in the RMT
www.socialistparty.org.uk | Socialist Party RMT Bulletin
SUPPORT THE RAIL WORKERS
R
MT members on Network Rail have
voted overwhelmingly against the
plans of the rail bosses to carry
through cuts in jobs, which threaten the
return of “another Hatfield or Potters Bar
rail crash” according to Bob Crow general
secretary of the RMT.
At the same time rail signal workers, mainly
in South Wales and East London, have
voted to strike over the attempt by Network
Rail to introduce new rostering duties
which will increase the working week for
signallers. The bosses also want to end
the well established seniority principle that
applies when jobs become available in the
signals areas.
Despite the union getting a 54% majority for
strike action and a 77% majority for action
short of strike action on 71% turnout, the
bosses are once again going to the court
claiming “balloting irregularities”.
What a load of tosh. The threat of court
action to stop workers exercising their
democratic right to take strike action must
be answered decisively by the trade union
movement.
| Network Rail Strike
• Oppose the
• threat to rail
• safety
• Oppose the job
• cuts
• Defend the right
• to strike
• Defy the anti-
• union laws
The union in that case, as well as fighting
in the courts against the bosses, should be
prepared if necessary to defy any injunction
if it means that the injunction would
The legal dice is loaded in favour of the seriously damage the chances of winning.
bosses and friendly pro boss judges will
always come out on their side no matter If the bosses and the courts then try and
how meticulous the union is in sending out attack the union and its finances then
ballot papers to its members. The courts the RMT should call on all its members
stopped the BA strike at Christmas despite across the country to come out in defence
a huge majority of over 90% voting in favour of democratic rights and in defence of the
of strike action. very existence of the union itself. We should
also demand that other unions come to our
This cannot go on! Our democratic rights aid as well.
should not be overturned on the whim of
one High Court judge. At the time of writing the rail bosses have
not yet gone to court to try and stop the rail
The trade unions have fought for these maintenance workers strike going ahead.
democratic rights including the right This is probably because the strike is over
to withdraw our labour since the 19th rail safety as the bosses try to get rid of
century. 1500 maintenance jobs but also because
they have seen the huge majority for strike
We say that if the judges back the bosses action of 77% in favour of strike action and
and declare our ballot illegal, and this 89% in favour of action short of a strike.
means that our action is delayed, then
this will only help the bosses to prepare to This strike is clearly seen by many as a
beat our strike even more. That is what the real attempt by the union to keep safety
BA bosses did when the cabin crew strike as a high priority on the rail network.
was delayed. The BA management have It is the bosses who, in the mad chase
been busy organising an army of scabs to for profits, are endangering the workers
undermine their action; the rail network and passengers. Even the government
bosses could try and do the same as well, appointed Rail Regulator agrees that the
including bringing in outside scabs. proposed job cuts threaten rail safety.
continued over...
 “N
www.socialistparty.org.uk | Socialist Party RMT Bulletin etwork Rail is imposing major
changes to working conditions

T he rail strikes come at a heightened trade unions by these attacks backed up

period of tension between the bosses throughout this by the capitalist courts.
and the workers in many parts of the
that will be detrimental to
our work, the safety of passengers and
our personal lives. The imposition of
economy. The rail unions are in a powerful position new rosters shows Network Rail is not
to defend their members but it will take a prepared to stand by agreements made
Cabin crew in British Airways have already political answer as well.
several years ago, principles that lay out
taken seven days of strike action, and are
planning more action. In the general election all the main parties shift patterns and rest times.
will be singing from the same hymn sheet
200,000 civil servants, members of the of cuts and attacks on workers. All the main With the modernisation of the signalling
PCS union have taken three days of national parties will oppose the unions organising network, new large [signal] boxes mean
strike action against the government strike action in defence of their members. most workers don’t live nearby so have to
removal of their redundancy scheme. The That is why it is high time that those unions travel far to work, so 12-hour shifts suit
government are doing this in preparation who give millions to the Labour Party drew many workers. Management attitudes are
for a massive programme of job cuts across the lesson that this money is wasted. driven by cost cutting, on a 12-hour roster
the public sector whichever government you can only stay on for another hour,
gets into power. Now is the time for the unions to build a on an eight-hour you can work another
new mass party that will support workers
four hours on a flat rate. Network Rail
These attacks on workers’ jobs, conditions not attack them. Bob Crow is supporting
and living standards are a direct result of candidates from the trade union and management are imposing these changes
the economic crisis brought about by the socialist movement, alongside leading with no consideration for people’s lives
collapse of the banks. The government has individuals in the PCS, POA and others. and work/life relationships.
poured billions into the banks and they Organised around the Trade Unionist and
have said thanks very much and continued Socialist Coalition (TUSC), it will be standing Management are also tearing up the
to pay out millions in bonuses to the very 50 plus candidates in this election. It will Personal Terms Redundancy and
bosses who brought about the crisis in the be the only electoral alternative that will Resettlement agreement where if
first place. give all-out support to the rail workers’ displaced you will get another similar
struggle. grade job in your locality. This is not being
Now all the main parties say the crisis has adhered to in some cases.
to be paid for by ordinary workers. They The rail workers deserve and need the
are taking advantage at the same time support of all trade unionists in their
of growing unemployment to weaken the struggle to keep a safe rail system. If you work in a resignalling scheme
and your box closes then you should be
Find out more about the Trade Unionist & redeployed. Rather than using existing
Socialist Coalition by visiting www.tusc.org.uk skilled workers who are available, new
[less skilled] people are being taken on. If
Join the Socialists! a stand is not made now then they will keep
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in industrial disputes. Socialist Party members played leading roles in important
disputes in 2009, such as the successful Lindsey Oil Refinery strike in Yorkshire, the Other cuts are also being made to staffing
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fight for a socialist world free of war and terror. We are part of the Campaign for a with the responsibility falling back onto the
New Workers’ Party, fighting for a mass party that can draw together socialists, trade signaller. Once again this is a cost cutting
unionists, community campaigners and others, to represent and fight for the interests measure to save money. Signallers are not
of working-class people. At the same time, we point to the need to transform society receiving extra pay for new duties.
completely; to fight for a socialist world run in the interests of the billions of ordinary
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