17.08.1995

Rail bosses sacrifice workers

ON THURSDAY July 27 driver Alan Griffiths from Barrow-In-Furness was killed at Longsite, Manchester while using a signal post telephone.

He was struck by the locomotive of an intercity train. Alan’s train had stopped because the next signal was faulty. The Railtrack flagman who had been sent to liaise between the signalworker and drivers had been withdrawn as Railtrack considered it unsafe for him to be there.

Railtrack still allows trains to be stopped and drivers to use this phone. For 10 years the Manchester Piccadilly drivers EC had complained that these phones were dangerous. The rule book was altered to allow the sticking of yellow stickers on these phones to tell drivers not to use them.

Management had consistently refused to implement this vital rule because of cost.

This week Railtrack was criticised by safety manger, Mr Rose, who warned of another Clapham disaster as Railtrack has not established a proper safety system.

Railtrack and the government deny this. Manchester and Barrow drivers tragically know different. Alan has paid the ultimate price of rail privatisation and the union’s inability to lead a proper fight.

Manchester drivers have demanded that Aslef bring corporate manslaughter charges against the rail bosses.

Manchester Aslef driver