Join us today!
Printable version
Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/1012/28022
From The Socialist newspaper, 3 October 2018
Tube workers walk out
London Underground workers on the Piccadilly Line took strike action from 26 to 29 September. Striker Gary Harboard, an RMT transport workers' union rep in the Piccadilly and District Line West branch, spoke to the Socialist on the picket line.
RMT Piccadilly Line picket line 26 September 2018, photo NSSN (Click to enlarge)
What is the strike about?
It's about agreements that we've had in place for years - 20 or 30 years - that management are not abiding by. It's about agreements over attendance and trade union release that management on the Piccadilly Line seem to think they can rip up overnight.
Management is telling the media that the RMT has no reason to take action, what is your response?
The quote from management was "we don't understand what your issues are" but these issues have been going on for the last 18 months. Eight weeks ago we were given a guarantee that management would abide by the policies and procedures in place and, within a matter of two weeks, they were ripped up.
There comes a time when we have got say to the membership that there is no other option but to take strike action. Out of the 71% of members who voted in the strike ballot, 95% voted to walk out.
The turnout shows the strength of feeling in the depot. Many of the drivers are new and this is the first time they have taken action. The strike is absolutely solid. Not one train on the Piccadilly Line has run.
RMT members are on strike on the Piccadilly Line but also on other fronts, particularly over driver-only operation, showing the RMT is at the forefront of taking action.
Yes, and it's primarily led by the members. We're telling the leadership that we're not prepared to put up with the conditions that bosses are trying to impose on us and we're in it for the long haul - as the long-running strike on Southern Rail shows. If bosses want a battle on London Underground they will have one.
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 3 October 2018:
Labour Party conference
Labour conference shows: Blairites must be ousted
Socialist Party campaigns against the Blairites at Labour conference
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
'Tories must go' demonstration in Birmingham
Anti-fracking protesters jailed
Save Wirral NHS walk-in centres
More party than protest, but great response to socialist ideas at Leicester Pride
Socialist Party news and analysis
Zombie Tory government: general election now
Shocking new data on declining life expectancy
NHS pay discrimination - militant union action can achieve fair pay for all
Maximus profitus: disabillity profiteering scandal
Workplace news and analysis
Catering and courier workers strike together
Coordinated catering and courier strikes
York NHS workers strike against privatisation
1,000 head teachers march on parliament
Camden - Unison members in pay fight
Socialist Party feature
International socialist news and analysis
USA: crisis follows Supreme Court justice nomination
Indonesia tsunami - a disaster compounded by capitalism
Socialist Students
Enthusiasm for Socialist ideas at the freshers fairs
Opinion
The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists: one-man show's new take on lively socialist classic
Home | The Socialist 3 October 2018 | Join the Socialist Party
Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook
2020