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ASLEF
JOURNAL
The ASSOCIATED SOCIETY of LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS & FIREMEN JULY 2017
Bristol
cream
AAD in Brizzle The train drivers’
union since 1880
railway enginemen’s tax free saver plans
use the small changge
frrom your pint to
invest in your futurre
tax free policies from 70p per day
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727 Washwood Heath Road, Birm Birmingham,
mingham, B8 2LE
@RailwayEnginemens
Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Incorporated under the Friendly Societies Act 1992 2
ASLEF
JOURNAL
JULY 2017
Published by the ASSOCIATED SOCIETY of LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS & FIREMEN
Mick pays tribute to emergency services workers
Somewhere up the
stairs into the fire
T’S been a long month with the run up to
7 8
I the election and, of course, our own
parliament, AAD, in Bristol, much of
which is covered in the following pages. We have a
hung parliament with the Conservatives seeking
News
an alliance, not a coalition, of ‘confidence and The Maybot’s election gamble backfires 4
Song and dance about Southern Failway
supply’ with the DUP. With the fraught situation at
Stormont, it would be very foolish to do anything 5
that would undermine the Good Friday ASLEF in action at the general election 6
ATW’s avatar yob on Pillar Parkway
agreement.
But that is the norm for the Tories – 25
percentage points ahead in the polls, hubris and Gender matters; and armed cops on trains
7
8
10
arrogance, so far ahead we can do what we want,
the public will swallow an uncosted manifesto and
more austerity – including a dementia tax, as
spiteful and damaging as previous policies such as
Features
ASLEF’s policy making parliament
the despised bedroom tax – removal of PIP, ATOS
10
assessments, and hundreds of thousands using
food banks. Research by the Joseph Rowntree Simple choice; the AGS gets his 30 11
Foundation shows that there were 1 million year badge; Off the Rails at AAD
people, including 312,000 children, destitute in
Jim Peters on tackling prostate cancer; 12
11
the UK in 2015. How many more now? No surprise,
Claire McCarthy; and Julie Boston
then, to some of us, that a properly costed
manifesto for the many not the few from a Cat Hobbs; Stephanie Fitzgerald; Phil 13
credible leader like Jeremy Corbyn (not the one Talbot; and Neil Duncan-Jordan
Problems on Southern and freight
ritually demonized in the right-wing press)
produced more seats – and votes across the 14
country – for Labour. Dave Tyson; and Bernard Kennedy 15
Unions, federations, there are a lot of names for
organisations that represent workers. We have
condemned the cuts, under the guise of austerity,
in public services and ‘cutting red tape’ which is
Regulars 19
just a euphemism for the removal of the Branch News and 100 Years of Union 16-17
Obituaries
employer’s duty on health and safety whilst, at the
same time, removing the worker’s rights to redress 19
from bad employers or injury. The government Letters and Classified Advertisements 20-21
Last Word: Gregor Gall says passenger
that voted down a bill that private homes should
be habitable is a moral and ethical disgrace in the 22
21st century. So, on behalf of ASLEF and its power is as easy as ABC on Southern
members, I offer an unqualified tribute to all those On Track, Prize Crossword, ASLEF’s 23
frontline workers in the police, fire brigade, Legal Services and Change of Address
ambulance and NHS, and those working behind
the scenes, who have done so much, particularly
after the incidents in Manchester and London
Cover shot of Andy Hudd harbourside and
conference photos by Nigel Goldsmith
22
Bridge and the terrible Grenfell Tower fire.
They have a vocation and a dedication that has The ASLEF Journal is published every month by:
not been properly rewarded. If the race to the
bottom on health and safety is shown to be a ASLEF, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN Tel: 020 7324 2400
contributory factor then the law must be changed email: journal@aslef.org.uk website: www.aslef.org.uk
to penalise government and other bodies which
are negligent for monetary gain.
EDITOR Mick Whelan l DESIGNER Michael Cronin l PRINTER TU Ink, 5 Wythburn Place, London, W1H 7BU
Yours fraternally ADVERTISING ASLEF Journal, 77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN. Contact Keith Richmond on 0207 324 2407
or richmondk@aslef.org.uk l CLASSIFIED ADS journal@aslef.org.uk or call 020 7324 2400. The acceptance of a
Mick Whelan, general secretary
display or classified advertisement does not necessarily imply endorsement of that product or service by ASLEF
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Please post your details to ASLEF, 77 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4NN
July 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 3
News
The tiring duds of May ASLEF and
Scottish
Labour
HERESA May’s election
T gamble backfired badly
as the Tories lost seats –
activists out
on the streets
campaigning
and their overall majority in the
for a
House of Commons – while
nationalised
Labour gained votes in almost
railway in
every constituency.
Edinburgh
After saying she would serve
until 2020, when she succeeded
David Cameron as Prime Minister
a year ago, Mrs May did a
handbrake turn and called a snap
general election on 8 June after
opinion polls suggested she could
win a three figure majority.
Instead, the Conservatives fell
Jeremy Corbyn gives the thumbs
to 318; Labour gained 30 to 262;
up as Labour make gains on
the SNP fell to 35; the Lib Dems
election night while Theresa May
went up to 12; the DUP returned
looks glum as the full extent of
10; Sinn Fein 7; Plaid Cymru 4; and
Tory losses sinks in on Friday
the Green Party 1 (the Speaker
morning
makes 650).
Mick Whelan, ASLEF’s general being in office but not in power.’
mind the gap
secretary, hailed the result as an She has to rely on the votes of Train drivers have the smallest wage gap between men and woman
endorsement of the positive, the Democratic Unionist Party – of any UK job according to new figures published by the Office of
popular, socialist policies – meaning her disparaging phrase National Statistics. The overall gender pay gap is 18.1% but among
including, of course, public ‘the coalition of chaos’ has come train drivers it is 0.7%. ‘I’m delighted,’ said Mick Whelan. ‘ASLEF has
ownership of the railway – put back to haunt her – while former worked really hard to promote diversity and encourage train
forward by Labour under Jeremy Chancellor George Osborne companies to ensure train drivers are more representative of the
Corbyn. cheerfully described her as ‘a dead communities they serve.’ The GS added: ‘Train drivers are highly
The result has left Mrs May woman walking.’ unionised and covered by strong collective bargaining agreements
giving the impression, in the ■ Five train drivers – and ASLEF which have helped to deliver this success story. While the news is
words of Norman Lamont during members – stood at the general welcome, the rail industry needs to do more to improve its
his resignation speech in 1993, ‘of election (see page 6). recruitment policies and we will work with it on this.’
Passengers have paid £50 EC president Tosh McDonald
gives Rodney Bickerstaffe, former
billion for rail privatisation GS of NUPE and Unison, ‘and
Rail privatisation is upgrades, excessive another Donny lad’, honourary
‘financially flawed’ train leasing costs, the membership of ASLEF for a
according to a new bureaucracy of the lifetime of service to the labour
report from academics franchising system movement. Rodney has just
at Queen Mary and and train company finished chemo and radiotherapy
Essex universities profits have been and will shortly have surgery. We
which finds that the passed on to Mick Whelan: The wish him well and look forward to
cost of running the passengers through government is a more formal presentation when
railway has increased grossly inflated fares. ideologically blind he has finished his treatment.
by a staggering £50 ‘This new research value for money and
billion since John follows the Transport cheaper fares,’ said GS ANNIE STEpS DowN
Major’s sell-off. Select Committee and TwEETS oF ThE moNTh
Mick Whelan. ‘It has, in Annie Rutter, one of the first
The study suggests many others in fact, delivered huge women to drive trains on Britain’s Obviously, there’s a more
that the impact of highlighting the lie inefficiencies for railway, has retired. The Equal Pay nuanced take on this, but,
unnecessarily that rail privatisation which staff, Act 1970 and the Sex broadly, voting for Labour =
expensive track would deliver better passengers and Discrimination Act 1975 meant not being a c***.
taxpayers continue to women could apply to join the Caitlin moran
TImE – hE’S wAITINg IN ThE wINgS pay the price. footplate grade on British Rail in
Trevor Lawless has a beautiful ‘That £50 billion the late 1970s. Annie joined BR in It’s almost like left-wing
railway clock made by John could have paid for 1979 and, after three years as a millennials don’t read the
Walker of 1 South Molton Street, the first phase of HS1. driver’s assistant at Norwood Daily Mail.
London W1, which he needs to But the government Junction, trained as a driver. She hugo Rifkind
sell as he’s downsizing. ‘We would has no strategy for drove her first passenger train, on
love it to go to a good home and, making the railway Southern Region, on 22 February Theresa must wish she’d
obviously, get a decent price for more efficient. It is 1983. listened to Brenda from
it! My wife, in her wisdom, thought someone ideologically blind to ■ We tell the story of Annie’s Bristol back in April.
who reads the Journal might be able to guide the benefits of public journey to the driver’s cab next Kevin maguire
us or know a place to sell it.’ ownership.’ month.
4 The ASLEF Journal l July 2017
News
Song and dance at Southern Fail
OUTHERN
Off the rails
S Railway, the
struggling
train operating RoD LIDDLE, a one-time Trot – he was a
company known to member of the Socialist Workers’ Party in his
long-suffering teens – as well as a sharp and inspirational
passengers as editor of Radio 4’s flagship news and current
Southern Failway, is affairs programme Today from 1998 to 2002,
being savagely has become world weary, cynical, and rather
mocked in a new right-wing in his old age. He aspires to be a
Southern Fail – turning misery into music British version of PJ O’Rourke, the Republican Party Reptile,
comedy musical.
Southern Fail: The but is really just a low-rent Richard Littlejohn. Recent
and Simon Levenson. company which has
Musical premiered in columns in The Sun, Sunday Times, and The Spectator have
‘As well as being become a byword for
the Spiegeltent been criticised for being racist and misogynistic (often at the
entertaining, and a lot delays, cancellations,
during the Brighton same time). On the eve of the general election he wrote:
of fun, Southern Fail and everything that is
festival last month, ‘Times reader David Stoneman applied many times for a
will help publicise the wrong with Britain’s
and then played at place in the Question Time audience, making clear he was a
campaign to support privatised railways –
the Ropetackle Arts middle-aged, middle-class professional who always voted
long-suffering are hammered in the
Centre in Shoreham Conservative. Rebuffed without even an acknowledgement
commuters in their show, which is in the
and the Sallis Benney every time. So next he stated he was “a militant trade
battle against an same vein as The Book
theatre in Brighton. It’s unionist train driver who wanted fracking banned”.
utterly incompetent of Mormon and the
the brainchild of Mark Immediate email from the Beeb, followed by imploring
and useless railway Jerry Springer Show.
Brailsford – whose phone calls. He was even asked on another BBC debate show
company,’ said Mark. The Association of
clever parody of John he hadn’t applied for. If he changed his name to Mrs Winnie
‘We support British Commuters is
Lennon’s Imagine, (formerly Winston) Nkobo, he’d probably get to present the
renationalisation of impressed, adding, ‘In
which we wrote programme.’ This is the man who in The Sun on 14 December
our rip-off railways.’ a cruel satirical twist
about on this page in described train drivers as ‘pig thick ASLEF meatheads’,
Hapless many theatregoers
the Journal in June, referred to our GS as ‘Baldy Mick’ and a ‘moron’ and urged
management at will be required to
features in the show – the Tories to get ‘rufty tufty’ with us. Colleagues say it’s an
Southern – a travel by train to see
Oedipal thing. Rod’s dad was a train driver.
this show’ while the
QUoTE… production’s
ThE pEACoCK, the pub in
‘The best way to reduce road congestion, Facebook page urges
Stannington, near Sheffield,
collisions and pollution is integrated rail Southern passengers
where former EC president
and road planning, not adding more to attend: ‘You’ll weep.
and District Organising
lanes to motorways.’ – philippa You’ll laugh. You’ll
Secretary Bill Ronksley
Edmunds, manager, Freight on Rail possibly arrive at the
celebrated his 93rd birthday
theatre in time for the
…UNQUoTE with ASLEF colleagues
interval…’
including Tosh McDonald,
Ray Jackson, and Dave
‘Proof that Ripple Lane Court, has a special place in Bill’s heart. Because when his
men went everywhere!’ parents, who were agricultural workers with a young family,
says Dave Brennand, who lost their jobs, and tied cottage, on a local estate, it was the
sent the Journal this pic. village blacksmith – the pub was then a forge, with a cottage
‘This is Toffee Apple attached – who offered them a room at what became an inn.
Brush D5511 at Inverness Bill, whose political views were forged on the anvil of such
depot circa 1958. I kid adversity, has never forgotten the kindness.
you not. Anybody got a
piccy of Ripple Lane men LoNgSIghT LEgEND Mel Thorley caught
on the moon?’ Burnley claret Mick Kelly posing proudly
next to his black Beamer with the
END oF AN ERA registration plate MK 10F (Rose Grove’s
It was the end of an era when the last Bubble car on the national shed code when Mick was there). ‘That
network was withdrawn (see page 8). ‘I think the warranty is going to prompted Tommy Abbott, who started at
expire soon,’ mutters Cliff (Frightliner) Blackwell. ‘It’s the last time you Gorton, to say, “I could have TA 39A TA”,
will get that wonderful driver’s eye view if he has the blinds up.’ that being the code for the famous eastern shed in
Manchester. That prompted one wag to say, “You’ll be lucky
CoNFERENCES & RALLIES to see 2019, you begger, never mind 2039!”’
The Matchwomen’s festival is at the London Irish Centre, Camden
Square, London NW1, on Saturday 1 July. The Durham Miners’ Gala is ANN mYATT, Tory candidate for Batley & Spen,
on Saturday 8 July. The Tolpuddle Martyrs’ festival, near Dorchester, is former seat of Jo Cox, the Labour MP brutally
from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 July. The Trades Union Congress is at the murdered by a neo-Nazi last year, made the
Brighton Centre from Sunday 10 to Wednesday 13 September. The most tasteless remark of the election campaign
Labour Party conference is at the Brighton Centre from Sunday 24 to when, at a hustings, she joked, ‘Well, we’ve not
Wednesday 27 September. yet shot anybody, so that’s wonderful.’ It was
the philosopher John Stuart Mill who said, ‘the
500 CLUB: N Musgrove, with number 134, won the June draw, Conservatives are the stupidest party.’
scooping the RMS prize money jackpot of £394.
July 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 5
News
I wanna be elected
T’S a long time – 47 years, in fact –
I since a member of ASLEF sat in the
House of Commons as a Member of
Parliament. That was Archie Manuel, Labour
MP for Central Ayrshire, who stepped down in
1970. But five of our members worked
extremely hard during the general election
campaign to put that right on 8 June.
Andy Botham came second to
Conservative Party chairman Patrick
McLoughlin in Derbyshire Dales. He polled
15,417 votes – up 8.4% from 2015 when QUoTE…
McLoughlin was Secretary of State for
‘It was a crap campaign, Mrs May was a
Transport and the contest was described in
glumbucket, and the public hate
national newspapers as the Train Driver versus
austerity.’ – Sam Coates in The Times
the Fat Controller – and finished well ahead of
…UNQUoTE
the Liberal Democrat, Green Party and
Humanity candidates.
Andy, 50, a local boy, a member of Derby For the many, not the few (clockwise from
branch, and a train driver for 27 years, said: top left) Andy, Mark, Tom, Julian and Ed
SoN oF mY FAThER
‘Young people made a big difference this time Jared O’Mara, whose father Ian was a train
and I think the short campaign helped, Mark Daniels finished second behind Mark
driver, and is now a member of the RMS,
because it focused minds and energised Francois, the Conservative, in Rayleigh &
beat Nick Clegg in Sheffield Hallam. Jared
everyone. We ran out of garden boards and Wickford. He won 13,464 votes – up 11.7% –
won 21,881 votes – up 2.6% on 2015 –
posters.’ Andy sent some young activists to and was well clear of the rest of the field – the
2,125 more than the former Liberal
help Chris Williamson campaign in Derby UKIP, Lib Dem and Green Party candidates.
Democrat leader who looks to have
North; he retook the seat from the Tories, after Mark, 44, a member of Barking main line,
suffered for taking his party into coalition
losing it in 2015, promptly promising to deliver who has been a train driver for 21 years, and
with the Conservatives from 2010 to 2015.
‘the sunshine of socialism’. worked on the railway for 25, said: ‘It’s been an
Tom Corbin, who was re-elected as a interesting night. My aim was to get 15,000
votes, which would have been the best Labour No go hEAThRow
councillor for Bemerton to Salisbury city Heathrow airport has lost its claim for £42
council at the local elections in May, got vote here ever, and there were times during
the night, walking round the hall at the count, million a year in access charges for allowing
13,619 votes – up 10.2% on two years ago – to Crossrail services to use the Heathrow spur
finish second behind John Glen, the sitting when I thought we were going to do it. We
came close.’ as part of the new Elizabeth line. The Office
Conservative, in Sarum. Tom, 40, a train driver of Rail and Road ruled the proposed fees
for 15 years, finished well ahead of the Lib Ed Mayne, 32, of Feltham Electric, and a
driver with South West Trains, put on 6,000 out of order but the airport appealed – and
Dem, UKIP and Green Party candidates, and lost after a three day judicial review.
out of sight of the independent, King Arthur votes in the contest dubbed the Train Driver
Pendragon, which may well not be his real versus the Transport Secretary. Ed, a Labour
councillor in the London Borough of TRESpASS TEENS ShoCK
name.
Hounslow, got 14,838 votes – up 9.5% – to Two 13-year-old boys were electrocuted
finish second behind Chris Grayling, the and left with serious injuries while playing
Carry all your Secretary of State for Transport, in Epsom & near a railway line. They were among four
stuff – papers, Ewell, with the Liberal Democrats and Greens a trespassing teenagers playing near tracks
keys, sandwiches long way behind. next at Wednesbury in the West Midlands.
– in style with our Julian Vaughan, 50, of Northern Line
smart black North, a Tube driver for 14 years, polled 18,277 CRoSSRAIL LAUNCh DELAYED
documents bag. Price £10 (inc p&p); votes – up 12.7% – to come second behind the The introduction of Crossrail trains on the
email info@aslef.org.uk or visit our sitting Conservative Alistair Burt in North East new Elizabeth line was moved back from
online shop at www.aslef.org.uk Bedfordshire. Julian was well ahead of the Lib May to June. TfL blamed problems with
Dem, UKIP and Green Party candidates. testing, assurance and approvals.
6 The ASLEF Journal l July 2017
News
In yer face From a View
RRIVA Trains Wales is to a Kill
A using an advanced 3D
simulator to train staff to
deal with angry, difficult or
reckless passengers. The company
decided to run lessons in conflict
management as passenger
numbers continue to rise and
problems on platforms and
stations rise, too.
Screens on three walls of a
projection room in Cardiff display
a fictional station called Pillar This stocky, scowling, crew cut yob is helping rail staff in Cardiff
Parkway (Parolffordd Pilar in manage confrontation. Not that he knows it
Welsh). Its platforms are busy with training scenarios, such as dealing said the most delicate situation
avatars – including passengers with drunks and crowds. Staff on she has faced was when she
teetering dangerously near the duty for the Champions League found two rugby fans having sex
platform edge, running for trains final between Real Madrid and in a waiting room after Wales
as the doors close, and teenagers Juventus in Cardiff last month played England in Cardiff in Roger – BECTU and Bond
distracted by mobile phones. were trained on the simulator. February. That, though, is not one
The RSSB has just handed ATW Suzanne Murray, a customer of the scenes on the ATW Tributes to Sir Roger Moore,
£400,000 to develop more service manager at Network Rail, simulator. who has died at 89, included
one from BECTU. Despite voting
Steel pile left on track QUoTE…
Conservative, Roger, best
known for seven James Bond
‘Switching to Smart means no more standing films, and for playing The Saint,
in queues to purchase tickets.’ – Cathy Craig, Ivanhoe, and half of The
commercial director, Abellio ScotRail Persuaders on television, had
…UNQUoTE been a member of the union
since working in an animation
studio after leaving school. He
was, in fact, BECTU’s longest-
Key corridors serving member.
Investing in key rail freight corridors
could cut lorry traffic on the strategic
road network and save money by mUggLES
reducing the need for road repairs and Harry Potter fans are putting
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is trying to
improvements, according to new themselves in danger by walking
find out how a one tonne steel pile was left on the
research carried out by the metropolitan along a railway line to a Hogwarts
line near Kirkham in Lancashire after engineering
Transport Research Unit for the Express landmark, the Glenfinnan
work. The driver of a railway maintenance vehicle
Campaign for Better Transport. It viaduct in the Scottish Highlands.
stopped short of the tubular pile after spotting it.
analysed the potential for rail to move ‘Tourists from all over the world
significant numbers of hgVs off four key travel on the Jacobite steam train
Tea and coffee tastes better in a routes – the A34 and m3 serving over the summer,’ said Sgt Kevin
red and white ASLEF mug! Price Southampton; the A14 serving Lawrence of the British Transport
£3.50 (inc p&p); email Felixstowe; the m6 in the west midlands; Police. ‘Alarmingly, they get off at
info@aslef.org.uk or visit our and the m62 between greater Glenfinnan and walk back along
online shop at www.aslef.org.uk manchester and west Yorkshire. the line to take photos. This is
extremely dangerous.’
What can you get for
your new, shiny £1 coin?
TBF membership...
just £1 a week covers you, your
partner and dependent children.
0300 333 2000 www.tbf.org.uk
Transport Benevolent Fund CIO, known as TBF, is a registered charity in England and Wales, 1160901, and Scotland, SC047016.
July 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 7
News
The difference between a woman and a man
A new TUC guide will help taking the differences between treatment to one group or
reps ensure that employers men and women into account another but to help reps
take the differences between when managing health, safety encourage employers to look at
men and women into and welfare risks at work. the hazards faced by people at
At first glance why this is work and then to take into
account at work reports
important seems glaringly account how those hazards might
mICK hoLDER of ASLEF’s obvious – men and women are affect different groups of workers,
health and safety different. But most research into notably taking gender into
department occupational ill health studies account, and make work safer and
adult men and misses out healthier for everyone.
HE TUC has revised and everyone else. Most personal Using the guide also presents
T updated its guidance on
gender in occupational
protective equipment is designed
for men to wear without taking
an opportunity to challenge old
gender stereotypes, such as
health & safety with help from New guide from the TUC
women, or the different sizes and women doing lighter work, or
ASLEF’s health & safety and shapes of the men required to men being less likely to suffer with a checklist which can be used
equalities departments. The new wear it, into account. And that’s from work-related stress. The in the workplace. The document is
guide for h&s and equalities reps just for a start. guide provides background available free to download at
addresses an issue which is often The purpose of the new guide information on why the issue of www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files
overlooked at work – employers is not to give preferential gender matters and provides reps /GenderHS2017.pdf
QUoTE… She pulled a knife when asked to pay
‘Clement Attlee did more good for more
A violent teenager who slapped station staff in the face and then pulled a knife,
people than any other Prime Minister.
threatening to kill, has been jailed for 14 months for affray, possession of an offensive
The fact that a series of Conservative
weapon, and two counts of common assault.
governments have taken nearly 40
Siti Awled, 19, of Wembley, became aggressive when she was asked to buy a ticket – she
years to dismantle the achievements of
had barged through a barrier at Action Town Underground station without paying. She
the post-war Labour government only
slapped a female member of staff in the face and then, when asked to leave the station,
shows how great those achievements
pulled out a kitchen knife, Blackfriars crown court was told. ‘Everyone has the right to
were.’ – philip pullman, author of the
travel and work in a safe environment, without fear or intimidation,’ said DC Ross McAlpine
His Dark Materials trilogy
of the British Transport Police. ‘This was a frightening experience for staff at the station.
…UNQUoTE Behaviour like this will never be tolerated on the rail network.’
Armed cops on trains END oF ThE LINE FoR ThE 121
Chiltern Railways withdrew its last two Class
121 double-ended single car DMUs, which were
running on the Aylesbury to Princes
Risborough route, on Friday 19 May. The
company said the units, built in 1960, were ‘the
last remaining trains in service that use vacuum
brakes’, and had become too expensive to Pulling out of the station for ever: the
maintain. Bubble car on the Chiltern line
gBRF TIE-Up wITh Dp woRLD
Armed officers on a train from London
GB Railfreight, as part of its plans to develop
Euston to Birmingham New Street
‘safe and reliable rail transport’ at the DP World
Armed police officers have been travelling on London Gateway in Thurrock, Essex, has signed
trains across the country for the first time in an agreement to manage the movement and
the wake of the terror attacks in Manchester preparation of all trains in and out of the deep
and London. Armed officers have been sea container port for three years. ‘This is a
patrolling London Underground since fantastic opportunity to develop our services in
December, but the decision to put police with London,’ said GBRf MD John Smith, ‘and ensure GBRf is to develop freight on rail at DP
guns on services nationwide was taken after the economy continues to function effectively.’ World in Thurrock
the bomb blast at Manchester Arena, next to
Manchester Victoria station. ‘Since the UNIoN mEmBERShIp SLIpS
devastating events in Manchester, our force Trade union membership has fallen from a high of 13.2 million in 1979 to 6.2 million in
has radically increased the presence of officers 2016. Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC, said unions are rising to ‘the
nationwide,’ said BTP chief constable Paul challenges of recruitment’ and blamed the loss of good quality jobs in the public sector and
Crowther. the rise of precarious short-term jobs in the gig economy for the drop.
Our hip, hot and happening black BomB hoAxER jAILED
baseball cap will keep the sun out Rias Choudhury, who dialled 999 and claimed there was a bomb at Gloucester railway
of your eyes. £5 (inc p&p); email station, has been jailed for six months. Choudhury, 41, who made the hoax call to
info@aslef.org.uk or visit our emergency services two days after the bomb attack at the Ariana Grande concert in
online shop at www.aslef.org.uk Manchester left 22 people dead, and dozens injured, pleaded guilty at Cheltenham
magistrates’ court.
8 The ASLEF Journal l July 2017
The government is trying to take
away your right to free or affordable
legal representation if you’re injured
at work or anywhere else.
Why? They’re prioritising
If government plans go ahead, nearly one million people will lose their right to free legal representation.
Meanwhile it will cost the NHS and the government at least £150 million of your taxes every year
and fat cat insurers will be rewarded with multimillion pound profits.
Visit www.feedingfatcats.co.uk to take action and stop the government #FeedingFatCats.
#FeedingFatCats is a campaign run by Thompsons Solicitors. Thompsons is proud to stand up for the injured and mistreated. @feedingfatcats
AAD
ASLEF’s parliament
EC7 Andy Hudd on IKB
hUDD’S LINE oN goD’S
woNDERFUL RAILwAY
‘A lot of Bristol’s history is defined
by the achievements of Isambard
Kingdom Brunel,’ Andy Hudd,
executive committee member for
SLEF’s annual assembly District 7, told delegates when
A of delegates – our
annual conference – was
they arrived on Sunday. ‘On your
way here some of you will have
held at the Marriott Royal Hotel, travelled on the Great Western
Bristol, from Monday 22 to Railway and here in Bristol you can
Thursday 25 May. AAD is ASLEF’s also see his famous Clifton
policy-making parliament, the suspension bridge and the SS
foundation of our union’s Great Britain.’
democratic structure.
‘This is where we turn our STAR RISES IN BRISToL
Delegates at AAD; DO7 Brian Corbett, with badges and bag, by a
trade union over to the Delegates voted to donate £1,000
colourful piece of Banksy street art in Bristol; and Temple Meads
membership to evaluate where to the Morning Star. Petar Petrovic,
station, which opened in 1840. Conference photos by Nigel Goldsmith
we are, and what we have done, of Euston branch, moved the
and to discuss future changes and policy; what it cannot do is dictate Tosh McDonald, in his motion, seconded by Simon
evolution of policy based on strategy. That will always lie with president’s address, said: ‘AAD is Goode of Wolverhampton.
items sent in from branches for the lead officers and, when the ASLEF’s most important body. You ‘The Morning Star is the only
discussion,’ said GS Mick Whelan. machinery is exhausted, the make the policy that we carry out.’ daily paper that supports us day
‘It has been a hard year of executive committee, who apply Every branch has the right to in, day out,’ said Tosh McDonald.
legal, governmental and policy on a daily basis, which may propose a motion and the chance ‘It’s run on a shoestring and the
industrial attack and some often be subject to the vagaries of to send a delegate to the forum fact that it’s been coming out
decisions will have to be made changing circumstance or what where, each year, we establish our every day for the last 80-odd years
that will impact on all our futures. can be moved forward through priorities and make plans for the is truly remarkable.’
This AAD will define attitudes and negotiation.’ year ahead. Steve Richardson, of Waterloo
Nine Elms, said: ‘The Morning Star
TRANSpoRT SYSTEm To CoNNECT EVERYoNE mINUTE’S SILENCE is the only newspaper that
AAD stood for a minute’s silence provides an industrial
Marvin Rees, Labour Mayor of on Tuesday morning in memory of correspondent, rather than a
Bristol, welcomed delegates to those who lost their lives in the political correspondent, to report
the city on Monday morning, suicide bomb attack after the on industrial matters.’
saying: ‘I congratulate you for Ariana Grande concert at
leading the campaign to get the Manchester Arena. An emergency BERNARD ShIpShApE
world-class transport system we motion moved by Gary Boyle, of AND BRISToL FAShIoN
need. It’s about sustainable Manchester Piccadilly No 1, and Bernard Kennedy, of Bristol
economic development. I grew seconded by Trevor Robinson, of branch, unanimously elected
up here, in Bristol, as a poor, the Black & Ethnic Minority chair of AAD after 38 years in ‘my
mixed-race kid, in a physically Mick thanks Marvin Rees representatives’ committee, was adopted city’, told the mayor the
divided city, and part of the otherwise people get locked out passed to donate £1,000 to Hope first thing he should do is ‘tackle
problem was the transport of economic opportunities. It’s Not Hate who later texted the GS: the stranglehold that First Group
network, so I know the essential that we make sure we ‘We will use this money to heal has on buses and trains in this
importance of a transport have a transport system – here the hate and to offer hope. This is city.’ Daniel Masrani, of Cardiff,
network in building an and everywhere else in Britain – the time for the good and the was elected unopposed as vice-
integrated modern city, that connects everyone.’ great to stand up.’ chair of conference.
10 The ASLEF Journal l July 2017AAD
Simple Off the AAD rails
choice ANDY wAKEFIELD, of Nottingham branch, got home after a
long day helping Andy Botham campaign for re-election to
Derbyshire county council. ‘There was a knock on the door, I
AD debated the state of opened it and there was Anna Soubry, Conservative MP for
A politics in Britain ahead
of the general election
Tosh: ‘A breath of fresh air!’
But the political battle lines in
Broxtowe. I thought I’d have a bit of fun so I asked her what
she was going to do about the railway and she said, “Well,
on 8 June and in the light of Scotland are not as clear cut as in we’re going to stop train drivers striking because they’re
opinion polls showing the gap England and Wales. always on strike. And we’re going to control their wages
between the Tories and Labour ‘I hope Jeremy Corbyn will be because they’re on disgusting wages. In fact, we’re going to
was narrowing. Prime Minister but I won’t be break them.” She went on in this vein for ten minutes and
Tosh McDonald, president of voting Labour and neither will then she stopped, paused for breath, and asked me what I did
ASLEF’s executive committee, told most of the members of my for a living. And I said, I’m a train driver…’
conference: ‘There’s a simple branch,’ said Hussein Ezzadine of
choice at the general election Edinburgh No 1. ‘It’s about DELEgATES were surprised to find, in the top drawer of the
between Labour and stopping the Tories and Labour is cabinet beside their bed, next to the Holy Bible placed there
Conservative, a choice between now the third biggest party in by Gideons International of Lutterworth, Leicestershire, a
investment and cuts. The Labour Scotland, there’s no great revival copy of The Book of Mormon – ‘another testament of Jesus
manifesto is a manifesto for which happening, and the party has Christ’ – courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday
I’ve waited a lifetime. It’s a breath been unable to adjust to what’s Saints of Salt Lake City, Utah. That’s the power of a Broadway
of fresh air! Yes, we have a happening. I don’t believe there is – and West End – musical.
mountain to climb, but we are room for two left of centre
winning the argument and we are parties.’ ToSh mcDoNALD brought the house down with his opening
closing the gap.’ Grant Murchie, of Perth, remarks, displaying faux disappointment at something or
Ian Smith, of Glasgow, warned: argued: ‘The Labour Party is a someone – actually, a group – not on the agenda in Bristol.
‘Chris Grayling, the Transport unionist party and the SNP is no ‘Brian Corbett and Andy Hudd made a good case for bringing
Secretary, would like to destroy friend of ASLEF. Nicola Sturgeon the parliament of our union to this great city. But we were
this trade union. Because the has lied about driver only promised The Wurzels, and that’s not happened…’
Tories today see us as Margaret operation. The truth is that
Thatcher saw the miners.’ nationalism is extremism and the DANIEL jASZCZAK, Newton Heath, speaking on the political
Darren Howe, of policies of the Scottish National report, dryly announced, ‘I agree with everything the other
Bournemouth, agreed. ‘The Tories Party are divisive.’ guy with the long hair said.’ Daniel doesn’t keep his barber in
hate us. They don’t just disagree And Unjum Mirza, of Victoria clover and sports what is now known on the railway as ‘a Tosh’.
with us, they hate us. Margaret line, said: ‘People talk about Brexit
Thatcher sold you a council house but it’s not about Brexit because ToNY VENSoN, Rugby, organised a bucket collection among
– at a discount – so Theresa May the real divide isn’t between leave the 80 delegates, further to the formal donation on Monday,
can take it off you to pay for your and remain but between rich and for the Morning Star, saying he wanted ‘to hear it rustle, not
dementia.’ poor.’ clink’. It raised a further £589.22 for ‘the beacon of the left’.
When Mick Whelan wondered: ‘So who put in the 22p?’ Ben
NoT hERE To Wallington, of Rickmansworth, joked: ‘And I wanted change!’
mAKE FRIENDS NIgEL RoEBUCK, Sheffield, drew appreciative laughs, and
‘We’re here to protect full marks for self-awareness, when he said: ‘The moment the
train drivers, their photographer enters the room Sheffield will get up to speak.’
roles, and their futures,’
said Mick Whelan, DAVID hoopER, Westbury, raised chuckles around the room
spelling out what AAD – laughing in the face of adversity – when he talked about ‘DB
is all about. Hussein Cargo – or should I say DB Cargone?’
Ezzedine added: ‘We’re
not here to make GS Mick Whelan (left) presented AGS Simon
friends, we’re here to Weller with his 30 year badge in Bristol
media, the GS argued: mess room wall, then
QUoTE…
make policy.’ And,
‘If you’re not prepared you shouldn’t be ‘Don’t know if you’ve been to Cleethorpes lately.
warning about the
to put your name on putting it out on social Even the pawnbrokers are boarded up.’ – Nigel
dangers of posting
it, and put it up on the media.’ Roebuck, Sheffield No 1
comments on social
…UNQUoTE
July 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 11AAD
was like being 16 again!
Tackling cancer ‘But, in early 2012, I had to go to the doctor’s
because I was too ill to work. I lost two stone in
10 weeks. I was referred to hospital where it took
IM Peters, in a thoughtful, informative 19 months of tests, scans and biopsies –19
j and poignant speech on Monday
morning, which ended with delegates
months of waiting, worrying and getting more ill
– before it was found.
rising to applaud his courage in talking so ‘Being told you have cancer, even when you
honestly about such a sensitive issue, spoke expect it, is a shock. Everything went quiet, and
movingly about his battle with prostate cancer. into slow motion, but eventually my brain kicked
‘I spent 13 years at King’s Cross and, before back in and my first thought was now they know
that, I was at Eurostar for seven. I’m here to tell what’s wrong I can get something done.
Mick thanks Jim (left) for speaking at AAD
you my prostate cancer story. I’m going to try my ‘I had surgery. But the cancer had spread to
best not to make it too heavy. I hope that, by integral to your sex life. And it’s one of the things my lymph nodes and I was told there was no
telling you what’s happened to me, not only will that helps you not to pee yourself. cure. I reckon if I’d had regular PSA tests the
you be better informed about prostate cancer, ‘My first noticeable symptom was, as the cancer would have been found early and one
you will talk about it to others and, most doctors put it, impaired sexual function or, as I treatment would have cured me. Instead, for the
importantly, you will think about getting tested. said to my GP, I can’t get it up, doc. I didn’t so last 3½ years, since I had the surgery, I’ve had
‘One in eight men get prostate cancer – that’s much say it, though, as whimper. I was 53 and continuous treatment to try to slow the cancer
10 of you here at conference today – but not went from having trouble keeping the bloody down – radiotherapy, hormone therapy,
every man who gets it will die from it because, thing down to the opposite in a few weeks! I chemotherapy – and I’m still on treatment now
providing it’s found and treated early, it can be found it embarrassing admitting to that sort of to keep me alive.
cured. Too many men don’t get checked and thing but figured I was far too young to give up ‘The way things went for me isn’t the way
that’s why one man every hour dies needlessly sex. My doctor put me at ease and did a prostate things have to be for you. You can get a simple
from a cancer that could have been cured. specific antigen test. He prescribed me some PSA blood test done. It only takes a few minutes.’
‘What is a prostate? Well, it sits just under pills, something I’d never heard of called Cialis, At AAD 56 delegates went for a PSA test
your bladder. It’s about the size of a walnut. It’s they’re like Viagra and were a bloody miracle. It offered by the Graham Fulford charitable trust.
Tory Theresa’s ideology trumps common sense Severn up
jULIE BoSToN, a former primary
CLAIRE mCCARThY, general government is no different from its school teacher, and NUT rep, and
secretary of the Co-operative Party, Conservative predecessors in not now organiser of Friends of
underlined the symbiotic understanding the role or value Suburban Bristol Railways, thanked
relationship between her party and trade unions play or the solidarity Bristol branch secretary – and AAD
the labour movement on in the workplace that unions and chair – Bernard Kennedy for his
Wednesday morning. co-operatives bring. help in their campaign and told
She said: ‘We, in the Co- ‘The Co-operative Party is proud delegates how drivers can work in
operative Party, and in the co- of the relationship we have built tandem with community groups to
operative movement, recognise the with ASLEF. We share your vision of keep local services alive. Speaking
vital role that trade unions play in a modern, integrated, publicly- on Wednesday afternoon, she
Britain. We share a vision for a owned rail network, fit for the 21st Co-op Party GS Claire McCarthy explained how FoSBR saved the
better society, one with a more century, run in the interests of (left) with Mick Whelan Bristol to Severn Beach line – due to
democratic economy, where all passengers, employees, and the be replaced by a bus service – with
communities have the same whole country. a more frequent and reliable train
opportunities and services as those ‘This is the Co-operative Party’s QUoTE… service which has seen passenger
in the leafier places I pass on the centenary year. A chance to ‘Isambard Kingdom Brunel numbers soar.
train as I go around the country. celebrate our proud history. And a would be a good chap to
‘I haven’t read all of Theresa moment to look forward. If you have supper with. Anyone
May’s manifesto – turns out she agree that co-operatives are a who builds a railway and
hasn’t, either! – but I don’t have to, I better way of doing business; if you then, when he gets to Bristol
know she has a different vision believe in the power of people to and can’t go any further,
from us. One in which, when it come together to challenge vested builds a steamship, must be
comes to public services, including interests and take control based on a good chap.’ – Fergus
the railways, ideology trumps shared interests; if you want to see henderson,
common sense. public services, like the railways, chef/proprietor of St
‘While some of the rhetoric the utility companies and social john in Smithfield
coming from the Conservatives care, run in the interests of people,
…UNQUoTE Tosh McDonald hands over an
now sounds a bit different, we not profit, then I’d ask you to
know that this Conservative consider joining us. ASLEF presentation plate to Julie
12 The ASLEF Journal l July 2017AAD
or on trains – and people now
Once in a lifetime know that privatisation doesn’t
work, but, of course, it keeps
happening.
AT Hobbs, director of We She told delegates on Tuesday ‘It makes no sense to hand over
C Own It, the pressure
group which campaigns
afternoon: ‘It’s great that public
ownership is back on the political
profits to shareholders rather than
reinvest it in our industries. All the
for public ownership, told agenda in a way that hasn’t evidence, as the Financial Times
delegates that the general happened in Britain for a very reported recently, is that
Cat: ‘privatisation doesn’t work’
election ‘is a once in a lifetime long time. privatisation of our public services
opportunity’ to bring Britain’s ‘We started campaigning on has not made them more efficient. Time after time people say they
railways – and the other public the high price of fares – which ‘And surveys now consistently want to see the mail, like the
services – back into public shows that privatisation hasn’t show that people don’t believe railway, and other public services,
ownership. worked for passengers, on buses that private is better than public. run in public ownership.’
It’s OK not to be OK We have to stand
DR STEphANIE FITZgERALD, a clinical
psychologist who is lead health and wellbeing
specialist with the Rail Safety and Standards
together
Board, addressed AAD on Tuesday morning.
She works with stakeholders to promote
health and wellbeing on the railway. Her current
projects include reducing the stigma of mental
health in the rail industry and improving the
recognition and management of trauma
following a fatality on the permanent way. The Mick presents Stephanie with an ASLEF plate
subject may be difficult, but Stephanie’s for speaking at AAD
presentation was, by turns, amusing, engaging,
and reassuring. And as entertaining as it was people say they’re “fine” often they aren’t. We
informative. need to change the way we regard mental
mick whelan (left) thanks Neil Duncan-
‘I want the men and women who work in the health, not just on the railway – where
jordan for speaking at AAD
railway industry to know it’s OK not to be OK depression and anxiety are all too common –
and to admit they’re not OK. Because when but in society at large.’ NEIL DUNCAN-joRDAN, national officer
of the National Pensioners’ Convention,
told delegates on Wednesday afternoon:
BRIZZLE BE BEST ‘We were set up by Jack Jones, the great
BRISToL, like Liverpool, is a city built on slavery. From general secretary of the T&G, who felt that
1697 to 1807 more than 500,000 men, women and if men and women need the protection of
children were taken, in chains, from Africa to the a trade union when they are in a job – and
Caribbean on ships trading out of Bristol, many of them they do – then they need the protection of
belonging to the Society of Merchant Venturers, one of a trade union when they are retired.
whom was Edward Colston. The Colston Hall, one of ‘Right-wing think tanks like the
Britain’s best known music venues, is to change its name, Mick thanks Phil (left) Institute for Fiscal Studies say pensioners
possibly to the Bristol Concert Hall, because of the way are getting something for nothing. That’s
in which Colston made his money from human misery. jUST £1 A wEEK not true. Pensioners have paid in, one way
phIL TALBoT, organiser at the or another, for what they get out.
DANIEL DEFoE met Alexander Selkirk, who spent four Transport Benevolent Fund, came Everyone deserves dignity in retirement.
years castaway on an uninhabited island in the South to Bristol to explain the benefits of That’s why we need to bring care back into
Pacific, in the Llandoger Trow in King Street, Bristol, just joining the fund on Wednesday public ownership. At the moment the
a few hundred yards from our conference hotel, which morning. ‘We’re a charity profits are huge but the private care
inspired him to write Robinson Crusoe. Robert Louis supporting those who work in the companies don’t pay their workers
Stevenson based the Admiral Benbow, the inn in public transport industry when properly. And we need solidarity between
Treasure Island, on the Llandoger Trow. they are in need, hardship or the generations. The Tories want to divide
distress. For just £1 a week we us – suggesting one sector is doing better
RoBERT LoUIS STEVENSoN also used the Hole in the offer a wide range of financial, at the expense of others – so they can
Wall, just off Queen Square, Bristol, as the basis for the health and welfare benefits to the make more cuts. Don’t fall for it! We have
Spyglass Tavern in Treasure Island. member, their partner and to stand together!’
dependent children.’
July 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 13AAD
Bringing them back to
the negotiating table
C1 Marz Colombini He added: ‘The purpose of
E brought delegates up to
date on our long-running
industrial action is not to
indiscriminately damage an QUoTE…
dispute with Southern Railways. employer but to put them under ‘‘The RMT don’t want us to
‘Our dispute with Southern is a pressure to come to the cross their picket lines but
dispute with Southern Rail. It’s not negotiating table when they would they always cross ours.’ –
about bringing down the not otherwise come to the table. jeff Turner, Barnham
government – despite what a few Which is more or less where we …UNQUoTE
badly-informed Tory backbenchers find ourselves at the moment.’
like to claim – and it is not a dispute Peter Scott, Horsham, said: ‘We company. And our relationship
designed to undermine the GTR don’t seem to be working to get with the RMT is not in a good place.’
franchise. It is not a dispute in this back together. My daughter is a That prompted Gary Comfort,
support of another trade union or guard and a member of the RMT. Jubilee Line East, to say: ‘The
another grade. It was, and is, an Told “Become an OBS or lose your relationship with the RMT on the
industrial dispute over imposed job.” Conditions at Southern are Underground is toxic. They nick our
changes in our terms and toxic. There’s mistrust between the members, report them, Delegates listen to the debate
conditions.’ drivers and the conductors and the disciplinaries.’ on rest day working
LIBERTAD
Bad company drivers! That tells you
everything you need to
know about the FOCs
A five minute video made by Justice for
Colombia of Huber Ballesteros, a
Freight on rail in Britain chair of DBC company and the way they see member of the national executive of the
has contracted by 30% council, told delegates: things and the way Colombian TUC, vice-president of the
in the last 12 months. ‘We had to make some they treat us.’ agricultural workers’ union, and a leader
The government – and decisions which we Hussein Ezzedine, of the Patriotic March, who spent three
the freight operating didn’t want to make Edinburgh No 1, said: and a half years in prison in Bogota, was
companies – are but we made those ‘They threatened to played on Monday afternoon.
entirely to blame. The decisions to keep an close the business if
Tory government, and industry alive. We need they didn’t get what Nigel makes his point RUNNINg oRDER
the Conservative-led to give the freight they want. has failed on every The arrangements committee for AAD
coalition before it, drivers a message that Unfortunately there are level. We’ve got to comprised Tony Venson, Rugby, chair;
forced coal and steel they are not the some guys clambering bring it back under Gary Boyle, Manchester Piccadilly No 1,
off the railway while forgotten people. over themselves to get common ownership. secretary; Chris Sneddon, Wimbledon,
the four big FOCs – ‘DB Cargo was in redundancy while The difficulties are not and EC1 Marz Colombini.
Deutsche Bahn Cargo; financial trouble, we’re trying to save insurmountable and
GB Railfreight; haemorrhaging money, jobs. The fact we’ve rail is the most No pASARAN
Freightliner Intermodal; because of the saved their fifty grand a environmentally Jim Jump, secretary of the International
and Freightliner Heavy management who year job is the worst friendly way of moving Brigades Memorial Trust, spoke about
Haul – knew the have been running the thing in the world! freight around the the Spanish Civil War at the gala
contracts were going company, badly, for the Freight privatisation country.’ evening in the Palm Court of the
to end but sat on their last ten years. Yet the Marriott Royal Hotel on Wednesday.
hands instead of new CEO claimed
finding new business. everything was down ShoRE ThINg
Nigel Roebuck, to the terms and The Bristol branch social on Tuesday
Sheffield No 1, and conditions of lazy night, at the Shore Café Bar, raised
£1,800 for the Julian Trust night shelter.
QUoTE…
‘I first came to conference 10 years ago and QUoTE…
the items we see in the political report are Mick Whelan, with Brian Corbett, Andy Hudd
‘We have discussions, we get heated, then
now quite different to what we saw then. In and Bernard Kennedy, presents a cheque for
we go to the bar and have a pint together.
a good way!’ .’ – Daniel masrani, Cardiff £5,000 to Marion Colverd and Andy Irwin for
That’s what we do.’ – Tosh mcDonald
…UNQUoTE the East Bristol food bank.
…UNQUoTE
14 The ASLEF Journal l July 2017AAD
and £23 million in death benefits.’ INTImIDATIoN oN
Protecting our pensions GS Mick Whelan, thanking
Dave, said: ‘It’s every GS’s
mERSEYSIDE
An emergency motion moved
AVE Tyson, who spent nightmare – two ASLEF presidents by Tony Cashman, West
D ten years on the EC, and
is now a trustee director
in the room! Seriously, Dave is
erudite and funny and comes here
Brompton, and seconded by
John Bryans, Southport,
of the Railways Pension Scheme, every year to bring us up to date – condemned ‘the outrageous
gave a typically thoughtful, lucid and he does an awful lot of work intimidation and victimisation’
and elegant report on the state of behind the scenes for this trade of union members on
the scheme on Thursday morning. union.’ Merseyrail. The company sent
‘Over the past two years we ■ Phil Clark, a partner of Moore threatening letters to guards
have seen the scheme add Stephens, presented the saying they will not be
somewhere in the region of £4 auditor’s report. ‘The union is in a considered for promotion to
Dave Tyson, who has served 16
billion in value to its assets. From sustainable position. There may train driver if they take part in a
years as a trustee director of the
the low of £14 billion in 2008 be challenges ahead but you third day of strike action. ‘You
Railways Pension Scheme
assets have climbed to £25.5 have a platform on which to cannot, on Merseyrail, be a
billion as of 31 December 2016. members, up almost 9,000 since meet them. You have a clear driver unless you have been a
Much of this is due to the 2012; 105,000 preserved report. The underlying records guard,’ said Mick Whelan. ‘So
investment team at Railpen being members; and 139,000 support the report you have the company is saying if you
given more power to make pensioners. £775 million was paid before you. We are signing a lawfully strike you will be
quicker investment decisions. out in pensions last year along clear audited report on the barred for ever from being
‘We have 94,000 active with £204 million in lump sums union.’ promoted. That is outrageous!’
QUoTE…
‘When I look round this
room I don’t see black
men, or women, or white
men, or women, or gays, or
straights. I see locomotive
engineers. ASLEF
locomotive engineers.’ –
David Dobson, Leeds
Delegates at the launch of the union’s Mind the Gag campaign – examining when banter, ‘the playful and
friendly exchange of teasing remarks’ (OED), becomes bullying and harassment – on Tuesday lunchtime.
‘We’ve got people out
there whose only crime is
A View from the Chair to be made redundant.
Because the company they
BERNARD KENNEDY, secretary of Bristol branch, work for is crap. It’s not
and a driver with Arriva Cross Country, was thrilled their fault. It’s the fault of
to be elected chair of AAD. Partly because Bristol is the industry.’ – Nigel
his adopted city – ‘I’ve lived here for 38 years, since Roebuck, Sheffield No 1
1979’ – and partly because, at 60, he doesn’t think
he’ll get another chance. ‘Can’t be right for drivers
‘It’s my third time as chair – after Southport in to work past the state
2000 and Nottingham in 2009 – and special retirement age. The people
because it’s here in Bristol,’ said Bernard, who who do it are not the hard-
started on the railway as a guard in 1980 and up or poor but the most
Home run financially secure.’ – Steve
became a driver nine years later. He’s been to 15
for Bernard Richardson, waterloo
AADs, his first in 1995, and understands the
Kennedy Nine Elms
importance of conference to this union.
in Brizzle
When he settled into the chair’s seat he …UNQUoTE
promised, ‘I will endeavour to be a delegates’ chair;
get the debate going, and get through the
business,’ and he did. Delegates said he did a great problems on Southern and DBC. AAD is far more ThE RED FLAg
job. cohesive than it used to be – in the past it was AAD ended, in the traditional
‘We discussed the important things at length, often the top table against the floor, with some way, at 5.30pm on Thursday
quality not quantity, as we should. Things we must nasty confrontations – but this union has really with everyone singing the Red
get right, like rest day working and the terrible come together under Mick.’ Flag.
July 2017 l The ASLEF Journal 15You can also read
