ASLEFJOURNAL Scotland the brave - APRIL 2019
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ASLEF JOURNAL
The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen
APRIL 2019
Scotland the brave
ASLEF: the train drivers’ union since 1880
ASLEF JOURNAL
The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen
APRIL 2019
GS Mick Whelan
Better world
for everyone
E ARE, and always
W should be, a
campaigning union
carrying out the wishes of the
Mick: ‘Voice,
membership on workplace
strength and
issues, standards, health and
liberty’
safety, pay, equality fairness, legal
protections and rights. This is on top of hundreds
of existing policies on issues, at home and abroad,
generated and rightly supported by this trade
union over the 139 years of its existence.
4 5 Sometimes we should remind ourselves that we
were formed not just as the collective industrial
News voice of our members, but to be a force and voice
for social justice and a pressure group to achieve
l Northern – Failing Grayling does it again! 4 those aims and correct those injustices that impact
l Alison Miller Inside Central Station plus 5 on our members and their families.
Off the Rails: Richard E Grant, Sue Perkins, To those who have not been in a trade union
before, and think we are just an insurance policy,
Roy Hodgson and Naomi Campbell
or about pay and conditions, it is our job to
l Strike vote forces Freightliner to back down 6 demonstrate that, together, we are more than that,
l Mick slams TIGgers’ Blair Witch project and we operate as a movement for the greater
l Vertically-integrated: putting the wheels and
7
8
10 good. There are, of course, those we will never
convince, but as one of the few groups that have
the steel of Britain’s railways back together not seen austerity directly impact upon us we have
a greater need to demonstrate our belief of a
Features better world for everyone. None of us can believe
l Mick Holder looks at a historic agreement
it is right for children to go hungry outside of
10
school terms or that one in five workers suffer in-
hammered out for train drivers in 1919 11 work poverty. Work must pay and have the dignity
l Flower of Scotland: DO2 Kevin Lindsay 11 that comes with it.
and EC2 Jim Baxter Trade unions were formed to give voice,
l Company council reports from Andrew
strength, and liberty through education to drive
12-13
social mobility and a more just society. It seems to
Fergusson, Rab Wicksted, Archie Barr,
me we still have a long way to go. Since politically-
John Hay, Kev Bell; and Shirley Handsley
imposed austerity we have slipped back;
on the ASLEF Education project
childhood illnesses that had been eradicated have
l Danielle Rowley on Labour’s new transport 14 returned, life expectancy is decreasing,
policy and Hugh Bradley on freight homelessness is increasing, and food banks are
l Let’s dance – Key Worker Sherelle Cadogan
becoming the norm. With the norm comes
15
acceptance and we will fight to see that does not
happen. I am ashamed that we are the only
Regulars generation to leave our children and
l Branch News and 100 Years of Union 16-17 grandchildren worse off. That should not be our
l Obituaries
legacy.
19 So with your support and help, and the help of
l Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21 15 your reps, ASLEF will continue to march,
l Last Word: Chris Proctor, suffering from
champion, campaign and demonstrate. To add our
22
voice and our logo to all those causes that advance
information overload on the platform,
society and help to build a better world. When we
makes a plea for silent railway stations come under attack we are called ‘greedy train
l On Track: Carry on regardless, Chris 23 drivers’ and comparisons are made with other
Grayling; Crossword; Legal Services; workers – to try to create the politics of envy – but
and Change of Address those who say these things are not like us because
we want decent wages and standards for
everyone, and I have never seen any of our critics
The ASLEF Journal is published every month by: stand as we do – and we will continue to do.
ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN
May I add my congratulations to Graham Morris
Tel: 020 7324 2400 l email: journal@aslef.org.uk
website: www.aslef.org.uk l twitter: @ASLEFUnion 22 on his re-election as officer for District 1 and to
Mark Daniels on his re-election as trustee. I look
forward to continuing to work with them both.
EditoR Mick Whelan l dESiGNER Michael Cronin l PRiNtER College Hill Press, London, SW19 4HE
AdVERtiSiNG ASLEF Journal, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN. Contact Keith Richmond on 020 7324 2407
Yours fraternally
or richmondk@aslef.org.uk l cLASSiFiEd AdS journal@aslef.org.uk or call 020 7324 2400. The acceptance of a
display or classified advertisement does not necessarily imply endorsement of that product or service by ASLEF Mick Whelan, general secretary
chANGE oF AddRESS Please post your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN
April 2019 l The ASLEF Journal 3
News
Failing Grayling does it again!
ICK Whelan spoke out Chris Grayling, the Secretary of promised would be sorted this
M after it emerged that
Northern Rail’s six-
State for Transport who
famously washed his hands of
year, won’t be dealt with for
another two years. Now I know
carriage long services in and out the problems passengers were that nothing is ever Mr Grayling’s
of Leeds station have been suffering by claiming “I don’t run fault, but it is now clear that he
delayed by a further two years. the railway”, and not Northern – knew, and chose to say, and do, Mick: ‘Nothing is ever his fault’
The longer trains should have ever mentioned that the new, nothing.
been brought in at the end of longer, trains wouldn’t be ‘Mr Grayling is the man who It’s why his Cabinet colleagues,
this year but won’t, now, come coming in until 2021. hired a ferry company with no as well as long-suffering
into service until late 2021. ‘That means that the ferries and is now responsible for passengers, call him Failing
Mick said: ‘During the problems of overcrowded trains, a train company with no trains – Grayling. And why it’s time for
timetable crisis no one – not which the DfT, and the company, or, at least, not the right trains. him to go.’
The lighted flame
ASLEF’s 18 senior elected officers – the
general secretary, assistant general
secretary, executive committee
members and district organisers – line
up at head office in front of the Mick
Jones triptych portraying the history of
our union since it was formed in Leeds
in 1880. From left: DO2 Kevin Lindsay;
EC3 John Metcalfe; DO5 Nigel Gibson;
EC7 Andy Hudd; AGS Simon Weller;
EC5 Howard Kaye; DO7 Brian Corbett;
DO3 Andy Hourigan; GS Mick Whelan;
EC1 Marz Colombini; DO6 Dicky Fisher;
DO1 Graham Morris; EC6 Dave Calfe;
EC4 Mark Wakenshaw; EC2 Jim Baxter;
DO4 Nick Whitehead; DO8 Finn
Brennan; and EC8 Terry Wilkinson.
Photo: Andrew Wiard
QUOTE… Blowing TWEETS OF THE MONTH
‘Brexit was like the UK got
drunk and accidentally
unfriended Europe on
bubbles Top speech from Kevin Lindsay of
@ASLEFunion calling out the shambles of
Graham Morris has Abellio ScotRail, the need for public ownership of
Facebook.’ – Leo Kearse
been re-elected, buses and trains, and rejecting the parking levy.
…UNQUOTE
unopposed, to serve @NeilFindlay_MSP
another five-year term
DBC FINED £2.7 MILLION as District 1 Organiser. We have minor delays between Woodford
dB cargo has been fined £2.7 Graham, London and Hainault due to absence of train staff.
million, with £188,873 costs, Bridge branch, and a @centralline
after being convicted of an big West Ham fan, was
offence under the health & first elected to the Graham Morris: coYi Use of language is important. It’s a lack of
Safety at Work Act. the oRR position in November train staff either due to the company trying
Southeastern; South
prosecuted the company after a 1999. He is ASLEF’s to run the service on too few staff or poor
Western; Thameslink;
13-year-old boy suffered life- lead officer for coverage administration. Saying absence puts
Great Northern; and
changing injuries when he negotiations with the blame on staff and implies that they have
the Island Line on the
received an electric shock from Southern; made a choice to just not come in.
Isle of Wight.
a 25,000 volt overhead line at @WestLondonElectric
tyne Yard in Gateshead. TUBE SUICIDE ATTEMPTS FALL Not enough train drivers on the roster with
the number of suicide attempts on London the added bonus of four ‘one unders’ in six
STUPID GIRLS POSE FOR Underground has fallen for the first time in five
SELFIES ON LIVE LINE weeks means four less drivers from the ones we
years. tfL has praised staff for making more do have.
two ‘stupid’ schoolgirls, aged 13 interventions with vulnerable passengers. @ShruggedAslef
or 14 according to police, were
caught on camera risking their
Police colluded with construction
lives by posing for selfies, Our woolly hat will keep you warm
blacklisting by giving information about
striking several different poses, this winter. Price £5 (including
workers to building companies.
on live railway lines at p&p); email info@aslef.org.uk or
@AlanJonesPA
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, on visit our online shop at www.aslef.org.uk
Friday 1 March.
4 The ASLEF Journal l April 2019
News
My aim off the Rails
is true JONATHAN POWELL, who made a few
ALISON Miller, a driver friends, and lots of enemies, as Tony Blair’s
with ScotRail, and chief of staff from 1995 to 2007, has
secretary of our condemned the Tory government’s
Women’s ‘abominable handling of Brexit’ as ‘the worst-
Representatives’ managed negotiation in living memory’.
Committee, starred in Theresa May, he says, ‘tried to play hardball,
the six-part television employing the mantra that “No deal is better than a bad
series Inside Central Alison by Grand central Station deal”.’ Adding, caustically, ‘In a negotiation it is a good idea
Station on BBC to know what your best alternative to a negotiated
Scotland last month. The show is Alison, in a full agreement is, but that is not the same as threatening to
The documentary broadcast at 9pm on page Q&A in No 1 shoot yourself in the head unless the other side do what
series, which began Sunday night, magazine, ‘Scotland’s you want [because] they are likely to invite you to do it.’
on 3 March, and was repeated at 11pm on glamorous glossy’ and
produced and Tuesday, on the new DC Thomson’s rival to RICHARD E GRANT, asked by ES magazine
directed by Paul channel which was Red and Marie Claire, whether he takes ‘bus, taxi or Tube’? replied:
Glynn, looks at the launched on Sunday said the ‘biggest ‘Bus and Tube every day using my coveted
lives of the men and 24 February as ‘a misconception about Oyster freedom pass, due to my vast vintage.’
women who work all channel for modern Scotland is that we are The star of Withnail and I, The Age of
hours to keep Scotland’. It’s available a skinflint, crabbit, Irn Innocence, Gosford Park and Can You Ever
Glasgow Central, on BBC iPlayer, Bru drinking nation. Forgive Me? was born in Mbabane, Swaziland, 61 summers
Scotland’s busiest Freeview and YouView, It’s beautiful and holds ago. Asked what he would do if he were Mayor of London
railway station, on Sky, Freesat and Virgin lots of happy for a day, he said: ‘Offer free bus and Tube travel. Make wifi
track. Media. memories for me.’ free above and below ground and designate a landing spot
for Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane.’
Pete ‘Punky’ Smith THE WAY to heal political divisions, they say,
is to see the other person’s point of view. That
A retirement do for Pete ‘Punky’ Smith – a Watford driver for more than
commonplace was undercut by the American
40 years – is being held from 16.00 on Friday 12 April at the White Lion,
humourist Jack Handey who said: ‘Before you
79 St Albans Road, Watford, WD17 1SJ. ‘All who know Pete are welcome,’
criticize someone, you should walk a mile in
says Ian Morris, Watford LLC.
their shoes. That way, when you criticize
them, you are a mile away from them, and
CONFERENCES & RALLIES you have their shoes.’ Worth remembering, too, that Tony
The Welsh Labour Party conference is at the Venue Cymru in Blair, asked by a colleague if he would drop the New Labour
Llandudno from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 April. The Scottish trades branding once he’d been elected, said: ‘It’s worse than you
Union congress is at the Caird Hall, Dundee, from Monday 15 to think. I really do believe in it.’
Wednesday 17 April. Workers’ Memorial day is Sunday 28 April.
ASLEF’s annual assembly of delegates is at the Marriott Hotel, Leeds, SUE PERKINS, best known for The Great
from Monday 13 to Thursday 16 May. The StUc LGBt+ workers’ British Bake Off, Light Lunch and Insert Name
conference is at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, Glasgow, from Here, when asked about the political figure
Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 May. The StUc youth conference is at the she most admires, didn’t hesitate. ‘Nye Bevan.
Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, Glasgow, from Saturday 29 to Sunday Universal health care is the most sacred part,
30 June. The durham Miners’ Gala is on Saturday 13 July. The the most important pillar, of British
tolpuddle Martyrs’ festival, near Dorchester, is from Friday 19 to citizenship.’ Mind you, when asked what her Mastermind
Sunday 21 July. The trades Union congress is at the Brighton Centre subject would be, she muttered: ‘The Gothic novel, or
from Sunday 8 to Wednesday 11 September. The Labour Party Jacobean tragedy. No trifling for me: it’s all about grimness,
conference is at the Brighton Centre from Saturday 21 to Wednesday death, destruction and monsters.’
25 September.
ROY HODGSON, manager of Crystal
500 CLUB: John White, with number 77, won the March draw, scooping Palace, and fondly remembered by
the RMS prize money jackpot of £392. ASLEF members in Kent as a tenacious
right-back for Tonbridge Angels,
Gravesend & Northfleet, Maidstone
our new ASLEF mug United and Ashford Town, was droll in defeat when a Match
has images from the of the Day interviewer gushed, ‘Looking at the positives, you
Mick Jones triptych did score two away from home today?’ Roy, after a
in reception at head Pinteresque pause, replied: ‘Yeah, but it’s no good scoring
office. there are four two away from home if the opponents score three...’
versions – three have
an image on one side NAOMI CAMPBELL, asked by ES magazine
and the ASLEF logo on the other; the fourth has ‘Bus, taxi or Tube?’ replied: ‘If I were a tourist
all three images. £6 each (inc p&p) or £15 for a I’d say get on the Tube, as that’s where you
set of three; email info@aslef.org.uk or visit our see and hear the real London.’ Naomi’s not a
online shop at www.aslef.org.uk tourist, so that’s taxi, not Tube, then…
April 2019 l The ASLEF Journal 5
News
coming in, as others determined to business council
Strike vote forces leave, to maintain
the level of
protect the interests
of our members,’
reps Paul Barber and
Pete Mason ‘to
FOC to back off contributions in the
fund.
said GS Mick
Whelan. ‘It is still not
confirm that
Freightliner will not
Ballot result: Are too late for the be proceeding with
FTER Haul and you prepared to take company to see the implementation
A drivers at
two of the
Freightliner
Intermodal sought
part in a strike?
Freightliner IM: Yes
sense. We are willing
to sit down and talk
of these proposals at
this time.’
big five rail freight to introduce a five- 94.1%. No 5.9%. to Freightliner and ‘We stuck to
companies voted year qualifying Turnout 70%. try to keep the our position that we
overwhelmingly to period before new Freightliner HH: Yes wheels of business would not support
strike to protect drivers can join the Lead officer Nigel 84.8%. No 15.2%. turning in Britain.’ changes to benefits
their pensions companies’ scheme. Gibson: ‘We stuck to Turnout was 60.3%. Nick Barclay of for commercial gain,’
Freightliner This would have a our position’ The EC called two Freightliner, a said Nigel Gibson.
withdrew its plans to detrimental effect 24-hour strikes for Genesee & Wyoming ‘And that strike
change its scheme. on current members retire – means fewer Friday 15 March and company, wrote to action would go
Members were as a five year pause in the scheme; and Friday 29 March. ‘We Mick after a meeting ahead if they did
balloted after on new members – schemes are reliant regret the need to with lead officer not withdraw
Freightliner Heavy as people leave or on new people go on strike but are Nigel Gibson and the proposal.’
Kevin calls on councils Rail firms say they CARDIFF BLUES
GS Mick Whelan gave evidence
to rule out car park tax have learned lessons
about the future of Trafnidiaeth
Cymru/Transport for Wales to the
ASLEF has urged National Assembly for Wales’
councils to rule out Rail companies claim they have ‘learned the lessons’ of Economy, Infrastructure & Skills
introducing a car last year’s timetable fiasco – the problems of which Committee at the Senedd in
parking tax which would have been far worse had ASLEF members not Cardiff Bay on Wednesday 13
would penalise hard- helped tocs out of problems of their own making – March.
pressed working men ahead of the introduction of 1,000 extra services on
and women. Kevin Sunday 19 May to tackle overcrowding. CALL FOR INVESTMENT
Lindsay, our organiser Govia thameslink Railway, Northern, Network Rail Whitehaven town council has
in Scotland, said: ‘It is and transport Secretary chris Grayling were all blamed urged Northern Rail to invest in
absolutely outrageous by passengers for the chaos last year which crippled the West Cumbria’s rail line after
that councils are Kevin Lindsay: rail network. this time companies say new services will services were suspended due to a
considering taxing ‘carrot, not stick’ only be introduced where there is ‘high confidence’ in landslide between Workington
people for turning up will do is make it more the infrastructure, where the route learning has been and Whitehaven. Sue Hayman,
to work! expensive to go to done, and when the trains are ready. Labour MP for Workington, has
‘The SNP work. A workplace called on Network Rail to resolve
the issue.
government, in
cahoots with the
parking levy scheme
in Nottingham, for The road to hell
Greens, is going to example, charges THIS IS LUCIO
Chris Proctor, Naples and Portici
give councils the right £415 per space. Lucio Buffone, Paddington branch
once of this but met with
to charge a workplace ‘This is the wrong chair, and an active member of
parish, sends a opposition from
parking levy and there way to go. The right Vauxhall constituency Labour
postcard from an unexpected
are signs that many way is carrot, not stick, chris: Postcard Party, has been re-elected as LGBT
Sicily: ‘The first quarter. The Pope
councils will do just to make it easier, and from the edge officer of the London Labour
railway in Italy at the time –
that. They say it will cheaper, to travel by Party.
was inaugurated Gregory XVI – banned railways
reduce congestion on bus and train. And to 180 years ago, in changed the from all Papal
the roads and cut air bring the transport October 1839, in French term for a territories! Lord
TOP MARK
pollution. network in Scotland the Kingdom of railway chemin de knows what EC Mark Daniels, of Barking main line
‘That’s, frankly, back into public the Two Sicilies. It fer – path of iron – member Marz branch, and a driver with c2c, has
unlikely. But what it ownership.’ was less than five to declare it a Colombini would been re-elected as an ASLEF
miles long and chemin d’enfer – a have to say about trustee.
Graffiti artists died ran between way to hell! – and that!’
hiding from train
Three graffiti artists – Jack Gilbert, 23, Alberto QUOTE… carry all
Carrasco, 19, and Harrison Scott-Hood, 23 – ‘Anniversary tours tend to be wearily nostalgic. But your stuff
who were found dead at Loughborough Massive Attack’s Mezzanine (1998) has acquired – papers,
Junction station on 18 June were hiding from greater relevance. In an era of hostile sandwiches, keys – in
an oncoming train, a coroner has found. A environments, drone warfare, and surveillance style with our smart new
detective told the court they would have seen capitalism, its air of encroaching paranoia feels sturdy black ASLEF bag.
the train coming but not known which line it eerily prescient. Is there a better description of the Price £17.50 (inc p&p);
was on as it was pitch black. A statement from anxious tedium of Brexit than Inertia Creeps?’ email info@aslef.org.uk
the families said the three friends ‘lost their – George Eaton in the New Statesman or visit our online shop at
lives because of the dangers this art form …UNQUOTE www.aslef.org.uk
brings’ and added: ‘Rest in Paint’.
6 The ASLEF Journal l April 2019
News
general election that
TIGgers’ Blair inspired millions to Shortage of drivers
vote Labour and saw DB Cargo and the National College for High
the party increase its Speed Rail have launched a new 18-month
Witch project vote by the largest
share since 1945.
‘Their decision to
Level 3 train driver apprenticeship programme
in Doncaster. ‘This shows what can be
achieved when train operating companies,
S Mick decided they no walk out into the freight operating companies, on-track
G Whelan
spoke out
longer wish to
represent their
political wilderness –
remember the fate of
the SDP? – is sad, but
machine companies, trade unions and
regulators come together and collaborate,’ said
after Chuka Umunna constituencies in Kerrie Talbot of DBC.
not unexpected. Mick: ‘Remember
and seven other Parliament as Labour She added, with no discernible sense of
Frankly, it’s less about the fate of the Gang
Labour MPs resigned MPs, especially as irony, given the company’s mass clear-out of
a desire to “forge a of Four’
the whip to sit as The that was how they drivers via voluntary redundancy and early
Independent Group. ‘I were elected. On a new consensus” and the Labour Party is, as retirement, ‘We have an acute shortage of train
regret that they have Labour ticket at a more that they don’t it has been since it drivers and this is an excellent way of
like Jeremy Corbyn, was founded, more developing a new pipeline of talent and
and the socialist than 100 years ago, creating the next generation of drivers.’
QUOTE… policies on which by the trade unions
‘The trouble with Labour voters, Labour fought the to represent ordinary
including me, is that we’re very loyal. I’m last election, and hard-working people Passengers fed up
not going to leave Labour.’ long to bring back in Parliament, the
– Melvyn Bragg the ghost of Tony
Blair.
greatest force for
progress in this
with private TOCs
…UNQUOTE A new survey by Transport Focus shows that
‘The truth is that country.’
passengers do not feel the railways are run for
were asked to dance! We were their benefit and there is a lack of
ASLEF for all given a chance to be heard
and also gained an insight into
the mechanics of the union. It
accountability when things go wrong. TF chief
executive Anthony Smith said: ‘Passengers
know they are not getting the train service
SHERELLE CADOGAN, assistant branch secretary, was an opportunity to hear first they are paying for. This research underscores
hand the vision of our general that passengers want a more reliable service
Morden, reports on the District 8 BAME forum
secretary in ensuring ASLEF is that is better value for money and – whichever
I attended the ASLEF BAME move forward with engaging for all. model is selected to run the system – that they
forum for District 8 at head more of our BAME colleagues A great day and events like want to know who is in charge of their railway.’
office for the first time last across the transport network. this show what an inclusive
month. With Mick Whelan, Finn Diversity is being invited to and progressive union we are. TRAIN WINDSCREEN SMASHED
Brennan and Terry Wilkinson the party, inclusion is being Thanks to D8 BAME rep Trevor Police are trying to trace teenagers who threw
we discussed how we can asked to dance. This day we Robinson for hosting the event. a stone that cracked the windscreen of a train
approaching Galashiels on the Borders Railway
line between Edinburgh and Tweedbank. The
driver was unhurt but the windscreen will cost
£3,200 to replace.
the water of life tastes
better in an ASLEF crystal
whisky tumbler! Price £8
(inc p&p); email
info@aslef.org.uk or visit our online
shop at www.aslef.org.uk
tube train operators attended the d8 BAME forum in the meeting room at St John Street
What can you get for
your new, shiny £1 coin?
TBF membership...
just £1 a week covers you, your
partner and dependent children.
0300 333 2000 www.tbf.org.uk
Transport Benevolent Fund CIO, known as TBF, is a registered charity in England and Wales, 1160901, and Scotland, SC047016.
April 2019 l The ASLEF Journal 7
News
Put the wheels and Fly like an Eagle
steel back together Angela Eagle, Labour
MP for Wallasey, and
S MICK integrated railway, fit Pensions Minister in
G Whelan has
urged the
for the 21st century –
in which the operator
Gordon Brown’s
government, recalls
Williams Rail Review is also responsible for coming out to
to recommend the track on which colleagues in 1997.
putting the ‘wheels the trains run,’ said ‘Chris Smith was
and steel’ of Britain’s Mick. Mick: ‘We need to forge a modern vertically-
integrated railway fit for the 21st century absolutely
railways back ‘But it has to be Prescott’s Eagle eyes
gobsmacked, but
together – under done under public infrastructure, which the TOCs charge, delighted.’ Ditto Peter gay men were
public ownership. ownership. Keith is currently in public want to bring every Mandelson. But when gobsmacked,’ she
He was speaking Williams has said that hands. part of our railway she told John tells the Progress
after Sir Peter Hendy, the franchise system ‘Opinion polls back into public Prescott, her boss at podcast, ‘and all the
chair of Network Rail, has failed and show that even ownership. To run it the Department for heterosexual men go
which owns and everyone who works Conservative-voting for the benefit of the Environment, “Yeah, yeah, we
manages the UK’s on the railway – a commuters, fed up everyone. That’s the Transport and the know” because,
railway infrastructure, natural monopoly – with the high fares way forward.’ Regions, he obviously, they don’t
said he would not knows that harrumphed: ‘Tell me get the signals they
mind if the Williams privatisation hasn’t something I don’t normally get from
report recommends worked. QUOTE… know, love.’‘All the heterosexual women.’
Network Rail’s ‘That’s why it ‘Though I admire Diane Abbott – and
abolition. would be utterly put her as my first choice in the 2010
‘We have long wrong if the Labour leadership election – I am bound WHEELIE BIN LEFT ON LINE
argued that the right privatised train to admit that her constantly wagging Teenagers climbed a fence across a private
thing to do – for operating companies forefinger, and habit of speaking slowly level crossing at Carnoustie, near Dundee, on
passengers, staff and – which let and enunciating her words carefully as Thursday 21 February and left a wheelie bin on
taxpayers – is to passengers down though talking to inattentive infants, the railway line. One boy stood by the tracks to
bring the wheels and every day, and take grate with many people.’ – Peter Wilby film the impending crash but the driver of the
the steel back money out of the in the New Statesman Edinburgh to Aberdeen service, warned by a
together – to forge a industry – got their …UNQUOTE train driver going the other way, slowed before
modern, vertically hands on the impact. The BTP are looking for the culprits.
NEW RESEARCH REVEALS HGVS
The air that I breathe CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS
A Freedom of Information request to Highways
England by Freight on Rail has revealed that
Mick Holder of
HGVs were involved in 43% of critical incidents
ASLEF’s health and
on the strategic road network lasting more
safety department
than five hours, and 56% lasting more than
attended the launch
ten. ‘More rail freight means fewer fatal
of the Trade Union
collisions and fewer road closures,’ said Freight
Clean Air Network at
on Rail manager Philippa Edmunds.
the ITF in Borough,
south London, on
CITY OF LONDON
Wednesday 6
Our City of London branch has closed.
February. UNICEF, the
Members from this branch have been moved
same week, launched
into St Pancras branch.
Healthy Air for Every
Child, a report which
criticised the UK
government for our new topical tee-
being ‘insufficiently tUcAN do this: workers campaign for clean air shirt, designed by
ambitious’. Graham those hoxton hipsters
Petersen, secretary of this but very little has numbers of people at Philosophy
the Greener Jobs been said about exposed to Football, features Rik
Alliance, said: ‘There workers as a dangerous levels of rarely reflected in Mayall as the
has, rightly, been a vulnerable group. pollutants as a result national and local obnoxious anarchist Rick in The
public outcry about There are huge of work yet this is strategies.’ Young Ones, and this classic
exchange: ‘he threw us off the train
because you said ASLEF was an
£80m wall to protect track anagram for “total and complete
bastard”.’ ‘And apart from everything
The DfT has made up to £80 million of funding available for a new wall to protect the railway line else… it isn’t, even.’ £10 (inc p&p);
at Dawlish in Devon where the sea wall, built to protect one of the most picturesque stretches of email info@aslef.org.uk or visit our
track in the country, was destroyed by high tides and stormy seas in 2014. The new wall will be online shop at www.aslef.org.uk
two-and-a-half metres higher than the existing five metre high structure.
8 The ASLEF Journal l April 2019
100 Years of Union
Deal with the devil
The Locomotive Journal in
April 1919 heralded a historic
agreement hammered out
after long negotiations – and
the threat of a national strike – between
ASLEF and the Railway Executive over
our national programme. MICK HOLDER
turns back time, and the pages of the
bound copies of the Journal, to see
what GS John Bromley and the EC won
for members
John Bromley left school at the age of 12, in 1888, and joined the Great Western Railway as an
HE outstanding event of this month
T is undoubtedly the claim made for
the fulfilment of our national
engine cleaner two years later. he became a fireman, then a driver, and was always active in
the union, known as ‘a witty and erudite orator with pronounced left-wing views, at least on
domestic affairs’. he was general secretary of ASLEF from 1914 to 1936 and Labour MP for
programme. The first conference was held at
Barrow-in-Furness from 1924 to 1931
the Board of Trade on 12 February when our
national programme was explained in detail something tangible. guaranteed week. In the event of a strike
to representatives of government. ‘If the same spirit is kept up during future affecting the work of any grade, either
negotiations, I am convinced that a final generally or in any district, the question of
THE GOVERNMENT’S PLEDGE amicable settlement will be arrived at. I think, suspending the operation of this article shall
Monday 24 March saw the final conference in from the assurances that have been given us be referred to the general committee to be set
the renewed negotiations between our by the representatives of the government, that up under article 7 of this memorandum.
representatives, Sir Albert Stanley, and the our members will have nothing to fear from a Guaranteed day This to be further
Railway Executive. The interpretation of the little bit more patience. discussed.
government’s offer has been decided, and to ‘Personally, I feel that what has already overtime All time worked on weekdays in
that extent an agreement was reached. The been practically agreed upon, if ratified by the excess of the standard hours to be paid for at
government give a pledge that negotiations executive committee, should be immediately the rate of time and a quarter, each day to
on the outstanding items of the programme put into operation, so that the men could gain stand by itself for overtime purposes.
shall be continued immediately after the the benefit of it at once’. Sunday duty Twelve o’clock midnight
agreement is ratified. Saturday to twelve midnight Sunday. Time and
Representatives of the National Union of THE TERMS OF THE OFFER a half, without addition, to rate for overtime or
Railwaymen and the Associated Society of Sir Albert Stanley issued the following night duty, the same to apply to Christmas Day
Locomotive Enginemen and Firemen met Sir statement: ‘At the meeting between and Good Friday. Hours worked on these day
Albert Stanley, President of the Board of Trade, representatives of the government, the in excess of the standard number of hours
and the Railway Executive. Sir Auckland Railway Executive Committee, and the railway shall not be computed as part of the hours of
Geddes and Sir Robert Horne, Minister of unions, the whole of the concessions offered work of any other day.
Labour, were also present. by the government were reviewed and agreed Night duty (Weekdays) All ordinary time
At the conclusion of the conference, after interpretations arrived at.’ worked between 10pm and 4am to be paid for
seven o’clock, Mr Bromley said: ‘A general Guaranteed Week The standard week’s at the rate of time and a quarter; all overtime
agreement has been reached. It is not a final work to consist of 48 hours. The standard worked between 10pm and 4am to be paid at
settlement; it is only an understanding so far week’s wages, exclusive of any payment for an inclusive rate of time and a half.
as we have gone. I am more satisfied tonight overtime or Sunday duty, to be guaranteed to Rest In all regular duties a period of 12
with the progress that has been made than I all employees who are available for duty hours rest to be shown on the rosters at the
have been hitherto all through the throughout the week. But turns commencing home station, but in other cases a minimum of
negotiations, as we have at last arrived at and finishing on Sunday shall form part of the nine hours.
holidays One week’s holiday with pay after
12 months’ service, to include all casual
the ASLEF Journal – which was known, employees who are regularly employed,
from its first issue in 1888 until 2006, as the without prejudice to those men who already
Locomotive Journal, is the longest- have a longer holiday under their existing
established, continuously-published, trade conditions of service.
union periodical in Britain and, we believe, Management The negotiating committees
the world. the Journal, which is mailed to every member’s home each month, is the of the two unions will be recognised as the
main method of communication between head office and members. When the medium for dealing with all questions
Locomotive Engineers & Firemen’s Monthly Journal was launched as a 32 page A5 affecting rates of pay and conditions of service
periodical in February 1888, the editor explained: ‘A desire has been expressed that while the present negotiations are proceeding.
there should be a medium of communication between the members of the Society Other items to be discussed at further
and locomotive engineers and firemen in general, whereby they might exchange meetings.
opinions on the different questions in which they, as a body of responsible
workmen, are directly interested, with a view to their consolidation as a body for PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF RAIL
the purpose of improving their position.’ While the look of the Journal has changed, Private management and ownership of
the reasons for publishing it have not. the ASLEF Journal is still, in this 21st century railways not only stands condemned in itself,
digital age, a key tool for this trade union. but its stranglehold affects every other
department of national life.
10 The ASLEF Journal l April 2019Scotland
Brexit Hokey Cokey
KEVIN LINDSAY, ASLEF’s organiser in Scotland,
opens our four page special report by looking at
Brexit, the Scottish government budget, tax
bands, the workplace car parking levy, ScotRail’s
poor performance (but nice fat profit), and how
our union’s political fund gives members a
powerful voice both in Scotland and the UK
OLITICS is the main topic made many progressive choices –
P of conversation just now
with the UK Parliament
free prescriptions, free tuition fees,
and free bus travel for our
engaged in a game of Brexit Hokey pensioners, for example. As a nation of cars and onto public transport as
Cokey. Our politicians at a UK level we make a political choice on our possible – but putting a levy in
will be held accountable for the government and its tax policies but place is not going to achieve it.
outcome at the next general I’d argue that these proposals don’t Recent press reports say that
election by us all. But whilst most of go far enough. With a more people are making 5 million fewer train drivers should be exempt as
the media focus has been on progressive tax system we could bus journeys a year due to cuts in there is no public transport for early
Westminster and Brexit, here in achieve a lot more for the people of services and the failed policy of morning starts or late night finishes.
Scotland the Scottish government Scotland. deregulation of the bus industry. ASLEF is a campaigning union
has passed its budget with the It can’t be right that a worker on On rail, Abellio ScotRail is practically and, without our political fund, we
support of the Scottish Greens. £43,430 pays the same tax rates as a running the railway into the would not be able to campaign for
Contained within this budget were company director on £150,000. ground, with some employers a progressive tax system, a publicly-
significant tax changes which will Surely a progressive tax system saying they won’t employ anyone owned railway, for or against a
affect ASLEF members and their must include other tax bands? And, who relies on Abellio to get them workplace car parking levy, or
families. with a fairer tax system, Scotland to work as the railway is so safeguarding our pensions as well
As a socialist and trade unionist could do more. unreliable. as many other issues that affect our
I’ve always supported a progressive Also included in the Scottish The Scottish rail franchise lives. For those who think it’s all
tax system. I’ve always believed that budget is a proposal from the SNP performance is the worst it’s ever about donating to the Labour Party,
those who earn the most should to the Greens to give local councils been. Yet, remarkably, Abellio will you’re wrong! Our political fund is
pay the most. In the Scottish the powers to introduce a post a profit of around £1.2 million really our most powerful tool. It’s
budget train drivers in Scotland, on workplace car parking levy. Whilst this year. So, with public transport our voice – and it allows us to shout
average pay of £52,000, will pay councils are seeing their budgets in disarray, this is not the time to loud and proud for our policies. I’d
around £1,500 more in tax than a cut this levy can’t be the panacea to allow local councils to introduce urge all members to join the
train driver in the rest of the UK. this problem. As a union we want this levy. I’d also argue that, in the political fund and help make the
Our Scottish Parliament has to encourage as many people out event it is introduced, shift-working voice of our union stronger.
ownership. A case in point is DB Cargo which,
We live in interesting times after the mass clear-out of drivers via
voluntary redundancy and early retirement,
is now seeing the error of its ways and
JIM BAXTER, ASLEF’s new EC and our members are the ones suffering; looking to recruit heavily. But I don’t think
member for Scotland, jobs constantly being cancelled or altered DBC will find it easy to recruit experienced
and drivers being moved to suit. There drivers from other companies with the
examines the problems at
appears to be an exodus of drivers, which is gaping hole in its pension scheme.
ScotRail, Freightliner and We, as a union, will do all we can, in what
hardly surprising, what with bad timetabling,
DB Cargo, pension deficits bad diagramming, heavy workloads, lack of is a very difficult situation, to protect our
and greedy shareholders training, and being at the low end of the pay members as the company looks at all options
scale. All issues Abellio was warned about to alleviate this problem. Freightliner seems
’D LIKE to start by thanking but chose to do nothing about. to want to attack our members’ pensions for
I everyone, branches and individuals,
who supported me during the
There are clearly a number of problems
the company has to deal with, amongst them
no other reason than to fill the pockets of its
greedy shareholders.
executive committee election. It’s a great a new training and recruitment plan. While It’s not all bad news, though, as we are
privilege to be elected by my peers to they’re at it a discussion about an Employer looking at a recruitment drive across many
represent District 2 in the EC room and I look Justified Retirement Scheme wouldn’t go companies that should see the number of
forward to the challenges ahead and hope I amiss. Knowing when drivers are going to train drivers swell significantly. We have the
can do our district proud. retire will allow the company to plan better new TransPennine Express depot in Glasgow,
We are living through some very with the bonus of seeing the industry help to and Freightliner, DBC, ScotRail, Virgin and
interesting times politically. Brexit is a bring down the high unemployment figures CrossCountry all looking to recruit. Going
complete mess and, for our members in for young people. forward we will be working to the true
Scotland, there is the added ingredient of The rail freight industry continues to be a professionalisation of our grade through the
whether the eventual departure of Britain merry-go-round of contracts won and lost. Train Drivers Apprenticeship Level 3. Already
from Europe will lead to a second This creates uncertainty for our members. I being trialled in England, we will be working
independence referendum. Only time will believe the only way to stop this with employers and lobbying the Scottish
tell. Our members in ScotRail have their unsustainable model is for the whole rail government and political parties to make
crosses to bear. Abellio is in complete turmoil industry to be brought back under public sure Scottish train drivers aren’t left behind.
April 2019 l The ASLEF Journal 11Agenda
problem by going above and beyond to keep
Comedy sketch the services running. But this hasn’t stopped
ScotRail being issued with its second
ANDREW FERGUSSON, company council performance notice, as the company has failed
to meet contractual targets of 85%, scoring just
secretary, reports on Abellio ScotRail
79%, and has been given 12 weeks to submit
UILDING the best railway Scotland has remedial plans.
B ever had’ is Abellio’s new slogan. Well,
sadly, since they took over from First
Over the last year ScotRail has lost more than
80 drivers for various reasons, and this year will
Group in April 2015, they have done some real lose another 50, mostly because of heavy
old fashioned shunting and propelling recruiting by Virgin and FTP, and we can see a
movements. Our new InterCity service, which real problem materializing as these drivers have
was to be operated by our refurbished iconic not been replaced in time.
HSTs, with a full deployment from the December Queen Street refurbishment is ongoing but,
timetable change, sadly has not materialised. we believe, running behind schedule. The next
Indeed, we have only 10 sets in ScotRail at stage is due to start in May, and will mean more
present of which only two have been cancelled and altered workings for our members.
refurbished. The Mark 4 coaches leased from We are in year two of our two year pay deal;
Angel Trains, and refurbished by Wabtec, have this will deliver a further increase in salary of
been on a permanent slow and behind schedule. 2.5%. Lastly, we have a new EC member in
Our 385s are well in service now and Brother Jim Baxter who has taken over after
operating on the Edinburgh to Glasgow service, Hughie’s stewardship of District 2 for the last 15
with few problems, and have been extended years. We wish you well, Hughie, and look
forward to working alongside Jim.
onto the southside of Glasgow services,
although this was only possible after a full
renewal of the driver’s front window, which was
First batch of app
giving a distorted view whilst driving at night. ARCHIE BARR, Polmadie, and company
Our interim fleet of 365s are being withdrawn, as company council rep, reports on council o
they were a short-term lease, and the ageing Virgin West Coast would g
314s have also come to their lives’ end. training
We have to mention the fiasco that was the t hAS been a busy year at existing
training of drivers on HSTs and 385s, where our
train planning made a comedy sketch of
I Virgin West coast. the
company has continued to
Fund
available
producing too many diagrams on the network recruit drivers internally, and Pendolin
side of ScotRail with nowhere near enough recruited trainee drivers from overhau
drivers trained to cover services. Our drivers have outside the industry. our lead have bee
excelled at trying to shore up this ongoing Abellio: is this the best Scotland can get? officer, Kevin Lindsay, was the location
initiator in taking on the first batch there ha
of apprentice drivers, this being a about th
We drive trains from A to B first for Virgin. of the apprentices,
one was placed at Polmadie. Going
forward, the company has
drivers’ p
has rece
which w
RAB WICKSTED, company intimated it intends to continue to with ma
council secretary, reports recruit in our grade in Scotland. the future. t
on London North Eastern
HE LNER drivers’ Change is in the air
T company council last
year negotiated and JOHN HAY, company council chair, reports
delivered a four part, three year, on a year of change at CrossCountry
pay deal from April 2018 to 2020,
which included a HANGES abound and 2019 looks like
traction/technology payment
given to drivers from 28
C being an interesting year. Longstanding
chair Dave Sullivan left the council in late
December. The third part of this LNER took over from VtEc on the East coast main line 2018 after 15 years’ service due to his relocation to
deal was paid from 27 March, Manchester with Leicester driver Mark Sarson
this payment based on the the Class 90/91/DVTs. RPI). elected in his place. The council wishes Dave all the
February RPI figure published in Unfortunately, their introduction We have a change on the best for the future and thanks him for his sterling
March. Different companies use has been delayed, but this bears DCC as Mark Wakenshaw, of work, steering us through some very difficult times.
different monthly RPI figures no significance to us as drivers, Gateshead & Newcastle, was We also welcome Mark to the council.
throughout the year, hence the as we drive trains from A to B elected to the executive Pay negotiations will begin shortly and, given
reason for the differing whenever they make delivery committee, from January 2019. that the franchise finishes in October, any deal will
percentage rises your colleagues and become available, and for We wish him well, and especially have to be sanctioned by the DfT. CrossCountry is
working for other companies whoever the franchisee, or body thank him for his time and all of in discussion with the DfT regarding the possibility
might get. appointed by the government his excellent work for drivers on of a direct award to the company. This, with news
The new traction we are is, so long as we are given the the East Coast main line. We that DB is considering the sale of Arriva, leaves us
learning, Class 800/801, is the correct time to be trained and to welcome Paul Basham, from with the feeling that things could change, but
largest undertaking of new learn them. The final part of that Gateshead & Newcastle, who change is something we are used to on the railway
traction learning on the East pay deal comes in on 29 March takes over from Mark on the and we will meet any challenges head on.
Coast main line since we learned 2020 (based on February 2020 company council. We have been working with our lead officer
12 The ASLEF Journal l April 2019Scotland
council rep is a different dynamic from
Big step forward my previous role as a local level rep,
and I look forward to embracing this.
KEV BELL, company council, Our first meeting with
reports on DRS in Scotland management covered a number of
topics. Over the past year the company
HAVE the honour of giving the recruited a number of trainee drivers
I first ever report on behalf of
the Direct Rail Services
into the grade, mostly from other roles
in the company. The trainees all
company council (Scotland). DO3 Andy successfully passed their first driver’s
Hourigan negotiated a third position, rules and regulations. They have now
which was a good opportunity for me passed out on their basic traction, the
to move from local level rep to Class 37 engine. Further training on
company council. The post was created Class 66, 68 and, where required, Class
in February after consideration of the 88 diesel/AC traction has started. Our
size and geographical area previously drivers in training should be up and
covered by one member. The running by about September.
constituency covers York, Sellafield, There is still an active recruitment
Carlisle, Motherwell, Grangemouth and programme in the company; we have
Inverness, a very large area for one seen two new drivers for Motherwell
person to cover, thus the new position. and a train person at Inverness.
This is a big step forward for both DRS has recently been awarded one
ASLEF and DRS considering this time new contract in Scotland, the IM train,
last month there was no ASLEF which brings with it a fair bit of
prentices company council. The three new
company council reps are Peter
training from route learning DBSO and
Class 37 locos. In some cases it’s just
y is also in talks with the Robinson (Crewe depot) for the south refreshers but it’s encouraging to see
over a training app which of England; Warren Brannon (Sellafield) work coming into Scotland and we are
reatly enhance driver for the north of England; and Kevin Bell aware of other contracts being looked
for future recruits and (Grangemouth) for Scotland. All three at. Throughout the UK, DRS has won
drivers. of us have hit the ground running since some new flows of traffic and lost
Pendolino cabs to get an upgrade taking up our posts in the middle of others; overall it balances out. We have
ing has been made
e to upgrade the cabs of the improvements in regard to the February. had meaningful discussions on rules
no, starting with an mental health policy in the We met with Andy Hourigan, lead days, clarified that drivers can and will
ul of the driver’s seat which machinery, making it apparent that officer, a couple of days after being be given light duties as the occasion
en available at various this is an important subject. drivers elected. The first of what are going to arises. We are currently negotiating a
s for drivers’ feedback. have expressed concerns over our be regular coaching sessions to give us new rest day working agreement and I
ave also been discussions health supplier, Medigold. the Ec an insight into how ASLEF works within look forward to bringing ASLEF
he benefits of upgrading has introduced a sub-committee, the machinery. The role of company policies into the company.
phones to smartphones. RPi which we are
ntly been announced, involved in, to
Monday 1 April the new project will focus on the
ill be added into pay talks
nagement in the near
successfully
tackle members’
Rock’n’roll high school following key objectives:
there have also been great concerns. l Apprenticeships: A train drivers Level 3
SHIRLEY HANDSLEY, ASLEF Education’s apprenticeship went live in England in June
project co-ordinator, reports on the 2018. Using this as a model the Scottish project
project’s work in Scotland will work within funding and qualification
frameworks to create and deliver the equivalent
SLEF Education is coming to the end of across all companies operating in Scotland. We
A a two-year project, funded by the
Scottish government via Scottish Union
will also replicate the SVQ Level 2 modern
apprentice that we deliver in ScotRail to other
Learning, with a network of eight union learning TOCs and continue to work with Unite to expand
reps working across ScotRail, LNER and Virgin opportunities in engineering apprenticeships.
crosscountry: Pay talks start soon West Coast. The ULRs have been instrumental in l Mental Health: Raising awareness of how
Andy Hourigan on a new competence helping us deliver a range of courses to our the nature of driver employment can negatively
development process. This is an arduous task but Scottish members. impact on mental health. We will engage with
we are confident we can get to a position that sees Examples include: Spanish language courses employers to develop a comprehensive mental
the removal of draconian discipline for driving to SQF level 4; mental health awareness – health policy and procedures to address these
incidents. We are fortunate that Andy was the understanding trauma; sign language courses; issues and look at creating mechanisms to assist
ASLEF specialist in this field during his time on the and understanding pensions. drivers who have traumatic incidents by
executive committee. The project has continued to work with our providing trauma support courses.
The council has just negotiated a new driver partner to develop courses for members that can l New Employer Engagement: Rather than
training programme which has been signed off by be delivered in a classroom environment or being a ScotRail focused project we will expand
the EC. The pilot training course commences in online, with tutor support, for members in employer engagement with a particular focus on
May with eight candidates (internals) being based outlying areas through the collect learning the vulnerable rail freight sector.
at Birmingham. This will be the first trainee course partnership initiative run by the City of Glasgow To enable us to deliver these objectives a new
since 2005 and is seen as an indicator of Trade Union Education Department. project worker will be appointed as Jim Baxter is
companies starting to realise that poaching ASLEF has successfully applied for a further now on the EC. Thanks, Jim, for leaving ASLEF
experienced drivers from other operators cannot three years' funding from the SUL. Starting on Education in Scotland in a healthy position.
continue.
April 2019 l The ASLEF Journal 13Scotland
Transport for passengers not for
profit – for the many not the few
DANIELLE ROWLEY, Labour MP
for Midlothian, fresh from the
Scottish Labour Party
conference, makes the case for
public transport in public hands
Scottish Labour. Not only has it
’VE JUST returned helped to tackle social isolation,
I from the Scottish
Labour Party
but concessionary travel makes
a difference to our economy.
conference 2019 – and what a Each £1 spent on concessionary
conference it was! Scottish bus travel generates at least
Labour leader Richard Leonard The SNP prefers private to £2.87 in benefits to bus pass
MSP set out our vision for public ownership when it users and to the wider
Scotland following a Scottish comes to our railways and our economy.
Labour win at the next Scottish bus routes while Scottish At conference, Richard
Parliament elections in 2021. Labour is committed to Leonard called for an extension
Scotland is a rich and bringing our railways and buses of the free bus pass to all under
prosperous nation, but that back into common ownership. 25s within the lifetime of this
wealth and prosperity is held in When the Transport Bill parliament. In government, we
the hands of a few, while the comes before the Scottish will go even further. Richard
services used by the rest of us Parliament, Labour will table committed a Scottish Labour
are run down and all too often amendments to facilitate government to providing free
run for profit. municipal ownership and bus travel for all.
The Scottish public transport Bus services, except in radical re-regulation of our This would make a huge
system is a patchwork of Edinburgh under public buses, bringing an end to the difference for people right
services, with many areas left ownership, are grinding to a ban on local councils setting up across Scotland, cut emissions
behind, with no decent halt. We have a bus network local bus companies. This will and put power back in the
provision. Public money has being slowly dismantled by the give councils the power to end hands of the many, in place of a
been siphoned off through SNP, route by route – with the dismantling of lifeline bus few big businesses. It’s just the
privatisation and used to fund journeys down 10% since they routes and put a stop to rip-off kind of change we need to
the rocketing earnings of came into power. Under rising fares. make.
directors, dividends for fares, bus passenger numbers And that’s not all. Free bus Publicly run transport for
shareholders, and the coffers of have also fallen by 10% in the travel for the over 60s has been passengers, not for profit: for
overseas governments. last five years. one of the finest successes of the many, not the few.
facilitated. are seeing active recruitment within dBc
Element of hope Against this backdrop we also have the
major problems with the dB cargo final
and, hopefully, new contracts on the
horizon with increased intermodal and
HUGH BRADLEY, a driver salary pension fund being addressed while supermarket traffic.
Freightliner members voted to strike over And, on a positive note, the Mossend
with Freightliner Intermodal,
management‘s changes to their final salary international rail freight park is on schedule
and the former EC member pension fund. for operation in 2020. this is the project to
for District 2, reports on the We still have the madness of the expand the existing Mossend railhead
state of freight in Scotland privatised freight industry where, in including 775m sidings with onsite storage,
Scotland, heavy haul’s major work is distribution services, and logistical
BRiEF update on the state of presently tPE services to Manchester facilities, with new road access and
A Scottish rail freight is still one of
precariousness tinged with an
airport from Glasgow and Edinburgh;
GBRf’s major work is the caledonian
community green space. this will be a
significant investment in the local
element of hope. Sleeper service; and dRS still covers the community with up to 4,900 construction
For this article i’ve spoken to the various loco-hauled Fife circle ScotRail services. and operational jobs and will provide a
reps and find it frightening when looking at Add to this we have colas iM drivers direct road to rail link to logistic users all
the number of freight drivers currently working track maintenance services for dRS over the UK and continental Europe via the
working in Scotland: dRS 36; dBc 32; GBRf – after dRS won the contract from colas iM channel tunnel.
30; Freightliner iM 12; Freightliner hh 12 – because dRS do not have enough drivers this will be an opportunity to run longer
(once the drivers working the tPE services to fulfil this newly-won contract! and heavier trains although, at this time, we
are tUPE’d over in May); colas iM 4. With hopefully, at last, we have reached the do not know how many trains will be
these driver numbers there has to be a bottom of the demise of the freight involved or who the preferred operator will
question of how the rail maintenance industry in Scotland and can now see an be. Nevertheless, it’s a positive story in a
contracts with Network Rail will be increase in traffic and driver numbers. We time of uncertainty.
14 The ASLEF Journal l April 2019You can also read
