Train strikes are gaining momentum. Drivers in the Aslef union were on strike at nine companies on 13 August after “firms failed to make a pay offer to help members keep pace with the increase in the cost of living”.
Newcastle
The strike was rock solid. We observed a growing mood for strike action to be coordinated.
One of the strikers said a trick had been missed. Aslef should have been on strike the same days as the RMT, or added to it by being out immediately after them.
This mood for coordinated action is being further fuelled by the hostile stance of Grant Shapps, Tory transport secretary, who is threatening to impose new legislation requiring a minimum number of trains to be run when future strikes go ahead.
Rail workers understand that Shapps wants to crush the rail unions. But rank-and-file Aslef strikers we spoke to are more than prepared to fight back.
Strikers we spoke to were underwhelmed by Labour leader Keir Starmer. They were taken by the comment in our Socialist paper, where an Aslef train driver had said: “We have a new word for scabs here – we call them Starmers”. Adding to this, strikers said on their next picket line they should all wear Starmer masks, with placards saying: “Missing in action”.
Strikers we spoke to were clearly considering whether their vote should continue to go to Labour, now the party was clearly under the control of the right wing. The need for a new mass workers’ party is crystallising in the minds of workers in struggle.
Elaine Brunskill
Leeds
The mood was resolved, and workers were clear that they would be in for the long hall. The Socialist Party members that visited the picket line spent time talking with the strikers, and handing out leaflets.
There were two sets of strikers – LNER and Cross Country. We were told that the companies have not held discussions with Aslef since 6 June.
The idea, touted by the rail companies, that discussions are ongoing is simply not true. And the government has tied the companies’ hand in the negotiations by imposing wage limits.
The way Liz Truss is modelling herself on Margaret Thatcher shows how little the Tory’s have moved on, always attacking the unions and workers’ right to fight for a decent deal from the greedy bosses.
The sense was when rather than if they would be back on strike. But next time, it would be the full raft of companies represented, with Northern Rail balloting now.
The unions were talking about delivering maximum impact by working with the RMT, so that more days in a week can be covered by disruption from strikes.
The Socialist Party says stop giving public money to shareholders and greedy bosses, instead nationalise the rail companies and deliver a safe, excellent service delivered by people on inflation-busting wages.
Paul Thomas
Wolverhampton
One Aslef member commented: “We worked all the way through the pandemic, because the country needed us to, and now the bosses are trying to take us for fools”.
Gareth Knox
Leicester
There was solidarity from many trade unions, plus discussion on coordinating action.
Heather Rawling
