New Transport Secretary new thinking? - Decision time for Justine Greening - December 2011/January 2012
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December 2011/January 2012
sp ort Secretary
New Tran
new thinking?
Decision time
Justine Greening
for
in this issue
Transport Salaried Staffs’
Association
General Secretary: Manuel Cortes
Joining TSSA
T: 020 7529 8032
F: 020 7383 0656
E: join@tssa.org.uk
Your membership details
T: 020 7529 8018
E: details@tssa.org.uk
Helpdesk (workplace rights
advice for members)
T: 0800 3282673 (UK)
1800 805 272 (Rep of Ireland)
Website
www.tssa.org.uk (UK)
www.tssa.ie (Ireland) Gerry Doherty gave his last major speech as TSSA General Secretary at the packed ‘Save Our Railways’
rally. You can watch it at www.youtube.com/tssaunion.
@TSSAunion
TSSA Journal
Editor: Ben Soffa
E: journal@tssa.org.uk
T: 020 7529 8055 4–5 Organising & news
M: 07809 583020 u Bombardier campaign
General queries (London office) u Pensions Day of Action
T: 020 7387 2101 u TfL Taxi Licensing saved
F: 020 7383 0656
E: enquiries@tssa.org.uk u Legal victories
Irish office
from Northern Ireland 9 General Secretary
T: +3531 8743467 u The challenges we will face together
F: +3531 8745662
from the Republic
T: 01 8743467
10–11 Our new General
F: 01 8745622 Secretary
E: enquiries@tssa.ie u Manuel Cortes interviewed
TSSA Journal is published
by TSSA, Walkden House
10 Melton Street 12–13 Opposing fare rises
London NW1 2EJ u Campaigns nationally & in London
Design and production: u Ken’s Fare Deal
Wild Strawberry Communications
www.wildstrawberry.uk.com
14–15 Christian Wolmar 12-13 Opposing the Great Fares Robbery
u Justine Greening’s in-tray
Views published in the Journal are
not necessarily those of TSSA.
Acceptance of adverts for products 16–17 Paul Salveson 20–21 Scottish Labour
or services does not imply TSSA
u Labour’s railway roots u Leadership candidates’ views
endorsement.
TSSA Journal is printed by TU Ink on
Leipa Ultra Silk comprised of 100%
post-consumer waste. The polythene
19 Freight on rail 22–23 Legal news
wrapper is oxo-degradable. u A little investment goes a long way u Latest victory and legality of strikes
Vol 108/issue 1220
2 December 2011
editorial
As we reach the end
of 2011 and look
towards the start of
a new year, there’s no
shortage of changes
that will have a huge
impact on our union
and our industries.
We have a new General Secretary in
Manuel Cortes – who lays out his priorities
on page 9 and is interviewed on pages 10-
11. ‘We’ also have a new Transport
Secretary. Justine Greening has a number of
momentous decisions to take in the
coming months – choices examined by
Christian Wolmar on pages 14-15.
The new year will also bring a less
welcome change for millions of passengers
– higher fares. Whilst the Chancellor
TSSA members, together with fellow rail unions, TUC leaders and passenger groups
backed away from the previously
joined a rally at Parliament on 25 October, warning the Government against cutting rail
jobs, increasing fares and closing ticket offices. announced rise of 8 per cent, even the use
of the ‘inflation plus 1 per cent’ formula will
make transport significantly less affordable
for many. With average pay settlements
25 Helpdesk such a long way short of inflation, most
people are enduring significant real terms
u This month’s queries
pay cuts. We look at the campaign against
the fare rises on 12 and 13 – do get
26–27 Letters involved, whether as an individual,
workplace or branch.
28 Equalities The financial difficulties faced by
Thomas Cook are a real cause for concern,
u E-Mix school
with TSSA reps and officers meeting the
u Sign language skills company to ensure staff are kept informed
and are in the strongest possible position
however the company and its creditors
respond.
On a more positive note, we’ve seen
several quick victories due to highly
energetic campaigns by reps over recent
weeks – most starkly at Transport for
London. Over 100 jobs were due to be
outsourced and, quite literally, sent to
Coventry, but with just 12 hours before the
plan was due to be agreed, TfL u-turned.
The strategy employed? Building an alliance
of service users (in this case, taxi drivers),
staff and other campaigners into an
unstoppable force. Let’s hope for many such
victories in 2012.
All that remains to be said is that I hope
you enjoy this edition of the Journal, and to
wish all readers and their families a happy
Joint campaigning between four rail and transport unions plus the TUC and healthy New Year.
Ben Soffa, editor
TSSA Journal 3
organising
New General Secretary elected
MANUEL CORTES HAS been Gerry Doherty in mid work that Gerry has put in ‘We need to take the public
chosen as TSSA’s next General November. Manuel was over the last seven years. with us as we make the
Secretary, taking over from nominated by almost thirty ‘We have a real fight on our argument for a publicly funded
branches and was the only hands because the McNulty and publicly owned railway
candidate to meet the Report will lead to the biggest which we see operating so
requirement to have gained at attack on our members jobs, successfully in every other
least five nominations from wages and conditions in a country in Europe.’
multiple Divisional Council generation. Boris is also Manuel is currently working
areas. recklessly destroying jobs as ‘General Secretary Elect’,
After being elected Manuel within our tube and TfL and with his five year term of
said, ‘I am so grateful to the long as our high streets office to begin formally at the
many branches and activists remain depressed, our start of January. Full details of
who backed me for this post. I members within the travel all valid nominations are
hope to build on all the good trade are feeling the pinch. available on tssa.org.uk. 7
Minister refuses to ‘face the music’
over Bombardier decision
FIFTY CAMPAIGNERS BRAVED the Derby
cold on 3 November to protest outside a
conference of the Derby Railway Forum.
The protest, called by the Bombardier
Community Support Group, set out to
demonstrate the continuing local
opposition to government plans to award
the Thameslink contract to German firm
Siemens – a decision which will cost
thousands of jobs at Bombardier and
throughout its supply chain.
Speakers at the event included Sir Roy
McNulty, whose report on the future of
the rail industry has been met with
dismay by TSSA, other rail unions and
campaigners for sustainable transport.
Teresa Villiers, the Minister of State for
Rail, had been scheduled to attend the
conference but pulled out the day before,
citing ‘constituency business’. Then-TSSA
General Secretary Gerry Doherty slammed
the u-turn, saying that Villiers was backing the government that they can’t wash
out of facing up to the music. Since the their hands of this disastrous decision. If
protest, further pressure has mounted on the government were serious about
the beleaguered rail minister and new supporting industry and defending jobs,
Transport Secretary Justine Greening, they would do the decent thing and award
calling on them to reverse the decision. the contract to Bombardier, which they
Protesters waved placards with slogans have the legal powers to do.’
including ‘A future for British rail Alison added: ‘The people of Derby are
manufacturing’, ‘Save jobs at Bombardier’ fully behind the Bombardier workers and I
and ‘Stand Up for Derby’. encourage everyone who agrees with us
Alison Martin, one of the campaigners to get involved and show their support for
at the protest, said, ‘We are here to show the campaign.’7
4 December 2011
organising
Members of the Belfast branch with EC member Gerry Kennedy, Manuel Cortes and Senior Regional Organiser Patrick McCusker
TSSA members join Pensions Day of Action
TSSA MEMBERS ACROSS Workers at Translink – which ignores the impacts of housing
Northern Ireland came out on is publicly owned – are costs and council tax – core
strike on November 30 as part members of the same public costs for many people, and
of the day of action on public sector pension schemes to ones that often go up faster
sector pensions. The level of which changes are being than other prices. Payment
support for the strike was proposed by the UK contributions would also jump
huge, with an estimated 80 government. by 3.2 per cent of pay by 2015
per cent of members in The Tory government’s raid – in effect a 3 per cent wage
Northern Ireland joining a on pensions would leave cut and the pensionable age
picket line, rally or workers paying more, working would increase to 67 for those
demonstration. Events were longer and receiving a smaller retiring in more than 17 years
held in multiple locations in pension upon retirement. They time. Negotiations continue –
Belfast and in would see the uplift in annual for more information see
Derry/Londonderry, Newry, payments linked to the lower www.pensionsjustice.
Coleraine and Ballymena. CPI inflation measure, which org.uk. 7
Tube Lines bail out on negotiations: legal papers being prepared
TSSA AND RMT met briefly with Tube Lines on 18 November Wednesday, 23 November Tube Lines wrote to its managers
to discuss recognition to negotiate on pay for staff on to tell them that it was not prepared to negotiate further.
Performance Related Pay (PRP) contracts. Unlike all other staff Tube Lines intransigence, and complete disregard for
at Tube Lines and staff on equivalent grades in TfL – the the expressed wishes of more than two-thirds of the PRP
organisation that wholly owns Tube Lines – they do not have workforce, leaves TSSA with no choice but to use the law
the right to collectively bargain their pay. As a result, staff on to gain a formal recognition agreement with Tube Lines.
PRP have not received a pay rise in two of the last three We have prepared a robust application to the Central
years, and their pay rates are increasingly falling behind Arbitration Committee who can impose such an
those in TfL and London Underground. agreement, and will be meeting with local reps and
Tube Lines had agreed to talk with the unions only after activists this week to plan our campaign. Staff on PRP at
more than 600 Tube Lines staff had shown their support for Tube Lines are determined to win justice and recognition
recognition by joining the union or signing a pledge card and for pay bargaining – whether their employer wants it or
petition. However, the talks were short-lived and on not! 7
TSSA Journal 5
news
Gerry Doherty’s retirement marked
The retirement of outgoing General
Secretary Gerry Doherty was
marked by a reception at the St
Pancras Renaissance Hotel – a
building in which, in its former life
as a BR office, Gerry had worked.
The reception, provided by Morrish
solicitors, included representatives
from across the labour movement
and Labour Party. Ken Livingstone,
the TUC’s Frances O’Grady and Bob
Crow were amongst those who paid
ASLEF’s Simon Weller, TUC Deputy General Secretary tribute to the work of Gerry and
Frances O’Grady and Gerry the TSSA.
London taxi jobs saved with hours to go
JUST BEFORE 9 O’CLOCK at outsourcing we became aware
night on 22 November, over that, following a ‘re-
100 staff working in the organisation’ of the LTPH
London Taxi & Private Hire office during the last year,
Office (LTPH) received an email there are only 24 day-time and
containing the news that their 6 night-time compliance
jobs had been saved. This u- officers employed by TfL to
turn followed a surprise regulate over 70,000 licensed
announcement by TfL just vehicles (and who knows how
three weeks earlier that the many unlicensed cabs).
licensing and compliance Together for Transport will be
functions of LTPH were to be groups, including RMT, Unite since their Safer Travel at seeking to highlight this
outsourced to a commercial and the United Cabbies Group Night (STaN) scheme began in shortfall and will campaign for
company. This would have (UCG), who all carried the story 2003, and that there were 143 a better resourced service.
meant a cut in jobs and in their newspapers and blogs cab-related sexual offences Keeping the LTPH office and
relocation of staff to either and joined TSSA members in reported in 2009/10. It jobs in London is a real
Coventry or Northampton. protesting outside TfL’s head therefore beggars belief that achievement, both for TSSA
The dramatic u-turn was office. they should seek to save and the cab drivers.
announced just hours before The Taxi and Private Hire money on such a key service, Nevertheless, we cannot afford
the TfL Finance Board was due Office is responsible for and is a shocking and cynical to be complacent because TfL
to discuss the proposal at a licensing approximately 22,000 pursuit of political ideology by is currently involved in a major
9.30am meeting the following black cabs and 50,000 private the Mayor of London to cost-cutting exercise –
morning. TfL and Boris hire vehicles in London. This privatise and save money with badged ‘Project Horizon’ – and
Johnson’s last-minute change involves checking the safety no regard for the consequences. has already stated their
of heart was down to a lively and security of both drivers With our concern for public intention to outsource their
campaign organised by TSSA and their vehicles. The office safety as well as preserving Travel Information lines
members and reps working in also deals with on-street London jobs, TSSA is now following the Olympics. We
conjunction with London cab compliance, including policing working with the London cab know that this would mean job
drivers, who gave their full of unlicensed taxis (or ‘touts’ drivers and campaigning cuts and a drop in services but,
backing to the staff of the LTPH. as they’re known by cabbies), organisations, such as the following our victory at LTPH,
‘We’re behind you 100 per and following up on any Suzy Lamplugh Trust, to we know that we can fight
cent’ said Grant Davies of the complaints about drivers or launch a community-wide them and win. 7
London Cab Drivers’ Club cab operators from members campaign in support of Mel Taylor, TSSA Organiser
(LCDC), ‘If it affects you, then it of the public. comprehensive licensing and
affects us’. Overwhelming TfL’s own website claims regulation of taxis and private i For more information on
support was also received from that 6,000 unlicensed cab hire vehicles in London. During TSSA’s work on Project Horizon
other cab drivers’ unions and drivers have been arrested our campaign against the see www.tssa.org.uk/tfl.
6 December 2011
news
Huge payout after ‘no notice’ redundancies
WITH THE TSSA’S help 20 perseverance and hard work
London-based employees of finally paid off with a very
Cyprus Turkish Airlines have satisfactory deal, but only after
won a £240,000 settlement more than a year of struggle
after they were laid off with and heartbreak. The final
no notice when the airline resolution has been very
went bust last year. pleasing to us all – we owe it
The workers are Cypriot all to our union and those at
nationals but had been long- Andrew W Sieber CC BY-NC2 Morrish.’
standing members of the TSSA. what was going on. The only members and they will divide Tony Wheeler of the TSSA
Anna Power at Morrish information they could get the total amount between said ‘I want to congratulate
Solicitors, acting for the was through the press. TSSA them.’ our solicitors for winning a pay
TSSA’s members, today said took their employer to the Kemal Kenan, who was one off for our members who were
‘When Cyprus Turkish Airlines’ Employment Tribunal on the of the workers, told the Journal left totally high and dry with
parent company went into grounds of unfair dismissal, ‘On behalf of the 20 of us, I can the closure of Cyprus Turkish
substantial financial difficulty unpaid wages, notice pay, safely say that if it weren’t for Airlines. It is never easy dealing
in August 2010, these UK- outstanding holiday pay and a TSSA and Morrish Solicitors we with overseas companies but
based employees could not Protective Award. The cheque could never have hoped to in this case our members have
get any information about has been received by the TSSA make this claim. Their rightly been compensated.’7
Information management
NO SEPARATION
failure to consult case NO FRAGMENTATION
ALL TOO OFTEN employers neglect their Office and Morrish Solicitors.
FOR INTEGRATED RAIL COMPANIES
legal responsibilities to consult over The evidence showed that Network Rail:
redundancies. These requirements are l Failed to engage reps before the final
there to ensure that employees and their decision to cut jobs, making it impossible to
union reps can engage with re- have meaningful consultation
organisation proposals and do their best l Failed to provide information required for
to avoid job losses. Network Rail are one consultation, including the numbers and
of the worst offenders when it comes to method of selection.
flouting the law. l Failed to continue to consult with reps, NO LIBERALISATION
of domestic rail passenger tran
In 2009 a group of members had had instead believing that holding a fixed sport
FOR QUALITY PUBLIC RAIL SERVICE
enough. Network Rail forced through a re- number of meetings was enough, regardless S
organisation leading to the loss of over 40 of whether they took any notice of EUROPEAN RAILWAY WORKERS’ ACTION DAY
ON 8 NOVEMBER 2011
jobs within the Information Management submissions by the reps in those meetings!
department. During the process they failed For some months Network Rail refused to
to identify the numbers of staff that needed acknowledge the strength of the case, but
to be made redundant and constantly as the tribunal day grew closer they began
changed the selection process for those to negotiate. The outcome was a total
who might have to leave. They failed to settlement of nearly £350,000 between 42 The European Transport
properly engage with TSSA reps and the staff, close to half the maximum that a Workers Federation held
detailed alternative proposals they put Tribunal could have awarded. an action day across 13
European countries in
forward on behalf of the staff. Because of Of course, not all redundancy
protest against an EU
this, many more staff lost their jobs than consultations have such massive failing and
package that seeks to
was necessary. are so well documented by reps. But it
enforce a compulsory
Disillusioned with Network Rail’s approach shows that in the right circumstances and
separation of the
and determined to stop similar breaches in the support and activity of our members we
ownership railways and
the future, TSSA reps compiled a strong case can show employers that they must listen
the services that run on
which was submitted to an Employment to our voice in consultation.7
them.
Tribunal with the support of TSSA Head Elly Baker, Senior Regional Organiser
TSSA Journal 7
news
Threat of ‘mega trucks’
coming to UK roads
MEGA TRUCKS – 25
metres long (82ft) and up
to 60 tonnes – will come
to UK roads by default if
Allianx Pro Schiene
Union
learning
fund
European Commission
proposals, currently out
for consultation, go
‘Union Learning ahead. The plan would
Works’ booklet allow the cross border
flow of mega trucks from
launched countries where they are weight and dimensions weight, ie partially
‘UNION LEARNING WORKS’ is a case study licensed. Mega trucks, of HGVs, would let loaded. With this in
booklet that seeks to highlight the which would be 50 per consenting member mind, the justification
significant involvement of unions in cent longer and a third states to allow cross- for ever-larger lorries
developing workers’ learning opportunities heavier than existing border mega trucks seems especially weak.
in Northern Ireland. Produced by the HGVs will result in more traffic. The road haulage Freight on Rail – the
Northern Ireland Union Learning Fund, the road fatalities, greater industry has argued that partnership between rail
booklet describes how TSSA has been able to road damage, a build up they would be put at a unions and the rail
offer Translink staff (and their friends and of congestion and higher trading disadvantage if freight operators – is
family) the opportunity to develop new skills levels of pollution. The mega trucks are not calling on people to
which can boost their self confidence, self- European Commission’s allowed on UK roads. lobby your MP and MEP
belief and can lead to a higher level of own research states that Currently, one in four to oppose this
motivation. mega trucks are HGVs are driving around amendment, using the
TSSA has two people representing its individually more empty, with Department model text on their
case studies; Jennifer Kissick and Naomi Orr. dangerous than standard for Transport research website. 7
Jennifer readily took the opportunity to HGVs. showing that almost
learn Sign Language and having seen the A revision to the 50 per cent of lorries are i For more details see
benefits of union learning went on to directive 96/53, which not filled to either their www.freightonrail.
became a Union Learning Rep (ULR) in order controls the maximum maximum volume or org.uk.
to help others to gain the chance of learning
new skills. Jennifer has helped to recruit and
support Translink staff to learn not only Sign Railway Employees Privilege Order your ‘Staff Our
Language but also to develop essential IT Ticket Association Stations’ campaign pack
skills. Naomi wanted to learn Spanish not 2011 REPTA membership is available TOGETHER FOR TRANSPORT, the
simply because she wanted to learn a now for all transport industry staff and TSSA-backed campaign to
foreign language, but also to help her on her families, active and retired. Many free, mobilise communities in defence
regular trips to Translink train manufacturer, discounted and special rates are of public transport, has launched a
based in Spain. Gaining new skills can deliver available to members as described in ‘Staff Our Stations’ campaign
real economic benefits to individuals as well our information packed Yearbook. pack. It’s designed to help
as their employer quite apart from the social £3.75 per year including p&p. Additional budding campaigners launch local
side of learning new skills. 7 cards for family members £2.50. Send coalitions to head off government
cheques/postal orders payable to ‘REPTA’ plans to axe ticket office staff,
i To find out more about learning to: Colin Rolle, 4 Brackmills Close, and contains tips, resources and
opportunities in Northern Ireland, contact Forest Town, Mansfield, NG19 0PB or data to get you started. To order
Mark Wilkinson on join on line. See: your pack, email george@
wilkinsonm@tssa.org.uk. www.repta.co.uk. togetherfortransport.org.
Tell your colleagues:
You can now join TSSA online www.tssa.org.uk/join
8 December 2011
general secretary
Manuel
Cortes
The challenges we will face together
comment
I am deeply honoured and feel ‘A new union continue to feel the pinch.
immensely proud to have been elected Jobs losses are significantly denting
your new General Secretary. I pledge cannot be either a our membership income. This means
that during my term of office our union that our finances – like those of many
‘TSSA Mark 2’ or a
will: other unions – have been very stretched
l Listen to you and act on your priorities ‘RMT Mark 2’. It since the 2008 recession. In addition, a
l Give you a strong voice in your depressed rental market means that we
workplace, the media and politically will need to no longer get as much as we once did
l Fight the McNulty proposals and provide a fresh from leasing parts of Walkden House.
attacks on your jobs and conditions Our investment income – and capital
l Work tirelessly to ensure you enjoy start and a strong wealth – has severely suffered as stock
dignity in retirement markets across the globe have collapsed.
voice for you or it
l Prioritise efforts to bring the British We are fortunate that we still have a
railways back into public ownership will not happen.’ relatively strong financial base even
l Deliver a distinctive voice for our though cash flow remains a concern.
members working in the travel trade and However, it has become clear that in the
in Ireland medium-term, we can no longer remain
l Fully embrace the diversity of our as we are. It is vital that we take early
union and your workplaces action, well before, our assets have been
l Invest in training for our excellent Reps exhausted.
l Continue to grow into the Our vision is to help create a new
campaigning organisation that you need; strong specialised transport and travel
l Further develop our community union to replace those that already exist
organising work, building the alliances within these industries. Our talks with
we need to defend members RMT are the potential first step towards
l Stabilise the union’s finances achieving this. There is strong industrial
l Campaign with you to secure the and financial logic behind this move.
return in Britain of a Labour However, if it is going to work, we need
Government. to create a brand new union that builds
Over the next few years, we face huge on the best of both traditions. It cannot
challenges. In the UK, a faltering be either a ‘TSSA Mark 2’ or a ‘RMT Mark
economy and a Government committed 2’. It will need to provide a fresh start and
to massive cuts will put many of your a strong voice for you or it will not
livelihoods at risk. In the Republic of happen.
Ireland, the economy remains in the Finally, can I end my first piece as
doldrums. If you work in the UK rail your General Secretary by thanking you
industry, the proposals contained in the for the support that you have given me
McNulty report will lead to thousands of over the past seven years. I know that I
job losses and will attack hard fought can count on it going forward for the
and won terms and conditions. Public next five. I very much look forward to
expenditure cuts are also having a very working with you over this period. May
adverse effect on many of our members. I also take this opportunity to wish you
Those of you who work within TfL, LUL, and your loved ones all the best for
BTP or Ireland will easily testify to this. 2012.7
The reality is that as long as our High
Streets remain depressed, those of you
within the travel industry will also
TSSA Journal 9
Manuel Cortes
Just a couple of days after becoming the
TSSA’s 21st General Secretary, the Journal
met up with a still beaming Manuel Cortes in
his new office opposite Euston Station. It
hadn’t been a massive change of view for its
new occupant – Manuel having spent the
previous seven years as Assistant General
Secretary in the office next door, but he was
clearly relishing the opportunity to help lead
the organisation which he’s been intimately
involved in for 13 years.
As well as hearing more about his plans for
TSSA, his answers hopefully provide a
broader picture of our union’s new top official
– where he comes from and how he
approaches his work, life more generally and
the struggle for justice for working people.
Manuel Cortes:
our new General Secretary
So, Manuel, you’ve not exactly come from entire community against this whilst I And how did you come to be involved in
a traditional background for a trade union was growing up. We had huge strikes – the movement yourself?
leader. Thinking back to your childhood in with the electricity being cut off every I left school at 15 with no qualifications. I
Gibraltar, would anyone have thought you other day, demonstrations and people got a job as an apprentice and the first
might ever be elected to a role like this? being jailed for joining the protest. The thing I did was join the union. Soon
Well trade unions had always been a big unions at the time had something that’s afterwards I became a shop steward for
part of the community where I grew up. In all too rare now: a base in every my fellow apprentices and ever since then
Gibraltar of the 70s and 80s it was almost community. Everyone knew a shop I’ve been an active member of a trade
as though there was just one employer – steward, a union rep. I was brought up in union - either as an activist, a lay official,
the MoD – but because of that, the focus that moment of struggle, where it was or in a paid role.
of the unions was very clear. That doesn’t clearly possible to change things. And I I started off as an engineer. I gained
mean there weren’t big problem though: think it’s important if you’re going to be various technical qualifications which led
when I was growing up, there was a real part of something, you want to be part of me to study at university in the UK. And
struggle going on for wage parity. If you the winning side! And we won that that was really eye opening to me – how
were British from Britain, you got paid one campaign – everyone got paid the fair, a lot of people there – through no fault of
rate, if you were Gibraltarian-British you equal rate for the job. What we need to their own – had such a narrow view of
got paid less and if you were a so-called recreate is that kind of trade unionism, society and no idea of the poverty that
‘alien’ you received even less again. I where unions are an integral part of the existed just a few minutes away from
remember how the unions united the communities in which we live. where they were living. I decided to do
10 December 2011general secretary
something about that – one of the things done away with during privatisation. I You’ve been elected to serve until 2017.
I was most proud of from my time as a became TSSA’s Negotiations Officer and How do you see things changing in TSSA
full-time elected student representative from there I was appointed the Assistant over that time?
was to organise an ‘alternative tour’ of General Secretary in December 2004. We have some huge challenges coming
Edinburgh, that took students to some of up. We are organising in industries that
the local housing estates. Workers are under attack from both are contracting, however on the periphery
companies intent on maximising profits of these – where railways stations are
So after studying, where did you go next? despite the recession and from a becoming shopping malls - there’s a huge
My first job after leaving university was government ideologically opposed to number of workers that no one is
as a recruitment officer for BIFU – a bank workers organising themselves. This is a organising. Someone should be getting
workers union. That really cemented my very difficult time for the union out there, trying to bring this
belief that the trade union movement movement, isn’t it? predominantly young workforce – mainly
was where I wanted to devote my You’re right. And unions will not survive women - into the trade union fold. So
energies. I did a year there and then if all we do is to continue to talk to an there are opportunities out there, but
returned to university for a business ever decreasing audience. We aren’t members have to be at the forefront of
economics degree as I felt I needed to going to turn round total union that. We can provide resources, we can
have a better understanding of how membership by going back and just hopefully try and inspire people to do
people theorised that the world works, to doing what we’ve always done. In my things, but at the end of the day it has to
put me in a better position to challenge view there is a once in a lifetime chance be members in their workplace who are
some of the things around me that it that trade unions could recapture their the shop window for trade unions, and
should have been obvious to anyone that relevance to a much larger number of who have to help us to build the kind of
they weren’t working for ordinary people people: because the government’s cuts organisation that will allow us to survive
in the slightest. agenda is going to hit every person in in the future.
After that I went back to engineering society. We need to be at the forefront Let’s be honest, TSSA has been around
– I began work for Motorola – an of the struggles against the cuts, we for well over 100 years. We have a very
American company that didn’t have a need to team up with the communities proud history, but history is history. We
union. Naively, I tried to organise one but that our members serve to ensure that need to look forward to the future. The
I must have overstepped the mark – all the next time the word ‘union’ is simple truth is there are too many
that won me was the sack! I won a case mentioned, its not something that’s alien transport unions - all of them very small –
against them, but they never gave me to most people, but that everyone knows and several smaller than ourselves. It’s not
my job back. That really taught me a lot we are bodies that have been standing the best use of members resources to
of lessons – so I have the utmost respect shoulder to shoulder with them – either have triplication in many areas. We should
for people who are fighting against the in defence of their local library or be looking at ways of maximising what
odds in workplaces. And ever since, the hospital, or closer to our own hearts – in we do to ensure we can liberate resources
one thing I always remember is how bad I defence of their local booking office or to put on the front line. We’ve got a vision
felt when I got the bullet – and I would train service. And I think if we achieve that says we want to see the creation of
never want to put anyone in that that, we’ve got a chance to start one specialised transport union and,
position ever again. reversing decades of decline. whatever shape that might end up taking,
I will work tirelessly to try and achieve
And how did you end up joining the TSSA? So you see the potential for a new wave that during my term of office. 7
After getting sacked from Motorola it of trade unionists being brought in
seems I was quite possibly blacklisted – through this?
I couldn’t get back into the electronics Yes. If we don’t make a much greater
industry. Having worked for Amnesty effort to connect with young people
International for a year as a fundraiser, there will be a serious question as to
I knew I had skills I could offer and TSSA whether unions will be around in 50 years
were advertising for a recruiter – this was time. Trade unions lost my generation
in March 1998. When I first came into almost entirely, we’ve lost the one after
TSSA I knew nothing of the railway or the that – we cannot afford to lose the next
other industries we organise in – that one. I’m an optimist – I’m confident that
definitely changed quite quickly! we’ve got a message that’s increasingly
Soon after I became an Organiser, then getting through to people that without
a Senior Organiser, leading our team trade unions, you’ve got no rights,
working on ‘greefield sites’, both building without trade unions, the employers can
the union where we had no presence and do as they wish, and that actually trade
in restoring recognition for management unions are a key vehicle to build a better
grades – something that had often been society.
TSSA Journal 11Fares rises
Together for Transport community
organiser Sam Tarry reports on the big
new campaign uniting rail workers and
passengers against the rise in rail fares.
The great
train fares
robbery
The Together for Transport community passengers can also be targeted to annual season tickets, with estimates for
organising team has kicked off a major support our campaigns to save staff posts the 2015 sums to increase the shock
campaign to highlight the daylight at stations up and down the country as factor as passengers realise just how
robbery that is taking place on fare well as any number of issues where TSSA much of their salary they pay just to get
increases. The government had planned members, and the public they serve, have to work.
for massive fare rises of RPI plus 3 per more to gain by working together.
cent, meaning fares up by an average 8 Working closely with the TSSA ‘Paying for through the nose’
per cent, but have since been pushed Organising Team the campaign kicked off Over 20,000 postcards were distributed
back to increases of ‘only’ 6 per cent. on 22 November with reps and on the 22 November by TSSA members,
These increases come at a time of great community activists across the country reps, community activists, and Climate
hardship for many passengers, delivering a hard hitting ‘Wanted poster’ Rush – one of the campaign partners we
effectively imposing a pay cut on them style postcard at key stations across the are working with on a number of
before they even get to work. But the country. Aiming to tap into target activities. The response was highly
decision also gives a massive audiences who were already motivated positive from passengers, with many
opportunity to unite railway staff with and angry, we especially targeted TOCs asking for more postcards to take into
the passengers they serve, plus where a high degree of passenger concern their workplaces.
environmental and passenger groups in over costs already exists, including South In the first 48 hours following the
a coalition that can mount effective Eastern, Southern and First Capital campaign action over 200 campaign
pressure on the Government; to reverse Connect. postcards were sent back via the freepost
these increases and make affordable The powerful ‘Wanted’ image
fares a priority in helping boost the highlighted the idea of a Government
struggling economy. backed robbery – and was picked up by
The task of community-facing local and national media across the
campaigning is to build coalitions of country, generating positive and hard
interest –and angry commuter-belt hitting local and regional press stories,
passengers could prove a key ally in the from the Evening Standard to the Daily
battle against the Government’s drive to Express. The postcard has information for
force all workers to pay above inflation passengers highlighting some of the
costs just to get to work. These same more outrageous fares increases on
12 December 2011Fares rises
Ken’s Fare Deal
KEN LIVINGSTONE, THE TSSA-backed inflation was just 8 per cent over that
Labour Mayoral hopeful in London, is period. Boris Johnson’s fare increases
making his opposition to the massive have meant the cost of a single bus fare
fares increases a core issue in next using Oyster has risen by a staggering 56
year’s Mayoral elections. per cent since 2008, costing Londoners
TSSA activists have been out £260 a year more. A zones 1-6 Travelcard
campaigning with Ken on his ‘Fare is up 22 per cent costing £509 a year
Deal’ campaign. Demonstrating he is more than when he came to power.
more in touch with the electorate than The zone 2-6 Travelcard had cost
Boris Johnson (who referred to his £8.60 a day, but following its abolition TSSA’s Sam Tarry, Ralph Mirams and
£250,000 salary for his ‘second job’ in January 2011, passengers in outer Ricky Jones with Ken Livingstone
with the Daily Telegraph as ‘chicken London who wanted to use a Travelcard
feed’), Ken has made some radical were forced to buy a Zone 1-6 card
promises on London fares: instead costing £15. The difference Get involved in Ken’s
l An overall cut in fares for Londoners of between these being £6.40 a day, £32 a campaign
5 per cent in the autumn of 2012 week, £128 a month giving a shocking Ken’s campaign are already running
l No further fare rises at all in 2013. £1408 a year. campaigning events several times a
l From January 2014 and in subsequent The TSSA will be campaigning hard for week. To find out how you can get
years no fare rises above RPI inflation. Ken – not only is having him elected involved call 020 7783 1054, visit
l Bring back the Zones 2-6 Travelcard. Mayor a ‘Fare Deal’ for Londoners but will yourken.org or email
Boris Johnson has raised fares by 21.1 also ensure a fairer deal for our members ken@kenlivingstone.com.
per cent between 2009 and 2011, yet RPI across TfL. 7
return address. As many supporters across Stopping Boris and his Great Fares Robbery
the country also got in touch to order
batches of the campaign cards to THE FARES RISES being implemented by Train Operating Companies at the behest
distribute in their own time, with more of the Government becomes a double whammy rise for Londoners and those who
likely to keep flowing in over the next few travel into the capital to work. So a separate prong of the campaign will be
weeks. launched in the Transport for London area where Tory Mayor Boris Johnson is
A number of localised campaign hiking fares by 6 per cent. For commuters coming into London on National Rail this
actions will be taking place over the next means they will be hit with a double whammy fares rise if they also have to travel
few weeks in key target areas up and on the TfL system.
down target TOCs. Expect a flurry of Under the Tory Mayor’s tenure bus fares have now risen 56% since 2008, and in
activity as campaigns materials January the annual cost of a Zones 1-4 travel-card will have increased by £400! The
highlighting the ‘Unfair–Fares’ are handed average fare rises of RPI plus 2 per cent have themselves been dwarfed by the scale
out in the first week of January as of increase to some specific products, with the cost
passengers go back to work – of a weekly bus and tram pass up a whopping 47 per
culminating in a campaign day on cent since 2008. The Together for Transport campaign
Thursday 5 January. 7 in London will seek to exploit the anger over these
rises to build a coalition of activists across the capital
Get involved: take action to mount maximum pressure on the Mayor to reverse
Any member wishing to get involved this decision and make life easier for ordinary hard
in any of the upcoming activities pressed Londoners.
across the country, or wanting some Together for Transport Campaign activities are
campaign postcards to be sent out to planned at over 100 tube and train stations across the
deliver yourself, please contact Sam capital as part of our campaign activities. The TSSA will
at tarrys@tssa.org.uk or call be mobilising its members alongside the public to
07850793971. highlight the injustice of the fares increases, and
For those members on Twitter, indeed the disproportionate impact the increases have
report and follow the actions in on low paid workers who rely on buses more than tubes
January via the hash-tag #FareFail. and trains. 7
TSSA Journal 13Christian Wolmar
With a new Transport Secretary in post, Christian
Wolmar looks ahead to the many decisions that Justine
Greening will be faced with in the coming months.
Department for Transport
Justine
Greening’s
in tray
Justine Greening has kept a very low especially among the affluent commuters continuing flak from the Thameslink train
profile since being thrust unexpectedly in the south east who represent a order, Network Rail’s next five year plan
into the Transport Secretary’s job in disproportionately high percentage of key and fares.
October. That’s hardly surprising given decision makers. It’s also because Already, deferred decisions seem to
the complexity of the role and the Transport Secretaries these days have a have become the norm in the Department
breadth of the agenda left by her much more direct role to play in the for Transport. The promised ‘command
predecessor, Philip Hammond, who, railways than ever before in their history, paper’ – which will be something between
despite his reputation as a ‘safe pair of despite the fact the industry is a white paper and a consultation paper –
hands’, ducked making many key supposedly privatised. on the structure of the industry promised
decisions and made others for which Therefore, it is hardly surprising that it for this autumn has been delayed until
she will not thank him. is in rail that Mr Hammond has left her early next year, with no clear explanation.
Rail tends to occupy much of the time with a very full inbox. In no particular One presumes that digesting the
of Transport Secretaries even if, in terms order, there is HS2, IEP (Intercity Express implications of the McNulty report is
of share of journeys, it ranks lower than Programme), franchising reform, the fall- proving a tough task for the civil servants
other modes. That’s because it features out from the McNulty report, franchise in the Department for Transport.
high in the public consciousness, letting, a paper on the industry structure, The very full franchise programme is
14 December 2011Christian Wolmar
HM Treasury CC BY-NC-ND2
slipping too. All three major Intercity There are plenty of elephant
franchises – East and West Coasts, and
Great Western – are due for renewal over traps for an unwary Transport
the next 18 months but now Virgin has Secretary to fall into and her
been given an extension on its franchise
because Hammond did not like the predecessor has done her no
original specification drawn up by his
department. Their original franchise was
favours by leaving her with
only 15 years long, so clearly there was no so many key decisions to
time to sort out the new one! Rather than
rush through a deal, Virgin has now been make in the New Year.
given a 9 month extension under a deal
which involves payment of a premium of
£103m. While that may sound a good deal
for the government, it is very difficult to Derby factory remains in business once its Ms Greening will not be able to remain
assess whether it is value for money current order for London Underground in the shadows for much longer. First, she
because of the rapid growth on the line trains runs out in 2014. will have to fend off growing opposition
due to the £9bn upgrade. It is based on an The Intercity Express Project, the to HS2 when the results of the
11 per cent level of growth, but Virgin is replacement for HST, is showing all the consultation process are published – due
protected by the usual cap and collar signs of being a procurement nightmare before Christmas – and then, the
arrangements if there is more than a 20 that will grace the pages of Private Eye for nightmare for all Transport Secretaries,
per cent shortfall on expected income. many years to come. Both Thameslink and deal with the outrage over the above
The only recent solid decision to IEP are private finance initiative schemes inflation fares rises introduced by Mr
emerge has been the granting of the which therefore must be put into doubt Hammond when they come into force in
short East Anglia franchise to Abellio, the by George Osborne’s recent the first week of January.
subsidiary of the Dutch state owned announcement that the government is Network Rail’s plans, and how to
railway company, but that was a decision reviewing funding arrangements for such squeeze money out of the Treasury to pay
which could not wait since National projects. IEP in particular is a crazy idea for them is a medium term issue but again
Express, the incumbent, had been ruled which bundles up finance and poses difficult issues for an inexperienced
out of the final stage of bidding and manufacturing, with payments to the minister. This huge agenda facing the new
therefore an extension would have been consortium based on the provision of Transport Secretary highlights the
too embarrassing. sufficient trains to run the service. This dysfunctional way that the railways are
Train procurement was another fine supposedly puts the risk on the private run. In the old days, most of these
mess left by her predecessor. The decision sector but in truth makes the whole decisions would be made not by a novice
to source the Thameslink trains from project fiendishly complicated and very Transport Secretary with the ‘help’ of civil
Siemens rather than the Derby-based unlikely to represent a good deal for servants with their own agenda, but by an
Bombardier was controversial but taxpayers. Will Ms Greening, as a experienced group of managers at British
probably cannot be revisited. financially-savvy former accountant, be Rail. Now, since the abolition of the
Nevertheless, it risks leaving the UK clever enough to simply ditch the whole Strategic Rail Authority, the Department
without a home-based train thing and buy off the peg trains that has effectively become the Ministry of
manufacturer, and there will be pressure would be far cheaper and pose much less Railways under the control of a politician.
on Ms Greening to cobble together some risk, as suggested in the Foster review of If Ms Greening’s decision to stay out of
kind of deal to ensure that Bombardier’s the plan? the limelight is the result of her efforts to
avoid making any gaffes by reading
herself thoroughly into the subject, it will
have been time well spent. Leaving
The Intercity Express Project, decisions to civil servants, as witnessed by
the IEP saga, is never a good idea, but it is
the replacement for HST, is
only by understanding the issues that she
showing all the signs of will be able to make decisions that are not
just simply rubberstamping their
being a procurement recommendations. There are plenty of
nightmare that will grace elephant traps for an unwary Transport
Secretary to fall into and her predecessor
the pages of Private Eye for has done her no favours by leaving her
with so many key decisions to make in the
many years to come.
New Year. 7
TSSA Journal 15TSSA’s history
Paul Salveson examines how the rail unions were instrumental in establishing the
Labour Party and looks with renewed hope at what might come of the relationship in
the near future.
Labour’s railway roots
Time to refresh them!
The origins of today’s Labour Party lie in Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, coupled with hard-headed policies on
the mills, mines and railway depots of which became today’s RMT. The Railway railway nationalisation an attractive mix.
industrial Britain. Many members of Clerks Association had only been formed It was a Doncaster signalman, Thomas
TSSA’s predecessor, the Railway Clerks three years earlier and was still ‘finding its Steels who moved the key motion from
Association, were active in the Labour feet’. Political affiliation came several his branch to the Amalgamated Society of
Party from its earliest days. As Labour re- years later, after considerable debate. Railway Servants (ASRS) Executive calling
assesses its policies on rail privatisation Socialist organisations had existed well for the formation of an ‘independent
it’s worth looking back on why rail union before the LRC was formed and railway party of Labour’. This was accepted by the
activists saw ‘politics’ as being of workers were particularly active in the ASRS executive and James Holmes, a full-
fundamental importance in achieving Independent Labour Party (ILP) which was time organiser for the ASRS, moved the
their aim of a better life for railway founded in Bradford in 1893. Its leader was decisive motion at the 1899 TUC
workers and their families. The need for the famous Scots miner, Keir Hardie. The Congress which led to the formation of
political involvement is probably greater ILP put down deep roots in the industrial the Labour Representation Committee.
now than it has ever been and I hope areas of Lancashire and Yorkshire, central Steels was a member of the ILP and a
more TSSA members will be tempted to Scotland and South Wales. Unlike the leading activist in the Yorkshire ASRS.
‘get involved’ in their local Labour Party. Social Democratic Federation (SDF), When I’m attending my Divisional Council
The Labour Party as we know it today formed a few years earlier, it was not a meetings, held in Doncaster Trades Club, I
was formed in 1900, initially called ‘The Marxist organisation and promoted a always salute the plaque to Steels’
Labour Representation Committee’. At strongly ‘ethical’ approach to socialism, memory on Doncaster station!
first it didn’t have individual membership, influenced by Christianity. Socialists who were members of our
and the bulk of its members were the Railway workers found the forerunner union – the RCA – had to
trades unions – including the combination of an ‘ethical’ socialism tread a very careful path. Any kind of
16 December 2011TSSA ’s history
union involvement, let alone socialist voted – nearly 66 per cent of the total –
activity, amongst clerical or supervisory and of those 91.3 per cent were in
grades would be treated with suspicion favour of keeping a political fund to
and could easily lead to victimisation. In support local and national contests.
1892, Stationmaster Hood of Ellesmere, After the war ended in 1918 the RCA
Shropshire, was sacked for the temerity of had well and truly put its political
speaking to a select committee of MPs on hesitations aside and agreed a
railway safety issues. Railway workers had parliamentary panel of 17, including
plenty to feel aggrieved about. Hours of Walkden. The General Election was held in
work were long and the railway November and despite fielding the largest
companies’ safety records were appalling. number of candidates in its history,
Whilst the companies refused to invest in Labour didn’t do well, with only 57 MPs
safer equipment, they gave their returned. None of the RCA sponsored
shareholders lavish dividends. They candidates were elected, though Walkden
refused, point blank, to recognise trades gained a respectable 10,158 votes against
unions. It was clear that the way forward his Conservative opponent’s 13,329.
for railway workers was to bring their Labour’s breakthrough came in
industry into public ownership and the December 1923 when the party formed a
Alexander G Walkden JP MP,
way to achieve that was by political short-lived minority government. Hebert General Secretary, RCA, 1906-1936
action. Yet the two main parties, Romeril, sponsored by the RCA, won a
Conservative and Liberal, were largely narrow victory in the ‘railway’ seat of St
unsympathetic; many MPs of both parties Pancras. A few years later, in 1929, Labour With a new progressive leadership
were railway shareholders and very often won a much bigger victory and a total of under Ed Miliband and a serious review
had directorships on the railway company seven RCA-sponsored MPs were elected. underway of Labour’s transport policies
boards. An independent party However, the party did not win an overall and priorities, the opportunities for TSSA
representing working class interests was majority and the economic slump members to engage with the Labour Party
the only way to ensure success. following the Wall Street Crash of 1929 has never been greater. We need more
Many socialist activists within the RCA left it seriously weakened. The Chancellor union members to become councillors, as
wanted to follow the ASRS’s lead and of the Exchequer, Philip Snowden, pursued well as take part in branch and
affiliate to the Labour Representation a policy of financial stringency which constituency activities. There’s
Committee after its formation in 1900. would have made even George Osborne considerable scope for TSSA nationally to
However, it wasn’t until 1910 that the blush. The Government fell in 1931, with encourage more political engagement
decision was formally taken to affiliate to Snowden and Prime Minister Ramsay through its educational activities; I
what was by then ‘The Labour Party’. In Macdonald leaving the party to join a suspect many members are put off from
the same year, the RCA committed itself ‘National Government’ with Tories and getting involved because it all seems too
to the nationalisation of the railway Liberals. The hopes of Labour taking the complicated. It isn’t! And maybe we
industry. railways into public ownership vanished. should develop a network of TSSA Labour
Once the key decision had been The dreams of the early RCA pioneers councillors and candidates to share ideas
taken to affiliate to the Labour Party, were finally realised in 1945 when a and experience. It would be great to get
the RCA’s involvement grew Labour Government was elected with a the views of colleagues on this, and just
substantially. Union members became huge majority. Fifteen RCA-supported ‘do it’ if there’s enough interest. I often
officers of party organisations and Labour MPs took their seats in the new hear railway workers complain that the
stood as local councillors. The General parliament, forming part of a Government Labour Party has become ‘middle class’. I
Secretary – Alexander (A G) Walkden, committed to a unified, publicly-owned, don’t think that’s the case, but if we don’t
immortalised in our ‘Walkden House’ – transport system. ‘British Railways’ make the effort to participate, the voice
was selected to fight Wolverhampton became a reality on 1 January 1948, of Britain’s railway workers won’t be heard
West constituency for Labour in 1912. together with the coal mines. – and we’ve plenty to say! 7
He spoke passionately about the need The RCA became ‘Transport Salaried
for railway nationalisation, but also in Staffs Association’ in 1951 reflecting the i Malcolm Wallace’s ‘Single or return?
support of votes for women and ‘home breadth of its membership not only in rail The History of the TSSA’, was an invaluable
rule’ for Ireland. However, the but also other transport sectors. The source in writing this article
anticipated General Election didn’t union continued to punch above its
happen and the country was plunged weight within the Labour Party, providing Paul is a member of TSSA’s Yorkshire Ridings
into war. The RCA’s political capacity successive generations of men and Branch, vice-chair (campaigns) of Colne
had been bolstered by a ballot of women to play distinguished roles in Valley Constituency Labour Party and
members in 1913 to establish a political parliament and the council chamber, as prospective local election candidate for
fund. A sizeable number of members well as in Party branches. Golcar ward in Kirklees.
TSSA Journal 17You can also read
