The 1 February strike, involving at least 500,000 workers across sectors, saw some important instances of solidarity in the rail industry that we need to generalise.
In Sheffield, an Aslef speaker at the local strike rally reported than an RMT activist had refused to cross the drivers’ picket line. Wherever this kind of action takes place, it contributes towards rebuilding a culture wherein picket lines are sacrosanct and you never cross one, even if your grade/union isn’t striking.
On South Western Railway, 233 trains were cancelled after drivers not directly involved in the strike refused to cross the pickets of those who were. Only SWR depot drivers, who bring trains in and out of depots before and after they run in passenger service, were officially striking, but other SWR did the right thing and refused to cross their picket line.
In all industries and sectors, but especially those like ours where workers are divided between different unions on the basis of grade/job role, we must generalise these examples and reestablish cultures of solidarity.
These actions are not risk free, and wherever possible must be undertaken collectively. But no struggle is ever won without taking risks.