Tens of thousands of RMT members were striking again over an insulting pay offer, jobs cuts and destruction of their working conditions in August – this time with other rail unions. On 18 and 20 August, TSSA union were out with the RMT members on railways nationally. And on 19 August, Unite the union were striking with the RMT on London Underground and Overground. Plus, on 19 August, bus drivers in west London were striking at the same time over pay. See ‘Support the national RMT strikes’
Broxbourne, Hertforshire
A striking worker explained to me how the workers are best placed to understand what modernisation was needed on the railway, how it could work, and that nationalisation is needed. He gave the example of how the company invested in new trains that didn’t even fit the platform!
Now work to the station is being done by four different contractors that don’t communicate and that disregard health and safety, but blame workers when something goes wrong.
He agreed that we all need to strike together and that the movement also needs a political voice. He agreed the TUC should use its upcoming congress to coordinate the fightback, and that RMT general secretary Mick Lynch should use his authority gained from this strike to take a proposal for coordinated action to the TUC.
He also said that if there was a general election, Mick Lynch should stand, so workers can have a political voice. He said: “Some people argue we can’t change anything. And they are right. We can’t change anything on our own, as one person. But we can when we stand together”.
Bea Gardner
Newcastle and Gateshead
This round of strikes was the first time I’ve ever been on a picket line when a bride turned up! A TSSA rep who was getting married later that day came along to Newcastle Central station.
The mood of the strikers on all three picket lines we visited in Newcastle and Gateshead was rock solid. They understand that whether Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak is elected as Tory leader, there is a battle ahead – both have said they intend to further ratchet up anti-trade union laws.
Strikers we spoke to were saying there needed to be coordinated action, including a general strike to thwart the Tories’ attacks. We didn’t speak to a single striker who felt the Labour Party under Keir Starmer would speak out for them. There was anger about the sacking of Sam Tarry from the shadow cabinet, for the crime of supporting workers in struggle.
There’s a growing understanding that workers need a new party that represents us, not the capitalist bosses.
Elaine Brunskill
Leicester
There was lots of tooting from motorists and visits from several unions in solidarity in Leicester.
Nigel from the RMT said that we are reaching a poll tax moment, where everyone is feeling the rise in energy prices. Sean said he could feel that we are reaching a turning point. Everyone supports striking together.
There was lots of discussion about Keir Starmer’s Labour Party not supporting workers. The idea of unions disaffiliating and building a new workers’ party went down well.
John from the Communication Workers’ Union stood in solidarity, and invited the RMT and TSSA pickets to their picket line. He was explaining why they are striking: “The deal has more strings attached than the London Philharmonic Orchestra”.
Picket lines are becoming the conduit for building rank-and-file solidarity, discussing politics, sharing stories and good natured banter.
Heather Rawling
Edmonton Green, north London
There were no London Overground trains at Edmonton Green, and even though national rail services weren’t facing strikes on 19 August, there wasn’t a train running until 1pm because of the knock-on effect of all the week’s rail strikes.
An agency worker felt he had to go in. But the striking RMT members did a great job of persuading him to join the union, which he agreed to do, and to get his workmates to do the same. The striking workers explained that because agency staff are technically self-employed, other workers like them in RMT have taken strike action without even balloting.
The strikers reported that managers who were working were dressing up as regular rail workers to give the impression that more staff were in. But worryingly, rumours were going round that private contractors were planning to do maintenance work, even though it wouldn’t be safe with the strike on.
Ian Pattison
Cockfosters, London Underground
Workers picketed a very quiet Cockfosters fleet depot and tube station in north London early on 19 August. Workers on both pickets spoke of the looming attacks on pensions, one older striker is paying especially close attention as his hard-won pension faces being snatched away by TfL bosses right before retirement.
At the depot, RMT members coming from the nightshift stopped to support the pickets, and for a bacon sandwich and cup of tea (thanks Chris!) They explained how security had initially refused entry to the depot manager, telling him: “We’re not allowed to let anyone in!”
Only one tube driver went into work at the station, citing his Aslef membership as a reason to do so. The debate was about how best to persuade him to stay on the right side of the line next time. The feeling is that when details of potential pensions attacks become clearer, motivation to strike will be even wider and stronger. As one picket put it: “It’s a class war, decide whose side you are on”.
Josh Asker
Birmingham New Street
A striking rail worker told Nick Hart: “In all the years I’ve worked on the railways, I’ve never known all the grades to be as brassed off as this at the same time. Management and the Department for Transport are wrecking the future of our railways”.
Worcester
Socialist Party members visited both RMT pickets on 20 August. The picket at Shrub Hill involved station staff and guards, the pickets at the rear of the station are from signals and telecoms grades and Permanent Way staff. The mood is determination, and understanding that this is a fight which must be won.
Pete McNally, former member of Aslef, RMT and NUR
Different trade unionists organised demonstrations in support of striking rail workers.
Cardiff
Over 200 attended a strike solidarity rally called by Cardiff Trades Union Council (TUC) on 20 August.
The rally was an impressive show of the developing strength and confidence of organised workers taking action or preparing for action.
The rally was joined by striking RMT members at Network Rail and Great Western who were taking action that day against cuts in real pay, tied to agreeing to redundancies, job downgrading and pension cuts.
As well as Brendan Kelly, RMT regional organiser, and Shavanah Taj, general secretary of the Wales TUC, there were speakers from: the National Union of Journalists (taking strike action on Friday 26 August at Reach), civil service union PCS balloting for action, Unison health, University and Colleges Union preparing for action, National Education Union taking part in indicative ballots, Unite hospitality and Unite Community.
More and more groups of workers are joining the queue to fight for pay increases that reflect the increase in the cost of living. CWU members at Royal Mail are taking part in national strike action on Friday 26 August for a decent pay rise without strings. They’ll be joining their sisters and brothers in BT to strike together on Wednesday 31 August.
And the threat by the Tories to further strengthen the brutal anti-union laws could further increase action as Dave Bartlett, secretary of Cardiff TUC and Socialist Party member, explained: “if the Tories threaten further anti-trade union laws then we must demand that the TUC call a 24-hour general strike to show them we mean business”.
And he went on to condemn the failure of Starmer’s Labour Party to support workers fighting to keep their heads above water in the cost-of-living crisis: “If Labour with a big ‘L’ won’t fight for labour with a small ‘l’, then the trade unions must come together to forge a new party for workers”.
Cardiff TUC president Katrine Williams, who is also a Socialist Party member, in closing the rally, announced that Cardiff TUC would be organising a new mass rally in September to bring together all workers taking action that month.
Dave Reid
Swansea
Swansea Trades Union Council organised a great solidarity rally and march on 20 August, with all the local and regional striking leaders in attendance, along with reps speaking from Unite, Unison local government and health, PCS, GMB and Youth Fight for Jobs. After the rally, 150 protestors marched through the city centre.
Alec Thraves
Plymouth
100 joined the trade union solidarity march in Plymouth, with representation from Unite, Unison, NEU, Usdaw, UCU, PCS, Napo, and the RMT leading the march back to the railway picket.
Ryan Aldred
