Rail Strike Warning
Socialist Organiser1981 1981-08-06Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 15 →
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ISSA has voted against for apying the extra 5 %.
Will they, won't they? Weighell and Buckton talk militant, but is it just sabre-rattling?
Mandy 'LONDON gravy train derailed, few hurt" • sneered the Sunday Times 12 weeks ago when the Time Out magazine staff began industrial action to defend our unique house agreement.
The differential-proud denizens of Fleet Street are not distinguished for their support of fellow trade unionists, and our dispute has been distinctive target.
Since Time Out was organised, all the trade unionists have earned the same pay arand benefits - news editor, film critic, typesetter, receptionist and book-keeper alike.
Our federation of 64 NUJ, SOGAT and NGA THE N.U.R. will call all-out rail strike for August 31st unless British Rail improves on its present offer.
ASLEF leader Ray Buckton has declared himself in favour of a strike too, though his union's executive has not made decision.
Meanwhile, however, the rail white-collar union strike action and is accepting the current 11%-in-twostages offer from BR.
Strike
This offer disregards the recommendation of the Railway Staffs National Tribunal, which was for a two-stage no-strings 11% pay rise. Sticking to the iwo-stage formula, BR's offer is for an 8% increase, and productivity conditions In- ansins tha outra 3% The 'productivity' strings are part of BR's plans to get rid of 38,000 jobs as their side of a deal with the government over electrification and other investment plans. BR wants fewer people in the cabs of freight and passenger trains, the introduction of 'open stations' [with ticketcollectors on the trains], and seven-day rostering.
If seven-dav rosterino is introduced, many railworkers will find themselves with less cash in their hands than now, since overtime payments will be slashed.
This fight cannot be left in the hands of leaders like Weighell. NUR branch or committee meetings should be called now, to discuss now to organise for the strike, and to make sure there is no 'productivity' sell-out at the end.
jerry