09.06.2004

March on Arkwright Road

Dean Hooper evaluates the latest elements in the ASLEF affair

June 7 was due have been the first day of Aslef’s postponed AAD (annual assembly of delegates). But in the conditions of a civil war which is ripping the union apart it was postponed by the leftwing executive amid much press and media publicity - the EC now states it will be held in September. Last week, the Blairite general secretary, Shaun Brady, and his assistant, Mick Blackburn, were suspended from office following the now infamous barbecue fight with left president Martin Samways (who was also suspended).

            Since their suspension Brady and Blackburn have been busy trying to build a movement of Aslef members in order to ‘reclaim’ the union - for themselves and their supporters. Hence the little gathering at the Three Horseshoes - a pub much frequented by Aslef officials - in Hampstead on June 7. The intention was to assemble at least the official AAD quorum of 46 delegates and convene the conference. They were then going to move resolutions to sack the EC and reinstate themselves. Next they would march the few hundred yards down to Aslef’s Arkwright Road headquarters and demand entry as the legitimate leaders.

            According to the ‘True Aslef’ website, run by Brady supporters, 75 members turned out, 27 of them AAD delegates, but in reality there were rather less present. After some drinking, some speeches and a rallying cry from brother Brady, they marched on Arkwright Road. However, only about 20 took part, and they were greatly outnumbered by media people.

            On arrival they found, rather predictably, the gates locked and the shutters down. They were left to shout at the building and fume to the TV cameras, before acting general secretary Keith Norman eventually came out. A petition was handed over and that was that.

            We were probably witnessing the last throw of the dice by Brady and his supporters. The poor turnout and failure to convene an alternative AAD has left the EC strengthened. The report from the TUC inquiry into the barbecue scrap is due any time this week. It is widely expected that the EC will then charge the participants, which will lead to their dismissal from office and maybe the union itself. It is also expected that the action will then move to the courts, as Brady and co challenge the EC.

            Mick Blackburn himself did not attend the Horseshoes meeting. He is claiming that he was just the ref at the big fight and therefore innocent. Blackburn is seen by many as the power behind the throne and reportedly manipulating events with a view to replacing Brady, widely regarded as out of his depth.

            Those at the Horseshoes were a mixed bunch. Most were from Aslef district No1, covering the southern train companies, including South West Trains, Brady’s old employer. There was also a group around Steve Trumm from Cambridge, the ‘True Aslef’ webmaster.

            There were, however, a few others mobilised by Clive Jones of Port Talbot, who is a trustee. Clive has always stood on the left of the union and was a vociferous critic of Lew Adams, a previous rightwing general secretary. They are supporters of Blackburn. Why they have aligned themselves with the right is not clear, but, whatever the reason, this strange alliance has come into being in the absence of any left-led rank and file organisation in the union.

            Meanwhile, there are various rumours circulating about the contents of the report into the union’s internal affairs, which, I understand, will make some very strong allegations.

            Neither the right nor the left reformists - supporters of the previous general secretary, Mick Rix, who was ousted by Brady last year - will be shown in the best of lights. It is thought that the real reason for the suspension of the annual conference is not the brawl and suspension of officers, but concern about some rather more serious goings-on.

            There can be no question of brushing such matters under the carpet. If such rumours turn out to be true and the allegations are proven, the response from the  membership must be a determination to hold their representatives fully accountable.

            All elected officers must be subject to immediate recall and, as an unbeatable measure against careerism and ladder climbing, they should be paid only the average wage of Aslef members