An all-out strike is inevitable

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Saturday APRIL 3 note change of date!

AS the ASLEF dispute continues, estimates vary as to the chances of its escalation by the union's Executive. SOCIALIST ORGANISER spoke to militants from Hertford and Kings Cross:

"THE general feeling at my branch is that diversifying the present two-day strike is a move in the right direction, but that eventually an all out strike is inevitable-sooner better than later.

"In the last week or two support for the picket has been dwindling-the general mood being that we seem to be wasting time and that to win requires a stronger fight.

"Some of our people at Hertford feel that Sid Weighell and some of the NUR Executive are deliberately making things difficult for us-after selling their own members down the river they seem determined for ours to go the same way "In the light of what seems to be an all-out effort to break ASLEF, it is increasingly important for all trade unionists to resist the Tory policies of lack of investment that originally brought this struggle about.

They • must support ASLEF and the NUR guards who have been sold out."

Alan Johnson, Trustee of Kings Cross ASLEF, spoke to Socialist Organiser: What is your assessment of the present stage of the dispute?

It has only been a nuisance value so far. It has had some effect on BR's finances but the government have shown that they are prepared to extend cash to see the BRB through the dispute. The effect on the transport of coal and bulk materials has been minimal.

What do you think of the ASLEF executive's present policy?

The present tactics could go on for weeks- we've given the initiative to the BRB to make the next move an all-out strike should have been called weeks ago.

What can be done in terms of picketing to make the dispute more effective?

We should be organising pickets of all London Transport depots. Most LI ASLEF members realise they are next in line for flexible rostering and would be prepared to support us. Our EC is restricted by "legal ties" and won't touch IT we must do it ourselves. With the launching of the Liaison Committee do you believe that this body should be taking up the question of effective picketing?

It the Liaison C'ommittee is not sabotaged from above then it must be expanded to cover all London depots and arrange for extensive picketing. Time is short.

Weighell CRECHE: Available.

28 Middle Lane, London N8. HERE NOTICE: Sau REDLCED ERVICES FIGHT By Harry Sloar