RMT member, London Underground
The RMT transport union’s twin disputes on the national rail network (Network Rail and train operating companies – TOCs) and London Underground (LU) are seen as having heralded the growing industrial fightback against austerity and the cost-of-living crisis. Both disputes are now entering a new, potentially decisive, stage.
Those who take their briefings from government spokespeople believed that RMT members had been worn down and would now accept the same offer of a real-terms pay cut, together with a bonfire of terms and working conditions.
They have been put right by RMT branches and reps. Following two weeks of consulting members, they have overwhelmingly rejected the terms demanded by Network Rail and the TOCs.
Now, the discussion for reps, branches and members must be to identify what is needed to win the dispute and safeguard jobs and conditions, not to mention the service they provide.
The London Underground dispute is not about pay, though it is likely to become a factor, with no deal in place for April 2023. RMT members on the tube are resisting £2 billion of cuts, demanded by the Tory government and implemented by the Labour mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
Hundreds of millions have already been saved through a combination of delays to upgrades and renewals, savings from outsourced expenditure, and operational staff cuts, including the loss of 600 station staff in the first tranche of cutbacks. A further £600 million is still to be identified.
For members on the tube, the next crunch point will be 28 February, by which date Transport for London (TfL), owner of LU, is committed to agreeing proposals to cut the employer’s contributions to the pension scheme. This could lead to an increase of 5% in employees’ contributions and significant loss of benefits.
Both disputes are being fought against employers who are doing the bidding of the government. This is also the case in disputes across the public sector.
To win these disputes, RMT must seek to involve every member in discussing tactics to seriously escalate action.
But spreading the fightback against austerity and the cost-of-living crisis is also critical to winning the battle.
The government assault on the working class is generalised. Having driven real wages down since the banks crashed the economy in 2008, the ruling elite and the political parties that represent them demand that businesses be able to raise prices in order to increase profits while wages fall behind. This is to happen alongside further cuts in public services, and reduced benefits paid to the most disadvantaged working-class households.
This generalised attack demands a generalised response. The TUC should be organising a 24-hour general strike – but we can’t wait.
The National Education Union and civil service union PCS have called strike action on Budget Day, 15 March, and more must follow. RMT is threatening action on 15 March on London Underground, unless the pension threat is removed by 28 February.
Reps and activists in every union need to campaign for their own leaders to put out the call for all unions with live ballot mandates to take action in furtherance of their own disputes on Budget Day.
