Eamonn Lynch: "Unity is all we have"

Submitted by Matthew on 19 January, 2011 - 12:36

Eamonn Lynch is a tube driver and RMT rep who was recently sacked from his job. Despite a tribunal finding in his favour, he is yet to be reinstated. His workmates have so far taken two days of strike action to support him. Eamonn spoke to Solidarity. These comments are extracted from a longer interview at tinyurl.com/eamonnlynch.

The campaign has been absolutely phenomenal. I have been humbled by the support all my work colleagues have shown. They have consistently shown that they are the best men and women can be, and I salute each and every one of them.

To have your workmates take industrial action and lose money to show their support really is humbling and difficult to put into words, but essentially that’s the point of being a trade unionist. Unity is all we have, and we have to send that message loud and clear to our bosses. We will not sit idly back and allow them to pick us off one by one. We will do what’s right because it’s right, and taking strike action is our ultimate sanction. We should not be afraid to use it.

We have had two magnificently supported days of action so far, and now we challenge London Underground to do the right thing and reinstate me.

The tribunal judge has ruled against the company for interim relief. That means I am currently sitting at home on full pay until the full employment tribunal in March.

I am not going to let the management into our thoughts on where we take the campaign next. Support is still very strong on the ground despite managers threatening disciplinary action for taking strike action. We are determined to have the company reinstate me.

It is a basic right of workers in the UK not to be unfairly dismissed. This dismissal is automatically unfair. No pay off or toothless judgement from the employment tribunal that says the sacking was unfair will suffice. It is illegal to sack workers in this fashion. London Underground are not above the law, and that is what we are determined to show. Reinstatement is the objective: nothing more, nothing less.

My personal view is that the company is targeting RMT activists with a view to break the strength of the union. However, I believe this will backfire on them; unity is our strength, and victimising a few of us will only serve to strengthen our resolve.

We are trade unionists because we abhor discrimination and victimisation. We will not accept our comrades being treated so unfairly and we will fight to ensure we all receive equal treatment.

If we allow London Underground to go ahead unopposed with these job cuts, we will all suffer. Of that there is no question. The Mayor has already indicated where he wants the job cuts to end. Drivers will be on board with this fight now.

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