How are you voting in the election?
âIâm voting Labour. The Tory manifesto has said that they will guarantee a minimum service when strikes are called.
This, on top of the ballot thresholds they announced last year will make make people feel that they canât go on strikeâ. (The Tories introduced new anti union legislation last year which obliges unions in key public sector areas to achieve at 40% vote in favour on a 50% turnout in a strike ballot).
Some drivers have said that they are all the same so voting is pointless.
âBut they are not all the same. Corbyn is turning things around however slowly. Finally someone is trying to make the rich pay rather than cut our services. The manifesto pledges to fund the NHS, end student fees and protect social care. Itâs a refreshing change from the âcutting more gentlyâ that Labour previously promised. When Blair was the candidate, he was supported by the Sun. Corbyn is being vilified by the press. Thereâs a reason for that. Itâs because he is being effectiveâ.
The Labour manifesto has also pledged a 10 minimum wage. How will this affect railworkers?
âThis will help a lot of people on the railway like the cleaners and the cafe workers. TPE and EMT Rail Gourmet people have got different levels of pay from each other. It causes resentment. We need everyone to be on a good living wageâ.
A lot of people are saying donât vote Tory but arenât saying what you should vote. Why are you saying vote Labour in particular?
âThe Tories will go on cutting corporation tax which benefits the rich, whilst carrying on cutting the services which we all need. The Lib Dems will tax everybody, rich and poor, an extra penny int he pound. Ukip donât have a manifesto as we speak but they wonât have a coherent set of policies. Only Labour have identified precisely where the money will come from to improve things for working class people by increasing taxes on the richâ.
