Tubeworkers strike on 24 Sep and 1 October

Submitted by martin on 24 September, 2002 - 12:52

Workers on the London Underground, members of the RMT and ASLEF unions, are striking over pay on 24 September and 1 October. Read the Workers' Liberty Tubeworker bulletin here.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 24/09/2002 - 21:01

It would be great of people posted picket line reports here tomorrow (Wednesday).

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 25/09/2002 - 12:02

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Elephant & Castle: about a dozen pickets. Mostly RMT, also some ASLEF. Biggest picket I've been on at E&C. No scabs.

Seven Sisters: solid, which is very good news, as it has been one of the rockier depots in the past. There has been some animosity and inter-union rivalry in the past, so hopefully they are now putting that behind them.

J, Bakerloo stations

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 24/09/2002 - 21:07

London Underground management have resorted to bullying tactics in a desperate attempt to weaken the strike. They have: changed their previous policy and said that everyone who goes on strike will have it marked against us on our attendance record, which could be used in future disciplinaries; withdrawn full-time release from senior union reps; and banned ASLEF and RMT from addressing new recruits at the training school.

Everyone at work is disgusted by this. For many Tube workers, this has simply hardened their resolve to go on strike. A few, though, are quite frightened by it. They should be reassured that the unions will not stand for even one member being disciplined for taking part in strike action.

This message will get across where union reps and activists are well-organised. It just goes to show how important rank-and-file organisation is. We can not rely on head office to have the one-to-one conversations that are necessary to keep everyone solid.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 25/09/2002 - 12:03

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

On the picket lines today, we had a letter from Bob Crow reassuring people about the threats. It was a good letter, but rather late - I could really have done with something like that at work last weekend to help with the wobblers. The union should have a 'rapid response' system when we are in disputes - we can't afford to wait for the General Secretary to put something out in person.

J, Bakerloo stations (RMT)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 26/09/2002 - 11:24

FALLING STANDARDS

Howdy: Much Hatings here, editor of London's most popular - only, actually - daily evening newspaper. As we are committed to unbiased, balanced journalism, we would just like to say that WE HATE TUBE WORKERS.

After all, I have my profits - I mean my readers - to think of. When Tube workers strike, we sell fewer newspapers - ergo, the aforementioned pathological hatred. Oh, and we are a multi-million-pound capitalist enterprise, so any sign of the great unwashed workers standing up for themselves has to be condemned in the most strident tones. In times like these, the truth is a luxury we can ill afford.

We do not want everyone else getting ideas now, do we? If Tube workers get a decent pay rise, everyone else will want one. Maybe even the people who print Falling Standards, maybe even my butler. Heavens, no.

We have this spiffing line at the moment about Underground strikers being aggressive and intimidating. We do not even need any evidence - they are such emotive words that if we print them often enough, people will start to believe them. LUL management think it is a great spin, and are more than happy to help us out by calling the coppers to picket lines for no good reason.

Good front page on the strike day, don't you think? We took 300 pics of Brother Crow and printed the most hideous, the one where he looks like Les Dawson. Then, in the scoop of the year, we managed to find one nurse in the whole of London prepared to slag off the Tube strike. We made out how much we love nurses, but if they go on strike, we will hate them too!

Finally, I hope you enjoy our supplement about posh restaurants and riverside loft apartments. Just remember, that is for the likes of me, not the likes of you!

Tally ho!

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