Very good ballot result from Bakerloo line drivers to defend workmates Fitz and Joel. The same line's drivers voted against striking to defend Kevin Dobinson last year, so it is good to see the turnaround, especially as unions generally have an annoying tendency to repeat their mistakes rather than learn from them.
Continuing on the theme of becoming more effective and trying more decisive tactics, Bakerloo drivers are considering a five-day strike to defend Joel and Fitz's reinstatement. It is essential to make this as solid as possible, both among RMT members and the ASLEF drivers on the line.
The Bakerloo is losing drivers' jobs because of the woeful 2009 Agreement. Management appear to have concluded that the cheapest way to cut jobs is to sack people - saves that redundancy money or keeping people over-establishment, doesn't it?
Make the action as solid as a rock.
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Having planned a 4-day strike, RMT has now put it on ice until after the Directors' Appeals. Although this was the view of the drivers themselves - rather than a diktat from above - Tubeworker can not help but worry that it lessens our chances of winning Fitz's and Joel's jobs back. If you are taking a battering in a boxing match, it is better to punch back when you are still on your feet rather than wait til your opponent has knocked you to the floor.