Rail unions

Déjà vu is a sensation that something you’re experiencing has happened before. It’s usually just a coincidence of similar events that link up, however briefly. As I wait for the RMT National Executive to announce new strike dates, following our successful reballot, I have a bit of that. Maybe by the time you read this column, the déjà vu feeling will have proved to be an illusion, and we’ll be on a clear course to effective and rapid escalation. But I worry. Six months ago we started off with an excellent three days of action, which showed not only our strength of feeling but also the...

Next steps Escalate the action : RMT should use its hopefully renewed mandate to call a programme of strikes, escalating the number of days involved, continuing to use hardship payments wherever possible to support members most in need. Coordination: Unions should hold multilateral discussions, as openly and democratically as possible, to discuss coordination. Ideally, all unions should strike together, naming the same programme of escalating action. If there are days when one union is striking but others are not, rank-and-file members of non-striking unions should refuse to cross the striking...

One of the markers of the significance of the current strike wave is that it includes, alongside national strikes in nationwide industries such as the rail and post, a proliferation of local disputes. That indicates not only the general conditions of mounting inequality and worsening wages and conditions, but an increasing confidence of workers to fight back. In Aintree, near Liverpool, nearly 700 workers in the GMB union at the Jacob’s Bakery factory have held a rolling strike since 26 September, striking for 12 hours at a time, for a total of 14 strikes so far. They are fighting for an...

The current wave of strikes has seen the reappearance of a trade union tactic once standard, and stronger than series of one-day or few-day strikes: the indefinite strike. Three indefinite strikes have been called in the current wave so far — criminal barristers, Arriva bus drivers in garages in north and east London, and housing maintenance workers for Barnet council (strike only just started). The barristers’ strike lasted just over a month, and secured a 15 per cent increase. Unite called off the Arriva strike a week before it was due to take place, after the employer offered 10-11 percent...

London Underground workers in the RMT union will strike again on 3 November, as they continue their fight against job cuts and attacks on conditions, including pensions. The decision to call another strike, the first since 19 August, follows Transport for London’s (TfL’s) publication of a further report on pension reform, identifying possible options for reforming the scheme. These including introducing a career-average element into the scheme, which is currently final-salary. For the majority of workers, a final salary calculation will be higher than career average, as most workers retire on...

A new poll from YouGov about support for the rail strikes this week makes interesting reading. YouGov’s question was “Do you support or oppose the train drivers and rail workers transport strikes taking place this week?” It seems likely that the prominent inclusion of train drivers – why are other sub-categories of rail worker not specified? – lowered support, because drivers are widely thought of as over-paid. YouGov finds overall support at 45%, up 8% since June; and opposition at 42%, down 3%. (Other polls have found a higher level of support.) While the RMT needs to escalate its action...

As the news broke of the Queen’s death, there was one question on everybody’s lips: “Do we get any time off?” Naturally the railway does not stop during national mourning, especially not the Elizabeth Line! Management were quick to pay tribute on behalf of all staff, though a quick straw poll of staff would not show unanimous support for the monarch. Regardless, we had to step up and provide extra services for the state funeral. It’s strange being part of a union leading a nationwide strike wave, though not being able to participate in it. Our pay deal was settled in April, but with inflation...