Northern line RMT stoppage over sacking

2014 started with a strike on London Underground’s Northern line, part of a system wide strike against ticket office closures, and it’s ending with another strike on 1 December. This time it’s over the dismissal of a train operator allegedly in breach of procedure.

Morden can be pretty soulless at five o’clock in the morning, but there was already a determined picket line. The heavy management presence and needless British Transport Police visits underline the high stakes in this dispute.

The Morden and Oval RMT branch has a strong tradition of defending victimised members and this won’t change. The next step may be a ballot for a strike across the network in the new year.

A message of support was received from Unite members at Putney Bus Garage.

And it won’t stop at industrial action. Branch members stood as TUSC candidates in the May local elections and are planning to stand in the general election.

David Maples