Freight on rail after covid-19 - ASLEF
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ASLEF JOURNAL
The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen
JULY 2021
Free to members
Freight on rail
after covid-19
ASLEF officers Simon Weller, Nigel Gibson, Andy Hourigan,
and Dicky Fisher; Maggie Simpson of the RFG; plus company The train drivers’
council reps Seb Brady, James Glew, Barry Hare, Rab Lang, union since 1880
Peter Mason and Paul Zuczkowski on the future for freight
railway enginemen’s tax free saver plans
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ASLEF JOURNAL
GS Mick Whelan
Whatever we do,
The magazine of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen
we shall do it ‘The real test will not be
how we dealt with the
together in unity pandemic – but how we
deal with the aftermath’
E HAVE, since March last year, faced unprecedented times and shown our
W duty, as key workers, to our communities and nation, and kept the country
running, along with many others, for a greater good. Now you might think
that this would be recognized by the government in Westminster but apparently not; it
has, instead, become an agenda for cuts and change. Yes, we recognize that the
privateers were bailed out, and some were not, depending on which figures you use,
and money has been put into the industry, in necessary support, over the course of the
pandemic.
Rail is a green way of moving goods around the country But the model was collapsing before covid, which exacerbated an obvious need
for greater subsidy, in the government’s determination to keep private interests in our
News industry. All the things we have identified about the waste, duplication, and failings of
l ASLEF and the Rail Industry Recovery Group
the privatized rail network since 1993 are the rationale behind the Williams review to
4
and its new enabling framework agreement which the Transport Secretary has now added his name.
l Railway menu on the Darjeeling Express plus
Much will be defended by ‘the impact of the pandemic’ but we have already
5
Off the Rails: Alan Jones; magic mushrooms; seen two NRCs awarded, without competition, and no one has been able to explain to
Simon Weller; Hornby model railways; and me in sensible terms why we need the private sector to run trains when the revenue
John Crace skewers hapless Matty Hancock risk now falls on the public purse. I remain of the long-standing view that transport, as
l Caitlin Moran on the thrill of taking a train
one of the four factors of production, getting goods and services from A to B,
6
l Ian Thompson’s powerful plea for accessibility
generating business, industry, and tourism, even when run at a paper loss, creates
7 genuine money in the economy for the good of all.
l Christian Carroll on the shadow of the Orient 8 At a time when the world is endeavouring to save the planet, and create a
better future for our children, long-term investment in our railways should be
Features automatic as, on this small crowded island, the only way to achieve these aims is the
l Conrad Landin: politicians who made public 9 mass transit of freight and people. But this is not, apparently, the view of the
ownership of public transport a key message government. We accept that people may work differently, and footfall and capacity
won the popular vote at the elections in May have to be regained, but wholesale reductions, allied to recent arbitrary fare increases,
l Simon Weller reveals what the Williams-Shapps 10 are not going to make us attractive, or drive the green agenda.
Plan really has to say about rail freight in the UK So we face uncertain times, with statements about removing duplication of
l Nigel Gibson reports on problems for pensions, 11 services, wages being aligned to market rates, reductions in capacity and services, and
Varamis Rail, driver training, and electing reps discussions on headcount. This clearly leaves us with decisions on how we best protect
l Maggie Simpson of the Rail Freight Group 12-13 our grade, and our industry, because these are government-led processes and
and company council reps James Glew, Barry decisions and, in a post-covid world, no one will care that this is an ideological and
Hare, Peter Mason, and Paul Zuczkowski dogmatic attack on trade unions and public transport. There are industry talks to take
look at the future for freight post-pandemic place (again depending which figures you look at) on the £2 billion shortfall or
l DRS: Andy Hourigan and Seb Brady 14 Williams’ £1.5 billion per year of savings the government says need to be addressed.
l Newton: Stuart Scott and Jim Walsh remember 15 It is our belief that sitting with the industry, and the other unions, at this time is
the two train drivers who died on 21 July 1991 the best way to protect and determine our own futures through what is known as the
Rail Industry Recovery Group. There are two other options: pretend it isn’t happening
Regulars and hope it goes away or leave it to the Treasury to demand percentile cuts across the
l Branch Lines: Ken Heydon and Pauline Cawood 16
board; neither of which offers any protection so can’t be countenanced. The talks will
l Graham O’Mara reports on the TUC’s LGBT+
not be one-way traffic. We have aspirations on reducing the driver’s age, staff travel,
17 protecting pensions, ERJA, and other issues we would hope to achieve. Looking at our
online conference plus Classified Advertisements
l Obituaries: Bill Baxendale, Jon Boyle, Jock
age demographic, and the number of drivers due to retire over the next few years,
18-19 those hoping for severance may well be unlucky. We went through a decade of
Brockie, Simon Davies, and Mark Fleming government-led austerity relatively unscathed and we do not forget everything we
l Letters and Obituary: Andy Ramsay 20 have we paid for through productivity and flexibility which is ours and no one else’s.
l Hussein Ezzedine on the plight of Palestinians 21 Nothing has been agreed other than that we will participate; it would be naive not to
and Peter Rigney recalls the Mallow shootings but, whatever we do, we shall do it together in unity and solidarity.
l Last Word: Dave Tyson reminds us that our 22 In the interim we are still in the throes of a worldwide pandemic with liberation,
pensions aren’t a gift – they’re deferred wages or freedom day, once more delayed, deferred, or just messed up. I do despair of the
l On Track: Job cuts and ‘no confidence’ motion 23 rhetoric as I believe it does a disservice to those who lost their lives – many, I believe,
forces Trust boss out; Prize Crossword; Legal unnecessarily. Sadly, as I write, cases are rising among younger people and the variants
Services; and your Change of Address form are of concern. Vaccination is a success albeit the only one the government has a right
to take credit for. We should not rush back to business as usual – safety must be
EdIToR Mick Whelan, general secretary l dESIgNER Michael Cronin paramount – but further economic protection must be put in place for those in society
PRINTER College Hill Press, London, SW19 4HE l AdvERTISINg ASLEF
Journal, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN. Contact Keith Richmond
who need it most. The real test will not be how we, as a nation, dealt with the
on 020 7324 2407 or richmondk@aslef.org.uk l clASSIFIEd AdS pandemic but how we deal with the aftermath. Please stay safe…
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 chANgE oF AddRESS Please post
Yours fraternally,
your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN Mick Whelan, general secretary, ASLEF
website: www.aslef.org.uk l twitter: @ASLEFUnion
July 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 3
News
Tories set to axe
services and jobs
HE future of levels. other rail unions,
T Britain’s
railways has
‘The government’s
position is that the
and all the other
stakeholders in the
been thrown into current financial rail industry, to
jeopardy just weeks commitment is not protect our cutting the number
after the unlimited or members – and to of passenger
government sustainable. As a protect Britain’s services, rowing
announced, on result, industry railway. Because the back on investment
Wednesday 19 May, representatives have rail industry is vital and maintenance,
with a fanfare of worked with the four to the UK; moving slashing jobs,
trumpets, and a lot recognised trades people and goods, attacking workers’
of brass neck, that it unions to agree an passengers and pensions, and
was setting up Great enabling framework packages, around tearing up our terms
British Railways agreement that sets this country. and conditions, is
under the Williams- out common ‘The railway is a ‘the way to keep
Shapps Plan for Rail. principles and focus vital artery for the Rishi Sunak happy’.
But on Tuesday 15 areas that will shape body of Britain and ASLEF, along with
June the Tory our work to create a we are determined the other rail unions
government – under sustainable recovery to ensure it has a – the RMT, the TSSA, cutting the UK rail network: Boris Johnson,
Prime Minister Boris for our industry. At sustainable future – and Unite – are, at grant Shapps, and Baron Richard Beeching
Johnson and its core is a transition not just in the next the moment,
Transport Secretary to a more secure, few months and engaging with the
QUOTE…
Grant Shapps – sustainable, future years, but down the RIRG and its EFA.
‘Child marriage is child abuse’ – Sajid
announced the start for our industry and decades in this 21st Why? US President
Javid Conservative MP for Bromsgrove
of a process those who work century.’ Lyndon B Johnson
designed to cut £2 within it.’ Rail workers have was once asked why …UNQUOTE
billion a year from That statement – played a vital role in he hadn’t sacked FBI
the UK rail network. described by the DfT keeping the country director J Edgar
An announcement as ‘a little vanilla, moving since March Hoover. ‘Well, it’s
by the Rail Industry deliberately last year, ensuring probably better to
TWEETS OF THE MONTH
Recovery Group said: anodyne’ – hides a that key workers, have him inside the Boris Johnson getting a lesson in
‘Since the start of the determination by and essential goods, tent pissing out, international relations at the G7. US
covid-19 pandemic, the government to have got to where than outside the tent and EU leaders demonstrating scant regard
the government has force through the they are needed. So pissing in.’ for Johnson and do not trust him to uphold
been funding the biggest cuts to it is galling to hear We would rather treaties or international law. Lot of
significant gap in rail Britain’s rail network Grant Shapps be sitting at the pushback against the UK. Global Britain just
finances created by since the Beeching disingenuously table, talking, and hit the wall. @GrahameLucas
the loss of passenger cuts of the 1960s. claim, ‘Rail staff helping plan a way
revenue. During this Mick Whelan, played an important forward for Britain’s UK-Australia trade deal, like Brexit
time, taxpayer general secretary, part during the rail network, than itself, lots of blah and flag-waving
support for rail said: ‘The pandemic and their not having any bluster, with not much detail to back it up,
services has government is continued support input. Because it and only Johnson promises to rely
increased forcing cuts on our will help us to build gives us a chance to on…which have a habit of being worthless.
significantly, while industry in the wake a safer, more protect the jobs, @campbellclaret
the industry’s of the pandemic. We reliable, and pensions, and t&cs
operating costs are currently efficient railway for of our members. But At one Kent-based company, the
have, broadly, stayed engaging with the the future.’ we will walk away – number of seasonal fruit pickers is
at pre-pandemic government, the The government – and take appropriate down by over 90%, leading to serious
the Treasury, DfT, action – if Johnson concerns over the company’s future.
and Number 10 – are and Shapps do a @BestForBritain
QUOTE… said to believe that Beeching on us.
‘Test and trace doesn’t work. The Time for all Brexit ‘patriots’ to
evidence is there for everyone to see’ – volunteer their services.
James Naismith Professor of NOW BOSSES TELL BORIS TO DELIVER
Graham Simpson @grahambsi
Structural Biology, Oxford University FOR TRANSPORT FOR LONDON
…UNQUOTE Richard Burge, chief executive of the London
Britain! One sunny day: Wow! This is a
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, speaking
surprise! Everyone outside! Let’s
after the credit rating agency Moody’s
barbecue everything! Two sunny days: This
The ASLEF Journal is published every downgraded Transport for London, said: ‘This
is the life. I love shorts. Let’s sunbathe in the
month by: ASLEF, 77 St John Street, is further evidence that the government must
park or run through a sprinkler. Three sunny
London, EC1M 4NN l Tel: 020 7324 2400 l agree a longer-term settlement with TfL –
email: journal@aslef.org.uk website: days: Make it stop. @SoVeryBritish
giving certainty about the network’s viability
www.aslef.org.uk l twitter: @ASLEFUnion
and funding model during an uncertain time.’
4 The ASLEF Journal l July 2021
News
The ‘railway menu’
Railway menu on the at her deli is a tribute
Darjeeling Express
to the food offered by
hawkers at station
off the Rails
stops on the long
SMA KHAN, world, to go out and train journeys her ALAN JONES, industrial correspondent at PA
A the chef,
restaurateur,
make a difference to
people’s lives’. Her
family used to take
across the sub-
Media, which many of us still call the Press
Association, and which supplies stories,
and political activist, restaurant – the basis continent although features, and pictures to every news
has revealed the part for her bestselling she serves rather organisation in the country, is the doyen of
that the railway – and cookbook as well as different meals at industrial reporters, respected by management, unions, and
trade unions – have an episode of the home. politicians of all parties for the accuracy and honesty – and
played in her life. Netflix documentary ‘I have one child speed – of his reporting. After reading last month’s Journal,
Asma, who runs Chef’s Table – ‘is a war who loves Indian the Welsh wizard confessed: ‘Can’t believe it’s been so long
Darjeeling Express in cry for every woman food, and another since that infamous Ratner speech. I was covering the
Garrick Street, Covent in my culture who who detests it. They’re Institute of Directors conference that day. His was the final
Garden, where the cooked with passion very, very political, speech and apparently he was told to “spice it up”. I got hold
all-female kitchen and love but no compassionate, and of an embargoed copy and filed to our news desk. Within an
brigade creates glory. We are kind. They don’t have hour of my story dropping, reporters and television crews
dishes inspired by storytellers, the very good food taste, arrived at the Royal Albert Hall to watch him give his speech.
the street food of custodians of recipes, but they have, at I was convinced he would change it – but he stuck to it, word
Calcutta, where she yet we’ve always least, learned the for word, and the rest, as they say, is history! A front page
was born and been sidelined.’ politics.’ apology in The Sun a few days later failed to stem the angry
brought up, is very reaction and, before long, the company went out of
proud of her parents’ business!’ One for the memoirs, Mr Jones…
passionate politics. QUOTE…
Her father, and ‘No one could find a way around the TRAIN DRIVERS have to be
grandfather, worked problem of the Prime Minister, just like a exceptionally careful about what
for trade unions in shopping trolley, smashing from one we eat and drink in the hours
India ‘and my father side of the aisle to the other’ before going on duty. Of course.
was always telling – Dominic Cummings Because safety on the permanent
me, this is your way is paramount. But the tests
…UNQUOTE
chance to change the that TOCs and FOCs have in place pick up some substances
and not others. So as one delegate – whose blushes, as an
entirely innocent party, we spare – told AAD, ‘You could be
off your tits on magic mushrooms and no test will pick it
up…’ Not that this is recommended, comrades. For clarity, all
drink, drugs, and mushrooms with magical properties, are
strictly verboten when working on the iron road.
SIMON WELLER was typically
dry when interviewed live by
Sarah Hewson about the
Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail
on Sky News. Isn’t it all terribly
exciting and innovative? Well,
no, not really. ‘Innovative at extracting profit from the public
purse,’ observed the AGS. ‘It’s just a new way of shifting
money from the public purse to the private sector.’ Which
Asma: the passion and politics of the kitchen (and the kitchen table) rather blew the froth off the happy-clappy discussion right
from the get-go. Simon went on to make a powerful case for
some long-term strategic thinking and a commitment to
make Britain’s railways ‘properly funded from top to bottom’.
HAPPY DANCE
Companies are much more BRENDAN HAMMER – his user name, not his
touchy-feely now but this card, real name – from Tullamore, Ireland, on the
dropped into a package delivered West Ham Till I Die website posts, ‘OT [off
during lockdown, may well take topic] the model train maker Hornby has
the custard cream. It says – in posted a 28% profit. Does that make them
lettering designed to make you the UK’s most successful rail company?’ To which a fellow fan
think it has been hand-written, replied, ‘They have a great business model’. Sigh…
which it isn’t – ‘when you buy
from a small business an actual JOHN CRACE was wonderfully waspish again
person does a little happy dance’. in The Guardian about Matt Hancock, the
Yes, really… hapless Health Secretary: ‘He is brilliant at
remembering his own successes and rather
less able when it comes to recalling his
failures. If, indeed, there were any. Which he
500 CLUB: Martin Joyce, with number 133, won the June draw, is fairly certain there weren’t.’
scooping the Retired Members’ Section jackpot of £514.
July 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 5
News
exciting lumpiness of mountains in the
Caitlin – I cannot distance; the sudden whoosh when you come
out of a tunnel to find the train now runs
wait to train again alongside the coast and you can watch kids
paddling and boats out at sea. And, all the
time, someone else is driving – all you have to
AITLIN Moran, who made her name at do is sit back and let the world entertain you.’
C Melody Maker, presented the C4
music show Naked City, and wrote the
Now that should bring the passengers
flocking back…
best-selling feminist bible How to be a Woman, caitlin Moran: the ‘sheer
has revealed in her column in The Times that traininess’ is the thrill
what she has missed most during lockdown is
the thrill of a railway journey. choosing of a magazine (Viz, The New Yorker) QUOTE…
‘My biggest returning joy is getting on a and ‘train snack’ (cheese baguette, crisps), ‘If Labour is to cut through, it must
train and going somewhere. For work, for a before strolling down the platform, where a think big. It’s only by setting out a
holiday, to see friends or family – the reason half mile-long travelling house is waiting to bold, radical, vision that Labour will
and destination don’t matter. It’s the sheer take you to somewhere exciting. speak to people’s experiences’
traininess that’s the thrill. Every part of it such a ‘Oh, sitting at a window seat, watching the – Ed Miliband The Guardian
simple, deep pleasure. station disappear, and knowing that, for the …UNQUOTE
‘The excitement of getting to the station a next few hours, you’ll be rocketing through
deliberate half-hour early; the leisurely counties and farms, fields, and woods! The
BRITRAIL PASS
ORR investigates how Hitachi and train companies
to oversee the The government says it will help the UK tourist
development of a industry, after 16 months of restrictions on
trains ‘fell between the cracks’ safe and suitable plan
to make sure the
travel, hospitality, and socialising, by launching
a new BritRail pass for foreign visitors and
The Office of Rail and they publicly came to inspection, repair, right checks are allowing Britons cut-price off-peak travel
Road has launched a light. The ORR is also and remedial action’ being carried out to across the UK on some days. Analysts say the
‘serious lessons to be to investigate the can be improved. enable trains to run, best way to increase footfall is to reduce all
learned’ review into design, manufacture, Ian Prosser, HM now is the right time fares and ensure services are covid safe.
the cracks in the and maintenance of Chief Inspector of to ensure we
jacking plate and the problem pieces Railways, ORR, said: understand more and KING’S UNCROSSED
mount for the yew and examine how ‘While we continue to the industry can learn Network Rail has completed its ‘once in a
damper bracket on ‘responsibility for engage with Hitachi lessons.’ generation’ multi-million pound improvement
Hitachi Class 800 and scheme – involving the wholesale
385 trains which saw The oRR
replacement of 40-year-old track layouts on
them suddenly wants to
the 1.5 mile approach to the station – to allow
removed from service know what
more trains to enter and exit King’s Cross.
in May. went so
It wants to know if wrong with
GOVE RAPPED
the train operating class 800
Michael Gove and the Cabinet Office have
companies – GWR, and class
been criticised by a court over a ‘secretive’ and
LNER, TPE, and Hull 385 trains
‘Orwellian’ special unit which ‘blacklists
Trains – knew about journalists’ and ‘obstructs the free flow of
the problems before Freedom of Information requests’.
Points & Crossings: for clarification and engagement should take ‘And one which I think will
place. be widely welcomed by
A report from AAd in the Journal (June) under the headline Fate ‘Hugh is right, it is a very members, regardless of which
of the Nation ends by saying the motion fell 26-47. I believe this important matter for side of the constitutional
to be incorrect and the item in question, agenda item 12, which members in Scotland, one debate they find themselves
comrade hussein Ezzedine spoke on, in fact carried. This is very which, unless you are here, is on. There’s no chance this
important for members living in Scotland, and consultation of probably hard to fully would have been adopted a
the membership before the union comes to a policy decision. I comprehend. The adoption of few years ago and, during the
trust this error will be corrected in the next Journal. an item which both debate, the GS recognised
Hugh S Cumming Edinburgh No 2 recognises the sovereign right mistakes made in the past,
of the people of Scotland to and to learn from them.
There were two similar specific in stipulating the form determine the form of Though obviously no
motions on this issue, item 12 of consultation that should government best suited to our intention to mislead,
from Edinburgh No 1, which take place which is, essentially, needs, and makes it ASLEF highlighting that 48 fell,
was adopted, and item 48 from why it fell. I spoke in favour, policy to consult and engage without the context of 12
West London Electric, which but it was never going to get widely on the issue, and only being adopted, I agree is likely
fell, as we reported; Hussein adopted. The difference is that campaign after an exhaustive to lead to misunderstanding
spoke on both. He explains: the item which was passed engagement with the of the position conference
‘The principle is the same, but leaves it open to the EC to members, is a significant took, and, as I say, it’s an
West London were more decide how the consultation development. emotive subject.’
6 The ASLEF Journal l July 2021
News
trains. Only with Welsh government funding
ASLEF plea for have trains been brought up to PRM standard
but some of our trains could not be modified,
and hence these units are no longer being
rail accessibility used on our network. This poor toilet access
has a disproportionate effect on wheelchair
users, and on every passenger using our trains,
SLEF made the case for real rail because the overwhelming majority of
A accessibility at the Wales Trades
Union Congress, held virtually by
stations don’t have any toilet facilities.
‘Installing more toilets is a priority, but they
Zoom, on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 May. must be PRM compliant as well, and are radar
Ian Thompson, Treherbert branch, and TfW key toilets which allow disabled passengers
company council secretary, sits on the general Ian: ‘Make stations accessible for everyone’ greater security. Without addressing this issue,
council of the Wales TUC, which has 48 along with step-free access, we won’t
member unions and represents more than It also assists the government to achieve its encourage greater use of green transport by
400,000 workers. zero emissions target sooner by persuading all of society.’
He said: ‘There was a determined more people to use green public transport
commitment of investment by the Welsh instead of not-so-green private transport.
government, before the tragedy of covid hit ‘Currently, out of 246 stations monitored by
us, to make stations accessible for all the the Welsh government, only 19 have the QUOTE…
citizens who use our now re-nationalised highest step-free access rating of A, while 41 ‘Andrew Neil’s GB News looks like an
Transport for Wales network. Accessibility have the lowest rating of B3, which means a lot edition of Newsnight where the
enables greater opportunity for everyone to of stations need to be upgraded to make this researcher forgot to book guests to
use this green public transport network for sector of public transport accessible to all and give expert opinion and/or the other
work, travel, and leisure, and assists for green public transport use to become side of a debate’ – Sean O’Grady The
connectivity around all of Wales. normal instead of private transport. Independent
‘Accessibility helps increase passenger ‘It isn’t only step-free accessibility that …UNQUOTE
numbers, desperately needed post-covid, and needs addressing; accessible toilets are
boosts local economies around these stations. required, too, on platforms, and stations, and
RIPPLE LANE
Shapps’ HS2 pledge JOLLY BOYS
ASLEF has welcomed said: ‘We know the solution for the our outing to clacton is going
an assurance by Grant government is looking United Kingdom. HS2 ahead on Friday 3 September.
Shapps, the Secretary to make cuts on its is a major The agenda is the same, starting
Mick Whelan: ‘It’s about
of State for Transport, commitments, but we infrastructure project with donkey rides, followed by a
investing in the future’
that the eastern leg of welcome this pledge which will show the visit to the beach theatre for the
HS2 – which industry because we have world that we journey time between Punch & Judy show, and
experts feared would always argued that understand the needs London and culminating in a midday trip to
be cut – will go ahead. HS2 will only be able of a modern society Birmingham. It’s The Moon & Starfish, a
The minister told the to maximise its and are prepared to about investing in our Wetherspoons hostelry,
Policy Exchange think benefits if it runs not invest in rail to create railways, the key to a opposite the pier. And from
tank: ‘We are going to just from London to a green economy for modern public 14.00 a brisk walk to the old
complete HS2 and the Midlands, but on the 21st century.’ transport system, and BRSA next to clacton station to
include HS2 on the to the north, and to Mick added: ‘It’s freeing up pathways finish the day and disband.
eastern leg to Leeds.’ Scotland, too, as an not about shaving a for freight and other hope to see you on the day.
GS Mick Whelan integrated transport few minutes off the passenger services.’ Cliff Blackwell RMS
TONY ALLEN A METICULOUS AND GENEROUS MAN inception of the dFc he took on the role
of chair, with Bill Eames as secretary, and
We are sad to report that Tony Allen, a Tony was a very active member of the graham Morris the third member. The
former member of Southern Region trade union, attending a number of membership on Southern can be forever
sectional council B, and one of the AAds representing both Eastbourne and grateful for the way the dFc operation
founding members of the south central Brighton districts. he was a studious was set up and still operates today: a
dFc, has died. delegate and ensured all the branches he staff side, before any meeting with
Tony started in the footplate grade at represented were given a thorough management, minutes of every meeting,
Salisbury in the 1960s, before moving to report of proceedings. and a monthly staff side meeting where
Tunbridge Wells West, where he served The most noticeable comments made the whole dFc agree the way forward on
as branch chair and a member of the ldc by people who knew or worked with him issues before them.
until its closure in 1985, when he moved were how meticulous he was before, Tony was a generous activist. he
to Seaford, again serving as a member of during, and after meetings. always had time for members and other
the ldc, until his election to sectional he served on sectional council and reps, giving freely of both his time and
council B in 1990. When Seaford closed the dFc during some of the most advice. our condolences to his wife
in 1994 he moved to Brighton where he turbulent times in our history as the Barbara and his two daughters.
remained until his retirement, due to ill industry, and our representatives, were Roy Luxford Retired Members’ Section
health, in 1996. lined up for privatisation. At the and DO1 Graham Morris
July 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 7
News
Below: The
Shadow of the Orient Yellow Terror
in all his glory
(1899 political
CHRISTIAN CARROLL, Waterloo Nine Elms, who cartoon), Sax
moved a motion at conference against the rise of Rohmer’s pulp
Sinophobia – the way Donald Trump calls covid-19 fiction
supervillain dr
‘the Chinese virus’, Prince Philip disparagingly
Fu Manchu
referred to people with ‘slitty eyes’, and online trolls (1913), and
abuse Chinese restaurant staff – says it’s high time we Marvel comics’
consigned the Yellow Peril to the dustbin of history Yellow claw
(1956)
ACK in May delegates at remains in place today. Enduring
B AAD unanimously
adopted an emergency
examples include the evil
supervillains Dr Fu Manchu and
misleading narratives in the
media and public discourse;
item submitted by Waterloo Nine Ming the Merciless, and the calling out racism towards British
Elms which raised concerns about generic term Yellow Peril which is East Asian people and
– and spoke out against – the still used as a rail industry international students with formal
disturbing rise in Sinophobia colloquialism in relation to complaints; and promoting
which can be defined as the fear, briefings for signalling and p-way positive stories of British East
dislike, or hatred of – and/or alterations. Asian contributions to British
hostility towards – China, its While some may see this as an society.
people, and culture. It tends to innocent hangover from an ASLEF is committed nationally
target Chinese communities in the increasingly distant, and fading, to supporting CARG and its work.
Western world and manifests itself imperialist age, current statistics Branches and district councils can
in various forms including the paint a picture of a far more also register as supporters. For
perception of a danger – to disturbing reality. Whether more information visit
calling, but includes cases of
Western civilisation – from the spoken in ignorance, jest, or in www.carg.info/ or look CARG up
damage to homes and business
influence of the East, and an hate, the British Chinese, East, and on Facebook and Twitter.
premises, being coughed and spat
imagined threat to living Southeast Asian community has at, and acts of extreme physical
standards in the West by migrants long experienced an undercurrent violence. Victims are not confined
from East Asia. of racism, but recent events have to adults, with teenagers and very QUOTE…
Sinophobia is not new. In the magnified it beyond words. Since young children suffering attacks. ‘Matt Hancock is trying to
19th century, during the Opium the outbreak of the global covid- It is against this harrowing rewrite history about PPE
Wars, anti-Chinese propaganda 19 pandemic, reports of racially backdrop that the Covid-19 Anti- shortages’ – Dr Rosena
was commonplace in Britain. It led motivated hate crimes against Racism Group was set up. CARG’s Allin-Khan Labour MP
to negative stereotyping in people of Chinese or East Asian aims include challenging for Tooting
newspapers, magazines, books, origin have increased significantly. misinformed articles, …UNQUOTE
and wider society, much of which This is not confined to name inflammatory words, and
Johnson and Shapps pick a fight with LU Levelling up
ASLEF reacted angrily conditions of those transport will be vital GS Mick Whelan responded to
to conditions imposed they called heroes just to London’s economic the DfT’s announcements –
by the Conservative months ago. recovery. In deciding reannouncements, actually,
government when, on ‘LU staff showed to pick a fight with the of decisions already taken
Tuesday 1 June, it enormous courage, workers who deliver it, and initially announced many
belatedly announced determination, and the government has months ago – of rail upgrades
a new funding resilience in keeping made a serious for Leeds, Manchester, and Mick: ‘Where
package for Transport services running mistake. The York. He said: ‘Whilst we is the long-
for London to run until during the pandemic. consequences will be welcome all rail investment, term plan?’
11 December. DO8 They will demonstrate protracted and bitter how much of this is overdue, or long-
Finn Brennan:
Finn Brennan, ASLEF’s those qualities again industrial disputes at a promised investment, and where is the
‘hypocritical cant’
organiser on the fighting to protect time when the focus real long-term plan needed to put rail at
Underground, said: so that essential their conditions at should have been on the centre of decarbonisation? And what
‘Bitter and protracted services could work. rebuilding confidence about the rest of the region to form a true
industrial disputes are continue to operate in ‘High quality, in using public transport levelling-up agenda to drive
an inevitable our capital city. We reliable public transport.’ economic recovery?’
consequence of the knew that the words
government’s decision of praise from FIRST ARE AWARDED FIRST NRC RETIRED MEMBERS’ SECTION
to target London government ministers The first of the new national rail contracts to The coronavirus crisis means that head office is
Underground workers. were nothing but be awarded by the government after unable to send out letters reminding RMS
‘Throughout the hypocritical cant. Their publication of the Williams-Shapps Plan for members, who pay annually by cheque, that
pandemic, workers on real attitude has been Rail have gone to FirstGroup. The DfT said two- your membership is up for renewal. So if you
TfL turned up for duty shown by this year NRCs for South Western Railway and know your renewal is due, please post a
every day. They risked decision to attack the TransPennine Express will run from 30 May this cheque, made payable to ASLEF, to head office
their own safety, and pensions, job security, year, when the current emergency recovery in St John Street. An annual subscription is just
that of their families, and working measures agreements ran out, until May 2023. £15. Thank you!
8 The ASLEF Journal l July 2021
live Rail
Everyone’s a
winner baby,
that’s the truth
CONRAD LANDIN was a news
reporter, industrial
correspondent, and then
The public ownership of public transport
Scotland editor of the Morning platforms of Andy Burnham and Mark
Star. He is now co-editor of the New drakeford proved popular with voters announcements was only matched by an
Internationalist magazine and has also unfortunate tendency for inexactitude’. One
written for the Camden New Journal, In Wales, the Labour government was not such grand announcement was the
The Guardian, The Independent, the just making promises – it was being judged on Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro – or CAM,
London Review of Books, and Rail its record. Since 2018, the Wales and Borders geddit? – a £2 billion glorified busway
magazine. Here he looks at how franchise was run by KeolisAmey, an unholy featuring ‘driverless pods’. His Labour successor
politicians who placed public alliance of the French state, Madrid stock has scrapped the scheme, and says he has held
ownership of public transport – buses, traders, and Quebec civil servants (through meetings with Burnham to discuss a
their pension fund). franchising model for buses.
trams, and trains – at the heart of their
But, when passenger numbers fell off a cliff When it comes to buses, Scotland has been
manifestos won handsomely in May thanks to covid, services were transferred to a ahead of the curve. Thanks to the efforts of
new state-owned operator. trade unions, transport campaigners, and
HE elections in May were cause for Writing in the Journal in March, ASLEF’s Scottish Labour, the last parliament legislated
T much head-scratching – and blame-
gaming – among leading figures in
executive committee vice-president (and EC
member for District 7) Andy Hudd welcomed
to remove the Thatcher-era ban on councils
running their own bus services – north of the
the Labour Party. As head honchos came to this move to ‘bring the railway ever closer to border, that is. (Edinburgh’s publicly-owned
terms with the by-election loss in Hartlepool, public ownership’, but recognised there is still Lothian Buses has ‘grandfather rights’ because
the picture across the English local and work to be done. ‘We believe this will bring it stayed in public ownership while other
mayoral elections was bleak, too. about sustained investment and an holistic authorities were busy privatising their local
Labour lost 327 council seats and eight approach to planning that will help deliver a bus networks.)
councils – the seats in question were last vertically-integrated railway run for the people Scotland, of course, saw a rough night for
contested in 2016 and 2017. Liam Byrne, who of Wales – not foreign corporations – but this Labour, with the party’s support declining
boasted he would ‘easily beat’ West Midlands relies on proper investment from the UK once again, as has been the case in every
metro mayor Andy Street, ended up losing by government.’ Now Labour has a working Holyrood election since 1999.
almost 50,000 votes. majority in its own right in the Senedd – the But, when it comes to the rails, the SNP was
But there were some crumbs of comfort, previous Labour administration relied on making its own hay from the popularity of
with Labour scoring increased majorities for support from the one Liberal Democrat MS accountable public transport. On top of
Greater Manchester metro mayor Andy and a former Plaid Cymru independent – promises to expand free bus travel
Burnham and his Merseyside counterpart hopes have been raised that Andy’s vision can (championed by Labour and the Greens in the
Steve Rotheram. be realised sooner rather than later. last parliament) Transport Secretary Michael
Labour won the Cambridgeshire and West Matheson announced he would axe the
of England metro mayor positions from the Abellio ScotRail franchise (that’s the Dutch
Conservatives, and First Minister Mark
‘A force for good in Britain’ state this time) from March next year.
Drakeford romped home in Wales with an In March Andy Burnham announced plans to The SNP has previously opposed
increased majority in the Senedd. take Greater Manchester’s bus services back parliamentary motions – placed by Labour and
under public control. Under this plan, buses backed by ASLEF – calling for the same thing.
would still be operated by private franchisees – But Abellio’s failures have given Matheson,
‘Bung up a Union flag’ but, like in London, the mayor would exercise widely considered to be on the neoliberal
Interviewed after the election, Labour deputy control over fares, ticketing, and routes. wing of the SNP’s exceedingly broad political
leader Angela Rayner said: ‘What I heard on A similar scheme has been proposed by church, a sticky wicket. And with the
the doorstep is they didn’t know what Keir Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotheram. After Westminster-commissioned Williams review
Starmer stood for.’ In Hartlepool, one organiser he was re-elected, significantly outperforming into franchising much delayed, what
told The Guardian that party HQ was ‘obsessed’ his party in concurrent elections in the region, nationalist government could resist the
with acquiring a Union flag for campaign Steve said: ‘In the Liverpool city region I’ve opportunity to get its own blueprint out first?
headquarters. ‘There was no fleshing out what been able to demonstrate socialism in
the flag means, or what policies have changed, practice. People shouldn’t be afraid of
because we’re now patriotic. It was just, “Bung socialism. Socialism is a force for good in our ‘Better signals’
up a Union flag”.’ country.’ Much as we may dream, most voters don’t go
But, more thoughtfully, where Labour won, The best surprise for Labour in the May to the polls thinking only of public transport.
there was a common theme: the candidates elections was Nik Johnson unseating the Tory But support for accountability and public
and local campaigns put forward a bold policy incumbent, James Palmer, as metro mayor of ownership does not come out of nowhere – it
prospectus. Most of all they said, loud and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Private goes hand in hand with a bold, reforming
clear, that Britain’s public transport system was Eye’s Rotten Boroughs column, in which agenda which catches the eye and convinces
not fit for purpose, and advocated state Palmer has been something of a fixture, the public that this party is on their side.
intervention to address three decades of failed serenaded his exit with the observation that Perhaps the answer isn’t a bigger flag – but
privatisation projects. his ‘propensity for making grand better signals.
July 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 9
Freight
They need to know rail freight
is vital to the British economy
SIMON WELLER, ASLEF’s
assistant general secretary,
and lead officer for DB
Cargo, opens our five page
special report on the state Focs v Tocs –
of freight with a wry rail freight
containers and
examination of the much-delayed
aggregates
Williams rail review, hastily rebranded
don’t get to vote
by an opportunistic Secretary of State at the polls,
as the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail passengers do
HE biggest shake-up since
T privatisation is coming to the
railways in the form of the Williams-
Shapps rail review. Giving birth to Great British
Railways – which sounds like something you
allied drop in fare revenues. flexibility, with relentless begging texts, and
would find on BBC2 on a Tuesday evening.
This collapse of passenger numbers, and the misuse of rosters and diagramming?
What strikes you when you read all 116
subsequent reduction in timetables, is not At the same time as frenzied efforts to
pages of the review is how little it offers the
good for the train operating companies but provide drivers for existing services, and bring
freight sector. It manages to mention freight
has an unintended benefit for the rail in new work, we hear the CEO, Andrea Rossi,
on nearly every page, in the repeated mantra
freight operators. say there are no resourcing problems! We
‘passengers and freight customers’, but behind
That reduction in passenger timetables has know that future work will not be secure if the
that repetition there is nothing solid to help
made room for additional freight paths – a company cannot provide the drivers, and
our sector.
timely help as freight traffic begins to pick up drivers, that is, with the correct route
A key quote on page 18 reveals how the
following the downturn a few years ago. knowledge.
mention of freight is just lip service – an
Regarding the uncertainty that faces the Whilst they claim everything in the garden
addition that is, basically, the product of a
passenger work it looks, for a change, that the is rosy, we can see the lack of staffing resources
word processor’s search and replace:
freight sector has an element of security. now is going to be saving up problems for
‘Passengers and freight customers told Keith
In the context of new opportunities for later – and they will be problems of the
Williams loud and clear: enough is enough.
freight, an increase in revenues for all the company’s own making.
They felt that day in, day out, trains were late,
operators, and improved incomes, why do we We are acutely aware of the shortages and
overcrowded, and journeys were stressful.’
see the once-mighty DB Cargo still proposing are constantly reminding them that the driver
Oh, yes, how many times have we heard DB
an increase in drivers’ pension contributions at resources need to be put in place – and that
Cargo and HeavyHaul complaining just how
the same time as the pension fund deficit needs to start now. We will keep you informed
stressful a journey is? I can hear that policy
reduces? As well as demanding greater of developments.
wonk at the Department for Transport saying
to the writer, ‘Oh, just stick the word “freight”
in every so often – that’ll shut them up.’
No great surprise there, then, as the
political machine is not that interested in the
We’re running fully loaded
freight sector – containers and aggregates do RAB LANG, Motherwell branch, who was co-opted onto the DRS
not vote, passengers do, and the political company council, reports on a busy and ‘challenging’ year
focus will always be on the electorate.
But that misses an essential truth that rail T BECAME apparent in December 2020 that Bro K Bell, DRS company council
freight is indispensable to the UK economy
and, if we are to have any hope of reducing I rep for Scotland, would have to take time off work due to illness. When Kevin
asked if I would co-opt into his position whilst he was off I was extremely
carbon emissions, then rail freight has to be honoured and, after talking it over with the rest of CC, and Andy Hourigan, I had no
part of it. hesitation in accepting. Since the beginning of 2021 it has been both busy and
Whilst we have been carrying on during extremely difficult. I am still the local rep for Motherwell and the day to day business of
the pandemic providing key worker services, a freight train depot hasn’t changed; if anything, it has been busier. Intermodal
and keeping the nation’s freight moving, we services, the bulk of our work at Motherwell, have seen trains running most days fully
have seen the deserted stations and empty loaded. Rostering issues saw us getting further away from a four day working week
passenger trains with our own eyes. The but, after talks, we managed to avert some of the extra days being added.
Williams-Shapps review provides part of the My role as CC for Scotland has also been extremely busy. DRS has been merged with
government’s response to this seismic shift in INS, and Andy and the CC have had numerous Teams meeting about the new NTS. We
the railway’s fortunes. have forged good relations with the other trade unions as things progress. The CC has
Despite that – and for freight there is also been involved with management discussing the 2021/22 pay talks; these are
something to be hopeful about – the ongoing and, as yet, we have nothing concrete to report.
pandemic has fundamentally affected the The last few months have been extremely challenging, but enjoyable, and,
passenger railway’s funding model. We have thankfully, I can seek advice from Bros Andy Hourigan, Warren Brannin, and Seb Brady.
witnessed the demise of the commuter, and Finally, I want to wish Bro K Bell a speedy recovery.
the crumbling of long-distance travel, with its
10 The ASLEF Journal l July 2021Freight
Freight moves into
the 21st century to
train new drivers
NIGEL GIBSON, District 5 Organiser, and lead officer
for Freightliner Heavy Haul, Freightliner Intermodal,
and GB Railfreight, reflects on problems for pensions,
a new entrant in the sector, driver training, electing
reps – and looks forward to meeting you in person at
your branch now we don’t have to do everything by Zoom
E ARE now seeing a fundamental that has been lacking in the majority of the
W difference in the way in which
pensions are being affected in the
freight sector. There are also ancillary benefits
which can, of course, help support our
privately-owned freight sector. The latest members as they work through their career as
scheme to suffer is at Freightliner, which is a train driver.
moving to a covenant three, meaning its
investment strategy must change, and creating Representation
a significant deficit which must be made good. ASLEF is reliant on its members on many
Given that the scheme is a 60:40 shared cost levels, and I am not talking about the finances.
arrangement, it was necessary to make We have a structure through the branches, and Investing in freight: the new state-of-the-art
changes to the benefits and contribution rates, within our collective bargaining arrangements, gBRf training facility at Peterborough
but we were able to reach agreement that the which relies on members putting themselves
employer would pay £1.5 million into the forward and taking on representational roles. accept that tapping away on a keyboard is
scheme for each of the next three years. Whilst There appears to be a continued decline in the easy, while working with challenging
all this was extremely unpalatable, the number of those prepared to come forward employers is not so easy and, as members, we
alternative, of closing the scheme to new and we have a number of vacancies in the need to support the reps we elect in a
entrants, whilst making changes to terms & freight sector which have remained unfilled for constructive way.
conditions to pay for those remaining in the months. I recognise that, on occasions, these
scheme, was far less favourable. It’s clear that roles may look unattractive; I recognise these Finally…
the freight sector is suffering from being in the roles can amount to a lot of grief for little The freight sector has pulled itself back to pre-
private sector and the question now is for how return; and I recognise that these roles do not, pandemic levels and, throughout the last year,
long can defined benefit schemes survive. in the traditional sense, cover a specific local we have worked hard to try and ensure there is
geographical area but take on wider a consistent approach to the measures in place
Varamis Rail responsibilities – but without these positions to protect the interests of all our members. In
A new start-up company, Varamis Rail, has being filled our representational structure is the weeks and months ahead, we will be
been in touch and is looking to use modified made far more difficult and the employers’ having further negotiations around how and
Class 321 units, initially between Scotland and work far easier and far less transparent. what measures we take forward. We recognise
Birmingham International, with the hope of Part of the problem, perhaps, is the that government restrictions are gradually
bringing new work to our industry, creating a perception that, as a rep, you will be expected being lifted and we will have to work with
greener and more efficient ‘hub and spoke’ to be on the phone and respond to social employers, and ASLEF’s executive committee,
parcels service. We are pleased that Varamis media messages and comments 24/7 but, in to look at what changes need to be made,
has looked to engage with ASLEF and we look reality, that is not what our members should going forward, but no decision will be taken
forward to working with Phil Read, the expect from you. I believe social media has lightly. And as restrictions lift we will be glad to
managing director, and a former train driver, made our reps’ jobs much more difficult – but move away from Zoom meetings with
along with his team, as the organisation only if you choose to engage in a way that management and look forward to getting
develops. makes you an easy target. Our members need round to see members again in the not too
to consider the welfare of those they elect and distant future.
Modernising driver training
It is good to see the industry moving into the Stowmarket. As a council we have been busy
modern world of driver training, and driver
support, with real investment. Having seen the
Challenging time introducing a new h&s policy for our reps to
have clear guidelines for reporting and
state-of-the-art facilities at Peterborough, SEB BRADY, DRS company maintaining visits, which has been praised.
where GB Railfreight has put together a council, reflects on a busy but We continually review our covid working
purpose-built facility for driver training, which enjoyable few months in post agreements to make sure the risk of anyone
includes two full cab simulators and three fully catching this virus is minimal. DRS has
functional classrooms on site, I think it shows a WAS elected to the DRS company merged with INS and PNTL to form NTS. The
marked commitment to long-term recruitment
and a move away from the historic reliance on
I council south position at the end of
2020. It has been a very enjoyable,
CC with our lead officer have been involved
in the merger, and changes, and been
poaching from other operators. Whilst and busy, few months with the ever- assured that jobs are not at risk. I’ve loved
acknowledging the key to quality training will changing situation of the ongoing becoming part of the company council team
be the person who facilitates and instructs, pandemic. I have been the local rep at Crewe and look forward to the future with my
these facilities will provide the basis for our for a few years and grateful for the support colleagues Warren and Robert – with special
new members to benefit from the technology of members at Crewe, Rugby, London, and thanks to Andy for his mentoring.
July 2021 l The ASLEF Journal 11Agenda
Rail freight – opportunity knocks
Over the last 16 months,
since the coronavirus
struck, and we first went
into lockdown, it was our
rail freight industry which
moved goods and
supplies around the country. Now, as we
dare to look beyond the pandemic,
MAGGIE SIMPSON, director general of
the Rail Freight Group, argues that the
There is, they say, light at the end of the t
industry is in a strong position to
navigate the choppy waters ahead
rail freight, including setting a target for growth, last year, despite the many challenges of the
and giving the new organisation a legal duty to pandemic, and service levels are now above
UBLICATION of the Williams-Shapps promote freight. There will also be a new central where they were last year, in most areas.
P Plan for Rail in mid-May marked the
start of a process to change both the
freight co-ordination team charged with
overseeing developments across the network.
Construction traffic is operating at record
levels, including to help build HS2, as well as
structure and operation of our industry. A new However, there are other aspects of the plan other infrastructure, and new homes.
organisation, Great British Railways, will which are likely to be more controversial, Intermodal traffic has also increased with new
combine Network Rail and the passenger including changes to the process for getting services, including the 37th daily service from
operators and be responsible for the planning track access, and for freight charges. There is Felixstowe, and there are new trains of domestic
and operation of the railways across the country. certainly a lot of detail to be developed waste starting shortly.
For many colleagues this is an unsettling time as between now and next year when legislation is Freight operators have also been working
the structure of the railways, as well as individual expected to be brought before Parliament. hard with Network Rail to make trains longer. A
jobs and responsibilities, will inevitably be For the most part, though, the freight sector good number of intermodal trains now run at
different. Yet, whatever your view of the can continue to operate much as today, and the 775m – the distance from Euston to King’s Cross
proposals, change is coming, and the rail freight most important matter at hand is to deliver down the Euston Road! Recent trials have seen a
sector will have to navigate them to get a good growth, and help our customers reduce the jumbo length aggregates train operating on the
outcome for its customers and staff. carbon in their supply chains. We have seen West Coast main line overnight, hauling 44
The plan has some good commitments for increased ambition for more rail freight in the wagons and over 4,000t. There have been no
as training takes time. However,
Strength of character regardless of how you may view the
situation, recruitment can only be
taken as a positive so soon after a
A clear
global pandemic, especially when BARRY HA
JAMES GLEW, DB Cargo company council secretary, praises
you take a close look at how other company c
the professionalism of freight drivers who worked through
industries have suffered, and pay, a redu
the pressure of increased workloads and the stress of the continue to do so. week, furlo
virus to keep supplies moving around the country We held a meeting over several arrangeme
points of order and how certain
S WE near the end – we absolutely no resourcing issues and items are interpreted on rostering HE company
A hope – of the pandemic it
has to be noted the
there is no reliance on favours
whatsoever. Each union distributed
and diagramming. The meeting was
positive, with lots cleared up to our
T council
worked hard
to negotiate 100% pay
importance of the work carried out the letter and the reply so every satisfaction. Minutes and
over the last 16 months by you. The member could see the concerns clarifications will be published in for all frontline staff at a
strength of character shown under raised and the response given. due course. time when we were
the pressure of the workload, and You may have noticed the recent We also hope to complete our seeing thousands of
the stress brought on by a global mass recruitment drive that is joint industrial relations training people losing their
pandemic, is testament to the underway. Whilst we will always for local reps and managers – jobs. I’m pleased to say,
professionalism of the driving welcome opportunities for new halted in early 2020 due to the overall, members did
grade. And we hope this will be people to come into the grade, pandemic – in July and August. appreciate our efforts
rewarded in the soon to come pay especially if the recruitment is Finally, I want to pay tribute to and I’m delighted we
talks for 2021, which opened on diverse, and offers a chance for Nick Whitehead, who retires in managed no
Tuesday 29 June. youngsters to come into the September. He has been a fine redundancies because,
Recently, ASLEF, and the other industry, it does seem at direct District 4 Organiser and was lead at one point, over 200
three trade unions that represent odds with the no-resourcing issue officer for DBC’s predecessors, EWS frontline staff were on
DB Cargo staff, wrote a joint open response just mentioned! As and DB Schenker, and has served furlough.
letter to the CEO, raising concerns workload levels increase above pre- the freight industry well. We wish When the company
over an increase in incidents pandemic levels route learning Nick all the best for his retirement council and district
leading to disciplinary action, an appears to be slowing and, as work and I’m sure he will enjoy spending organiser entered pay
over-reliance on overtime, and a levels continue to grow, this will some well-deserved quality time talks, it was clear that
favours culture. The response only slow further as the training of with wife Mandy and the rest of the company wasn’t
stated that the company has new recruits is not an overnight fix their family. offering anything
12 The ASLEF Journal l July 2021You can also read
