22.06.1995

BR launches pay attack

BALLOT papers have been sent out to railworkers in the Aslef and RMT unions, seeking authority for a series of 24-hour strikes to obtain a minimum six percent pay rise. Unfortunately for Regional Railways North West, its letter condemning the proposed strike action arrived after the ballot paper, and was too late to influence most workers.

The British Rail Board has come up with a government-ordered final offer of three percent, which would mean yet another cut in railworkers’ living standards.

The BRB has already responded with a legal attack on Aslef. It has withdrawn two of the train operating units, Rail Freight and Rail Express Systems, from the joint negotiating body. This has forced Aslef to withdraw its members in those units from the ballot while it hurriedly submits separate claims. Understandably these two ‘companies’ are not in any hurry to respond. This has therefore caused a split.

Aslef has yet again capitulated to these legal machinations. It is time the leadership realised it cannot run a successful campaign of industrial action from the offices of Robin Thompson & Partners.

Earlier this month the RMT held a march and rally in central London. The march had not been built and attracted a pathetic 800.

However Jimmy Knapp, RMT general secretary, made an important statement of intention to hold joint action with Aslef and TSSA. This promise needs to be seized upon by activists. Plans need to be made now for joint meetings and strike committees. Manchester RMT and Aslef branches are already engaged in tentative steps to bring this about.

Aslef driver, Manchester