15.01.2004

Shaun Brady shows his true colours

The new rightwing general secretary of the train drivers' union, Aslef, has threatened staff at head office with the sack if they take industrial action, Matt Lawson asks what next for workers?

The new rightwing general secretary of the train drivers' union, Aslef, has threatened staff at head office with the sack if they take industrial action. He is also making noises about withdrawing recognition from the GMB union and setting up a 'staff association' for the new scab workforce. The problems started when Shaun Brady beat Labour left Mick Rix (a former member of Arthur Scargill's Socialist Labour Party) for the post after an acrimonious election campaign involving dirty tricks on both sides. There is no doubt most staff at Arkwright Road sided with Rix - notably Andrew Murray, Aslef's press officer and a member of the Morning Star's Communist Party of Britain. Many of them have since left to further their careers elsewhere. Brady has constantly complained that the staff were undermining his leadership. At times he has developed an aura of paranoia worthy of The X-files. His actions, however, are serious. He has been accused of bullying, and changing working conditions and practices without negotiating with GMB reps. Brady has now sent a letter to the staff as a result of the GMB balloting for industrial action, saying that they face the sack if they go ahead. The letter outlines a new regime that includes reducing sick pay to the legal minimum, abolishing flexible working arrangements, withdrawing childcare vouchers and tightening disciplinary procedures. He is threatening to use the Tory anti-union laws that the union is pledged to campaign to repeal. Needless to say, all this is a total disgrace. For a trade union to treat its staff in the manner of a Victorian workhouse proprietor shows the level that this New Labour Blairite has sunk to. Aslef members need to side urgently with the GMB head office staff and get resolutions condemning the general secretary's shameful behaviour up to the EC. If this is not stopped - and soon - how can Aslef negotiators stop the employers doing to train drivers tomorrow what their general secretary is doing today? Matt Lawson