ASLEFJOURNAL Equality is the soul of liberty
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
ASLEF JOURNAL
The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen
JUNE 2020
Equality is the
soul of liberty
Equalities: ASLEF’s
BAME, Disabled,
LGBT+, Women’s and
Young Members
committees The train drivers’
union since 1880
railway enginemen’s tax free saver plans
tax free savings plans
for anyone who
works on the railways...
we don’t mean just train drivers..!
tax free policies from 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 Authority.
Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Incorporated under the Friendly Societies Act 1992
ASLEF JOURNAL
The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen
JUNE 2020
GS Mick Whelan
Days are confused
HANK you for
T all you are
doing in these
confused and difficult
times. It is our duty to
keep the lines of
communication open
for key workers, and
the transport of food
and medical supplies,
4 for the protection of
Mick: ‘Thank you
our communities and
News 8 nation. brothers and sisters’
l Covid-19 crisis: what next for the railway? 4 The rail unions wrote a joint letter to
l Coronavirus modelling is a load of crystal balls
Westminster, Holyrood, and the Welsh Assembly
5
asking that any timetable for change to dealing
plus Off the Rails: Richard Branson; Sir Peter
with the pandemic be dealt with in the same
Viggers and that duck house; Kim Jong-un;
way. That has not happened and, inevitably, has
Terence Frisby; and John Crace on BJ as PM
led to confusion. We also campaigned that
l Alert: tide turns on Tories; drivers’ face masks 6 when the time is right, and safe, all transport
l ‘Ripper’ retires from Liverpool Lime Street 7 sectors – and I detest this terminology – ‘ramp
l The RAIB raps Network Rail’s homework 8 10 up’ services at the same rate to spread demand
and not create pinch points.
Features The Prime Minister announced changes on
l Fraser Coats wonders what the money men will 10
Sunday evening, and not via Parliament, and
was promptly contradicted the next day by
do to us when the coronavirus crisis is over Dominic Raab – but don’t worry, ‘good old-
l Roger Galloway-Smith unpicks new laws aimed 11 fashioned British common sense’ will apparently
at the GRT community; and San Senik lifts the see us through – while the devolved
lid on Turkey’s attacks on basic human rights governments took different positions as Mr
l Nik Fetherston of the Young Members; 12-13 Johnson’s message changed from stay safe to
Liz Cocks, Bianca Rennie, Ashleigh Smart, and
Jenny Wray of the WRC, report on equalities;
12-13 stay alert.
I am not sure we were ready to relax
and Fanny Wright, author of our cover quote procedures. Vague advice asking – but not
l Eight men out: our new Disabled Members’
telling – people not to use public transport and
14
to stagger their journeys is patently not enough.
Forum representatives introduce themselves
But I do endorse Grant Shapps for seeking to
l David Jones on a burning LGBT+ issue and 15 repeatedly state it. Average ridership in all areas
Peter Tatchell on 30 years of OutRage! is massively down but people are not travelling
outside the traditional peaks and, as more
Regulars
l Branch Lines 16
17 people return to work, this will only be
exacerbated. We do not have a problem with
l Terry Tuite puts the brakes on the coronavirus 17
agreed increases in services – done in a safe and
controlled manner – to help spread the loading,
crisis with George Westinghouse, Nikola Tesla,
and maintain social distancing, but we reserve
and a Class 66 loco going up Hatton Bank
the right to act in other circumstances.
l Obituaries 18-19 The CWU has just won a major battle to
l Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21 protect changes to services and the CEO has
l Last Word: Chris Proctor imagines a life in the resigned – congratulations on their deserved
day of BJ’s Doctor Strange, Dominic Cummings
22
18 success.
l On Track: Sir Robert Armstrong, Spycatcher
Clapping NHS and social care workers is a
23
fine tribute but the greatest tribute we can give
and being economical with the truth Down Under;
them is to ensure that public sector salaries are
our Prize Crossword; ASLEF’s Legal Services;
not frozen for two years. We have shown what
and members’ Change of Address form
l Cover image of a rainbow fist on a radical teeshirt
we can do when we come together for a greater
good; let’s carry that on and create a better,
by raiselilamp design at teepublic.com more inclusive, society.
Finally, I want to thank ASLEF’s branch
The ASLEF Journal is published every month by:
secretaries, reps, officers, EC, and staff who are
ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN
Tel: 020 7324 2400 l email: journal@aslef.org.uk going the extra yard. Our thoughts are
continually with you, and your family, at this
website: www.aslef.org.uk l twitter: @ASLEFUnion
22 difficult time. Please be safe and well.
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
richmondk@aslef.org.uk l clASSiFiED ADS journal@aslef.org.uk 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
June 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 3
News
Shapps puts lives at
risk in rush to work
SLEF officers, including recommendations.
A Mick Whelan, general
secretary, Simon Weller,
‘People are understandably
angry. I am, too. It’s not the fault of
assistant general secretary, the those travelling on these services.
eight members of our executive Nobody, considering the risk to
committee, and our eight district which they are exposing ASlEF’s officers – the GS, AGS, Ec and Dos – have been working night
organisers, have been working themselves, and their loved ones, and day to protect our members during the covid-19 pandemic
with company council and local would travel on these services if
reps throughout this coronavirus they didn’t feel they had to. network that maintained social would mean only one in ten
crisis to ensure members are ‘And it’s not the fault of distancing of two metres could passengers could travel.
properly protected. transport workers. The last few carry only 15% of normal rush ‘ASLEF wants as many services
After crowds packed onto days have seen the usual quarters hour capacity. On the main line, to run as possible. But we will only
station platforms, commuter blame trade unions for transport the Transport Secretary admits increase services when it is safe to
services, and the Tube on woes. We’ve been called that, even if we ran at full capacity, do so. Safe for passengers and
Wednesday 13 May, the GS said: “wreckers” and “militants”. They to maintain social distancing safe for staff.’
‘Today was, sadly, a day every have claimed it’s our refusal to run
ASLEF member could see coming. more services that results in QUOTE…
Photos are emerging all over commuters’ inability to socially ‘The message is clear. Everyone should avoid public transport if
social media of Tube trains and distance themselves. at all possible.’ – Sean O’Callaghan, assistant chief
commuter services packed with ‘Utter nonsense! On the Tube, constable, British Transport Police
people unable to socially distance TfL state that even a fully
…UNQUOTE
in line with government functioning Underground
Supermarkets don’t move, but trains do TWEETS OF THE MONTH
AGS Simon Weller was interviewed by James O’Brien on LBC, and by Steve Ladner on BBC Is it wrong of me to be vaguely
Radio Kent, on Monday 4 May about government plans to lift the lockdown. amused by senior TfL managers in
Ladner, who is the partner of Tracey Crouch, Tory MP for Chatham & Aylesford, suggested negotiations today [Thursday 14 May]
that transport could learn a lot of ‘ingenious lessons’ from supermarkets, adding, somewhat where they get to be the ones saying ‘unless
optimistically, ‘and take it on another level’. you meet our reasonable demand for more
‘But supermarkets don’t move,’ said Simon dryly. ‘Trains do.’ Achieving social distancing in money, we will shut the job down’?
carriages, and on platforms, at gate lines and pinch points, he added, would be very difficult. @FinnBrennan
‘At Tesco, or Waitrose, or wherever, there’s a long queue, round the car park, two metres
apart, a one-way system, and it all works very well. But a commuter train moves. It disappears. As a frontline care worker thanks for
If you’ve got a long queue the train’s gone before you can get into the station. Dwell times are the claps, the recognition is
30 to 45 seconds and you’ve got to get everyone on and off.’ appreciated, but it doesn’t pay my bills or
feed my kids or put a roof over our heads.
No pay rise for 3 years #clapforcarers
Second spike risk TfL puts drivers in danger #socialcare #austerity @Mel_Rady
As London Underground ramped up services
Resumption of commuting risks returning The government’s strategy is clear.
from Monday 18 May we advised members of
coronavirus cases to exponential growth, They want to shift blame onto the
their right to refuse to work if they are at risk.
according to Professor Maziar Nekovee of public for any new coronavirus spike. Don’t
Finn Brennan, ASLEF’s organiser on the
the School of Engineering and Informatics let them get away with it. All of this is on
Underground, said: ‘Despite our objections, LU
at Sussex University. them. @OwenJones84
has insisted that Tube train drivers revert to
‘The lockdown measures introduced on working as they did before the covid-19 crisis,
Monday 23 March dramatically slowed the More lies from Boris Johnson, who will
because the government is insisting that
spread of covid-19 by limiting travel and, doubtless be telling some further lies
Transport for London maximises the service it
consequently, infections into isolated about something or other today.
operates. We want to see services increased
spatial clusters,’ he said. ‘Premature lifting @MarinaHyde
but in a way that is safe for passengers and
of mobility restrictions will result in the safe for staff. Consequently, we have advised
return of exponential growth in a second our members of their statutory right to refuse
wave of the epidemic.’ MAKING PLANS FOR NIGEL
to work in circumstances where they are at risk
DO5 Nigel Gibson was interviewed,
of serious and imminent danger.’
immediately after Robert Nisbet, director of
our hip, hot and very much nations and regions at the Rail Delivery Group,
happening red baseball cap TALKING TO THE WORLD by Peter Swan on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
will keep the sun out of DO8 Finn Brennan was interviewed by Karnie on Friday 15 May. Nigel pointed out, with great
your eyes this summer. Sharp on the BBC World Service’s flagship clarity, the problems for train passengers of
Price £5 (inc p&p); email Newsday programme on Thursday 14 May. He social distancing, adding, ‘That’s not the will of
info@aslef.org.uk or visit told listeners around the world: ‘There is a high the workers on the railway, or the train
our online shop at www.aslef.org.uk level of fear among many transport workers as operators, but because it’s being rushed
people return to work.’ through by the government.’
4 The ASLEF Journal l June 2020
News
Covid-19 modelling’s
off the Rails
a load of crystal balls!
SIR RICHARD BRANSON is known for
HE
T government
has been at Sir Robert reckons
his brass neck. As when the relentless
self-publicist and billionaire tax
avoider – he lives in the British Virgin
pains to say – ‘over the predictions of Islands – demanded a £500 million
and over and over some of the bailout for his struggling airline. He
again’, as Barry scientists the wants taxpayers to cough up so he can carry on living on his
McGuire sang on Eve government is Caribbean island of (Brass) Necker. Branson has ‘previous’.
of Destruction – that it using is like This is an ‘entrepreneur’ who was nailed by Customs & Excise
will be ‘guided by the asking Mystic Meg for a purchase tax scam in 1971. Branson would claim vinyl
science’ during this or the clairvoyant albums he was buying from record companies were for
coronavirus crisis. It’s at the end of export – avoiding 33% duty – drive to Dover, get the
the mantra of every Southend pier paperwork stamped, turn around, drive back, and sell them
minister pushed,
at his store in Oxford Street. After a Customs raid, and a night
sometimes on modelling, too. ‘Frankly, modelling is in the cells, Branson coughed up £60,000 – £750,000 today –
reluctantly, out onto Professor Robert not that much of an to avoid the ‘unpleasantness’ of a court appearance and
the 5pm stage by Dingwall, a former upgrade on crystal prison sentence. He also sued the NHS in 2016 because he
Dominic Cummings, research fellow at the balls’. believed Virgin Care – Does it? Really? – was missing out on a
known to Downing universities of A spokesperson lush £82 million contract to provide services in Surrey.
Street colleagues as Aberdeen, and for the Department
either the Prince of Oxford, who held a of Health declined to SIR PETER VIGGERS, the long-serving Tory
Darkness or Doctor chair at Nottingham, comment but did MP for Gosport, who has died, will be
Strange (see page and is now a member laugh when it was remembered as the Conservative who
22). of Nervtag, the New suggested that the claimed £1,645 on his expenses for a floating
But what, exactly, and Emerging ‘light at the end of duck house. Viggers – who erroneously told
does the science say? Respirator Virus the tunnel’ of which his local paper ‘Personally, I have, of course, always
And how can it guide Threats Advisory Boris Johnson and scrupulously observed the rules’ – was the embodiment of
us? The update to the Service Group, which Grant Shapps and the ‘pigs with their trotters in the public trough’ mentality of
Imperial College, briefs the Scientific Matt Hancock like to some Members of Parliament when the Daily Telegraph
London, modelling in Advisory Group for talk might turn out to exposed the MPs’ expenses scandal in 2009. Those rules,
March based on new Emergencies, be the lights of an which Viggers ‘scrupulously observed’, allowed him to claim
data, from Lombardy cheerfully admits: oncoming train. more than £30,000 for gardening, including, appropriately
in Italy, led to a 90°
enough, 28 tons of manure. Viggers belatedly admitted to ‘a
swerve in
grave error of judgement’ and David Cameron made him
government strategy. QUOTE… stand down at the general election.
But earlier big ‘Me I funk | But I don’t care | I ain’t no
decisions by Matt square | With my corkscrew hair’ – Marc KIM JONG-UN, Supreme Leader of North
Hancock and his Bolan, T.Rex, Telegram Sam Korea, was said to be either dead, or
Department of …UNQUOTE gravely ill, after failing to show to
Health were based
celebrate his grandfather’s birthday. But
CIA spy satellites spotted Kim’s ‘royal’ train
Private equity ‘gorging in the special ‘leadership station’, reserved for his family, at
the east coast resort of Wonsan. North Korea is the world’s
first – indeed only – Marxist monarchy and Kim Jong-un has
off travellers’ money’ followed in the footsteps of his father, Kim Jong-il, the Dear
Leader, who ruled from 1994-2011, and grandfather, Kim Il-
Britain’s biggest FTSE 100 listed private equity fund, 3i, is under sung, the Great Leader, who reigned from 1948-1994. But it’s
fire for lobbying the government to prevent holidaymakers hit really a military dictatorship, with a personality cult built
by the covid-19 lockdown from getting their money back. The around the Mount Paektu bloodline, and has more in
firm took £100 million out of Audley Travel and Loveholidays, common with Imperial Japan than communist doctrine. The
travel agents it owns, before demanding a moratorium on train, though, was the great giveaway.
rules that require the industry to refund customers within two
weeks of cancelled holidays. ‘People are gorging off other TERENCE FRISBY, the actor and playwright best
people’s money,’ said industry expert and Travel Counsellors known for his West End hit There’s a Girl in My
chair David Speakman. Soup, helped to set up the divorced dads’
pressure group Families Needs Fathers. But after
500 CLUB: Christopher Exley, with number 47, won the April draw. Mick falling out with them he preferred to refer to the
Barker, with number 230, won the May draw. Each wins £457. group as Nippers Need Nutters.
JOHN CRACE nailed the PM in his Guardian
Our smart black leather wallet – with embossed sketch. ‘Faced wth a genuine crisis, Boris has
ASLEF logo on the front – has three fold-out and morphed from someone who would do anything
removable plastic inserts (ie, the wallet can hold six to appear on TV into a virtual recluse. Reality and
credit cards). Price £10 inc p&p; email Boris have only ever been on nodding terms at best.’
info@aslef.org.uk or visit our online shop at www.aslef.org.uk
June 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 5
News
The PM – a sheepdog
floundering in a bath
HEN Boris Johnson was swept back
W to Downing Street, with an
increased majority of 80, at the
general election in December, he looked
impregnable. Britain seemed set for not just
five but ten years of Tory rule under the The tide turned against the PM when he moved from the clarity and simplicity of ‘Stay at
Johnson. home’ to the muddled and meaningless ‘Stay Alert’ – much parodied on social media, and in
‘A week is a long time in politics’ – as the Torygraph by Michael Deacon
Harold Wilson famously said – and, five
months later, the outlook is very different. work.’ He meant if you can’t do your work rained down upon him, the Prime Minister
The words ‘Boris’, ‘Johnson’, and ‘competent’ from home. The Prime Minister’s did not look entirely comfortable. At times, it
do not, now, appear in the same sentence spectacularly inept performance was was like watching a sheepdog floundering in
and some Tories are wondering if he will last promptly parodied by Matt Lucas: ‘If you can a bathtub. His answers seemed waffly and
the year, let alone a full five year term. work from home, go to work. Don’t go to insufficient.
He fluffed his lines badly when delivering work. Go outside. Don’t go outside…’ and so ‘Even Mr Johnson’s staunchest admirer
his new message in the Commons on on and so on. would probably agree that mastery of fine
Monday 11 May. ‘You should stay at home if Michael Deacon, who writes the detail is not his strongest suit – and nor, for
you can,’ he explained. ‘But go to work if you Parliamentary sketch in the usually reliably that matter, is succinctness. More than once,
must – if your job doesn’t allow you to go to Tory Daily Telegraph, noted ‘As the questions the Speaker told him to get a move on.’
QUOTE…
‘Blind optimism is no substitute for
Level crossing warning
real leadership.’ – Jeremy Warner,
Network Rail has issued a warning to people not ‘to take risks around the railway’ after a
associate editor, Daily Telegraph
couple of serious incidents in Kent. Two men and two young girls walked through a gate
…UNQUOTE
at Whitehall Lane near Canterbury, past a red light, and ran across in front of an
oncoming train ‘a matter of seconds’ before a Southeastern service from Margate to
St Pancras passed. And a group of dirt bikers cut the padlocks off a locked and bolted
Face to level crossing at Shornemead near Gravesend. ‘It’s absolutely crucial that everyone
understands the dangers of the railway,’ said Gerardo Chiariello of Network Rail, ‘and
how to treat it with respect.’
face RAIL WORKER BELLY DIES AFTER BEING SPAT ON
ASLEF has made it Belly Mujinga, 47, a ticket office worker at Victoria station, has died from covid-19 after she
clear that we expect was spat on at work on Saturday 21 March by a man claiming to have the coronavirus. She
our members to have told her bosses at Govia Thameslink Railway, but they did not call the police. Belly was
the same level of admitted to Barnet Hospital on Thursday 2 April, and put on a ventilator, but died three days
protection if later. The police are now investigating the station assault.
passengers are
expected to wear Mick: ‘Masks need to
UK’S YOUNGEST MP SACKED FOR SPEAKING OUT
face masks or be of a proper Nadia Whittome, Labour MP for Nottingham East, was sacked from her role as a carer during
coverings. standard’ the pandemic after speaking out about the shortage of personal protective equipment.
‘Masks are only Nadia, 24, went back to her old job at Lark Hill retirement village, run by ExtraCare, to relieve
effective in reducing TOCs and FOCs must the strain on the service. And told ‘not to return’ after exposing the lack of proper PPE.
the likelihood of have an appropriate
transmission from an number of sites for HANCOCK PINNED HOPES ON TEE-SHIRT SALESMAN
infected person to an the safe disposal of The disastrous farce of the ‘useless’ hospital gowns flown in on an RAF plane – dubbed Air
uninfected person used masks. Jenrick after the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government – in a
and is not effective as ‘Social distancing much-delayed mission of mercy for Health Secretary Matt Hancock, was the result of a cold
a protective measure must still be sales call by a Turkish tee-shirt salesman. Mehmet Duzen’s company, Selegna Tekstil, has no
for the wearer,’ said maintained and is track record in making medical equipment.
GS Mick Whelan. the primary control
When masks are measure,’ said Mick.
provided, they need ‘The wearing of carry all your
to be a minimum masks by members QUOTE…
stuff – papers,
standard of FFP1; does not mean that ‘When I was a care worker on a zero hours
sandwiches, keys
there has to be a current measures on contract, and poverty pay, I joined a trade
– in style with
sufficient supply for hygiene, social union. With my union, alongside my work
our smart new sturdy black
all members over a distancing, and the mates, I won better working conditions. Labour
ASlEF bag. Price £17.50 (inc
sustained period, cleaning of cabs, MPs will always fight for workers’ interests.’ –
p&p); email info@aslef.org.uk
taking into account mess rooms, and Angela Rayner, Labour Party deputy leader
or visit our online shop at
the number needed workplaces are …UNQUOTE www.aslef.org.uk
per turn of duty; and relaxed in any way.’
6 The ASLEF Journal l June 2020
News
The Ripper has
left the building
hE legend that is asked for help from the public
T Ronnie ‘Ripper’
Richardson retired on
in trying to trace a person with
a Yorkshire accent, who had a
Thursday 30 April, finally moustache, and who possibly
working his last train and worked in transport. Ronnie
leaving the building at was duly reported by a
liverpool lime Street, after a colleague, and questioned by
railway career spanning more police, hence the ‘Ripper’
than 45 years. nickname which has been with
Ronnie started at Gateshead him ever since.
in February 1974 and moved to Ronnie has provided many
Edge hill in May 1974 as a laughs at liverpool. he was
traction trainee. he moved on always ‘putting his foot in it’ Ronnie – more Max Bygraves doing You Need Hands than Yorkshire
to Garston in 1976, after the with certain individuals, who Ripper – after working his last train on the West coast main line
closure of Edge hill, where he did not understand his comedic
became a relief driver. Then on nature, but nothing he ever did once this current coronavirus from us all.
to Kirkdale, to get booked, and was malicious. situation is over. have a great Paul Stannard, branch chair,
back to lime Street in he was a very well respected retirement and best wishes Edge Hill 070
September 1985. comrade and driver which was
When privatisation started, evident by the number of
Ron became part of the 390 colleagues, from all grades, who
commissioning team for four turned out to give him a huge QUOTE…
years before returning to lime round of socially distanced ‘Lying comes frighteningly easy to Boris Johnson, who has
Street to actually drive trains applause on his final run into made a career out of it. The hope must be that people finally
for virgin and, eventually, liverpool. stop laughing at him and start demanding the truth now the
Avanti. Thank you for your company, bodies are piling up.’ – Kevin Maguire, associate editor,
he got the name ‘Ripper’ and all the laughs, Ron. i am Daily Mirror
when the police were looking sure we will all celebrate your …UNQUOTE
for the Yorkshire Ripper. They retirement with a few beers
When the going gets tough
ASLEF in action Boris Johnson reminds me of a driver I knew at Manchester Piccadilly.
He had been a jolly kid who always wanted to be a train driver when
When Michael Scotland we have he grew up. However, having achieved his ambition, whenever it was
Matheson, Transport taken the decision to dark, foggy, wet, or icy, or his diagram involved working the last
Secretary in the ‘stay safe’, not ‘stay Chester or Hadfield, he became a cheeky chap, looking for somebody
Scottish government, alert’ – whatever that to cover his job. He was still a popular bloke, though.
announced that means – because we Mel Thorley, RMS Longsight
ScotRail services care about the health
would not be of our nation. Boris NHS CAR PARK TYCOONS QUICK TO STASH THE CASH
increasing from Johnson’s mixed-up Two NHS hospital car park tycoons took £16 million out of the business
Monday 18 May, we messages make no before tapping up the taxpayer for covid-19 funding. CP Plus, owned by
welcomed the sense. And we know Ellis Green and Ian Langdon, furloughed staff and deferred VAT
decision, which was it makes no sense to payments after snaffling the cash in a dividend smash and grab. The
greeted with relief by Kevin got a great increase services at company, which trades as GroupNexus, has let NHS staff park for free at
passengers and rail result (not always this time. the 1,200 hospital and train station car parks it operates but continues
staff alike. What the case with his ‘That’s why ASLEF to charge hospital visitors ‘as a key part of our business model’.
wasn’t immediately beloved hibs) has worked really
clear – because much hard, behind the
SO LONG, JEREMY
of our work is below, before the scenes, along with
Jeremy Long, CEO of the European end of MTR, steps down on
rather than above, announcement, our sister unions, to
30 September after 15 years in the hot seat. MTR now runs rail
the line – was that highlighting our press the Scottish
companies in Hong Kong, China, Macao, Australia, the UK, and Sweden.
this decision by the concerns, and government to make
SNP government was worked long and the right decision.
the result of lobbying hard to persuade the Because the safety of
by ASLEF. Scottish government passengers and staff Time for a brew? This red ASlEF mug is just the
Kevin Lindsay, to make the right call. is paramount. I want job for tea or coffee in the mess room or at
ASLEF’s organiser in He said: ‘This to thank the Scottish home. £3.50 (inc p&p); email info@aslef.org.uk
Scotland, wrote to Mr decision is the right government for or visit our online shop at www.aslef.org.uk
Matheson six days decision. Here in listening to us.’
June 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 7
News
RAIB raps NR
for home work
HE pitfalls of freelancers but have had been working
T working
from home
just become clearer
to many more
from home.
Shortly after 7pm
– the household people. on Saturday 20 April
chore that should Few of us, though, last year a tamping
only take 10 minutes will endanger lives machine was driven
but eats up an entire from the laptop in on to a line, that had A Southern service rolls into the station at East Grinstead in West Sussex
afternoon, the the living room. But not been closed to
curiously addictive Network Rail is under passenger trains, and happened because those monitoring the work from home if it
appeal of QVC, and, if fire after an crossed a junction the two people route should have was ‘free from
you’re Professor investigation into a through which a responsible for train been working ‘from distraction’ but the
Robert Kelly, your near-miss incident – Southern train from movements that day the office where the RAIB’s analysis of
kids skidding when two trains London Victoria to had spent a environment was telephone
through the door, came within 75 East Grinstead had ‘significant quiet, paperwork conversations found
doing the Lambeth seconds of colliding – just passed. proportion’ of their could be viewed, and their home
Walk, when you’re blamed poor The Rail Accident time working from whiteboards could environments were
live on BBC News – communication Investigation Branch home. be used to assist’. not, in fact, free from
are familiar to between staff who found the mistake The RAIB said NR said staff could such disturbances.
Blood brothers Good to go
Steve Earle, the Earle names the The Supreme Court has ruled that
American country rock dead in the song It’s the government’s ban on ethical
singer, has released a About Blood and pension divestment is unlawful,
new album, Ghosts of contrasts the grit of overturning an earlier decision by The Supreme court ruled against
West Virginia, with his the miners with the the Court of Appeal. The case was the Tory government on 28 April
band the Dukes in money made by brought by the Palestine
memory of 29 workers Massey Energy: ‘Don’t Solidarity Campaign, to which Quakers, War on Want, and the
killed at the Upper Big want to hear about ASLEF affiliates. Campaign Against the Arms
Branch mine in West the state of the Steve Earle honours ‘We have won a great victory Trade, has overturned regulations
Virginia in April 2010 – economy | Fiscal memory of miners in the battle to defend the right to that would have prevented local
the worst mining reality, profit and loss | take action, in the UK, in support government pension schemes
disaster in the United None of that matters underground anyway | of Palestinian rights,’ said PSC from divesting from companies
States in 40 years. when you’re Damn sure can’t tell chair Kamel Hawwash. ‘Since 2017 complicit in Israel’s oppression of
me nothin’ ’bout cost.’ we have been fighting the the Palestinian people, and from
POSITIVE NEWS ‘I thought, given government in the courts, divesting from the UK defence
the way things are, it protecting the right to undertake industry.
Steve Hollis, chair of the West Midlands HS2
was maybe my BDS campaigns. We won in the GS Mick Whelan said: ‘We are
Growth Strategy, said the decision to push
responsibility to make High Court, then lost in the delighted with this outcome. This
ahead with the project ‘is much needed
a record that spoke to Appeal Court, but the final verdict decision allows peaceful
positive news, not only for the West Midlands,
and for people who from the Supreme Court is in – opposition to the illegal
but for the whole country. Large-scale
didn’t vote the way I and we have won!’ occupation of the West Bank and
infrastructure projects, such as HS2, will play a
did’, says Earle (Donald PSC, supported by the the blockade of Gaza.’
key role in restarting the national economy,
Trump took 68% of
helping to reinvigorate a core part, the
the vote in West
construction industry, and demonstrating
Virginia in 2016). ‘One
confidence in the nation’s future.’ QUOTE…
of the dangers is if
people keep thinking ‘I grow my hair just to scare the teacher | My goodness gracious
HITCHED WITH WELWYN me, ain’t little Johnny a creature’ – Ian Hunter & Mick Ralphs,
that everyone who
Hitchin 099 branch is now known as Hitchin & Mott the Hoople, One of the Boys
voted for Trump is a
Welwyn branch. …UNQUOTE
racist or an asshole,
then we’re f****d,
because it’s simply not
ASLEF’s young members
are driving the future. If
true. We need to learn REWRITE THE RULES TO CREATE A FAIRER ECONOMY
how to communicate Common Wealth, the left-wing think tank, has called on the
you’re 35 or under, wear
with each other. This is government to rewrite company rules, and create a social wealth fund,
our badge with pride for
my little contribution. to create a fairer, more robust, economy after the coronavirus crisis. ‘The
just £3 (inc p&p); email
To honour those guys scale of dividends, share buy backs, corporate debt, and soaring
info@aslef.org.uk or visit our online
who died at Upper Big executive pay has concentrated wealth in fewer hands and undermined
shop at www.aslef.org.uk
Branch.” corporate resilience,’ said Common Wealth director Matthew Lawrence.
8 The ASLEF Journal l June 2020
The ASLEF RMS 500 Club
colleagues
The 500 Club is a fundraising venture for ASLEF’s Retired Members’ Section.
conditions of Membership: Only retired and working members of ASLEF, including district councils and branches,
plus permanent staff employed by ASLEF, can make an application to join the RMS 500 Club. The application form
and standing order form can only be completed and submitted by the ASLEF member, or staff member.
Numbers in the draw cost £4 each per month. To begin making payments into club funds, all you have to do is
complete the standing order form and return it to your bank. Alternatively, you can pay by cheque a year in
advance; the cheque should be made payable to ASlEF RMS 500 club. Payments need to reach the club account
by 1st of every month and the draw takes place on 12th of every month – with the winning number, name, and
prize printed on page 5 of the ASLEF Journal. Once you have arranged your method of payment just complete the
form and return it to Peter J Smith, Treasurer, RMS 500 club, 6 Devonia Gardens, london, N18 1AF.
The Retired Members’ Section committee would like to thank you for your support and wish you luck in the draw!
Yours fraternally, Peter J Smith, treasurer, ASlEF Retired Members’ Section 500 club
STANDING ORDER MANDATE
ASLEF RMS 500 Club
To ______________________________ Bank
application form
Address ______________________________
________________________________________
Name.....................................................................
________________________________________
Address.................................................................
BANK BRANCH TITLE (NOT ADDRESS) SORTING CODE NO.
.................................................................................
Please pay Unity Trust Bank Birmingham 08-60-01
60-83-01
..................................................................................
................................................................................. BENEFICIARY’S NAME ACCOUNT NUMBER
Postcode............................................................... For the credit of ASLEF RMS 500 CLUB ACCOUNT 2 0 2 0 1 1 9 3
Telephone............................................................ AMOUNT IN FIGURES AMOUNT IN WORDS
.................................................................................. The sum of £
email......................................................................
DATE AND AMOUNT OF FIRST PAYMENT DUE DATE AND FREQUENCY
.................................................................................. Commencing £ and thereafter every 1ST OF EVERY MONTH
Each number costs £4. You can
purchase as many numbers as you like. DATE AND AMOUNT OF LAST PAYMENT
I confirm that I wish to purchase ____ *Until £
*Until you receive further notice from me/us in writing
Quoting the
numbers as part of the 500 Club. and debit my/our account accordingly
reference
(A) I have set up my standing order (£48 Please cancel any previous standing order or direct debit in favour of the beneficiary named above
per annum or £4 per month)
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
(B) I enclose a cheque for advance
payment (£48 per annum).
Delete (A) or (B) accordingly. ACCOUNT TO BE DEBITED ACCOUNT NUMBER
Signed..................................................................
Signature(s) ________________________________________ Date __________________________
Date............................................ ________________________________________
Please return this coupon to:
Note: The Bank will not undertake to: (i) make any reference to Value Added Tax or other indeterminate element
Peter Smith, Treasurer, RMS 500 Club, (ii) advise payer’s address to beneficiary
6 Devonia Gardens, London, N18 1AF (iii) advise beneficiary of inability to pay
(iv) request beneficiary’s banker to advise beneficiary of receipt
and the standing order mandate
(right) to your bank (or via your * Delete if not applicable
If the amounts of the periodic payments vary, they should be incorporated in a schedule overleaf
internet bank)
May 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 9
Platform
Money for
nothing
FRASER COATS, Bathgate
branch, unpicks the spider’s
web of deceit that right-wing
economists, think tank policy
geeks, and Tory strategists
have spun around money with an eye
on what they will want to do when the
current coronavirus crisis is over
HEN the pandemic finally abates it’s
W uncertain what the world will look
like. Will it be business as usual, or The Bank of England should remember how John Maynard Keynes
will lessons be learned, and a new world order persuaded Britain and America to spend their way out of recession
emerge based on solidarity and respect for
the workers who, we know now, are the ones sheet or income statement. It can simply than a notional debt to GDP calculation.
who really make the economy tick? create money out of thin air (a liability) and What of taxation? ‘Tax the rich’ has long
The stark reality is that when the dust buy an asset or give the liability (money) out been a rallying cry of the left, and so it should.
settles we’ll still have a Tory government for free’. Great wealth is not only an indicator of
driven by the same old devotion to its class, Now it would be lunacy to issue money inequality, it puts economic power and undue
and armed with a public sector bill that with reckless abandon, give everyone a million political influence in the hands of a few, a
provides a perfect excuse to clobber pay, pounds, and call them all rich. The threat to the democratic process itself. So, yes,
conditions, pensions, and public services. consequences would be catastrophic. But close the tax havens and tax the rich in the
Deutsche Bank’s candour tells us that interests of equality, wealth redistribution, and
BRITAIN AND THE GOLD STANDARD significant policy space exists that our gold democracy.
They will want their money back and, if we are standard mindset has, thus far, prevented us Paying taxes in a particular currency is what
to successfully resist another looming era of from utilising. anchors that currency and gives it its value. Tax
austerity, equipping ourselves with the To appreciate the possibilities, some can incentivise individuals and businesses to
theoretical tools to do the job is a necessity. cherished preconceptions must be behave in a more environmentally-friendly
Key amongst these tools is a basic challenged. way; conversely, it can be used to
understanding of how government spending disincentivise companies from using
actually works. THE HOUSEHOLD BUDGET ANALOGY pollutants or buying gas-guzzling cars. And, if
For the better part of the last century and a Neoliberalism typically evokes the household inflation threatens to run away, tax can curb
half, most developed nations have operated budget analogy and the need to tighten our spending power and trim the fiscal deficit as a
under a gold standard, or variation, such as belts as a pretext for austerity, yet when we matter of book-keeping.
silver or the Bretton Woods arrangements. This consider that a currency-issuing government So there are sound reasons for tax, but
means that a country’s currency is backed by cannot be compared to a currency-using funding public spending is not one of them. As
the value of its gold reserves, and a household, because it can use its facility to counter-intuitive as it sounds, the government
government has to be able to convert every deficit spend, technically without limit, in does not need our taxes in order to spend. And
note and coin it issues into its equivalent in order to buy whatever is for sale in that believing that it does puts us unwittingly on
gold, on demand. currency, including labour, we can see that neoliberal terrain.
Such constraints mean that additional unemployment is simply the result of a
funding for, say, a public infrastructure project, government choosing not to buy the available SPEND AND TAX NOT TAX AND SPEND
or government jobs programme, comes from labour which is for sale; a policy based on an If we agree that funding this or that
raising taxes or borrowing (by issuing ideological desire to maintain a reserve army infrastructure project, or public sector pay rise,
government bonds) while a finite money of jobless workers. is compromised by the tax-dodging antics of
supply means a government can, literally, run Yet having no reason to be bound by its billionaires and corporations, then we make
out of money. balance sheet the UK government could the neoliberal argument for them; we create a
Bretton Woods ended in 1971 and, since create Deutsche Bank‘s ‘liability’ out of thin air barrier to public spending that doesn’t actually
then, sterling has been a non-convertible, and buy its ‘asset’ (in this case all unemployed exist and, with it, a licence for austerity. It’s
floating, ‘fiat’ currency, linked neither to gold and underemployed labour) to provide full- axiomatic that it would be impossible for any
nor another country’s exchange rate. Free time work for all. Such a job guarantee would of us to pay tax unless the government had
from the constraints of being limited by gold cut unemployment, underemployment, and first spent the money into circulation. Instead
reserves, or fixed exchange rates, countries zero hours contracts at a stroke while, of tax and spend, the mantra should be spend
which issue their own fiat currencies have an simultaneously, increasing productivity and and tax.
unlimited capacity to spend in their own the purchasing power needed to stimulate our By raising the use of monetary sovereignty
currency, can never run out of money, and can ailing town centres. to achieve full employment as an immediately
never become insolvent. It may show as a minus on the balance achievable demand, our movement can begin
As a Deutsche Bank report put it, ‘a central sheet but such a policy should be judged on to revolutionise the labour market in the post-
bank has no reason to be bound by its balance its transformative effect on our society, rather coronavirus world.
10 The ASLEF Journal l June 2020Equalities
My gypsy road can’t take
me home, I drive all night
just to see the light
ROGER GALLOWAY-SMITH, Black & Minority Ethnic
Representatives’ Committee member for District 3,
on a pernicious piece of proposed legislation which
will have a detrimental effect on the Gypsy, Roma &
Traveller community (and on the rest of us as well)
E ARE fortunate to live in it will be tolerated.
W one of the most tolerant
countries in the world.’
The main points of the
proposed legislation are to make
That’s what the Home Secretary, trespass a crime resulting in
Priti Patel, says in the opening prison, a fine, or your vehicle
paragraph of the government’s being taken; make it a crime to
consultation document stop alongside, or on, the road;
Strengthening Police Powers to allow police to act when there are
Tackle Unauthorised two vehicles, rather than six; let fenced in by the gentry. person can rest his or her head for
Encampments. If you’re a member the police force you to go to a Not only did the GRT a night without fear of being
of the white British majority, you’ll transit site in another county; and community lose them, but also arrested, deported across county
probably agree; if you’re a make it so you can be banned the working-classes that had lines, and having your possessions
member of a minority, you’ll from an area for one year. previously freely accessed those confiscated. For the GRT
probably raise an eyebrow The Gypsy, Roma & Traveller spaces. The new legislation would community, families risk losing
instead. community has centuries of inflict even greater restrictions on their homes, transport, liberty and
Tolerance of ethnic minorities tradition of being accepted by all, not only the GRT community. access to schools and healthcare.
is a lived experience and a many as an interesting part of the The freedom to roam is being These proposed laws are
measure of a minority’s worth to fabric of life in the UK, with the systematically destroyed, and the unwanted by the police, most
the majority. If the majority sees freedom of a Gypsy life seen as a GRT community is being used as a councils, and the courts, which
no value in your community, is romantic aspiration. Trojan horse to bring in these feel current laws are sufficient to
there any need to tolerate you? Traditional halting sites were draconian laws. cope with any problems that
Priti Patel’s words would have often on common land, wide Criminalizing trespass will have occur. Priti Patel’s proposal is a
been more on point if she had verges, and undeveloped spaces. a huge impact on the rights of all huge overreach of power
replaced tolerant with compliant. For decades these places have people to protest on land, for facilitated by a media which
Provided a minority is compliant, disappeared, being turned into example, against fracking. It will promotes a negative stereotype
and changes its culture, language, council amenity land, estates, affect the homeless, with tighter of those who live differently, and
dress, traditions and lifestyle, then factories, industrial parks, or restrictions placed on where a perpetuated by bigots.
Freedom – I will not give you up
SAN SENIK, District 4 BAME based violence with the worst hike in The government is putting pressure on
rep, and the first woman to decades. Official figures show, since 2008, victims to marry their rapist. Women’s
be elected to this ASLEF a staggering 2,558 women have been groups fear this will lead to an increase in
committee since it was killed in gender-based violence. The rape, DV, child abuse and child marriage,
formed in 2000, on the dire government is reluctant to collect reliable all of which are already very high. A new
and deteriorating situation in Turkey data, and observers believe the reality is law will give men suspended sentences
much worse. for child sex offences if they marry their
WANT to talk a little about the In a speech to mark International victims.
I human rights record of Turkey in
the hope it raises awareness.
Women’s Day, President Erdogan said
‘Women who do not want to become
Human rights abuses endured by
political prisoners are another stain on the
Historically, the country has had a grave mothers are deficient’, minimising a government’s record. There are 70,000
problem with the rights of individuals and woman’s right to choose and prioritising political prisoners in Turkey, many of
minorities. It has, throughout history, family rights over the right of a female. whom are suffering ill-health after being
discriminated against Greeks, Armenians, Perpetrators of domestic violence receive tortured.
and Kurds, and eroded the rights of light sentences, which are not a deterrent, Davut Arslan, a lawyer with the Human
individuals to free speech. leading to repeated offences. One man, Rights Association of Turkey, cites the case
But Turkey is going through the worst jailed last year for stabbing his wife, and of Mustafa Koçak, 28, who died in prison
period in its recent history. A recent released in April under the recent after 297 days on hunger strike
amnesty saw the release of thousands of amnesty, murdered his nine-year-old demanding a fair trial. He had been
prisoners, excluding political prisoners. daughter when his estranged wife asked subjected to systematic torture and rape
This has had a direct impact on gender- for a divorce. while in prison.
June 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 11Agenda
We’re the young ones
and young ones
shouldn’t be afraid
NIK FETHERSTON, The Young would have a job for life and could easily do
Members’ Representatives’ more than 40 years.
Committee member for District That would aid the railway pension scheme as
1, on a move to reduce the age well as, in years to come, mean the railway has
drivers with a lot of knowledge and experience.
at which you can drive a train
We have this now, with drivers who came
on the main line in Britain though the YTS programme, or were second
men. But, unless we do something to increase engaging people who otherwise may have
HE Young Members’ Representatives’ the number of younger drivers joining the grade, thought the job isn’t for them.
T Committee has many aims and
ambitions. But the one I think we feel
we will not have people doing long years of
service, gaining the vital knowledge to pass on
We have been approached by the train
drivers’ academy to run a joint campaign
most strongly about is the lowering of the to the next generation of drivers. lobbying the Transport Secretary to get this
minimum driving age. We may also be losing a lot of potential changed. So, hopefully, in future the Young
At present, the minimum age to get your key drivers. Many school leavers don’t want to wait; Members’ reps will be able to lower the
is 21. Although TfL allows people as young as 18 they start careers elsewhere, in other jobs, and maximum age of being a member of our section
to drive Tube trains on the Underground. And, as are settled by the time they turn 21, or have from 35! As this seems rather high to be classed
a committee, we would like to see all the TOCs gone off to university and are pursuing careers as a young person? But, for this to happen, we
and FOCs follow suit and lower the age you can related to their degrees. need more young people in the grade.
drive a train to 18. If the age is lowered it will allow ASLEF and It seems strange that, in this day and age, you
Some will feel 18 is too young to be up the the train and freight companies to go into still have to be 21 to drive a train.
front in charge of millions of pounds worth of schools and hold career days promoting train We trust younger people to carry out many
train and hundreds of people’s lives, but this driving, maybe even making it possible for other safety-critical roles on the railway without
should not be what comes to mind when we companies to run apprenticeship schemes for any issues and, outside the railway, you can get
mention lowering the age. young people who want to join our grade. your car driver’s licence at 17 and be trusted out
What should come to mind is the future of Going into schools could also increase the on the road all on your own. You can even get a
our industry. Because if you could leave school number of people we get applying from diverse licence to fly commercial planes at 18. So why
and join the driving grade straightaway you backgrounds as all schools could be involved, not trains?
Why wait until I heard it through the grapevine
tomorrow? LIZ COCKS, the Women’s
Representatives’ Committee
house, on different rosters, it was never going to
work with two of us doing full-time hours. I
SLEF is member for District 6, on applied as my partner’s company was in dispute
A leading the
campaign to
mess room ‘banter’, poor
at the time and he was newer to the grade than
I was and, unfortunately, companies are still not
reduce the age at company communication, and applying reduced hours and flexible working
which young men and going back to work to keep a roof over fairly to both male and female drivers (please
women can become your head, food in your children’s bellies, ask for help with applications as WRC reps have
train drivers. As and clothes on their backs lots of experience in dealing with this).
reported in the Mick: ‘Trying to I had very little contact the first time round
Journal in April we increase diversity’ ’M SOON heading back to work after a from my company, and that was okay, and the
want to bring locos on
the main line into line
with Tube trains in
coronavirus crisis.
‘We’re ironing out I second child (I didn’t manage to drive a
train after the first). I’ve heard, through
the grapevine, the so-called mess room banter –
same went for my reps, but it is an unspoken
rule that I knew where they were if I needed
something, and the same still applies this time
an inconsistency,’ says
London. GS Mick Whelan. ‘When was the last time Liz drove a train?’, (so thanks Nick, Simon, and Tony for your
The campaign, ‘Addressing the issue among other things – and, for those who have efforts).
designed not just to of an ageing made those comments, or similar, you might I went back to work but was very poorly with
correct that anomaly, workforce, and trying want to look up ASLEF’s Mind the Gag campaign. my second pregnancy, despite being on
but to increase to increase diversity in You might wonder what this has to do with reduced hours. I did my competencies and my
diversity in our the driving grade by train driving but I thought it might be interesting risk assessment had me ‘suspended’ (this is the
industry, was to have encouraging more to share with you the choices we’ve made as a word on the risk assessment document) but,
been launched at the black people, more family – because some of you won’t have had to basically, I was stood down from working. Little
end of April but has women, and more make such choices for your families. back and forth, then maternity hit, and no
been put on hold young people to Before my first child I applied for reduced company contact.
because of the become train drivers.’ hours, because with two shift workers in the I needed something so emailed the depot
12 The ASLEF Journal l June 2020Equalities
Equality is the She’s no time for talking, she just
soul of liberty keeps right on walking, carrying
Frances (or Fanny)
her home in two carrier bags
Wright was born in
BIANCA RENNIE, all been blamed for the rise.
Dundee in 1795. her Homelessness services can lack appropriate
father was a radical,
the Women’s
Representatives’ physically safe facilities and support for
sympathetic to the women, as they are often designed on the
ideals of the French Committee
assumption that their target population is
Revolution and the secretary, and
overwhelmingly male.
American colonists District 5 rep, reports Survivors with multiple or complex support
who had fought a on the growing needs – such as substance use, mental health
war of independence problem of female homelessness in issues, trauma, or childhood abuse – are
against the British Britain and what the WRC is doing to help frequently those living in precarious
Empire. 2
circumstances. Women who are the most
She moved to the ASLEF JOURNAL JUNE 2020
HE true scale of female homelessness disadvantaged, and have the most complex
T
Frances The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen
United States and, in Wright Equality is the is likely to be significantly worse than needs, are at the greatest risk of their needs
1825, established a (1795- soul of liberty
official records show, as women hide not being met and of sleeping rough.
Utopian commune, 1852)
to avoid being attacked. The WRC has been campaigning
Nashoba, on 640 Equalities: ASLEF’s Women who sleep on the street are subject throughout last year and the beginning of this
acres by the Wolf BAME, Disabled,
LGBT+, Women’s &
Young Members
committees to horrendous treatment, including sexual year to try and raise awareness about the
The train drivers’
River a few miles
union since 1880
abuse, violence, and stigmatisation – and often problem of female homelessness.
from Memphis, argued, ‘i shall feel unsafe when accessing predominantly A motion on this matter was raised at the
Tennessee. Frances venture the male homelessness services. TUC women’s conference and was put through
was a feminist, a assertion, that, until Figures show female street homelessness is to this year’s AAD, which has been cancelled
socialist, and a vocal women assume the rising more quickly than the overall rough because of the coronavirus crisis. Also, each
advocate of place in society sleeping population. Welfare reforms, cuts to member of the WRC received donations from
progressive causes which good sense local authority funding, and a lack of social their district to donate to a local homeless
such as birth control, and good feeling housing, as well as a shortage of refuges to charity to help alleviate the problem of
equal rights, alike assign them, protect women fleeing domestic abuse, have sleeping on the streets.
universal education, human improvement
and the must advance but
emancipation of
the slaves.
‘however novel it
feebly. Equality is the
soul of liberty. There
is, in fact, no liberty
Go your own Wray
may appear,’ she without it.’ My name is Jenny Wray and i involved in national
am a driver for TransPennine campaigns, such as
Express. i started driving at menopause in the workplace,
manager and got a random text from a new Manchester Piccadilly six is really motivating. i intend
driver manager (a letter would have been nice – years ago, later transferring to effectively communicate
no doubt this is in my pigeon hole). to York. i joined the WRc last those messages down into
They didn’t know when I was coming back, year and wasn’t sure exactly my district.
despite me having completed the paperwork what the role would entail, i hope to help fellow
and rosters correctly. Cue me, with two small Jenny: ‘Send me an email’
but the committee members members in District 4 by
children, trying to find emails and look at were welcoming and have providing them with the job without
calendars to sort this out. been helping me find my information and guidance on discrimination. i intend to
I’m now waiting to head back to work and feet. our meetings are issues that affect them. i aim visit branch meetings in my
there is a feeling of doubt. Should I be going inspirational; hearing about to be approachable and district to introduce myself
back? Should I stay with my children? Will I regret issues and successes in other visible (hence the orange but, in the meantime, email
the decisions we’ve made? The anxiety about districts encourages me, and hair!) and i want drivers to me at ms.j.wray@gmail.com
going back is enormous and, no doubt, I’ll be the experience of being feel welcome and able to do if i can help with anything.
greeted with the so-called banter – ‘Do you still
work here?’ – and, as I mark my 20 year railway
anniversary, I have to say that, when I joined in
May 2000, the 20-something me never imagined
a mortgage, partner, and two children
dependant on her – so when you go to open
your mouth, verbally or virtually, engage your
Smart thinking
Hi, I’m Ashleigh Smart, a the past year. I am so
brain first as life has a way of changing your driver based at Glasgow pleased to become a
plans. Look, now I’m a train driver, and a 20- Central, and the WRC member of ASLEF’s WRC to
something me didn’t think that was for me. member for District 2 (my work hard, promote, and
I’m hoping that, as time passes, I’ll be happy email is ashleighsmart-x be involved with all the
that my kids see two parents doing the same job @live.co.uk). The number amazing work ASLEF and
and show them you can actually be anything of women train drivers has the committee do for our Ashleigh: ‘More women are
you set your mind to and your gender is positively increased over members. becoming train drivers’
irrelevant if you want something enough.
June 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 13You can also read
