Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/548/6401
From The Socialist newspaper, 17 September 2008
London bus strike: "Showing them our power"
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London bus strike, photo Paul Mattsson |
The first round of London bus strikes on 29 August was confined to First bus company and mainly affected north London routes. By the time the dust had settled and round two began on 12 September, the strike had spread to Metro bus routes all the way south to Croydon.
Neil Cafferky
Despite the fact that the Metro depot is sandwiched between a sewage treatment plant and a rubbish tip, picketers from Unite branch 1/345 were in an optimistic mood.
Management looked on sullenly as every third or fourth car passing the gates honked their horn in support.
Workers from other companies gathered at the entrance to their workplaces and nodded with approval at the sight of a picket that included at least 30-40 workers at any time.
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London bus strike, photo Paul Mattsson |
The picket was well organised with a barbecue almost blocking out the smell from the rest of the industrial estate. And the depot entrance was decorated with Unite banners and balloons.
Although the immediate issue in the strike was pay, a branch rep pointed out that the working conditions endured by the drivers was a big factor in pushing the branch to vote for industrial action.
Toilet and break facilities are completely inadequate, with the branch rep reporting that three drivers have actually soiled themselves while on duty.
The canteen, such as it is, has seating for ten people despite having 320 drivers.
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London bus strike, photo Paul Mattsson |
The branch rep pointed out that the meanness of Metrobus towards its staff was allowing the company to pocket extra profits and win more contracts from Transport for London. "We would like to see all London buses back under the umbrella of Transport for London", he said.
There was also strong criticism of the Labour Party, with some strikers reacting with disbelief when they read Socialist Party leaflets headlining the fact that Unite gave £1.2 million to the Labour Party last year.
Many on the picket said they looked forward to an all-London strike of bus workers.
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In The Socialist 17 September 2008:
Credit crunch
Socialist Party editorial
Capitalist crisis - Karl Marx was right
Anti-racism
No to racism: Yes to decent jobs, homes & services!
Socialist Party campaigns
Socialist candidate gains 40% of vote, stuns Usdaw leaders
Conflict in Georgia - independent position needed
Labour Party conference protest
Welcome to the real Manchester
Fighting city needs a fighting party
Privatisation and closure
Protesters tackle Metro privatisation
Socialist Party feature
Middle East: End imperialist aggression!
Socialist Party workplace news
London bus strike: "Showing them our power"
Ford workers meet to defend jobs
Journalists win union recognition victory
2008 Trades Union Congress: Pressure from below begins to show
Swansea rail workers fighting for a living wage
International socialist news and analysis
Interview with Cindy Sheehan: "Some kind of populist uprising needs to happen"
Scotland: Tactical questions for local government pay battle
Socialist Party review
'Bob Marley' reviewed by Jason Toynbee
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