a leading article in the taxpayers, not for the TOCs which, as we see
paper. The tendentious contribution, from Paul every day on Southern Railways, are
Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery manifestly failing passengers as well as staff.
Group, was co-signed by Martin Griffiths of We would be willing to debate this publicly
Stagecoach; Mark Carne of Network Rail; Karen with Mr Plummer, any time, any place.’
Boswell of Hitachi; David Higgins of HS2; We sent a letter refuting all of Paul
Russell Mears of Freightliner; David Begg of Plummer’s allegations but The Times, which
Transport Times and ‘a further 20 names’ The GS challenged Paul acknowledged receipt of our response, chose
according to the paper in a clumsy but Plummer’s misleading not to publish it.
co-ordinated campaign to push DOO. letter to The Times
‘It’s a shame that Paul Plummer doesn’t QUOTE…
know what he’s talking about,’ said Mick. ‘What unfit for the number of passengers we have in ‘Globalisation is associated with low
Mr Plummer – who, with his background in the 21st century. wages, insecure employment, stateless
accounting, has no operational experience of ‘What Mr Plummer disingenuously refers to corporations and striking inequalities.’ –
Britain’s railways – mendaciously refers to as as “smarter working” is, in fact, a desire to cut Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank
‘modern technology’ is in fact nothing of the corners, and cut costs, and bring in zero hours of England
sort; it is technology designed in the 1970s, contracts, in order to drive up profits for the …UNQUOTE
and introduced in the 1980s, which is palpably privatised train operating companies that he
DfT ‘in bed with GTR’
Paul Davies, who wrote about subjecting the travelling
the relationship between GTR public to unacceptable
and the DfT in the Journal conditions on Southern. It’s
(November), has launched a a management contract
campaign on the 38 Degrees which means Govia takes no
website for an inquiry into financial risk, the public pays
the conduct of Philip Rutnam, compensation if GTR fails,
permanent secretary at the and it fails daily, and Govia’s
Department for Transport. understaffing results in
‘I’ve launched a petition I higher profits. Rutnam has
hope you will sign – and let’s presided over the East Coast
hope we get 100,000 franchise debacle, the West
signatures because that will Coast re-franchising
trigger a Parliamentary debacle, the failure of
debate. Rutnam authorised Western electrification to
falsehoods to the Cabinet deliver on time or on
Office to protect the cosy budget, and the catastrophe
relationship with Govia, at GTR-Southern.’
The Class 395 Regency
END OF LINE FOR THE TRADITIONAL SIGNAL BOX Javelin at Brighton on
VIRGIN TRAIN HITS Philip Hammond, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has its whistlestop tour of
announced plans to spend £450 million to trial digital Sussex and Kent to raise
CAR ON CROSSING signalling technology on Britain’s railways. They are part of the a few bob for the Royal
infrastructure spending set out in the Chancellor’s autumn British Legion’s annual
A five-car Virgin Trains Super Voyager, the poppy appeal
statement on 23 November ‘to achieve a step change in
16.41 service from Preston to Glasgow, struck
reliability and squeeze more capacity out of our existing rail
a car at Cleghorn level crossing, between
infrastructure.’ It will mean the end of the line for 500 Victorian MARK’S TIME
Carstairs and Motherwell in South
signal boxes using hand levers and Morse code-style messages. Mark Daniels, of
Lanarkshire, on 3 December. The occupants
got out before the vehicle was dragged 80 Barking main line,
TOP OF THE STOPS has been selected
yards along the line. British Transport Police
Waterloo, with 99.2 million passengers last year, is Britain’s to stand for
are investigating how the car came to be on
busiest railway station, according to new figures from the Labour in
the crossing.
Office of Rail and Road. The top ten includes Victoria 85.3m; Rochford South at
Liverpool Street 63.6m; London Bridge 49.5m; Charing Cross the elections for
Stay warm and dry this 42.98m; Euston 42.95m; Paddington 35.7m; Birmingham New Essex county
winter with our smart new Street 35.3m; King’s Cross 31.3m; and Stratford 30.9m. council in May. He
black waterproof jacket. joins Collette
Price £30 (inc p&p); email ANDY NOW BRITISH CHAMP Gibson, of Gidea
info@aslef.org.uk or visit Andy ‘Powerhouse’ Pearson, a driver with South West Trains, Park, who is
our online shop at who was featured as a key worker in the Journal (January 2016), standing in
www.aslef.org.uk won a category in the recent British Powerlifting Union Bocking.
championships. Just champion, Andy!
6 The ASLEF Journal l January 2017
News
For valour On the morning of 27
September 1918 his company’s
assault on a heavily-defended
KEN GRAINGER on a section of the Hindenburg line
was held up by withering
memorial to a young
machine-gun fire. According to
railwayman who won a the citation, ‘L/Cpl Jackson was
posthumous Victoria Cross the first to volunteer to follow
for attacking a German Capt CH Frisby across the Canal
machine-gun position and du Nord in his rush against an
capturing 14 prisoners enemy machine-gun post. With
two comrades he followed his The name of L/Cpl Thomas Norman Jackson VC (left) who ‘showed the
ACK in 2003 ASLEF officer across the canal, rushed greatest valour and devotion to duty, and set an inspiring example to
B sponsorship helped the
Great Central Railway
the post, capturing two machine-
guns, and so enabled the
all’ is unveiled in Sheffield (right)
Society restore the Great Central companies to advance. Later in replaced by kupron bronze panels determination of ASLEF’s branch
Railway memorial to 1,304 Great the morning, L/Cpl Jackson was in 1925. secretary, Sid Rimmington,
War dead on the forecourt of the the first to jump into a German The memorial has been formerly of Staveley loco. A book
Royal Victoria Holiday Inn, trench which his platoon had to amended, again with the of remembrance, with the history
Sheffield. After the restoration, clear and, after doing further generous support of ASLEF, and of the railwaymen listed on the
the men listed on it were traced, excellent work, was unfortunately was unveiled in the presence of memorial, is viewable on request
but an omission came to light – killed.’ He was buried in Sanders past and present Coldstream at the hotel reception.
Lance Corporal Thomas Norman Keep military cemetery, Guardsmen, the Lord Mayor of
Jackson VC of the 1st Battalion, Graincourt-les-Havrincourt, his Sheffield, the Mayor of
Coldstream Guards, the oldest headstone inscribed with the Rotherham, and the Civic Mayor QUOTE…
regiment in the British Army. Victoria Cross he was of Doncaster. ‘HS2 is a much-needed shot
Norman was born in Swinton, posthumously awarded. in the arm for the British
south Yorkshire, in 1897 and was a But why was he not honoured KEVIN CURRAN writes: The GC economy.’ – Frances
railwayman – an engine cleaner at on the Great Central memorial? memorial only survived the O’Grady, general
Great Central’s Mexborough loco He probably was, but his name closure of Sheffield Victoria secretary of the TUC
– before joining the colours in was lost when the crumbling station in 1970 thanks to the …UNQUOTE
December 1916. original stone plaques were timely intervention and dogged
COP SAYS BOMB
RED AND ALIVE LUCIO CHARITY SHOP NEW TRAINS ON
RISING An undercover
THAMESLINK
Lucio Buffone, policeman spying on
trade union activists New eight carriage Siemens Class
Paddington
suggested they fire bomb 700 trains have replaced 29-year-old
branch chair,
a charity shop. The Class 319s on the Wimbledon and
who was
Morning Star has revealed Sutton loop and on stopping services
featured as a key
that the cop – who used to and from Luton and St Albans.
worker in the
Journal (in the alias Carlo Neri
Our recent town hall meeting between the February 2015) between 2001 and 2006
business council and the LLC reps coincided has been and is still a serving Tea and coffee tastes
with Wear Red Day – we all sported elected to the policeman – wanted to better in a red and white
something red to show our support for Show board of the attack the shop on Elgin ASLEF mug! Price £3.50
Racism the Red Card and raised £70 for the London Labour Avenue, west London, so (inc p&p); email
education charity. Party as LGBT that anti-Nazi info@aslef.org.uk or visit our
Andy Bullock, Freightliner Intermodal officer. campaigners would get online shop at www.aslef.org.uk
business council rep the blame.
All about people, people in the public
transport industry, people like you...
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0300 333 2000 www.tbf.org.uk help@tbf.org.uk
Transport Benevolent Fund CIO, known as TBF, is a registered charity in England and Wales, 1160901
January 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 7
News
I want to
be elected
OSA AIMIENOHO, equality and
diversity rep, Waterloo Nine Elms,
reports on the ASLEF political course
at Stoke Rochford
THINK it’s fundamental and
I imperative for members of a trade
union to be seriously active in their
constituency Labour Party. For ASLEF to have
any impact in the policy making machinery,
we need to get politically involved. The days of
letting a political elite decide our fates have
gone; we need to get in there and help shape
The ASLEF train crew
not only Britain’s transport policies, but the
(above) were joined by
political decisions concerning health, housing
political journalist
and education that have an impact on us, our
Paul Routledge (right)
families, and society.
and Luton North MP
I was overjoyed when Steve Richardson, my
Kelvin Hopkins (far
branch secretary, confirmed my place on this
right) in Lincolnshire
year’s political course as I have always been
interested in a political career. As I drove into powers and responsibilities. We then went on
Stoke Rochford Hall, near Grantham, I felt to deal with the all-important question of how
euphoric. The ambience – and the views from to get selected and then elected. We heard The highlight of the course was meeting
the grounds – were amazing. The buzz was from two ASLEF members, Andy Botham Daily Mirror journalist Paul Routledge, who
quickly deflated when I looked at the itinerary. (cabinet member for council services, provided an excellent insight into how to deal
This was no jolly. It was a work-intensive week Derbyshire county council) and Alan Moir with the news media, and Kelvin Hopkins,
including three 12 hour event-packed days. (convenor of the development and Labour MP for Luton North, who offered a
The course started with a welcome from regeneration committee, East Dunbartonshire frank, warts and all, perspective from inside
Tosh McDonald, ASLEF’s executive committee council), who have both taken the leap of faith the Westminster bubble.
president, with his take on the current political and successfully contested elections for EC1 Marz Colombini’s closing contribution
climate. The trainers – Mark Walker and Ed Labour. The benefit of their experience was stressed the importance of ASLEF’s political
Murphy – were fantastic, very knowledgeable invaluable. We also had the opportunity to do engagement and left us feeling motivated and
and very experienced. They gave us an a mock radio interview, prepare a motion, and ready to take the next steps along the path. It
overview of local government and outlined election speech. was a tough course, at times heavy going, but
an enlightening five days which left me in no
HOW CHRIS GRAYLING COULD REDUCE DEATHS ON OUR ROADS doubt about my political inspirations and
Campaigners are calling on the government to commit to moving more freight by rail to aspirations. It has practically prepared me, and
help reduce the number of deaths caused by heavy goods vehicles. ‘Removing HGVs from given me the confidence, to take up this
the road network has a number of benefits, not least in making our roads safer, and challenge. I would encourage anyone with
reducing fatalities, improving our air quality and reducing carbon emissions and interest in pursuing a political career to attend
congestion,’ said Philippa Edmunds, manager of Freight on Rail. ‘Rail is the safer, greener the course.
alternative for long distance consumer freight traffic, but there is currently a suppressed
demand for these services because of a lack of capacity on the rail network. The NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE BLASTS DfT
government must prioritise funding to the strategic rail freight network to help improve
The National Audit Office has issued a damning
road safety and reduce congestion and air pollution.’
report – blaming mismanagement by the
Department for Transport – on the electrification
CARRIAGES ‘NOT GOOD ENOUGH’ STUDY OF RAIL SUICIDE HOT SPOTS of the Great Western line. It says cost overruns,
New c2c train carriages on the Shoeburyness Network Rail has asked a team of academics to
delays, and contract variations have cost
to Fenchurch Street route have been study the communities around 32 suicide hot
passengers – and taxpayers – £330 million. The
criticised for doing nothing to ease long- spots. The anthropologists will work on the
cost of the project has risen by £2.1 billion in
standing overcrowding problems on the line. ground to investigate what it is about cluster
three years to £5.58 billion. ‘This is a case study in
‘There are fewer seats and more luggage locations that attracts those who want to kill
how not to manage a major programme,’ said Sir
holding,’ said Peter Slattery of the Southend themselves. ‘Currently, most research is done
Amyas Morse, comptroller and auditor general of
Rail Travellers’ Association. ‘Passengers by psychologists, who offer explanations at an
the NAO.
shouldn’t have to stand every day.’ individual level, and sociologists, who have
societal explanations,’ said Ian Stevens, who
runs Network Rail’s suicide prevention QUOTE…
Our woolly hat will keep you
programme. ‘All the prevention measures we ‘As far as I have seen Cabinet ministers,
warm this winter. Price £5
could have are in place at these stations but, they are not more clever than other people.’
(including p&p); email
unfortunately, still people come and take their – Anthony Trollope, Phineas Finn
info@aslef.org.uk or visit our
own life. We need to understand the
online shop at www.aslef.org.uk …UNQUOTE
communities around these spots.’
8 The ASLEF Journal l January 2017
Comprehensive legal cover to keep you and your family on track ASLEF members get free, specialist legal advice and representation for: Personal injury – at or away from work, on holiday or on the roads Serious injury – including brain and spinal cord injuries Industrial disease or illness Employment law – accessed via your ASLEF district organiser Additional member benefits include: Special terms for clinical negligence Reduced rates for conveyancing, probate and lasting Powers of Attorney Criminal law support for workplace issues – 24hr helpline: 0800 587 7530 Cover for family members – personal injury claims away from work Use the ASLEF legal service, provided by Thompsons Solicitors, and keep 100% of your compensation within the union scheme. Call the ASLEF legal service today on 0808 100 8009 www.thompsons.law.co.uk/aslef Standing up for you
ASLEF Freight Weekend
ASLEF will be holding a Freight
Weekend in Birmingham from
Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 April
The weekend will be an opportunity to discuss the sector,
including how we get through the current issues facing our
industry, as well as securing better terms and conditions
and working towards safer working.
Several speakers will address the weekend from within the
union and the industry.
Rooms can be booked for £95 if sharing a twin room or £130
for your own room. This includes a hot lunch on arrival,
dinner, breakfast and refreshments during the 2 days.
For more details and the application form please visit the
ASLEF homepage which has details at: www.aslef.org.uk
DARE DEVIL TOUR DATES
22-23 November St Michael’s Irish Centre, Liverpool (0151 263 1808;
RIDES TO www.stmichaelsirishcentre.org)
24-26 November Yorkshire rural touring scheme (venues tbc)
JARAMA 30 November The Place, Bedford (01234 718112; www.theplacebedford.org.uk)
1 December Square Chapel, Halifax (01422 349422; www.squarechapel.co.uk)
A new play by 2 December The Hat Factory, Luton (01582 878100)
3 December Ruskin College, Oxford (01865 759600; www.ruskin.ac.uk)
Neil Gore
26 January The Carriage Works, Leeds (0113 376 0318)
27 January Working Class Movement Library, Manchester (07949 635910)
‘To you we speak, you numberless Englishmen, 28 January Working Class Movement Library, Manchester (07949 635910)
To remind you of the greatness still among you
Created by these men who go from our towns 1 February The Lighthouse, Poole (01202 280000)
To fight for peace, for liberty, and for you.’ 3 February Buckerell, Devon (01363 773660)
4 February Burton Bradstock village hall, Dorset (01308 897421)
Clem Beckett and Christopher Caudwell were two
5 February Cadeleigh parish hall, Devon (01884 855311)
such men. Moved by most Spaniards’ determination
7 February Swan Theatre, Worcester (01905 611427)
to defend themselves against Franco, Hitler and
Mussolini, they crossed the Pyrenees to fight for 9 February Corn Hall, Diss (01379 652241)
democracy and against Fascism in Spain. Clem ‘Dare 10 February Pound Arts, Corsham, Wiltshire (01249 701628/712618)
Devil’ Beckett, the rugged speedway star, and 15 February Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich (01473 295900)
Christopher Caudwell, poet and literary critic, were 16 February Old Fire Station, Oxford (01865 263990)
unlikely friends; but a common cause brought them 17 February Cramphorn Theatre, Chelmsford (01245 606505)
together and they fought and died at a machinegun 22 February Blackwood Miners (01495 227206)
post covering their battalion’s retreat at the Battle of 24 February Hen & Chicken, Bristol (01749 870078)
Jarama in 1937. 25 February Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis (01297 442138)
Commissioned by the International Brigades
Memorial Trust, Dare Devil Rides to Jarama tells the 1 March Wortley Hall (07974531211)
story of the British and Irish volunteers in the brutal
2 March Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough (01723 370541)
Civil War in Spain, capturing the idealistic hopes and
3 March The Maltings Theatre, Berwick-on-Tweed (01289 330999)
dreams, raw passions, fear and anger in a powerful
new drama which features stirring songs, poetry and 4 March Blantyre Miners’ Welfare, South Lanarkshire (01698 454690)
flamenco dance. 5 March Eden Court, Inverness (01463 2334234)
10 The ASLEF Journal l January 2017Legal
It was only after retiring that the 73-year-
The silent killer old sought medical attention with complaints
of breathlessness. Upon medical examination,
Asbestos disease is the most doctors diagnosed that he was suffering with
prominent occupational mesothelioma. This devastating and incurable
lung disease was due to years of asbestos
disease risk in Britain.
exposure.
IAN McFALL of Thompsons Thompsons was instructed to investigate a
solicitors explains why it is compensation claim, and succeeded in
an ongoing problem for ASLEF obtaining an out of court settlement for the
members and what you can do about it member.
If you – or any member of your family – has
ANY workers in the railway industry been diagnosed with ill-health due to
M have been exposed to asbestos at
some point in their career. From old
asbestos, contact ASLEF immediately, to
access expert legal advice.
railway workshops to decaying train A compensation claim for an asbestos-
compartments, the risk of having been Asbestos is a related disease must be started within three
exposed to asbestos is significant for a large killer. This is what years from the date when the person suffering
proportion of the workforce. Many ASLEF it does to healthy from the condition first became aware of the
members will be able to remember the days lungs diagnosis. It does not matter whether the
when asbestos was a common fixture in exposure to asbestos took place decades or
locomotive cabins across the country. One case of an ASLEF member who needed longer ago – a compensation claim is still
Asbestos is still the most prominent the help of his union – and Thompsons – is a possible.
occupational disease risk and can lead to a train driver from Wiltshire who developed The time limitations are strict, so contacting
variety of lung conditions, including the fatal mesothelioma due to years of asbestos ASLEF and speaking to an expert solicitor for
disease mesothelioma – current predictions exposure in his job. This ASLEF member free legal advice as soon as possible after a
are that there will be around 2,500 deaths worked on the railways until he retired after 55 diagnosis is vital.
from mesothelioma in the UK this year. years’ service, having been employed as a Through your union, you have access to
Thompsons solicitors is the leading legal cleaner, a fireman, and, finally, a driver for the specialist legal support if you suffer from an
representative for workers suffering from former British Railways Board. asbestos-related illness, and lawyers who can
asbestos disease and brought the first He was exposed to asbestos throughout investigate and pursue a claim on your behalf
successful case for compensation to the this period, as it had been used to lag boilers against those responsible for negligence in the
House of Lords in 1972. The firm has since and cylinders and between casings on the workplace. For more information about the
worked tirelessly to protect and assist workers trains. He was never provided with protection dangers of asbestos and any steps you can
right across the country who have been from the dust, nor was he warned about the take, please visit www.thompsons.law.co.uk/
affected by asbestos-related illnesses. dangers to his health. asbestos-diseases
Another brick in the wall
WULLIE SIMPSON, ASLEF Education project worker in
Scotland, reports from the SUL conference in Glasgow
HE ninth Scottish for Employability and Training
T Union Learning
conference, at the
Marriott hotel in Glasgow on
in the Scottish government,
said it ‘a great opportunity to
recognise and celebrate the
8 November, was attended by invaluable work that the SUL
Kevin Lindsay, ASLEF’s education programme does to
organiser in Scotland, Wullie support workers across
Simpson, ASLEF Education’s Scotland.’
project worker in Scotland, There was a panel session
and the Scottish ULR on organising learning and ASLEF delegates at SUL 2016
education team. sharing good practice
The themes were followed by a presentation the web; and organising secretary of the STUC,
organising union learning and from Katie Hutton of Skills learning for young and applauded the SUL award
developing workforce skills Development Scotland. We precarious workers. winners and thanked
based on the fair work then moved on to the Frances Higson, who has everyone in attendance for
framework. Peter Hunter, chair workshop sessions where made such critically-acclaimed their contribution to the STUC
of the SUL board, warmly ULRs chose between four films as The Magdalene Sisters, learning programme in 2016.
welcomed everyone and options – organising union Orphans, and Fridge, spoke Wendy Burton, director of
thanked the Scottish learning; equality and about her pathway from Scottish Union Learning,
Qualifications Authority and learning, how to make a case leaving school and dropping thanked the Scottish
Skills Development Scotland for equality in the union and out of college to becoming a government and all the trade
for their support. the workplace; digital unions, film director and producer. unions for their input to
Jamie Hepburn, Minister an introduction to coding for Graeme Smith, general Scottish Union Learning.
January 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 11Agenda
Andy: Getting Britain’s
railway back on track
Andy McDonald, the Shadow Transport for want of a better expression, an ordinary
Secretary, tells KEITH RICHMOND how he working-class home. His dad, a Scot, worked in
sees the future of the rail network in shipyards and factories, latterly at ICI, his mum
was a primary school teacher. The values instilled
Britain (and ’fesses up to playing in a
in him by his parents, and the teachers at his
punk rock band at uni) Roman Catholic school, of hard work, and caring
for others, chimed with his nascent socialism.
NDY McDONALD’S political career was ‘It wasn’t much of a leap to the Labour Party!
A almost strangled at birth. Passionate,
committed, and working behind the
Jeremy says some wonderful things, like treat
your neighbour like yourself, and that kind of
scenes, he applied to join Labour’s local compassionate and caring society is one I want
government panel – a list of candidates to work for. I had a pretty orthodox Catholic
approved to stand for the party come election upbringing, and try to live up to those standards.
time. ‘I thought I’d get to fight a safe Tory seat, I’m a practicing Roman Catholic; and I know I
and lose, and was happy to do that.’ Except he desperately need the practice!’
was rejected. Because, it was said, he had known Initially, though, he found the Labour Party
links with the Militant tendency. ‘an uncomfortable place to be, more conflict
‘The previous decade, I had represented than consensus, and that shocked and
somebody alleged to be a member of Militant disappointed me. The values and principles of
and, as I explained to the appeal tribunal, as a our wonderful movement were observed more
lawyer, I represent many people accused of in the breach than in the observance.’ So why
many things, including murder, but that didn’t didn’t he leave? ‘Because the Labour Party is our
mean I’d done any of those things myself.’ John best hope, our best bet, and even if we don’t get
Burton, Tony Blair’s agent, said there was no case there that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive for it. Andy lays out his plans for Britain’s railways at Por
to answer. ‘So I was admitted to the panel and Socialism is like Catholicism. You get up every enjoys his copy of the Christmas Journal. Photos: A
ended up fighting a safe seat. Being rejected by day and you fail every day. But that doesn’t
understood exactly what that terribly cruel
the party kick-started my political career…’ mean you abandon your values and your
government was doing to my community, what
Andy, 58, has a dry sense of humour. He’s principles.’
it could have done, and chose not to.
good company, as well as dedicated, and, as
‘This government doesn’t get the concept of
someone who became a Member of Parliament THE TEAM AND THE TOWN an industrial strategy, that’s why it doesn’t have
relatively late in life, a man without that sense of Andy loves football and Middlesbrough, back in one. It only pretends to understand the issues.
entitlement which infects some on both sides of the Premier League, are his home town club Everything is about extracting value, that’s their
the House. But why get involved in politics? although his dad, from Clydeside, took him as a mantra, that’s their obsession, next quarter’s
‘The trigger for me was 1979 – that’s when I boy to Celtic, too. He remembers Steve Gibson, accounting report. There’s no long-term strategic
joined the party – in response to Margaret the Boro chairman, from sixth form at school, thinking.’
Thatcher’s speech on the steps of Downing and understands what a team can mean to a
Street when she quoted St Francis of Assisi – town.
D’YE KEN JOHN PEEL
“Where there is discord, may we bring harmony” ‘Middlesbrough, the team, is synonymous
Andy loves music, too. He passed Grade 7 piano
– it struck a chord with me because I knew it with the town and its people, a focal point to
and, as a precocious 17-year-old, formed a sixth
wasn’t true. bind people together. We’ve had some terrific
form band called Amaraz – heavily influenced by
highs and lows, and injustices, like the three
Carlos Santana and Steely Dan, with difficult
HOME TOWN HERO ON TEESSIDE points deducted in ’96-’97 which led to
time signatures and a brass section – and then,
‘I benefited greatly from the Labour relegation, and people like Ali Brownlee, Mr
at uni, a spoof punk rock band, Nasty Media,
governments of Harold Wilson and Jim Middlesbrough, who died last February, the best
with Paul Vallely, who, ironically, went on to write
Callaghan, growing up in the 1960s and ’70s, in a friend people had never met. It might be
for the Church Times, the Sunday Times and The
country created after the Second World War by intangible, but there is a bond, and we saw it
Tablet. ‘Paul came up with a version of D’Ye Ken
the Labour governments of Clement Attlee. I when the steelworks closed, with that
John Peel, the Radio 1 DJ, not the 19th century
went to school for free, to university for free, and demonstration at Old Trafford, and the crowd
huntsman, which Peely played incessantly, and
was treated in hospital for free.’ singing a version of Lord of the Dance in
which was ridiculously successful, so we ended
Andy is a home town hero on Teesside. He language of primary colours to David Cameron.
up out on tour with John Cooper Clarke.
was born and brought up in Middlesbrough in, The Speaker in the House of Commons
‘I still love music – people like Al Green and
Marvin Gaye – but haven’t caught up with
technology. I have my vinyl and CDs but have
run out of kit to play them on. But I do Spotify
and am a bit of a crooner, on the quiet, with the
PLP.’
With a degree in law and a passion for music
he had two choices of career – teaching,
specialising in music, was attractive – but went
down the legal path because he wanted to stand
up for the weak and the vulnerable, to right
12 The ASLEF Journal l January 2017Andy McDonald
remember the success of East Coast in the Labour Party but that’s settling down.
public sector from 2009 to 2014. We will bring ‘Labour can win in 2020. A significant upside
them back into the public sector as franchises to the EU referendum, an outcome I didn’t want,
come to their end, or a break clause, or and campaigned vigorously against, is an
companies volunteer to give them up, so it opportunity for Labour to have direct
won’t be an expensive exercise.’ conversations with people in our constituencies,
That’s for the future but, in the meantime, to address their concerns very directly.’
there are serious problems at Southern and in He thinks about construction workers,
the freight sector. precluded from applying for jobs in their own
territories, with companies bringing over
DEEP, DEEP TROUBLE workers en masse from Eastern Europe, ‘who are
‘These are desperately worrying times for the wholly exploited, in receipt of wages at or
freight industry and this government doesn’t around the minimum wage; it’s a lose-lose
have its eye on the ball. It will let the market situation for both sets of workers, but a win-win
decide and that won’t work. DBC is not just for the corporates, and creates animosity and
about the workforce, and the men and women tension in our communities. Labour has the
the company is trying to dump, any more than opportunity to address this head on, and say we
it’s just about shipping goods and aggregates. cannot have these jobs exclusively advertised,
It’s about the infrastructure and the everybody must be able to apply for them, and
maintenance of the railway itself, which the everybody should be paid the proper rate for the
government just doesn’t get, and if it doesn’t job.
then we’re in deep, deep trouble.
‘DOO is political motivation writ large. I’m TRUE BRITISH VALUES
not criticising conviction politics, per se, except ‘That’s one small example, but we have to be
these are exactly the wrong ones, trying to look bold and clear there is another side to the
at workforce costs as the first line of attack to migration issue. If every European Union citizen
increase profits, with no thought of safety, and were to leave we would be in deep, deep
security, for passengers. There are serious trouble. We have to value and respect the people
disability issues, with people being trapped in who are here. We need to have a clear
trains and on stations. The DfT is making a conversation with the electorate.
complete mess of this but, as we know, Chris ‘I don’t underestimate UKIP, and I don’t
Grayling is motivated not by what is in the best underestimate why they appeal to people, but I
rtcullis House (below left) and thoroughly
interest of passengers, but in keeping suburban have great faith in true British values, which I
Andrew Wiard
services out of the clutches of a Labour Mayor think will prevail, and I saw that in my own
injustices, and ‘believed in the power of the law of London.’ constituency where UKIP came a distant second.
to redress the balance of power in Britain’. As a Despite talk of an early election, perhaps in There was a 63% vote to leave the EU, but the
high street practitioner he did conveyancing and spring this year, Andy thinks, ‘She’ll bottle it, do first test back Labour got 76% in a ward for the
wills and criminal law – ‘everything, right across a Gordon Brown, and go on to 2020.’ And that, local authority. That spoke volumes about what
the spectrum’ – before specialising in injuries he thinks, is good for Labour. ‘Don’t be under can be achieved. The Labour Party – which is
with Thompsons, the trade union solicitors who any misapprehension, the Tory Party is riven. I here for the long term – will stand with people
act for ASLEF. know people talk about open warfare in the and stand up for people.’
FLAGSHIP POLICY ON RAIL
He got his present job ‘by dint of circumstances; FACT FILE
the limit of my ambition was to be a half decent
■ ANDY McDONALD was born and brought up in Acklam,
Member of Parliament’ but has embraced it
Middlesbrough, in 1958. He went to state schools before
wholeheartedly, quickly mastering a complex
reading Law at Leeds Polytechnic, which is now Leeds
brief. ‘It doesn’t hold the fears it once did. When
Beckett University.
you’re at the dispatch box you’ve got a platform
■ He worked as a lawyer, becoming senior serious injury
for your notes, it’s like being the lead singer in a
solicitor at the Thompsons solicitors office in
band, you’ve got the mic, it’s easier than being a
Middlesbrough.
backbencher.
■ Andy was active in local politics for many years, serving as a councillor for
‘Public ownership of the railway – a flagship
Westbourne ward, before being selected to fight a by-election after the death of Stuart
policy for Labour – resonates with people who
Bell in 2012. Andy won the seat, increasing Labour’s share of the vote to 60.5%.
know it’s the right thing. How stupid is it to allow
tens of millions of pounds to leak from our rail ■ He was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to Shadow Attorney General
network in the name of the free market? The Emily Thornberry in 2013 and then, after Ed Miliband’s reshuffle, PPS to Shadow
reality is there isn’t a railway in the world which Business Secretary Chuka Umunna.
doesn’t run with significant public subsidy. Why ■ Andy was returned to Westminster at the general election in 2015, polling 18,584
on earth, on that basis, should we not do it? It votes, well ahead of UKIP (6,017), the Conservatives, (5,388), Greens (1,407) and
makes sense, instead of this complicated and Liberal Democrats (1,220).
costly system we have at the moment which, as ■ He became PPS to Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and then, in January 2016,
we can see, doesn’t work. Revenue on the was appointed Shadow Minister for Rail by Jeremy Corbyn.
railway comes from two sources – the fare payer ■ Andy was promoted to Shadow Transport Secretary when Lilian Greenwood
and the taxpayer – and it’s not Richard Branson. resigned after the EU referendum in June last year.
This country needs to lose its Virginity. ■ He has been married to Sally for 30 years. They had two children, both born with
‘There’s a great public appetite for public special needs; Rory died at 16 and Freddie, 22, has just moved into independent living.
ownership of something, like rail, which belongs ‘He’s very, very happy. It opened a new world for us, healthy and sound as we are. It’s
to the people. We want worker involvement in not all negativity. We have the joy of our sons, and have met many remarkable people.’
the management and day to day running, and
January 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 13RMS
When I get older
losing my hair
BILL DALE of Chingford
branch, a committee
member of ASLEF’s Retired
Members’ Section, reports
on the annual RMS forum at Low Hall,
Scalby, North Yorkshire
HE Retired Members’ Section held its
T annual forum at Low Hall, owned by
the Yorkshire area of the National
Union of Mineworkers, in the village of Scalby.
It was nice to see members who had never
been before and I believe they enjoyed the
experience. The RMS is hoping to hold an
additional forum in another part of the
country in 2017. This is only possible due to
the 500 Club and it would be great to have
more people in the monthly draw so if you can
spare £1 per week remember it greatly assists
your retired colleagues. Forms are available
from ASLEF head office or RMS secretary Alan
Taylor.
The chair welcomed everyone, asked for a
minute’s silence for Remembrance Day, then
the forum was opened by executive
committee president Tosh McDonald.
been reinstated. However, there has been a
PROBLEMS FOR FREIGHT problem where passes have been abused and Tosh McDonald, Rodney Bickerstaffe, Chris
He reported on the problems facing our then withdrawn. and Gail Kitchen (above); Tosh with Tony
colleagues in the freight operating companies, Our first speaker on Saturday was Chris West (left); and delegates at Low Hall (top)
with the loss of coal and steel traffic, and Kitchen, general secretary of the NUM, who
reminded us of our close links with the NUM; spoke warmly about the close relationship young and old, blaming the old for the
ever since ASLEF was formed in 1880 we have between ASLEF and the NUM, and the bitter hardships we face today, and nothing could
been involved in the movement of coal miners’ strike of 1984-85. Although the Tories be further from the truth. The older
around the country. The freight sector, he said, did their damnedest to destroy the industry, generation still pay the government £40
is the worst he can remember, with drivers and the union, the NUM continues with 350 billion each year in taxes and other savings.
under threat of live redundancies for the first members, and 200,000 retired members, and The people to blame are in the Conservative
time. is currently financially sufficient. government, for looking after the rich, and
ASLEF has always worked with DB Cargo, making the poor pay more and suffer more.
but the company has a new boss, and issued FIGHTING FOR DIGNITY AND On Sunday Tosh closed our forum. He
redundancy notices to staff so they would JUSTICE talked about his background, and how it
have to re-apply for their own jobs under new Chris said that good pits were closed, and moulded him to become an active member of
terms and conditions, and 391 drivers’ jobs in seams never opened, on the grounds of the trade union movement and the Labour
17 areas will be lost for good, anyway. DB is profitability. It has some similarity with the Party.
also sacking drivers in Germany. The only bit of NHS – costs are increasing, so privatise it. The
good news is that they run TOCs, too, government – well, taxpayers, you and me and RISE AND FALL OF TONY BLAIR
including LOROL, which gives a little leverage the rest of us – is going to cough up £18 billion Tosh talked about the political rise and fall of
to move and, following talks, they have agreed to build the Hinkley Point C nuclear power Tony Blair, and Gordon Brown, and how the
to withdraw the notices. station in Somerset – although the National Labour Party lost members, votes and seats
Tosh also talked about DOO and the Audit Office estimates the strike price will with its right-wing free market New Labour
current dispute on Southern. GTR applied for actually be £29.7 billion – yet there is a wealth agenda. Following the departure of Ed
an injunction against drivers for refusing to of fossil fuel underground to serve all our Miliband the union went for Jeremy Corbyn as
drive new 12 car units on Gatwick Express energy requirements for years. ‘With modern leader and Tom Watson as deputy leader. We
without a guard, putting passengers at risk. technology to burn it, and the will to mine it, have all seen what has happened since.
ASLEF asked for the history of accidents on we could have 21st century power stations at Jeremy has resisted calls from Blairites in the
DOO workings to be looked at; it appears the a fraction of the price of Hinkley Point C.’ Parliamentary Labour Party to resign, and is
traction interlocking cannot be relied on. This Rodney Bickerstaffe, former GS of NUPE, still there because of his beliefs.
should surely mean a review of all DOO and then Unison, gave an address that was Tosh also talked about Britain’s decision to
operations in the country, said Tosh, or is it both serious and light-hearted. One of his leave the European Union – the executive
only to apply if the cap fits for management? current passions is the National Pensioners’ committee backed Brexit – which of course is
On another issue – companies withdrawing Convention, set up by Jack Jones of the T&G at odds with the Labour Party leader, but Tosh
group travel for retired members and those and himself, which now has 1.5 million said he still believes it was the right decision.
who never worked for them – due to pressure members, all pensioners fighting for dignity A warm vote of thanks was given to all our
and representation these withdrawals have and justice. Some people are trying to divide speakers for their time addressing our forum.
14 The ASLEF Journal l January 2017You can also read
