Equality is the soul of liberty - ASLEFJOURNAL
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ASLEF JOURNAL
The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen
DECEMBER 2020
Equality is the
soul of liberty
‘There is, in fact, no liberty without it’ said Frances Wright
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ASLEF JOURNAL
The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen
GS Mick Whelan
Fair warning: now
is not the time to ‘The biggest villains of
try and take us on the piece are the DfT
and the companies’
T IS difficult to think about the future when, due to the pandemic,
I everything is so uncertain and varied depending on which sector of our
industry we find ourselves in. The difficulties of providing services to
keep the country running whilst the various governments bring forward five-tier
systems, firebreaks, lockdowns, and very little joined up or mutual thinking.
Geographical or local lockdowns do not assist trains that do not see real, or
perceived, borders so we rely on the measures and risk assessments we have in
place to remain secure. None of this will be of much reassurance to those in the
News open access operators, and the operators of trains with already low passenger
l What the government has in mind for the railway 4 numbers, and we continue to raise these issues continually wherever and
l Lines in the Landscape photographs of Britain’s
whenever we can.
5 The train operating companies have had also to react to the lockdown
railway network plus Off the Rails: John Crace; instructions and so where we were running, on average, 93% of daily services,
Rick Wakeman; Gyles Brandreth, Ken Branagh, this will reduce to an average 85%, and may change further as restrictions affect
and Ian McKellen; Rachel Johnson on brother
staff numbers.
Boris; and Cornelius Lysaght on James Purnell
The freight sector has many traditional flows not running, and others
l DO8 Finn Brennan on what the TfL funding deal 6 oversubscribed, but we continue to keep the country running.
means for train operators on London Underground We welcome the government bailout of the Tube in London but there are
l DO2 Kevin Lindsay on members’ generosity for 7 strings, including a working party on driverless trains, that offers no economic or
the Stonehaven fund for families of the bereaved operating benefits, as recent internal TfL reports have shown. We now need the
government to look at the needs of other operators, in similar situations, in the
l Train saved by sculpture at a whaleway station 8 north-west, north-east, and elsewhere, because they should also be part of the
wider debate, and that should include open access.
Features Compared to many other industrial sectors we are not as impacted or
l Gregor Gall explains why the government has 9 uncertain. To read the industry press, though, apparently this is the time to take
pulled the plug on the Union Learning Fund us on and end rest day working. Let’s remind them that the cessation of
l Strange days: Chris Proctor reflects on 2020
compulsory or voluntary overtime based on full employment has been our policy
10 for three decades.
l Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Memo from Turner 11 The biggest villains in the piece has been the DfT and the companies
l Equality is the soul of liberty: we celebrate
themselves in failing to have, or allow, proper succession planning. We are the
12-16
ones who only agree to it based on strict recruitment criteria.
20 years of ASLEF’s equalities committees
It is also strange that those who have been in the industry for years and
with Ross Bland, Floyd Doyle, David Jones,
benefited from in-house training wish to single out drivers for paying for their
Susan Greenwell, Debbie Reay, San Senik,
own training. That’s worse than hypocrisy, but puts any pretence at diversity or
James Sutherland, and Tony Venson
career mapping in this industry back 100 years and won’t be happening.
l Justice (of a sort) for Scotland’s miners 17 Normal negotiations on our aspirations are not happening at this time, for
obvious reasons, but we will be looking at what we do going forward post-
Regulars pandemic.
l Branch Lines 18 As a craft union, we do not get great churn in membership, or in good
l Obituaries
representatives, but two are now standing down.
19 I want to pay tribute to DO7 Brian Corbett. He has been active since before
l Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21 becoming a driver at branch, AAD, local and company representative, executive
l Points and Crossings: Ghulam Khan on covid-19 22
committee and district officer. Heart and belief personify Brian and many owe so
much to his strength and commitment. In normal circumstances I know many
l On Track: Reading tribute to Brian Corbett; 23 branches would be saying goodbye and thank you between now and January.
our Prize Christmas Crossword; Legal Services; Equally passionate, not leaving the industry but standing down as a trustee, is
and members’ Change of Address form Ian Smith, whose record as a representative and trustee is unsurpassed. When we
had dark times he stood strong and helped this union survive and prosper. He’s
EDITOR Mick Whelan, general secretary l DESIGNER Michael Cronin never been afraid to ask the difficult question but has been staunch and true in a
PRINTER College Hill Press, London, SW19 4HE l ADvERTISING ASLEF world where loyalty and honour are not always recognised. Simply, I want to
Journal, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN. Contact Keith Richmond
thank you, Ian!
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 display And so we move forward, first with Steve Austin, who is taking over as DO7
or classified advertisement does not necessarily imply endorsement of and, based on his record at Paddington branch, and as company council, I am
that product or service by ASLEF CHANGE OF ADDRESS Please post sure will do a great job. John McCue won a well-contested trustee election and
your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN
replaces Ian. John, from Glasgow branch, is another who works hard for the
membership in Scotland and will also do a great job. I look forward to working
The ASLEF Journal is published every month by: with you both.
ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN
Please stay safe.
Tel: 020 7324 2400 l email: journal@aslef.org.uk
website: www.aslef.org.uk l twitter: @ASLEFUnion
Yours fraternally, Mick Whelan, general secretary, ASLEF
December 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 3
News
Midlands Trains from vertically-integrated
Shapps paves way 19 September 2021; modern railway, fit for
Southeastern from the 21st century, and
for direct awards 17 October 2021;
Chiltern from 31
run as a public
service, not for private
December 2021; and profit.
HE DfT has March 2023, and East Midlands ‘It is also strange
T paved the
way for
CrossCountry, which
has a direct award
Railway and the West
Coast partnership
that Mr Shapps is
trying to smuggle the
direct awards – to which began in from 1 April 2022. recommendations of
replace ten rail October, are also The Department for Transport is set to Mick Whelan, the Williams rail
franchises in England excluded. replace the Tories’ failed franchise model general secretary, review through
– with the TOCs are in with a series of new ‘public service’ contracts said: ‘While we will be without proper
publication of an discussion with the glad to see the back Parliamentary
OJEU prior DfT over the reversion to the shareholders happy. of the failed franchise scrutiny. What is he
information notice. transition of the terms of the old ‘We’re not in a system, we believe trying to hide? Why is
The notice covers affected franchises franchise agreements position to play we should bring the he frightened of
train operations not from the current would, with hardball,’ one wheels and the steel doing it properly, and
overseen by the EMAs, and passenger numbers admitted privately. back together as one transparently?’
devolved ‘compensation’, as falling off a cliff The companies
governments in the RDG somewhat during the pandemic, and franchises
Scotland and Wales optimistically puts it, see the companies affected are QUOTE…
or regionally for the termination of collapse. TransPennine ‘MPs and commentators keep asking,
managed existing franchise They are also Express; South archly, “But what does Boris want?”
concessions. GWR, agreements due to trying, privately, to be Western Railway; and Jesus, guys, catch up. He wants a shag
which has a long- be agreed by the amenable in the c2c (Essex and some attention and someone else to
term emergency middle of this month. hope of getting a Thameside) from 1 make his problems go away, like he
measures agreement Whatever the RDG management April 2021; Greater always does.’ – Marina Hyde, The
running to June likes to claim, the contract on Anglia; Thameslink, Guardian
2021, and a direct TOCs are not in a favourable terms to Southern, and Great …UNQUOTE
award contract until strong position as a keep their Northern; and West
NR boss lined up as Fat Controller TWEETS OF THE MONTH
According to a report in the Sunday Telegraph, Boris Johnson strongly urged to hire a
which is usually a reliable guide, as Grant new social media manager: Have I
Shapps’ spin doctors have Oliver Gill’s mobile Got News For You @haveigotnews
number on speed dial, ‘the boss of Network
Rail is being primed to lead an all-powerful Fat We finally have a vaccine! Huge
Controller body in the biggest shake-up of congratulations to
Britain’s train network since the 1990s’. Pfizer/GlaxoSmithKline/Sanofi/Novartis.
The Torygraph reports that Andrew Haines (Karen – please delete as appropriate,
Andrew Haines set to be Tories’ Fat Controller
has been asked by the DfT to begin reviewing thanks) @BorisJohnson
train lines as if he had already been awarded main line which Richard Branson’s Virgin and
control of a railway ‘guiding mind’ body. Brian Soutar’s Stagecoach badly mismanaged. That sound you can hear is the
‘The body is one of two major reforms ‘We would like to make clear that the government preparing to give £300
proposed by an as yet unpublished root and review should be undertaken from the billion to roll out the vaccine to a company
branch review’ writes Gill. ‘The other is the perspective of a neutral single guiding mind,’ that makes hats, run by someone who
abolition of rail franchising.’ they say indiscreetly. ‘Not in your capacity as doesn’t even know what a vaccine is, but is
The paper said it had seen a letter – a CEO of NR.’ married to a Tory MP. @davidschneider
euphemism for being briefed by the Transport The ‘guiding mind’ or Fat Controller –
Secretary’s team – from Ruth Hannant and named after the character in the Thomas the The Tory candidate for London Mayor
Polly Payne, DfT directors general rail, asking Tank Engine stories by the Rev Wilbert Awdry – is boasting about his party having cut
Haines to conduct an analysis of Britain’s most has been designed to ‘prevent meddling by firefighters’ pensions. A strange thing to be
troubled train lines, including the East Coast ministers’. proud of. @FinnBrennan
Virtue signalling isn’t an objective
Panorama examines effect of AUSTIN POWERS IN FROM concept. It’s a weird alt-right insult.
climate change on earthworks PADDINGTON AS DO7 Pandering to it deserves no place in public
broadcasting.
Steve Austin, of Paddington
The BBC’s flagship current affairs programme branch, has been elected James Wong @Botanygeek
Panorama is expected to broadcast an edition on unopposed as ASLEF’s new
Monday 7 December, in the wake of the tragic accident District 7 Organiser. Brian
at Stonehaven, when the 06.38 ScotRail service from Corbett, the current DO7, WE PUT OUT TRUST IN GLASGOW JOHN
Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street hit a landslip retires next year. Steve will be John McCue, of Glasgow branch, has received
obstructing the track between Carmont and in position for a five year term a simple majority of the votes cast in the
Laurencekirk, about the crash, in which three people which starts on Monday 1 election for an ASLEF trustee. He takes up
died, and the impact of climate change on earthworks February 2021. position immediately, and will be in post until
on the railway. 2 July 2023.
4 The ASLEF Journal l December 2020
News
in a collection of
Picture this images that will last
forever and will
testify to the UK
Off the Rails
OUR and is designed to being one of the
F evocative
railway
showcase cityscapes,
as well as landscapes,
most beautiful
countries in the
JOHN CRACE laments the absence of former
Transport Secretary Failing Grayling from
pictures have all around the UK. world.’ frontline politics. ‘I know it’s unfashionable,’
been acclaimed in ‘The landscape of n The winning mutters the elegant wordsmith, ‘but I rather
the Landscape the United Kingdom entries in Landscape miss Chris Grayling. Not just because he was
Photographer of the is amazingly rich and Photographer of the always good value to sketch, but because
Year competition. diverse with vast, Year 2020 are on there was an integrity to his commitment to never finding a
Brian Nunn’s deep, expanses, and show at London job he couldn’t do badly. Having warmed up by undermining
photograph, which small, intimate, Bridge station until the justice system with a disatrous part-privatisation of the
won the Lines in the cameos,’ said awards Friday 12 February. Probation Service, he set to work at Transport, where his
Landscape award, founder Charlie An accompanying crowning glory was to award a ferry contract to a shell
shows smoke Waite. ‘The book, Landscape company that had no ferries. During his time in office, Grayling
billowing from a photographs, coming Photographer of the cost the country more than £3 billion. If we had been paying
steam locomotive from the craft and Year: Collection 13 (AA him to do nothing, we’d all have been better off.’
crossing the expertise of every Publishing, £26) is
Ribblehead viaduct photographer, results also available. RICK WAKEMAN, who played
in North Yorkshire. with folkies The Strawbs and
Criss-Crossing by the prog rock group Yes before
David Queenan, with becoming the caped crusader
its geometric of the keyboards with The Six
patterns, an unusual Wives of Henry VIII, Journey to
image of the bridge the Centre of the Earth, and The
across the Firth of Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round
Forth; John Table, was pulled over by police at 4am on his way home from
Davidson’s shot of a a gig after the veteran rocker was spotted going round and
two-car service at round a roundabout. ‘Can you tell me when you had your last
Criccieth in drink of alcohol, sir?’ asked the officer. ‘August 5, 1985’ replied
Gwynedd; and the the piano player promptly. ‘Ah, in that case, sir, it should have
photo by Ron Tear – ‘a cleared your system by now.’
born and bred
Cockney’ – of GYLES BRANDRETH, writer, broadcaster,
Battersea at Dusk, after dinner speaker, and, from 1992 to 1997,
were all shortlisted Conservative MP for Chester, has always been
runners-up. a bit of a luvvie. Which is why he was the
The competition, perfect plum to edit The Oxford Book of
open to amateurs as Theatrical Anecdotes (OUP, £20). He reminds
well as professionals, us that thespians are obsessed with their place in the pecking
is now in its 13th year order, citing Kenneth Branagh’s tale of overhearing a
conversation about Ian McKellen and his theoretically
egalitarian Actors’ Company. ‘Isn’t it marvellous about
McKellen,’ Ken heard someone proclaim. ‘He’s playing Hamlet
QUOTE… this week and a footman next.’‘What’s the other play called?’
‘Populism is asked a chum. ‘The Footman’ was the reply.
democracy’s
ugly sister’ – RACHEL JOHNSON, sister of the
David PM, and not a fervent admirer of
Marquand, her sibling, reveals in Rake’s
The Guardian Progress (Simon & Schuster, £8.99),
…UNQUOTE a rollicking account of her ill-fated
attempt to become an MEP for
Change UK, that although the man christened Alexander Boris
de Pfeffel Johnson likes to trade as Boris his family still, as they
always have, call him Al. Remember Paul Simon? ‘I can call you
Betty, and Betty, when you call me, you can call me Al…’
CORNELIUS LYSAGHT has kept
his counsel since being fired as BBC
racing correspondent, but reached
for the whip when James Purnell,
director of radio, announced his
own exit. In a peerless Twitter
Award-winning images (from top): Ribblehead in North Yorkshire;
assassination, he said no one was even ‘vaguely sorry’ to see
Battersea at dusk; the Firth of Forth; and Criccieth in Gwynedd
Tony Blair’s one-time bagman leave, pointing up Purnell’s
500 CLUB: Michael Roads, with number 078, won the November draw, ‘talentless contribution’ to the corporation.
scooping the Retired Members’ Section jackpot of £492.
December 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 5
News
be many issues to deal with in the
The TfL funding deal – short- and medium- term.
It is clear that a funding model
what it means for us based so heavily on fares income
is not sustainable and that there
will be massive pressure to cut
costs. Staff terms and conditions
FINN BRENNAN, ASLEF’s catastrophic fall in TfL revenue. will be targeted, and we have to
organiser on London Without government funding be ready to deal with that.
Underground, analyses the there would have had to be huge That means not burying our
recent deal between the cuts to services. The Department heads in the sand and thinking
for Transport commissioned a that things will just go back to
government and TfL over
report on options and then not ‘normal’. They won’t. There will be
funding for the rest of this only refused to publish it but
financial year changes. Our job as a union is to
wouldn’t even share it with senior make sure those changes bring
management. DO8 Finn: ‘The massive Yes vote long-term benefits for our
HERE has been a stark After weeks of public in our ballot meant management members.
T difference between the
Tory government’s
wrangling, a deal for the rest of
this financial year was agreed. A
backed off from trying to break
agreements’
While many things in the
future are uncertain, we can be
attitude to the privately-owned revised budget for 2021/22 will be sure that Underground services
train operating companies and published in January. sop to the Prime Minister’s ego. will be key to London’s recovery
the publicly-controlled Transport Despite the many public calls No transport expert has ever been from this pandemic and that its
for London. from the Tory candidate for Mayor found – or ever will be – who staff – and the strong effective
While TOCs have been given of London, and from the Prime believes that driverless trains on trade union that protects them –
management contracts that Minister, to attack staff pensions London Underground make any will be as essential as always.
guarantee their shareholders a and conditions, there is nothing in economic or practical sense. As
profit, TfL has had to cope with a the agreement that will documents released by ASLEF
series of short-term funding deals, immediately do so. showed, it would cost around £7
ringed around with political TfL will still have to make billion to implement and deliver QUOTE…
strings. There continues to be a around an extra £160 million no real savings. The funding ‘Why does Robert Jenrick
very transparent effort by the worth of cuts, but these will be agreement is also explicit that attack Sadiq Khan for
government to use the crises spread across the entire operation there is no money in the TfL not getting enough
caused in public transport and are a relatively small part of budget for this. homes built yet delay
funding by covid-19 as a stick the overall budget. None of this means that we planning consents Khan
with which to beat the Labour Although there is a clause in can be complacent. While the has approved?’ – Dave
Mayor and, it seems, to punish all the agreement that says an ‘expert massive Yes vote in our ballot Hill, ex-Guardian, now
Londoners for having the temerity review’ will be set up into the meant management backed off @OnLondon
to vote for him. feasibility of driverless trains, it is from trying to break agreements, …UNQUOTE
The pandemic caused a clear that this is simply a political there is no doubt that there will
‘They asked
Welcome home, Doris me to RIA has equality
change my
Diana Dors, the vivacious movie star better
known for her rackety private life than for the
films she made as a Rank starlet, was born
name. I
suppose
they were
charter – at last
Mary Diana Fluck. Her father Bert Fluck Prompted by ASLEF, and other rail unions, the
afraid that if
worked in the accounts department of the Railway Industry Association and Women in
my real
Great Western Railway. When she was invited Rail have, finally, launched a charter to
name, Diana
back to her home town to open a fête, the champion equality, diversity, and inclusion in
Fluck, was
vicar, predictably terrified that he would the UK’s railway industry.
up in lights
mispronounce her name, promptly The charter – published 18 months after
and one of
mispronounced her name. But not as you ASLEF launched its diversity report at the
the lights
might expect. ‘We are fortunate to have with Houses of Parliament, and GS Mick Whelan
blew…’
us today Diana Dors, whom many of us here in called for the industry to take action – is a
Swindon will fondly remember as Doris Klunt.’ commitment to work together to build a ‘more
balanced, higher performing, sector’.
The charter’s commitments include making
NETWORK RAIL SETS SCIENCE-BASED TARGETS recruitment and progression processes
Network Rail has committed to ‘independently-verified, science-based targets’ to accessible and attractive to all to attract,
help in the process of climate change mitigation. It wants to reduce absolute scope retain, and develop people of all backgrounds,
1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2029; reduce absolute scope 3 ages, genders and identities; creating a culture
indirect emissions by 28% by 2029; and ensure that 75% of its suppliers by that fosters inclusion and providing a safe
emissions (covering purchased goods and services and capital goods) have space for all employees to talk openly,
science-based targets by 2025. including at industry events and in meetings;
‘Rail is already the cleanest and greenest mode of transporting large numbers providing opportunities for training and
of people and goods,’ said NR chief executive Andrew Haines. ‘But we’re committed education; and supporting the progression of
to cutting our carbon footprint even further. That’s why we’ve set carbon reduction diverse individuals into senior roles to improve
targets backed by science rather than simply ones we think are easy to achieve.’ diverse representation at senior level in the UK
railway industry.
6 The ASLEF Journal l December 2020
News
Stonehaven fund for the families
OLLOWING the tragic accident at the families, their loved ones who died at
F Stonehaven, ASLEF and the RMT set up a
joint fund to help the families of those who
Stonehaven, it will help them to deal with many of
the practical matters and difficulties they will face.
died. That fund has raised a staggering £142,000 in a ‘And I am determined, with my colleagues, to
little over two months. The fund will now be split pursue the causes of this accident, and get the
equally between the families of Brett McCullough, 45, answers everyone wants, for the bereaved families,
Donald Dinnie, 58, and Christopher Stuchbury, 62. and for every other railwayman and woman.'
GS Mick Whelan said: ‘We have been overwhelmed Mick Hogg, the RMT organiser, said: ‘This is a true
by the response from rail union members, from testament to the solidarity of railway workers, their
branches, from fellow trade unionists, and from the families and friends. The money may help the
public.’ families but we will continue to campaign to make
Kevin Lindsay, ASLEF’s organiser in Scotland, said: the railway safer.’ DO2 Kevin: ‘Humbled by a
‘I am humbled by this total, which is a magnificent ASLEF and the RMT have expressed our gratitude magnificent effort by
effort by our members, our branches, and our fellow to Alan Rodgers, of Thompsons Scotland, who has members, branches, and
trade unionists. Whilst money will not bring back, to independently verified the accounts. fellow trade unionists’
‘Gormless’ Gav ‘extremely foolish’ Shaken and stirred
Employers have
condemned the
Employers’ Federation,
and the Food and
their decision.
The Union Learning
and very well read
government’s Drink Federation, said Fund, run by the TUC,
decision to axe the his ideologically- has helped more than Sean Connery was
workplace learning driven decision to 200,000 workers build born at
programme as withdraw the £12 on their skills, from Fountainbridge in
‘extremely foolish’ as million-a-year funding basic literacy and Gavin Williamson: Edinburgh and left
the pandemic pushes to Union Learn would numeracy to stupid man, stupid Darroch secondary
people to try to add to undermine attempts professional decision school at 14 to work
their skills. to increase skills in the development. economic recovery, so as a milkman,
In a joint letter to workforce. Ian Wright, chief it is extremely foolish bricklayer, bouncer,
the hapless Education Ministers admit executive of the Food to stop funding Union lifeguard, and coffin
Secretary, Gavin they did not bother to and Drink Federation, Learn with its proven polisher before trying
Williamson, the consult employers said: ‘The government contribution to skills his luck at acting. An
Engineering before announcing says skills are vital to in the workplace.’ American friend told
him to tone down The first – and
the accent and to arguably the best –
Tories give green light for start reading the
classics. Having little
James Bond in
Goldfinger
longer and heavier lorries money, he did this in
public libraries, lending library of
A new generation of mega-lorries could take to the devouring the every town and city
roads under government proposals. Ministers are complete works of he visited on his
about to unveil plans to allow longer, heavier, HGvs George Bernard travels. ‘It’s the books,
to operate across Britain’s roads. The Department for Shaw, Oscar Wilde, the reading, that can
Transport claims the idea is to cut the number of Henrik Ibsen and change one’s life,’ he
Mick: ‘We don’t need more lorries, we James Joyce and, said. ‘I’m the living
journeys needed to move goods around the country
need to move more freight to rail’ later, would raid the evidence.’
but critics say it will simply lead to more accidents,
more deaths, and more damage to our transport infrastructure. GS Mick Whelan says: ‘The
forward-looking solution to moving goods around our country, in the 21st century, is to
take freight off our roads and put it in our railway.’ Chicken flies coop
Kevin Maguire,
Tinker, tailor, soldier, spy – but QUOTE…
associate editor of
the Daily Mirror,
which one’s the Chatty Rat? ‘While tens of thousands waspishly
Security boffins have been dispatched to the homes of lose their lives, grieve lost suggested that the
cabinet ministers and their advisers to examine their mobile loved ones, make huge finest moment of
sacrifices, and suffer Lee Cain followed
phones and laptops as part of an inquiry into government Lee Cain’s career – Cameron around
leaks. Health Secretary Matt Hancock, Cabinet Office minister enormous hardships, the the Prime Minister’s dressed as a chicken
Michael Gove, and Chancellor Rishi Sunak are among the Tories are using this crisis director of
senior figures told to hand over their devices. The Prime as a get rich quick communications until he was fired last
Minister was furious when reports of an imminent national scheme for their cronies, month – was not as press officer, under his
lockdown bounced him into making an early announcement mates, and families’ – mentor Dominic Cummings, for the Vote
on Saturday 31 October. The mole – dubbed Chatty Rat by Angela Rayner, deputy Leave campaign but the weeks he spent
Downing Street – is thought to have briefed confidential Labour leader during the 2010 general election
information to journalists within hours of a chaotic …UNQUOTE shadowing David Cameron while dressed
coronavirus crisis summit meeting at Number 10. in a hot and sweaty rubber chicken suit.
December 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 7
News
Saved by a whale’s tail
EW people – the tale in the Old Testament of Jonah and
F the Whale notwithstanding – have had their lives saved
by an enormous whale.
But a metro train driver in the Netherlands did after his service
overshot the stop blocks at the end of the line at De Akkers
station in Spijkenisse, on the outskirts of Rotterdam, shortly
after midnight on Monday 2 November. The train would have
plunged 32ft into the river if it weren’t for a giant marine
sculpture. The artwork, called, appropriately, Saved by a Whale’s
Tale, which is made of reinforced polyester, and was put there in
2002, lived up to its name by ensuring that the driver, the only
person on board, wasn’t injured.
Maarten Struijs, the architect and artist who made the
sculpture, which depicts two tails emerging from the water
beneath the elevated railway line, said he was surprised it had
held the train. Who feels Moby Dick?
‘I am amazed it proved so strong. I could never have imagined Metro train at the
it that way, but it saved the operator’s life. When plastic has stood whaleway station in
for 20 years, you don’t expect it to hold up a metro train.’ Holland
lockdown will bring GRENFELL SHAME OF COSY RELATIONSHIP
Grand Central locks an inevitable fall in BETWEEN BIG BUSINESS AND REGULATOR
passenger The Fire Brigades Union has called on the Grenfell
up in lockdown numbers, meaning inquiry to investigate the ‘revolving door’ between
it is not possible to manufacturers and regulators after it was revealed
Grand Central union continue operating. that Digby Harper, chair of the board of a supposedly
joined Hull Trains in representatives, it’s ‘With no trains in independent regulator which issues safety certificates
‘It’s not possible to
suspending clear that the service, some of our for construction products, is a former chief executive
continue’ says GC
services from Friday difficult but crew and of Celotex, the firm which made the flammable
6 November during necessary measure business model associated staff will insulation which helped the fire at Grenfell Tower
Boris Johnson’s of taking a short means that, unlike be supported by spread so quickly.
second lockdown. period of most train the government
‘After careful hibernation is our operators, we rely furlough scheme. DECARBONISING BRITAIN’S RAILWAY
weighing-up of our only course of exclusively on We thank staff for The House of Commons Select Committee on
options, and action,’ said MD income from ticket their Transport, in a virtual meeting on Wednesday
following Richard McClean. sales, with no understanding, 11 November, questioned David Clarke of the Rail
discussions with ‘Grand Central’s subsidy from professionalism and Industry Association; Mark Gaynor of the Rail Delivery
the DfT and trade open access government. The commitment.’ Group; Paul Smart, former MD of Freightliner; Mary
Grant of Porterbrook; Chris Smith of G-volution; and
Swampy’s at it again Stonehaven line reopens Leo Murray of Riding Sunbeams about the challenges
of decarbonising the rail industry and the
Dan Hooper, the eco-warrior better The railway line between Aberdeen and government support needed to make the change.
known as Swampy, who became the Dundee, closed after the tragic accident at
poster boy for protest when he was Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire on Wednesday CROYDON TRAM INQUEST SUSPENDED
arrested in the 1990s for 12 August, reopened on Tuesday 3 November.
The inquest into the Tramlink crash at Sandilands, East
campaigning against the Newbury Three people – the driver, Brett
Croydon, in November 2016, in which seven people
by-pass in Berkshire, and the McCullough; the conductor, Donald Dinnie;
died, has been delayed until next year because of the
expansion of the A30 in Devon, is and a passenger, Christopher Stuchbury –
coronavirus crisis. A 12-week hearing into the
still an environmental activist, and died, and six other people were injured, when
derailment, in which 61 people were also injured, was
still getting nicked. the 06.38 ScotRail service from Aberdeen to
due to start on 19 October. It will now begin in spring
Swampy – who, after living in a Glasgow Queen Street struck a landslip 1.4
2021, according to South London coroner’s court.
tunnel to stop the dual carriageway miles north-east of Carmont.
link road in Devon being built, An interim Rail Accident Investigation
turned down a shedload of money Branch report said the train struck a landslip –
to record a new version of The several tons of washed-out rocks and gravel – QUOTE…
Southlanders’ hit I am a Mole and I and derailed. ‘Few in Europe seek to submerge their
Live in a Hole – was charged with Network Rail has been working ‘around the country’s national identity in a federation.
trespassing after he and eight others clock’, said Alex Hynes, to lay hundreds of Instead, they seek to pursue their own
were removed from a tree on the metres of replacement track as part of a national interests constructively within a
HS2 route. ‘complex’ repair operation. co-operative European framework. Perhaps
They had set up camp in a tree NR has admitted that the impact of climate Britain should have done the same’ – Vernon
house at Jones’ Hill Wood, between change on the rail network ‘is an area Bogdanor, Professor of Government at
Wendover and Great Missenden, in accelerating faster than our assumptions’, King’s College, London, and author of
Buckinghamshire – the wood that adding that the derailment shows the Britain and Europe in a Troubled World
inspired Roald Dahl to write industry must improve its response to …UNQUOTE
his children’s story Fantastic Mr Fox. extreme weather.
8 The ASLEF Journal l December 2020
Platform
The English
Civil War
GREGOR GALL, an affiliate
research associate at the
University of Glasgow, and
editor of the Scottish Left
Review, is writing a book
about the music and the
politics of Joe Strummer and The Clash.
He dials down the volume of Combat
Rock to analyse why the government Shirley Handsley of ASLEF Education and DO5 Nigel Gibson watch Steve Murphy, managing
has pulled the plug on Union Learn director of MTR Crossrail, sign the ASLEF charter for apprentices as part of Union Learn in 2018
ITHOUT any consultation or prior introduce further restrictions on the right to man behind Asian Babes, Mega Boobs and Big
W notice, the Tory Education Secretary,
Gavin Williamson, has announced he
strike. Which came to fruition when the Trade
Union Act (2016) was passed.
and Black.
Tory governments are paid to promote and
is to end the funding for Union Learn In It was – rightly – deemed by critics as ‘a defend what Joseph Conrad, in Nostromo,
England. Established in 1998 and supported – solution looking for a problem’ because, in the refers to as material (economic) interests; that
until now – by governments of all parties, the preceding 20 years, there was only one year is, capitalists and capitalism. Sometimes they
money has provided the means for learning in when more than 1 million days were not differ on how best this should be done – Brexit
the workplace and training in literacy, worked due to strikes. You have to go back to being the latest example – but, normally, there
numeracy, and digital/ICT skills for the benefit the miners’ strike of 1984-1985 or the early is an alignment of material interests, power,
of 200,000 workers every year. 1970s to see strike activity of any magnitude. and ideology.
Its annual cost? Just £12 million! Meantime, And, of course, there were new anti-union and Their interests are defended by power, hard
this Tory government is borrowing more than anti-strike laws pretty much every couple of or soft, and guided by an ideology of free
£1 billion every day to fund off-setting years during the 1980s to deal with what market theory. Political and social power arises
measures arising from lockdown restrictions. Margaret Thatcher saw as the ‘problem’ then. from the ownership and control of these
And doing so when interest rates are almost material interests, while the ideology attempts
negative and financial markets are very much WEALTHY LANDOWNERS, VICTORIAN to justify the concentration of that power.
pro-borrowing. MILL OWNERS AND PORN BARONS That’s why Thatcher wanted to smash the
Williamson’s decision was made just days Thatcher made membership of a union at NUM in 1984 – just as Earl Grey wanted to
after Boris Johnson promised a ‘lifetime skills GCHQ in Cheltenham unlawful in 1984 break the Tolpuddle Martyrs in 1834 – because
guarantee’ in order to ‘give people of all ages because she deemed it ‘a threat to national the idea of workers standing together in
the means and the confidence to switch and security’. Ironically, the civil servants affected solidarity was, they thought, a threat. The
to get the skills they need’. were amongst the most moderate in the trade Trade Union Act (1984) was designed to
Major employers such as Tesco, Heathrow union movement and, effectively, offered her a diminish our power.
airport, and Arla Foods support the campaign ‘no strike’ deal – but that made no difference.
to retain Union Learn funding because it has Having unions at GCHQ was an affront to her LIFE IS CRUEL BUT IT’S UP TO US TO
helped improve basic skills – and productivity notions of loyalty and right and wrong. CHANGE THIS TOWN CALLED MALICE
– in their workforces. After the nine-day General Strike of 1926 Because, at heart, the boss class – and the
another Tory Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, political party it pays to enact legislation on its
HEINEKEN OF ADULT LEARNING GETS banned the extremely moderate civil service behalf – dreams of a return to the high days of
TO PEOPLE OTHERS CANNOT REACH unions from affiliating to the TUC and having Victorian Britain when they could hire and fire
Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC, any political objectives by enacting the Trade at will and pay as little as they needed.
says Union Learning is ‘the Heineken of adult Disputes and Trade Union Act (1927). Bad bosses and bad companies don’t like
learning – it gets to people other approaches There are plenty of other examples of employment tribunals and trade unions. They
cannot reach’. How can we explain this turn of spiteful – and unnecessary – actions against don’t much like employees, either; they prefer
events? Is it the case that Dominic Cummings’ trade unions by the Tories and their chums in a pool of notionally ‘self-employed’ contractors
call for ‘weirdos and misfits with odd skills’ to the ruling classes dating all the way back to they can use as they wish.
work in Whitehall has led to a young policy the Tolpuddle Martyrs in 1834, when six Unions which negotiate for good terms and
wonk slipping past his master such an idiotic agricultural workers in Dorset were conditions, decent wages, and proper health
initiative? No, the answer is much more prosecuted, convicted, and transported to and safety provision, are anathema to the
straightforward. It is that the Tories hate the Australia for having the temerity to form a Tories and their chums. That’s why they do
trade unions and will take every opportunity trade union to press for a living wage. everything in their power to do us down. And
to stuff them. The Tories, as the premier party of every that’s why they are withdrawing funding from
The Prime Minister has made a fist – a merchant adventurer, capitalist, and conman, Union Learn. It’s irrational, of course, but it’s
proud proclamation – of never having met always act for the rich and the powerful. That designed to denigrate and diminish trade
any of the rail unions during his eight years as used to mean, in the 18th century, wealthy unions and to make a political point. It doesn’t
Mayor of London, when he was responsible landowners; then, in the 19th century, matter that it’s not practical – people will suffer
for London Underground. That kind of Victorian mill owners; in the 20th century, big and be less well-educated – but that’s because
attitude underscored his continued calls for business; now it’s dodgy Russian oligarchs and it’s an act of ideological malice. But then that’s
David Cameron’s Conservative government to porn barons such as Richard Desmond, the the Tories for you.
December 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 9
Review of the Year
That was the year that was
CHRIS PROCTOR had a short-lived career as a stand-up comic – telling
jokes at a working men’s club in south Wales – before deciding to write for
the page rather than the stage. He has written for The Guardian, The
Times, Morning Star, New Statesman and Tribune and for eight years
worked for ASLEF, helping the GS to put together the Journal each
month, and handling press and publicity for the union, and now amuses
fellow hacks with his ‘And Finally’ column in the NUJ’s magazine The Journalist
ORMALLY (whatever that means) if I’m happening. It quickly emerged that I might as
N asked to write a review of the year, it’s a
pleasant and not over-demanding task.
I flick through my diary, or look back at articles
well ask our cat. Boris Johnson or some other
professional bumbler emerged with a serious
expression, and a shifty look, and pretended to
I’ve written, and topics pop out. I write a few have a plan.
paragraphs about them, and Bob’s your uncle. After the initial lockdown there would be a
Job done. Where’s the corkscrew? rise in cases or a fall in cases which might be
2020 was different. It’s tricky to write about a followed by a second spike or, possibly, not.
year consisting of ‘Went home. Stayed there. Why didn’t they admit what we already
Repeated.’ My 2020 diary has been pristine since knew? ‘I don't know what’s going on or what to happens next.
March. After that it looks very much like the new do. I haven’t got a clue what to do.’ Boris blames it on the virus. Everything, it
one that arrived with last month’s Journal. If we’d It might not have been encouraging, but at seems, would have been OK except that the talks
known what was going to happen we could least it would have been honest. Do politicians had to take place via a video link. If we’d chatted
have saved thousands by not sending out a have something against honesty? Are they to those funny foreigners face to face, it would
2020 version. allergic to it? have all been sorted. Anyone buy that?
Looking at the pages up to 23 March is like 2020 was the year that politics and the media On the bright side, though, we have signed a
peering into an alternative universe. ‘Lunch with lost the final vestiges of trust they might once trade deal with Japan. Liz Truss was thrilled and
NW,’ it says. ‘Jazz Cafe’. ‘Arsenal v West Ham’. have enjoyed. We no longer believe anything. trilled about a ‘ground-breaking, British-shaped
‘Stanhope Arms’. ‘Kassy visiting’. ‘Wellcome deal’ with this close neighbour of ours. The
Library’. I can hardly remember what these CROSS YOUR FINGERS AND HOPE agreement could increase our trade levels by up
entries mean. And who’s NW? When the Prime Minister said he had the plague to 0.07%. But it’s difficult to share her enthusiasm
and went off to hospital, half the country put it when you think that, last year, EU trade
I DON’T BOOK TO GO TO THE PUB down to a publicity stunt. You can hardly blame accounted for 43% of UK exports and 51% of our
The worse thing was when, in early summer, them. This was the man who claimed, on 12 imports. Way to go, Liz…
they said, ‘OK, you can go out now.’ That’s nice, I December last year, that he had an ‘oven-ready’
thought. And then discovered there was Brexit deal. Twelve months later there’s no smell LET THE CHILDREN STARVE
nowhere to go. I got as far as the door of the Bull of cooking. All that’s happened is the kitchen’s There were times in 2020 when I thought it was
and found the entrance blocked. ‘Have you caught fire. The cabinet are crossing their fingers all just a terrible dream and I’d wake up later and
booked?’ Booked? I don’t book to go to the pub. I and hoping that the plague will hide the smoke. discover reality. One day I discovered a football
turn up. The doorkeeper said I should decide One of the few certainties is that 2020 will be player had became a national hero for advancing
when I’d like to have a pint, and ring them. Best the last year that the United Kingdom is in the the theory that it might be civil to give food to
to give them a week’s notice. European Union. There are a few things to sort hungry children. I mean, good on Marcus
It’s not human. You don’t think to yourself, ‘I’d out, we’re told: like regulations on workers’ Rashford, even if he does play for Man U, but it all
like a Guinness at a quarter to five a week on rights, the environment, and financial assistance sounded so desperately obvious, like suggesting
Tuesday,’ do you? Yes, there’s a fair chance you by government to businesses. that mass murderers could possibly be
will, but that applies to most days. These are the basics! The recipe book, not the imprisoned; huge metal vehicles travelling at
choice of garnish. And, with only weeks to go vast speeds might benefit from a driver; or that
NO NEWS IS STILL CONFUSING before we leave the club, and head for the ‘sunny you should stop at a red light.
For the first few weeks of lockdown I made the uplands’, self-isolated from the EU, and the rest of It was ludicrous. And yet it was debated. In
mistake of looking at the news to see what was the world, this government has no idea what Parliament. They actually discussed the notion
10 The ASLEF Journal l December 2020Cuttings
Brunel’s Memo
from Turner
OSEPH Mallord William Turner, one
J of Britain’s greatest artists, was at
the peak of his powers at the height
of the industrial revolution and a new
exhibition at Tate Britain – which opened,
somewhat unfortunately, on Wednesday 28
October, just three days before Boris
Johnson announced another lockdown –
celebrates the painter’s modernity.
It includes, in Steam and Speed, the
standout room, Rain, Steam, and Speed – The
Great Western Railway (1844) which depicts
a locomotive hurtling through a gloriously
realised damp mist across a railway bridge,
designed and built over the River Thames by
Isambard Kingdom Brunel, between
Boris Johnson hoped to reap from Rogue Trader has come Maidenhead in Berkshire and Taplow in
bumbles and unstuck. Can I have my money back?’ Or buying Buckinghamshire. If you look carefully you
blusters and hasn’t a motor from Honest John on tick and, realising can see, ahead of the train, running at full
a clue what to do; its defects, saying you wouldn’t be paying any pelt, a hare – famously a symbol of speed in
Marcus Rashford further instalments. the natural world.
scores for Aren’t investors supposed to take a risk? Isn’t
Manchester United that the point? John Major’s franchise system
and this country’s means if they win, they win; and if they lose, they
kids; while a pint of win as well.
the black stuff in And this is the good news.
splendid self-
isolation is just AT LEAST LABOUR DIDN’T GET IN
begging to be The only other positive thing about this year was
drunk relief that Labour didn’t win the general election
a year ago.
Can you imagine the outcry if Labour had
that no child should go hungry during school come up with the expenditure that the Tories
holidays. Unbelievable! have authorised this year? If John McDonnell or
And then 322 Conservative Members of Anneliese Dodds had come up with the support Rain, Steam, and Speed – The Great Western
Parliament voted against – it was their Marie packages of Rishi Sunak? Railway by JMW Turner
Antoinette moment, not ‘let them eat cake’, but The Tories and their media chums would have
‘The world has never seen anything like
‘let the children starve’ – and the measure was had a field day. It would have confirmed all their
this picture,’ said William Makepeace
lost. We had a majority in favour of hungry kids. views about foolish irresponsible spending by
Thackeray, author of Vanity Fair, at the time.
That was when I decided 2020 was definitely a disgusting extreme socialists. They’d all be
‘He has made a picture with real rain, behind
bad year. parroting Theresa May’s adage that, ‘There is no
which is real sunshine, and you expect a
magic money tree.’
rainbow every minute. Meanwhile, there
GOOD NEWS FOR RAILS IN WALES The reds would be ruining the country! Every
comes a train down upon you, really
By now I was growing desperate to find penny spent supporting broken firms, penniless
moving, at the rate of 50mph, and which the
something resembling good news. There was unemployed workers, and vital public utilities
reader had best make haste to see, lest it
the fact that the railways in Wales are back in would have been met with a wailing and a
should dash out of the picture, and be away
public control: but even this is insane. gnashing of teeth.
up Charing Cross through the wall opposite.’
For a kick-off, half the firm that was running Wild reckless spending! Money we haven’t
Turner’s contemporary – and rival – John
the KeolisAmey franchise was Keolis, a got! Nanny state! Bloody commies!
Constable described this picture – one of
multinational company based in Paris. 150 works in the exhibition – as being
Unsurprisingly, when the profits started ARMS FLAILING, BOOTS FLASHING ‘painted with tinted steam’.
dropping in Wales, the Keolis crew were ‘not But it would be an exaggeration to say that 2020 There are echoes, in the swirling colours,
prepared to shoulder their share of the pain’ went well for Jeremy Corbyn. It ended with him of the thunderous skies and stormy seas
according to Welsh Deputy Transport Minister being set upon by Dame Hodge, arms flailing familiar from many of his landscapes, but
Lee Waters. He explained that ‘their business and boots flashing. Exhausted with the effort of mostly we have a vivid sense of a train on
model collapsed in the face of covid because her assault, she could hardly draw breath when God’s Wonderful Railway in thrilling and
the revenue was not coming in’. she was asked about her motives. dynamic motion.
Well, that’s fine, then. They weren’t making as ‘Tolerance,’ she gasped.
much money out of Wales as they’d anticipated, It’s all too much for me. I’m going to have a n Turner’s Modern World is at Tate Britain,
so they were off. Au revoir, mes amis! lie-down until the New Year. The only good thing lockdown notwithstanding, until Sunday
It’s like you sticking a tenner on a pony that about 2020 is that it’s going to end: and surely 7 March. Adults £22.
comes in last at Chepstow and popping back to 2021 can’t be any worse.
Paddy Power next day. ‘The investment I had Can it? Keith Richmond
December 2020 l The ASLEF Journal 11Equalities
ASLEF, the
A train driver is train drivers’
union, is
equally
a train driver is driven,
whether you
a train driver are male or
female; black
or white;
lesbian, gay,
It is 20 years since the first bisexual,
three of our five equalities transgender,
committees were set up. or straight;
LEE JAMES, ASLEF’s disabled or
equalities adviser, able-bodied;
young or, er,
introduces our four-page special report
not so young
marking that anniversary
AD 2000 was a big year for ASLEF; the
A year conference adopted rule changes
which saw the formation of our trade
union’s equality structures. We introduced three
consultative committees representing women, minutes of AAD, and back copies of the Journal, The committees have grown with Young
race, and sexual equality, with an elected some of what I read is astounding; even more so Members and Disabled Members from three to
delegate from each of our eight districts. Their when you consider it is not all that long ago. five. The visibility of members from minority
primary aim was to ensure that the voices of In contrast, our recent history shows the groups has increased, as has the attention given
these minority groups would be heard within progress this union has made in the last 20 to issues specific to them; would ASLEF have
our union’s structures. years. The committees have become, in the most argued for trans rights or launched a
Mick Rix, the general secretary, told part, a respected and valued part of the ASLEF menopause campaign had these issues not
conference: ‘It is time to challenge the ignorance structure. Delegates at AAD no longer seek to been highlighted by the committees
and prejudice within the union. We are going to remove them; instead their work receives praise representing the people affected?
follow the equality agenda even if it sometimes both from the floor and the top table. Ultimately, the success of our union’s
seems shocking to men’s sensibilities. This is a In 20 years of organising for equality, the list equality structures will be measured in their
fundamental issue for the progress of our trade of achievements is long, and if you are interested demise. The day that ASLEF sees a female
union.’ in reading about them in more detail you can general secretary; an assistant general secretary
And – boy oh boy – were some people’s visit aslefequalities20.com. ASLEF has published open about having a disability; a president from
sensibilities shocked! In the early years many two On Track with Diversity reports, respected the LGBT+ community; someone from an ethnic
attempts were made to remove the committees throughout the railway industry, examining the minority on the executive committee; or a
from the rule book, to stifle their voices, and lack of diversity in the driving grade, which have young member elected as a district organiser;
there was hostility towards committee held the TOCs and FOCs to account over poor will be the moment we can sit back and say,
members. Honestly, looking back at verbatim recruitment practices. ‘We got there.’
Light at the end of the tunnel Equality is the
GS MICK WHELAN
celebrates the work of
England, Scotland, and Wales
are women; just 8% are from soul of liberty
ASLEF’s equalities an ethnic minority; and only Frances Wright, who
committees 15% are under 35. These was born at Dundee
figures do not represent the in 1795, and moved
SLEF is committed to communities we serve to the United States
A equality and has been
at the forefront of
promoting diversity in the rail
because 51% of the people in
this country are female; 20% in
in 1825, where she
established a
the last census identified as Utopian commune,
industry. But, as a trade union, Mick with Dawn Butler at the
ethnic minority; and 23% are was a feminist,
we can only recruit as launch of On Track with Frances
aged 18 to 35. socialist, and vocal
members people who have Diversity at Westminster Wright
We believe that a train advocate of
been employed as drivers by driver is a train driver is a industry and the change will progressive causes (1795-1852)
the privatised TOCs and FOCs. train driver – regardless of benefit everyone. such as birth control, universal
So we work with these gender, sexuality, race, or We’ve come a very long way education, equal rights, and the
companies every day to ensure religion – and as part of our in the last 20 years – thanks to emancipation of the slaves. ‘Until
they encourage women, as over-arching policy we’ve the work of this union and our women assume the place in society
well as men, and black and been pushing the train equalities committees – but we which good sense and good feeling
minority ethnic, as well as companies, for instance, to still have some way to go. And I alike assign them, human
white, and LGBT+, as well as allow more part-time and can see light at the end of the improvement must advance but
straight, people to become flexible working, because the tunnel – especially if the feebly,’ she argued. ‘Equality is the
drivers. lack of such agreements has recommendations in our On soul of liberty. There is, in fact, no
The harsh facts are that only been a barrier, in the past, to Track with Diversity report are liberty without it.’
6.5% of the train drivers in people coming into our implemented.
12 The ASLEF Journal l December 2020You can also read
