20.03.1997

Rail fight goes on

After winning concessions in Scotland railworkers in the RMT union are clear the dispute is not over. One worker has been sacked and 17 others face disciplinary charges. The case was due to go to an industrial tribunal on March 20.

Alan Pottage, previously on the RMT executive and a Socialist Labour Party member, told us:

“The mandate for action still holds and we are not holding our breath for the outcome of the tribunal. Employers often face only a paltry fine for ignoring a tribunal, so we are not relying on it.”

The strike action won a two hour reduction in the working week to 37 hours with no strings, as well as other concessions. “This has been part of coordinated action across Britain since August last year against union bashing and the effects of privatisation. We are not waiting for privatisation to be completed, but taking the initiative now and forcing the agenda on productivity,” Alan Pottage added.

As the industry is split into 25 train-operating companies and altogether 100 separate companies will function, the agenda of privatisation is clear: to attack workers’ pay and conditions. National Express takes over from Scotrail at the end of this month, and though workers are hopeful they will end the present victimisation, it is clear the momentum that has been built up over the last year must not be lost.

Alan Pottage emphasised:

“This is a dispute which will not go away. It is political as it is part of the whole agenda to attack workers that has been initiated by the government. That is why a lot of RMT members have joined the SLP and we will be taking the battle of railworkers into the political arena”.

Linda Addison