Link to this page: https://archive.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/969/26388
From The Socialist newspaper, 1 November 2017
Coordinated strike action on five rail networks against driver-only operation
Socialist Party RMT members
Rail workers' union RMT has announced coordinated strikes on five different networks to defeat the threat of driver-only operation (DOO).
Workers will walk out on Southern, South Western Railway and Greater Anglia for 48 hours from 8 November and will be joined by those on Merseyrail and Arriva Rail North for 24 hours on the same date.
The RMT has been in dispute with Southern for over 18 months now with strike action spreading to Merseyrail, Arriva Rail North and most recently Greater Anglia. South Western Railway will be taking action for the first time.
Train drivers' union Aslef has held talks with Southern and is currently balloting members on a deal to end the dispute there. Though Aslef rejects DOO, the deal would accept the argument for train guards becoming non-safety critical and for trains to run without them under various operational circumstances.
The result will be known on 8 November - the same day as the RMT strikes. Aslef members on Southern should reject this deal. If they do DOO extension will suffer a fatal setback.
It's clear the government is using Southern as its battering ram to begin the final destruction of the guard grade on Britain's railways. Any settlement which allows a passenger train to run without the second member of staff - under any circumstances - will open up a breach in the battle to retain a safety-critical second member of staff on trains.
The Socialist Party supports the RMT's strike action. DOO should be totally eliminated from the railway, not extended.
- Socialism 2017 (11 and 12 November, central London)
Discussions include: Labour and the trade unions
Find out more and book tickets at socialism2017.net
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 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.
- 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 1 November 2017:
What we think
Westminster sexual harassment scandal: symptom of a rotten system
International socialist news and analysis
Catalonia: Rajoy's furious response to proclamation of Republic
Socialism 2017
Socialism 2017: ideas to change the world
Socialist Party news and analysis
Fight for free education: join the budget day protests!
Tories u-turn on social housing benefit cap and borrowing to build
Unions must fight workplace mental health crisis
No to 'Carebnb' privatisation of hospital beds
Workplace news and analysis
Coordinated strike action on five rail networks against driver-only operation
Arriva bus workers' dispute continues
PCS pay cap ballot closes soon
North east England blacklisting conference success
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Teachers, students and parents demand an end to the schools funding crisis
The "club no-one wants to be part of" - march by families of those killed in police custody
Derby: expenses for councillors, cuts for everyone else
Health campaign groups come together in Barnsley to protest closures and downgrades in the NHS
Anger over plan to build housing on Yorkshire flood plain
Socialist readers' comments and reviews
New play celebrates Grunwick strike
Skipton show proves draw of socialist art
Home | The Socialist 1 November 2017 | Join the Socialist Party
Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook