September 2012
JOIN US ON SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER I 'A Future That Works' demonstration I Summer of Action with Better Rail
I Fare rises, Virgin franchise and Olympics
in this issue
4–7 News & campaigns u Virgin franchise Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association
u Fare rises
General Secretary: Manuel Cortes
u Olympics App
Joining TSSA T: 020 7529 8032 F: 020 7383 0656 E: join@tssa.org.uk
8 Obituary: Tom Jenkins CBE
Your membership details T: 020 7529 8018 E: details@tssa.org.uk Helpdesk (workplace rights advice for members) T: 0800 3282673 (UK) 1800 805 272 (Rep of Ireland) Website www.tssa.org.uk (UK) www.tssa.ie (Ireland) @TSSAunion facebook.com/TSSAunion TSSA Journal Editor: Ben Soffa E: journal@tssa.org.uk T: 020 7529 8055 M: 07809 583020 General queries (London office) T: 020 7387 2101 F: 020 7383 0656 E: enquiries@tssa.org.uk Irish office from Northern Ireland T: +3531 8743467 F: +3531 8745662
u Tolpuddle Festival
u Our former general secretary remembered
10–17 A Future That Works demo special
u Why we need a future that works u Poster for your workplace
u Getting organised for the march
u The simple case for investment not cuts u Practical demo details
18–19 Better Rail u TSSA’s Summer of Action
20–21 Christian Wolmar u Reasons to be cheerful
22-23 Help & advice 24 Letters
from the Republic T: 01 8743467 F: 01 8745622 E: enquiries@tssa.ie TSSA Journal is published by TSSA, Walkden House 10 Melton Street London NW1 2EJ Design and production: Wild Strawberry Communications www.wildstrawberry.uk.com
Views published in the Journal are not necessarily those of TSSA. Acceptance of adverts for products or services does not imply TSSA endorsement. TSSA Journal is printed by TU Ink on Leipa Ultra Silk comprised of 100% post-consumer waste. The polythene wrapper is oxo-degradable. Vol 108/issue 1224
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18-19
The Better Rail message was hugely popular at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival
editorial
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A highly successful joint-union protest at Waterloo as the annual fares increase was announced
This issue of the Journal is something of a ‘demo special’. The TUC’s ‘A Future that Works’ demonstration on Saturday 20 October looks set to be huge – putting even more pressure on the government to change course from their disastrous ‘austerity at all costs’ model. Even if you’ve never considered joining a protest march before, please think about coming along – ideally bringing your family members and friends too. With our ‘horror cuts’ theme, we want it to be a really fun and empowering day for all involved – see pages 10-17 for all the details. I really hope to see you there! Elsewhere, Virgin are set to be out of the UK rail ‘market’ for the first time since 1997 after the loss of the West Coast route. No other franchise decision has ever seen so much public debate, not just due to Richard Branson’s high profile, but due to the growing sense that the whole franchise system is rotten. Over 100,000 have signed a petition (albeit, one heavily pushed by the Virgin media-machine) calling for the decision to be reconsidered. Meanwhile, many commentators have expressed concern that the high premiums of the FirstGroup bid may bankrupt the franchise. The most cynical amongst us might even welcome the firm going belly-up and breaking the 15 year contract early, noting how the East Coast route is still in public ownership almost three years after National Express handed it back to the DfT. In this issue we also remember the contribution of the late Tom Jenkins CBE – TSSA’s general secretary from 1977 to 1982. Tom guided the union through some turbulent years and is remembered by Lord Rosser on page 8. As always, your letters, either in response to articles or raising any other point of interest are very welcome, as are suggestions for articles. This really is your publication so please do get in touch. Ben Soffa, editor
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news
Virgin on the ridiculous THE GOVERNMENT HAVE finally revealed what many in the rail industry already seemed to know: Virgin have lost the lucrative West Coast franchise to First Group. First bid over a billion pounds more than Virgin in their quest to run intercity services between London and Glasgow. They successfully homed in on the Tory-led government’s desire to reduce government subsidy at any cost – particularly if that cost is borne by staff and passengers. However, Sir Richard Branson’s comments about ‘letting down’ taxpayers come a little too rich for most tastes. The ballooning knight’s personal fortune is based offshore, meaning he pays little UK tax on his massive profits. Doubts have been raised about the sustainability of First’s promised payments
for the franchise, but if their ridership predictions are met, a smaller proportion of the profit will be retained by them than under the Virgin bid. Branson is right about one thing though – that the current bidding system is ‘flawed... too costly and uncertain’. The privatisation of rail has resulted in worse conditions for most staff, worse services and higher fares for passengers, and a far worse deal for taxpayers. Many of us would echo the sentiments of David Sidebottom of Passenger Focus: ‘For the passengers making their way from London to Manchester or Glasgow, the important thing is not the name on the side of the train, but the experience of the journey, the availability of staff when you need them and of course, the value for money.’ One TSSA member who will
not be sad to see the back of the Branson-Souter regime is Martin Hodges. Virgin dismissed him in January without any disciplinary charges or hearing, reinstated him (on suspension) after TSSA intervention, then sacked him again in July – once more without charge or hearing. To add insult to injury, Virgin Trains management revealed confidential personal details about Martin in order to damage his reputation with his colleagues. The whole affair leaves a very bad taste in the mouth and is now in the hands of our solicitors, Morrish. ‘While Virgin have treated me with contempt, I do feel bad for my colleagues who have worked hard to make a success of running the West Coast service’, said Martin. ‘Working for the railway isn’t about First Group, Virgin or Stagecoach. It’s about the
ordinary people, the staff whose commitment and dedication make the difference for the passengers.’ TSSA general secretary, Manuel Cortes, sums it up nicely: ‘The privateers come, take their profits and go. The railway staff that TSSA is proud to represent are in it for the long haul. We will be watching First Group’s plans carefully as they set them out, but will expect and require them to put the needs of staff and passengers first and foremost at all times.’7
European Safety Week 2012 TSSA SAFETY REPS are preparing for European Health and Safety Week, which runs from 22 October, reports Michael Litchfield of Brighton Branch and a rep on the Southern Joint Safety Committee. This year’s theme ‘Working Together for Risk Prevention’ reflects the fact that workplaces with genuine joint working on health and safety are better at identifying, managing, and finding solutions to workplace hazards. Workplaces with active
and involved trade union safety reps are twice as safe as those without. Firms which have a leadership that positively supports health and safety also perform better. Members can use this week to raise their work concerns with their safety reps. TSSA has in place a network of safety representatives who play a key part in providing better health & safety for members, in and outside the workplace If your workplace doesn't have a dedicated health & safety representative why don't you volunteer? Specialist expert training is provided. Contact your rep, branch secretary or regional office for details. 7 Key Safety Facts 2010/11 l 175 workers killed at work l 200 000 reportable injuries causing over a three day absence l 26.4 million working days were lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury.
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news
Fare rises shock even right-wing Tories THE AUGUST ANNOUNCEMENT of the New Year rise in rail fares – set at 6.2 per cent – has drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum. TSSA, working with fellow unions, the Campaign for Better Transport and Climate Rush held a successful protest at Waterloo station, whilst normally-loyal Tory MPs queued up to condemn the ‘tax on commuters’. The rise of 3 per cent above inflation will see some fares go up by as much as 11 per cent, bringing the railways closer to becoming the ‘rich man’s toy’ that TSSA has consistently warned of. The protest, co-ordinated with the
TUC’s Action for Rail campaign saw the message ‘Cut Rail Fares not Rail Staff’ carried across the media, with the Times and Telegraph both carrying commentary calling for a return to public ownership. General secretary Manuel Cortes said: ‘It is complete nonsense to say fares have to rise above inflation every year to pay for new rail projects. Air travellers don’t pay higher taxes to get new runways built, and motorists certainly don’t pay more for new roads. This is all about squeezing a captive audience, the commuter, until the pips squeak. It is little more than daylight robbery.’7
Tolpuddle 2012 THE TOLPUDDLE FESTIVAL in Dorset always promises a fun weekend for all. It is an opportunity for trade unionists to come together to learn and commemorate our history, but also to relax and recharge their batteries. This year witnessed TSSA’s biggest delegation and most prominent appearance for years at the event, which marks the persecution and final triumph of six farm workers who attempted to form an early union. From the start Tolpuddle has a real festival atmosphere and a very friendly feel. Regardless of the wet outside, the live music in the Martyrs Marquee on Friday night saw a warm, dry, party atmosphere full of dancing people. Saturday was a great opportunity to push TSSA campaigns with other trade unions, with several thousand people already on the site. During the day there were activities for all ages and to suit everyone. The highly successful kids area was there in full force again, entertaining and educating throughout the weekend. Throughout the day there was the opportunity to listen to and join in debates around issues currently affecting working people such as regional pay and the right to demonstrate. The day was ended with ever-popular TSSA BBQ, where
Share your views on TSSA and win concert vouchers
this year we were joined by colleagues from ASLEF. Sunday sees coach after coach arriving to bring the number of people to around 11000. The parade through the village is the main event, with the streets of the small village filled with trade unionists and well-wishers. TSSA members and staff were joined by President Harriet Yeo and general secretary Manuel Cortes. We would encourage members to come along next year even if just for the Sunday to experience this festival for themselves. Free transport is arranged from most major cities in the South and also from London.7
WE ARE ASKING TSSA members for their opinions on our activities and structures so that we can find out where your priorities lie. We want to involve all members and to focus our organising, negotiating and campaigning activities on areas that you consider to be important. If you complete the survey you can opt to enter a draw with prizes of £100, £60 & £40 Ticketmaster concert and theatre vouchers to be won. 7
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Please visit www.surveymonkey. com/s/Equalitiesviews
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news
IT WAS GOLD for TSSA at London 2012! We’re the first trade union in the UK (and possibly the world) to produce a mobile phone app. The TSSA Olympic Survival Guide was launched with Val Shawcross AM, Labour’s London Transport spokesperson, in the week before the Games began. The TSSA smart phone app has the support of fellow transport groups, the Campaign for Better Transport and Climate Rush, which have promoted it widely to their supporters. LUSH, the handmade cosmetics firm that helps fund Climate Rush, have also given their backing. The app has received praise from the global trade union movement, including Union Solidarity International (USI) and the Union Organisers blog which described it as “one of the most exciting developments in our movement’s use of technology”. The blog went on to describe what it saw as TSSA’s “real innovation and willingness to use all the available technologies to connect with members, potential members, campaigners and the travelling public”. The TSSA Olympic Survival Guide contains transport updates, an Olympic schedule, useful contacts and travel guides. It’s also a fantastic campaigning tool, with information about TSSA and community campaigns. It helps raise public awareness about the vital contribution of public transport workers and encourages TSSA members and the travelling public to pledge their support for a properly funded and fully integrated public transport system. Because of the app, we’ve already had hundreds of people sign up to our Olympic Pledge. The app has now been redeveloped for the Paralympics, with TSSA working in conjunction with the disability campaign groups, Transport for All and A2B to provide additional information about
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Joanne O'Brien
TSSA gets a Gold
Val Shawcross – Labour’s London Transport spokesperson – launches the app with general secretary Manuel Cortes.
accessible transport and facilities for disabled travellers. So, what happens after London 2012...? Well, this is just the beginning. We’re planning to develop the app as a campaigning tool to assist and support TSSA members and reps, and to build widespread support for properly funded and affordable public transport services. Reports show that the majority of Britons now own a smartphone with about half of these based on the Android
platform on which the app was first launched. Blackberry and Windows followed soon after, with an iPhone version coming later this year when we re-launch with new functions. We’re looking for TSSA members to help guide us as the app develops. To download it – or see a sample running in your web browser, see www.tssa.org.uk/app and use the ‘feedback’ option to let us know what you think about the app, and what you’d like it to include in the future. 7
Don’t miss your chance to be part of TSSA decision making! TSSA Annual Conference sets the policies and direction of our union – built on the basis of the hard work carried out by TSSA branches throughout the year. If you’re not already involved in your branch, now’s a great time to start. Branch meetings take place regularly and are your chance to make a difference. Have your say To be a delegate to Annual Conference 2013 you must be nominated by your branch. The conference will be held in the Marriott Hotel Glasgow from 12 to 15 May, starting with an evening social event on 12 May. Delegate application forms will be sent to branches on 2 November 2012.
Conference 2013
Delegates will stay in the 4* Marriott (arranged and paid for by head office) and will have three meals, tea, coffee and water throughout the day. Reasonable travel costs and loss of pay will also be covered by the Association.
news
Sarah -Turton
New general secretary for TUC FRANCES O’GRADY HAS been elected as the TUC’s new general secretary – the first woman to hold the post. She will take over the reins from Brendan Barber when he retires at the end of the year, but will become general secretary designate at the upcoming meeting of Congress. ‘Never has a strong, responsible trade union movement been so needed,’ she said. ‘With austerity policies biting hard and with no evidence that they are working, people at work need the TUC to speak up for them now more than ever. ‘We must be the advocates of the growth and jobs alternative, and with the policy prescriptions of the last 30 years increasingly discredited, we have the best opportunity in a generation to help build a fair, productive and green economy that works for ordinary people.’ A full interview with Frances O’Grady will appear in the next issue of the Journal. 7
Amey: ‘Taking people and making steel’ MEMBERS IN AMEY are once again in dispute after the firm offered a derisory 1.75 per cent pay deal. Employees are told they outperform the competition in every way, year on year – something sadly not true of Amey’s pay offers. TSSA Rep Colin Savage told the Journal, ‘We have already begun to change this. A member recently said to me that we’d come a long way. I agreed, but we plan to go further – a lot further. ‘We have doubled our membership, widened collective bargaining and engaged many younger workers. Indeed in one area alone, we now have 50 per cent of our membership aged
23 and under. Our team has bucked all the trends. Others told us we would fail at and in this too we intend to carry on bucking trends.’ Colin adds, ‘At each attempt to smash our members and their union, the TSSA has grown in strength. Like steel forged in a fire, the harder you hammer us the stronger we get. We do have a long way to go but we have the metal to get there.’ 7
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Are you a member in Amey? If you’ve not yet, please complete the Fair Pay survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/Ameyfairpay
TSSA give evidence at Stormont A JOINT TSSA / Unite panel had a productive meeting with the Northern Ireland Department of Regional Development Transport Select Committee at Stormont in June. The committee wanted to investigate the impact that Translink’s corporate plan would have on members. General secretary Manuel Cortes stated his biggest fear was job losses, above inflation fare rises and a reduction in the services. The committee appeared sympathetic and were keen to prevent any job losses that might be caused by the new corporate plan. The committee agreed to further meetings with the unions and to consider TSSA’s request that they consider commissioning research into the social, economic, environmental and commercial impact of the proposed cuts to Translink’s subsidy. 7
Pensions rep honoured TSSA’S STEVE RICHARDS was named ‘Trustee of the Year’ at the Engaged Investor Magazine Trustee Awards 2012. Steve has recently been re-appointed to serve on the board of the Railways Pension Trustee Company Ltd for a further six years, safeguarding the interests of members in the RPS. Steve’s efforts were also praised by the administrators of the pension scheme, who said, ‘This award is a very well-deserved recognition of the hard work and dedication Steve has always brought to the role’. 7
EDL opposed in Essex WHEN THE RACIST English Defence League (EDL) decided to march through Chelmsford, a rapidly-established group, ‘United Chelmsford’, was initiated by the local TUC to oppose them. Hundreds of supporters turned out to tell the EDL they were not welcome. TSSA members joined the march including former president, Andy Bain, Joel Kosminsky, Colin Farquhar, David Barnes, Malcolm Wallace and Bob Davies, with Malcolm being asked to chair an anti-EDL meeting which brought together local councillors, churches, members of the Muslim community and Unite Against Fascism. 7
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Obituary
Tom Jenkins CBE Former general secretary Tom Jenkins is remembered by one of his successors in the role, Lord Rosser.
TOM JENKINS, WHO has died aged 91, was general secretary of the TSSA for nearly five and a half years from May 1977 until his retirement at the end of August 1982. Tom became general secretary in unusual circumstances. The previous general secretary, David Mackenzie, stood down at the beginning of 1977 due to ill health. Instead of appointing the senior assistant general secretary – Tom Jenkins – the Executive Committee made the then president, Tom Bradley MP the acting general secretary. This was to be an interim appointment pending a full election, but in the full knowledge that Tom Bradley MP was likely to be a candidate. Tom Jenkins and Tom Bradley both contested what was, at times, a divisive election for general secretary. It split both the active membership and, to a degree, the paid staff. Tom Jenkins won by just under 7000 votes. He took office with an Executive
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Committee that was less than fully behind him and a new President, Walter Johnson MP, who would have preferred Tom Bradley to have won. However, whilst some of the tensions inevitably remained, it was to the credit of all concerned that the new team, led by Tom Jenkins, recognised their overriding responsibilities to the membership, and worked together during what became an increasingly difficult time for both trade unions and the publicly owned transport industry. Tom Jenkins was born in 1920 and joined the Great Western Railway Company in 1937 in the Docks Department at Swansea. He served in the army in the Second World War, and then resumed his employment at Swansea Docks before joining the full-time staff of the then Railway Clerks’ Association in London in 1949. Tom served in a number of different posts, and became
the senior assistant general secretary in 1973 before his election as general secretary in 1977. In those days the election was by branch block vote and not, as now, by individual ballot of the membership. Making his mark on the national scene in the transport industry, the Labour Party and TUC circles, Tom Jenkins was awarded the CBE in 1981. Following his retirement, he served for a number of years on the ACAS Arbitration Board, the Central Arbitration Committee, the Police Complaints Board and the Employment Appeal Tribunal. His time as general secretary saw a change of government with the election of the Conservatives under Margaret Thatcher in 1979. A raft of laws designed to weaken the trade unions followed, together with the first moves towards transferring the publicly owned transport industry into the private sector.
Although the full impact of these moves was not felt until the years after his retirement, Tom Jenkins was the first general secretary who had to address these developments, which were to have such a profound effect on the Association and its membership. Tom Jenkins was known as an assiduous and dogged negotiator with an eye for detail and a memory to match. He was frequently able – aided also by his shorthand skills – to quote back at people, usually management representatives and often to their embarrassment, word for word what they had said much earlier in a meeting or at a previous meeting. Trade unionism ran in his family and his brother Clive Jenkins was general secretary of the then Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staff – now part of Unite. Tom leaves his wife Joyce and two daughters.7
organising Manuel Cortes
Fight these crazy cuts: Join us on the march
comment
Manuel Cortes shows how the flawed thinking behind the Government’s cuts have wiped out any growth in the economy and why we must stand up to oppose them. Our economy continues to be in a perilous state. Just recently the Bank of England downgraded its growth forecast for 2012 to zero. Our economy is now smaller than when David Cameron came to power. In May 2010 our economy was growing and we seemed be on the path to economic recovery, albeit a fragile one. The patient was on life support and great care and attention were needed to ensure that a double-dip recession was avoided. Yet the government decided that cutting the debt was almost its sole priority. We were told that cuts, although painful, were absolutely necessary and would lead to sustained economic growth. Well for sure, the cuts are really hurting but over two years on, they are clearly not working. You know, politicians can be a right devious lot. During the 2010 general election campaign, Cameron and Osborne told us paying off the UK’s debt was just like you or me overspending on our credit card and having to cut back our spending to make repayments. But anyone who takes more than the briefest of looks at how our economy works will know that this is totally wrong. UK PLC functions on a complex web of transactions, so if the Government makes thousands of public sector workers redundant, then its tax take falls and benefit requirements grow. This inevitably leads to either greater borrowing or deeper cuts and tax rises. Of course, the private sector is not immune to public sector cuts. If people are out of work they have less disposable income. From the local corner shop to the big high streets names, sales will drop, profits will be slashed and jobs will probably go. Government cuts in infrastructure, like billions withdrawn from school rebuilding directly cause private sector job losses in already-depressed areas like construction. In a nutshell, this is what is happening to our economy, with growth now off the radar for yet another year. There is a very real danger that this becomes a vicious downward spiral in which ordinary people –
‘There are millions already bearing the brunt of the pain – take an of voices up and down our country crying for change. Let’s play our part in delivering a future that works!’
increasingly disproportionate economic hit. We have been here before. In the 1930s, the response to a deep economic crisis was to cut to the bone and beyond. This led to mass unemployment and a dramatic rise in poverty. In fact, the world economy did not even start to recover until the effects of US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s decision to defy conventional wisdom and spend his way out of the crisis started to filter through. You may be wondering but what about debt? How will it be repaid? When it comes to eradicating deficits and debt, growth is the only show in town. As our economy gets larger tax receipts increase, the benefit bill reduces as people get back to work and budget surpluses occur. Perhaps more importantly, as our economy grows our total debt shrinks as a proportion of our national wealth – GDP. I know that this sounds kind of magical but it is true. Our GDP is around £1.5 trillion. For each 1 per cent of growth, an additional £15 billion is added to our national wealth year on year. So if we return to our trend growth of 2.5 per cent an extra £37.5 billion (and growing) would be added to GDP year after year. As the starting point grows each year, the 2.5 per cent average our economy achieved for many years amounts to an ever-greater sum. Cuts are not an economic necessity – they are the ideological choice of this government! In March last year hundreds of thousands of ordinary people marched through London demanding alternatives to the government’s crude and damaging cuts. Since then, the need for a change of direction has, if anything, become even more acute. You will see within this Journal extensive coverage of why we all need to join the TUC March on the 20 October 2012 to demand a future that works. I would strongly urge you to come along and join the TSSA contingent on the day. You know, there are millions of voices up and down our country crying for change. Let us play our part in delivering a future that works! 7
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On Saturday 20 October hundreds of thousands of people will come together to make clear their opposition to the UK Government’s failed austerity policies, which are blighting the lives of millions. Over the following pages we look at why we desperately need an alternative and how you, your family and your work colleagues can be part of the demand for a future that works.
We need Join TSSA in fighting the ‘Horror Cuts’ to our jobs and services Britain faces long-term economic problems – both the need to recover from a global economic shock and to build a fairer society with jobs, homes and opportunities for all. But our current political leaders have failed to face up to these problems and are, at present, sending us and the economy in the wrong direction. Real damage to people’s lives is being done day after day. We cannot simply wait until an election in two and a half years time by which point the problem may be much bigger. As part of a growing coalition – including many of the economists who backed Cameron before
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the election – we need to force change from this Government and send a clear message that we will expect a real alternative from Labour. Fight the Horror Cuts of Cameron, Osborne and McNulty Whether it’s the slash and burn policies which have targeted the whole range of public services we rely on, or the specific cuts to the railways proposed by McNulty, we need to send a clear message that this will not be tolerated. The McNulty Report seeks to reduce £1 billion of government investment in the railways through cutting jobs and
services. Rolling stock leasing companies alone saw profits of £1 billion last year. Ending the fragmented structure supported by the government would save a further £1 billion. It seems that the government supports all ways of cutting costs in the railway – except reducing profit and returning our railways to public ownership. Investing in rail – for jobs and growth As Manuel Cortes writes (page 9), the return of growth to the economy is the only show in town for paying off debts and providing for people’s needs. The railways are one of the most obvious
Shocking Fact #1 Because each new cut slices away from an already cut base, for every £6 of service cuts that have already happened, there are £94 more to come. areas for large-scale investment, often mentioned by commentators alongside the idea of a massive house-building programme. As explained on page 16, the low cost of government borrowing makes this the ideal time to reverse the effects of decades of underinvestment. There are the smallest of hints that some in government may be starting to grasp the fact that investment is vital to re-grow the economy, if not on the scale required. Sadly, they want the credit for the ‘the biggest investment in rail since the Victorian era’, but behind the spin, the majority of the £9bn figure claimed by transport ministers is actually made up of previously-announced programmes, some of them reaching back to the last Labour government. Re-announcements and long term plans won’t get people back into jobs – real and urgent spending on the many planned but un-funded network improvements would. Pledge to join the march Huge protests aren’t really built by the central organisers, but by the thousands upon thousands of people sitting at home and deciding whether to come or not. Even if you’ve never done anything like this before (and most of those in the TSSA block last time hadn’t) now is the time to make a stand – to protect your own job and public services and to say we need an economy that works for the millions, not the millionaires. Fill out the form on www.tssa.org.uk/october20march or write to us to let us know you’re coming. Branches pledging to bring over 10 activists can have a free TSSA banner centrally printed for use on the day.
themed fancy dress competition, music, free lunch packs and a range of social events afterwards. Share why you’ll be marching: enter the prize draw Tell us why you’ll be joining the demonstration in under 30 words and we’ll enter you into a prize draw to win one of two fabulous TSSA Tolpuddle Festival t-shirts. We’ll be publishing many of the responses on the website, so this is a great chance to highlight services threatened by cuts that are dear to you. Send us your reasons on www.tssa.org.uk/october20march or write to the ordinary address.
Shocking Fact #2 The economy is now forecast to grow around nine times more slowly than expected when the government took office, with 2,600,000 people still out of work. Spread the message Use the poster on the following pages for your work or community noticeboard, but also think about how you can share
Shocking Fact #3 The poorer half of the population – reaching right up to the ‘most average’ person – only own 9p of every £1 of national wealth. the news about the march. Why not write to your local paper explaining why you’re supporting the event, or if you’re going as a group why not take a photo and try and get a story out of it. You can also find easy ways to share news of the day online via www.afuturethatworks.org.uk, including twibbons for your Twitter and Facebook accounts. Follow @futurethatworks for updates and use the hashtag #oct20. Just getting going for 2013 – the ‘year of horror’ Whilst the march looks set to be the biggest in years, this will just be the start of our actions – against the cuts and for Better Rail in 2013. We’ll be ushering in action against McNulty’s slash and burn prescription with a ‘year of horror’ – starting with a launch event on Halloween – 31 October. See details of how you can get involved on p15. 7
‘It might not be a typical family day out, but we all had a great time on the march last year. If everyone coming with TSSA brought just one or two family members, we’d soon number well into the thousands.’
A family fun day… of horror Our theme for the day will be opposing the ‘Horror Cuts’ (see the poster on the next page). The march is just before Halloween, so why not bring a mask or fancy dress? We will have face-painting for kids, a horror-
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Get organised for A FUTURE THAT WORKS – in your workplace, branch and community People across the whole TSSA family – leaders, activists, members, their family and friends are all getting fired up for the October 20 demonstration, whether attending in London, Glasgow or Belfast. We have a goal to bring out 1000 members, family members, friends and community partners to march under the TSSA banner. To do this, we need everyone to get active and get organised! Our theme for the day is ‘Fight the Horror Cuts’. To make it a family fun day for all, we encourage all those who’d like to, to wear horror costumes. We will have face painting for the kids, snack packs and a whole lot more on the day. Here are a few ingredients for organising success: We want all members who can to join the demonstration. If you can’t attend yourself, look at all those members of ‘Team TSSA’ around you who might be able to join the call for A Future That Works: l Leaders
They may be a rep, they may be a member who gets active on particular issues, but they are definitely someone who can motivate others and inspire them to come on the march. A TSSA
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workplace leader is well respected by their colleagues and is someone who can bring others to meetings, marches and get them active in TSSA campaigns. Does this describe you? Or a colleague you know? If so, we need to hear from you now. Tell us who is a leader in your workplace at www.tssa.org.uk/october 20march. l Active members Without active members our union will have no strength. An active member or activist is someone who is involved in our campaigns and workplace union activities. They distribute materials, go to meetings, attend leaflet actions and marches, help organise their workplace and spread the word about the horror cuts facing us all. We need these kinds of activists in our preparation for the October 20 march. Are you active? Would you like to be more involved and help organise the biggest TSSA march yet? Find out more on www.tssa.org.uk/ better-rail or contact Nadine Rae on raen@tssa.org.uk. l Members Our members are the union. We cannot grow smaller and stronger at the same
time – we need to grow our membership and encourage members to get involved in the union. The march on October 20 is the perfect event to build a deep feeling of pride in TSSA and what we can achieve. Our leaders and activists will be calling upon members to show their support and solidarity on October 20 by coming to the march. Are you a member who is thinking about coming? Do you want to show how you feel about the horror cuts in rail, travel and public services? Find out more and pledge to come on www.tssa.org.uk/october 20march. l Branches
Our TSSA branches play a vital role in organising mass events like the October 20 demonstration. If every TSSA branch brought 10 people we would easily exceed our goal of 1000 members and families, friends and community partners. To reward those branches who do their part and register 10 or more people pledges to come to the march, we will print a branch banner for you to march behind on the day and keep for future actions. You can register your pledges at www.tssa.org.uk/october20march.
are more likely to say yes straight away.
Charlie Daniels
Charlie Daniels’ top tips Charlie Daniels is a rep within Network Rail on full time release. Charlie’s branch brought along the largest number of people of any branch to the previous TUC demonstration last year. Here are his top tips on getting people to the march: www.tssa.org.uk/october20march. l Get the information out about the date, location, and reasons why we are marching as soon as possible, so people know about it. l Identify a group of people who can help you approach others about coming to the march. They will be your October 20 Campaign Group. Meet regularly to discuss progress and other key issues: who has approached whom, what were the responses, how can we overcome objections and arrange travel? l Make a list of who has attended a branch meeting, been along to a workplace meeting or even signed a pledge card. List anyone who has done anything in the past six to 12 months to show their support for the union. These are your active members. l Ask your active members first! They
yet been personally involved in union activities. Ask people if they have received all the information: Did they get the email? Have they seen the poster? Do they need more information about why we need to march? l People will often ask ‘Who else is coming?’ By then you will already have commitments from some active members, which will encourage people to come who have never done anything union before; l Make it a fun day for all! Charlie adds, ‘We had a branch banner made so all our branch members could march together. Our committee worked out all the travel arrangements – which underground stations we needed, where we were going to meet. We even arranged for a snack pack when people were heading home on the train! It was a long day for all of us, and people really appreciated that little extra thought.’ ‘As branch chair, I took responsibility for leading the committee, checking with people who had said they would do something. As we were meeting really regularly we could go over the problems and issues well in advance, resolving any issues that were keeping our members from attending.’ ‘It is simple organising, but still not easy! We needed to help each other and keep on top of the issues as they came up. We’re now seeing the impacts of the cuts that we predicted last year. That’s why we need to march on October 20 for a future that works.’ 7 Charlie Daniels, chair, Network Rail Anglia North Branch
Stefano Cagnoni / reportdigital.co.uk
l Then approach people who have not
Regional events to prepare for the march: September 15 &16 – check out www.tssa.org.uk/october20march for details of the event near you. The demonstration pre-event will discuss the purpose of the march, address concerns, provide logistical information and discuss organising strategies going into the march. Last year there was a pre-event in London, which provided a direct boost to the numbers of people joining the march. Materials and agenda are being prepared and will be available soon on www.tssa.org.uk/october20march.
Halloween campaign launch for 2013 TSSA are staying ahead of the game by launching our campaign for 2013 on Halloween, 31 October. Just 11 days after the October 20 march, our campaign launch is a signal to politicians and rail employers that TSSA are stepping up our fight for a better railway in 2013. We will hold a launch action and evening event in London and hope to involve as many members and community partners as possible. Details are being finalised now so check www.tssa.org.uk/better-rail for more information. This Halloween we will share with members our vision for 2013 and beyond. If your branch, company council or workplace wants to find out more about our campaign for 2013 or to hold your own Halloween launch, contact Nadine Rae on raen@tssa.org.uk.
TSSA Journal
15
Now for the numbers bit ...
The simple case for investment not cuts
How economies have fared since the start of the crisis. The UK economy is now 4.5 per cent smaller than in 2008.
The Government’s austerity plans need to be opposed not just due to their human costs, but because of their total failure to achieve what they set out to do. Not only are they failing to return the country to prosperity, they are the prime cause of the ‘double dip’ recession, triggering the economy to shrink again. Like some medieval doctor, the more ‘treatment’ that George Osborne administers, the bigger the problem gets. Put simply, the deficit is the gap between money the government gets from tax and the money it spends in any year. The national debt is the combined balance of historic borrowing. As large numbers of people are out of work, billions in tax payments are lost by the Government, which also has to pay out more in benefits. Companies that are shrinking or going bust reduce tax payments further. The key to turning all of this around is growth. The Tories argued that the volume of public spending was ‘crowding out’ the private sector, which would automatically grow as public-sector cuts were made. On the contrary, companies with healthy balances are on an ‘investment strike’, preferring to keep hold of their money because they see great risks and few opportunities at present. Osborne and Cameron pledged to remove the structural deficit during this Parliament. The further recession they
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September 2012
have caused means they now admit it will last at least two years beyond this. The initial crisis was global, but as the graph shows the outcomes have been very different for different countries. Cameron and Osborne have blamed the Eurozone for sending Britain back into recession – but the average position across the Eurozone economies is one of growth, with those economies most similar economies to Britain growing the fastest. Britain is near the bottom of the league, not due to cold weather, wet weather, royal celebrations or watching too much TV during the Olympics, but, in greatest part, because of the wrongheaded policies being pursued by the Tory-led Government. Debt in itself is no major problem, but expensive or unaffordable debt is. At the moment the cost of servicing the national debt is lower than almost the whole post-
war period. The cost of new borrowing for the Government (the bond yields talked about on the news) is now so low that this is the cheapest time in years for the Government to be borrowing to finance infrastructure and growth-generating schemes. The interest rates being offered to government are now so low that almost any sensible project will cover the cost of the increased borrowing through growing tax revenues. Housing, rail and other transport infrastructure, de-carbonising our energy supply – there is no shortage of large-scale projects which are massively needed and produce near certain returns. The Government should be making the most of this opportunity to rebuild core components of our economy, whilst providing jobs for millions both directly and through the knock on effects of this spending.7 The cost of servicing the national debt is lower than at almost any time since WW2.
Being part of A FUTURE THAT WORKS The route
What is happening The format for the day will be a march through central London (including Westminster) followed by a rally in Hyde Park. If you cannot complete the full three mile march, please join at Trafalgar Square or come straight to Hyde Park.
A safe, family-friendly event The event will be carefully stewarded with the aim to make it as safe, accessible, and family friendly as possible. The march will be led by musicians and we expect a number of bands to join the march. Whilst it is hoped that all will respect this mood, some may seek to use the day to stage non-peaceful protests. Last year, the tiny minority who were involved in such acts did so away from the main march. Whilst a repeat cannot be ruled out, the main stewarded march and rally should remain a safe space for all.
The route The march will begin forming up on Embankment. The area will be very busy so it will be best to head towards Blackfriars and move up to join the TSSA section from the rear of the march. Details are still subject to change, but as it is currently planned, the march will pass Parliament, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus, before entering Hyde Park at Hyde Park Corner for a rally. Westminster, Embankment and Temple tube stations will be very busy and are probably best avoided. It will be quicker to walk from further away.
Transport TSSA branches, trades councils, anti-cuts groups and other unions may have a cheap or free coach going from your area. Ask you branch and check www.falseeconomy.org.uk/oct20 for details.
Timm Sonnenschein / reportdigital.co.uk
Timings The march will assemble along Victoria Embankment on the north bank of the Thames from 11am, moving off around noon. The bigger the march, the longer it will take to move off, let alone complete the route. At last year’s March for the Alternative people did not finish leaving the Embankment until around 4pm. We hope the TSSA block will have left well before this, but you should expect not to reach Hyde Park until some time between 2 and 4 – perhaps later. Remember to allow a large amount of extra time to reach your transport home – streets and stations will be very busy.
What to bring TSSA will provide a limited number of lunch boxes, but you may wish to bring easy to eat food, water and perhaps a thermos of tea or soup. Comfortable shoes. Warm clothes in multiple layers – you may need more on whilst static but less when marching. Rain protection. A fully-charged mobile phone. A camera if you want to record the day. A Halloween mask or fancy dress (if you dare to join in the TSSA’s ‘horror’ theme). Noise-makers of all sorts!
Updates on the day The TUC will be providing updates via stewards and through @futurethatworks on Twitter and we’ll be tweeting from @TSSAunion. A mobile number to contact TSSA during the demonstration will be publicised nearer the time. Glasgow and Belfast demonstrations There will also be protests in Glasgow and Belfast. The Scottish TUC have organised a march and rally in Glasgow as part of the ‘There is a better way’ campaign. The meeting point is still being agreed with the council, but the march will gather at 11am and move to a rally at Glasgow Green. See thereisabetterway.org for more information. The Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trades Unions are currently making arrangements for people to gather at Writers Square in Belfast and march to Customs House Square. Members across Ireland are welcome at what will be a familyfriendly event that will unite trade unions and community groups. 7
Everyone wants to join the march!
TSSA Journal
17
Better Rail
Better Rail has heated up over summer! Our TOC Reps decided to take up a challenge and make this season TSSA’s Summer of Action – 12 weeks of actions in our fight for a better railway.
TSSA leafleting at Bristol Temple Meads with Transport For Greater Bristol, Labour environmental campaigners SERA and allies.
We asked people at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival what would make a better railway.
TSSA’s Summer of Action Training nal TOC Reps Week 1 Natio Action of es Summer Seminar launch t meeting or in dispute supp Week 2 Virg g for Virgin , phone bankin in Birmingham dispute aflet actions, in Stations le Week 3 Virg kend school Spectrum wee Martyrs at Tolpuddle Week 4 TSSA
Festival tions at pic Pledge ac Week 5 Olym lestra House nchurch St, Pa Fe d, or tf ra St rn Metro s; Southeaste and St Pancra ts Lingfield Branch leafle tions at pic Pledge ac Week 6 Olym ium Coventry Stad tions pic Pledge ac m ly O Week 7 to Holyhead iff rd leting Ca continue: leaf tions pic Pledge ac Week 8 Olym rdiff Queen St continue at Ca n for Rail s actions, Actio Week 9 Fare er Rail tt survey for Be Week 10 c2c Principles bidders start meeting Week 11 TSSA anchise eside (c2c) fr for Essex Tham ies group, n with disabilit Week 12 Actio Workplace of Better Rail DPAC, Launch s first of Film Group’ Survey, Launch film
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Over the first six months of the year TSSA members have, on average, held an action every week as part of the Better Rail campaign – setting a new standard that TSSA members can be proud of. Here are just some of the actions TSSA members have led over the past 12 weeks. Around a dozen TOCs were involved, with additional activity organised via Spectrum. Our self-organised group (SOG) of LGBT members released their Better Rail Spectrum Survey shortly after their weekend school. Several branches took the lead with leafleting sessions and joining in with phone banks to support the Virgin campaign. Olympic Pledge Actions TSSA members distributed 50,000 pledge cards noting the vital role played by members in delivering the Olympics and Paralympics. The aim is to get the travelling public from around the world on our side – not just during the games – but in the future. By signing up to the Pledge members of the public demonstrate their support for a properly funded, fully integrated public transport system, and for our campaign for Better Rail. Members feel a deep commitment to provide a quality public service and these pledges were a way to communicate this directly to passengers.
TSSA at Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival This summer Better Rail went to the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival. We asked people at the festival what they thought would make a better railway. No surprises – there was a strong view that the railways should be publicly owned. Virgin dispute Our TOC reps pledged their support in the fight for union rights and job security at Virgin Trains. A group of reps from across a number of TOCs got together to join a Martin Hodges speaking at phone bank, calling National TOC Reps members in Virgin to Seminar discuss the issues. Despite the recent announcement that Virgin Trains have lost the franchise to First Group, our reps remain committed to organising and are planning a series of activities to build our union on the West Coast route. Better Rail Principles for Essex Thameside In the April Journal we showcased our reps from c2c who were organising their TOC as part of the Better Rail launch. Their work has gone from strength to strength as they continue to talk to c2c workers
Better Rail about their most pressing issues such as the removal of safety glass from ticket office windows, staff cuts and ticketing problems. Their feedback will help form ‘Better Rail Principles’ that we will include in our submissions and take to the bidders for the new franchise and ask for their responses. Our principles will also be shared with the community, to shape our demands even further and build support for Better Rail on Essex Thameside.
Mary Sithole reporting back at National TOC Reps Seminar Mary Sithole, Workplace Rep on c2c says, ‘People are keen to share their thoughts about what changes they would like to see. Our members want their pay and conditions to line up with the other TOCs as c2c workers are some of the lowest paid amongst TOCs. Everyone appreciates having a job, but want to feel they are valued.’ Fares Action Our Better Rail activists spread the word on fares again following the announcement of the RPI in August, setting the horror fare increases for 2013 at 6.2 per cent. TSSA joined other rail unions in a national day of action on fares for the TUC led Action for Rail campaign. Susan Pattwell, Workplace Rep Southeastern said, ‘Passengers at Waterloo told us it was outrageous that they have to pay more for the same service. We see more fare dodging after prices increase as people genuinely can’t afford it. We all need to get involved in the fares campaign – if we all get together, our actions can add up to a lot.’
Get active in the fight for Better Rail Better Rail Workplace Survey During the Summer of Action we released the Better Rail Workplace Survey, an action designed to take Better Rail directly to TSSA’s members and potential members. Our survey is designed to gather information on workplace issues and people’s thoughts on what will make a better railway. This information will shape our Better Rail Industry Standards that will be the core aim of TSSA’s Better Jobs bargaining agenda for 2013 and beyond. See www.tssa.org.uk/better-rail for more information on Better Jobs. Our survey is simple: Q – What are the top three issues you face in your workplace? Q – What do you think will make a better railway? How you can get active: l Make a list of who you want to approach about completing the survey; l Request survey forms online at www.tssa.org.uk/better-rail. We will send you a survey pack including forms and envelopes to post back the surveys. l Ask your colleagues to fill out a survey. Help them by completing it with them, then and there. l Collect the completed surveys and send them in together (don’t forget to indicate on the surveys your details so we know who sent them in). l Go to your next branch or company council meeting as we will send them the information gathered from the surveys in your workplace. We will collect and analyse the surveys at the national level but also send out the specific results from your workplace to your company council and/or relevant branches. This way we will know if there are common issues across employers and also provide your company council and branch the information they need to organise your workplaces and resolve issues. Other ways you can get active: l pledge to come to the October 20 march at www.tssa.org.uk/october20march l arrange a postcard action on fares or better stations, see www.tssa.org.uk/better-rail l show our film at your next branch or workplace meeting youtube.com/tssaunion l tweet your thoughts on #betterrail
i
For other information on how you can get involved in Better Rail, contact Nadine Rae at aen@tssa.org.uk or visit www.tssa.org.uk/better-rail.
Spectrum take action for Better Rail Self-Organised Group Spectrum designed their own Better Rail postcard-survey action for the summer. Releasing the survey at Pride events throughout July and August, Spectrum hope to identify new members who want to get active on transport issues, particularly safety on trains and stations. To take the survey visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/LGBTBetterRail.
TSSA Journal
19
Christian Wolmar Christian Wolmar sees the growing recognition of rail’s successes – at the Olympics and in the so-called ‘biggest investment since Victorian times’ – as
Reasons to be cheerful
reason to celebrate. However, McNulty and new franchises based on unending growth are potential clouds on the horizon.
There is much cause to celebrate in the rail industry. The Olympics were an amazing triumph for public transport and the rail industry in particular. They were advertised as ‘the public transport games’ and that is exactly what they turned out to be. Fears about transport chaos, got up by the media, proved to be groundless (as I had predicted). There is a wider message to be drawn from this. Public transport is the key to moving large numbers of people around cities. I am sure readers of TSSA Journal knew that already, but the message seems to be getting through to policy makers. The fact that large chunks of the London road network could be – unnecessarily as
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it turned out – taken out of action to allow the so-called ‘Olympic Family’ to travel in reserved lanes, and yet not cause traffic chaos makes a very clear point: reorganising our cities around buses, trams and rail would be a far better option than the continued emphasis on building and widening roads for cars mostly occupied by a single person but taking up large amounts of road space. Politicians do seem to have begun to understand this. The announcement of the investment plans – officially known as the High Level Output Specification (a term understood by very few!) – in July with the emphasis on electrification was a fantastic endorsement of the rail industry.
Sure, on closer examination, the details were not quite as good as spun by the Department’s press people, as it was not the ‘biggest rail investment plans since Victorian times’ and nor did it represent a massive increase in what had gone before. Moreover, there is a convoluted process to be gone through before the schemes can get the absolute go ahead, with the Office of Rail Regulation having to assess them in the light of the money allocated by the government (the SOFA – Statement of Funds Available) to test whether the schemes are affordable. There are other concerns: we are always at the mercy of this crazy coalition’s emphasis on austerity and the
Christian Wolmar way that these plans dovetail in with the McNulty proposals is not explained anywhere. A big proportion of the McNulty savings are supposed to come from the franchisees but with so many big contracts coming up for renewal – Thameslink, Great Western, East Coast etc – the amounts that the bidders will commit themselves to pay (‘premiums’ are the order of the day, since the £3bn plus annual subsidy to Network Rail means that the franchises are theoretically ‘profitable’) are not known. It could well be that franchise bidders will not offer these big premiums, and then the government will be in a quandary – either cutting back investment plans like in the old days of boom or bust, or finding extra cash to pay for it. Therefore a lot of this investment relies on a wing and a prayer, and in particular continued growth. It is, indeed, one of the mysteries of the industry that passenger numbers have continued to rise despite the recession. Part of this is down to the buoyancy of the London economy compared with the rest of the country and rising fuel prices have also contributed to the modal shift. Trains have got more comfortable – though not when people are straphanging – and reliable, as well, but nevertheless, it is difficult to explain why passenger numbers have grown so sharply. So, conversely, the growth may well tail off for no clear reason and that would put the whole economics of the industry at risk. The fact that the government plans for investment and its franchising programme are dependent on the assumption of continued rising passenger numbers is a major worry. The fact that the success of the FirstGroup bid for West Coast, which ousted Virgin, relies on maintaining an annual rise in passenger numbers of around 8 per cent throughout the 14 year franchise is rather like betting that Manchester United will win the Premiership most years during that period. To me, this expectation of growth does not seem realistic. The doubling of
Rail is seen as a growth industry, attracting more and more passengers and, with investment, becoming more reliable, increasing passenger satisfaction.
Over the course of the 13 year franchise, the difference between Virgin’s and First Group’s predicted revenue growth develops into a gap of dozens of millions of pounds a year.
passenger numbers on the West Coast has been a result of the investment both in trains and the refurbishment of the track and infrastructure (at a cost of £9bn) and surely that effect will eventually soon start to run out of steam. Nevertheless, FirstGroup has risked its whole future in the industry on this bid since it would not dare walk away if the numbers don’t materialise. If it did, it would lose its other franchises under the cross-default rules. Since the growth has been partly dependent on the relative cost of motoring and rail tickets, the big worry is that Justine Greening will not, this time, be able to stop the RPI plus 3 per cent fares rises, while on the other hand George Osborne will keep on postponing tax rises for motorists. Moreover, oil prices may not rise much further given the worldwide recession and the fact that the big potential increase in supply from the highly environmentally damaging shale oil becomes economical once prices of around $100 per barrel are maintained. That may well become the new norm – nothing enough to deter motorists but enough to ensure a
That large chunks of the London road network could be taken out of action without traffic chaos clearly supports the reorganising of our cities around public transport.
continuous supply of oil. Despite all these warnings, I do not wish to be seen as being negative. In many respects, the railways are in a better state than they have ever been in their history. Sure, the semi-privatised structure which is fundamentally dysfunctional and leads to much extra cost remains and there are no plans to change it, though the experiment with integration through an alliance on South West Trains is a welcome development that may lead to reduced costs. However, the key point is that the railways are now widely recognised as a key part of the nation’s infrastructure. They are seen as a growth industry, attracting more and more passengers and, with investment, becoming more reliable and thus achieving higher passenger satisfaction scores. Who would have foreseen this success and the widespread recognition of the railways importance in the dark days of the early period of rail privatisation, when the industry was seen as a financial basket case that was simply being allowed to wither away? Now with electrification, HS2, new trains (albeit ridiculously expensive) to replace HSTs, and, at least on the face of it, plenty of money for Network Rail, there is cause to be more optimistic than almost at any time in the railways’ history. 7
TSSA Journal
21
TSSA personal injury service
“I was delighted that my TSSA membership meant my husband got full compensation for his accident.” Lara had been a member of TSSA for over eight years when her husband fell from height off faulty equipment at work. “My husband, Keith, was inspecting the factory production line as part of his routine checks. There’s a section where he needs to be lifted above the production line, so he uses a mini hydraulic cherry picker.” Unbeknownst to Keith, earlier in the month someone had authorised the cherry picker to be used for exterior work even though the machine was meant for indoor use only. The entire machine had been exposed to the wet, affecting its controls. “On the way up, he noticed the controls seemed a little slow to respond. But on his way down, it became apparent that something was badly wrong. At first the controls were slow and sticky. And then they completely jammed. Wouldn’t move.” Keith could not get the
CC BY NC polandeze
Member’s husband gets legal support
cherry picker to go down and the platform was not in a position where he could safely get to the floor. A colleague brought a ladder for Keith to climb down. “Unfortunately the ladder was not properly stabilised and the colleague didn’t check the floor properly. When Keith was halfway down, the ladder slipped.” Keith fell heavily to the floor and broke his tibia. “Keith had been a union member before, but when he was promoted into the
management team, he planned to change unions but just never got around to it. I was so pleased when I learned that TSSA supported accident claims for family members, because both Keith and I thought it was ridiculous that the factory could put him in danger like that.” Lara called TSSA’s injury hotline on 0800 093 0353. “Fiona at Morrish was excellent. She got in touch with the factory’s insurers and told them the firm
had poorly maintained equipment and had failed to provide a safe work environment. At first they tried to deny liability, but the problem with the controls had been noted the week before the accident by one of the plant engineers. The engineer had also noted how the cherry-picker hadn’t been used in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification.” Keith had needed a week off work for his leg and
returned to light duties for the first 3 months. On admitting liability, the insurer’s made an offer for £5000, which Fiona advised Keith and Lara to turn down. “Their second offer was for £7000 but they wanted us to say it was partly Keith’s fault because he should have stopped the cherry picker as soon as he knew something was wrong. Fiona pressed really hard saying there was no way Keith was responsible because there was no way he could have known the cherry picker was used outside. Eventually Fiona got them to offer £10,000 which we accepted.” “I was well chuffed to be able to help my husband when he was injured. Thanks TSSA!” l Based on a real life case. Certain details have been altered to protect the identity of the victim. Morrish Solicitors is a Limited Liability Partnership and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Accidents do not happen - they are caused! As a member of the TSSA, should either you or your immediate family suffer injury through someone else’s negligence, you will be entitled to FREE legal advice and representation from our specialist personal injury lawyers Morrish Solicitors LLP. No money will be deducted from any compensation recovered and no charge will be made to you or your family for the advice and representation you receive. If you’d like to find out more, call us today and we will look after you. ACCIDENTS AT WORK
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September 2012
ACCIDENTS OUTSIDE WORK
ASSAULTS
TSSA Personal Injury Services Free to Members & their families
0800 093 0353
ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
SLIPS OR TRIPS
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE
hel pdesk If you have a question about your workplace rights, call our employment law specialists on 0800 3282673 in the UK or 1800 805272 in the Republic of Ireland or email helpdesk@tssa.org.uk Hours: Monday to Thursday 8am–6pm Friday 8am–5pm
submitted a self certificate. Now my HR department is saying I should have a doctor’s note as I was off for eight days, even though one of them was my rest day.
A. The seven day period includes
Fined for no-fault lateness Q. I am representing a member
A. This could be an unlawful
tribunal will often not accept a case where the internal grievance procedure has not been exhausted, and even if they do, they can reduce an award by up to 25 per cent. With regard to the length of time she has been employed, the one year qualifying period (two years for employment commencing after 6 April this year – thank you Vince!) does not apply in the case of an unlawful deduction of wages.
Permanent job – but on worse terms Q. I was on a succession of fixed term contracts, which the company has now got to make permanent under the EU Directive. I have read through my proposed permanent contract and I noticed there are some changes. My new terms and conditions are not as good as my old ones. Is the company allowed to do that?
A. According to a recent judgment from the Court of Justice of the European Union (as we must now
call it), if you are moving automatically from a fixed term to a permanent contract there can be changes. The contracts need not be identical but must be not less favourable overall. You will need to compare them to see if improvements to your new T&Cs equal out the erosion of your old ones. If not then you will have grounds for a grievance.
Too old to pay into a pension? Q. I am aged 63. I have just joined a new company. As I do not intend to retire at 65 I applied to join the pension scheme. They told me that their cut-off age for joining was 60, and as I am older I am not allowed to join. Surely this is blatant age discrimination.
A. It may well be, but unfortunately it is also permissible under current legislation. Companies are allowed to set minimum and maximum ages for admission to their pension scheme.
Republic of Ireland
deduction, but the first thing you need to do is get her to check her contract. If it allows this sort of deduction then there’s nothing she can do. Talk of going to a tribunal is a little premature. If her contract does not allow him to punish her like this then you should be looking at representing her through the internal grievance procedure, which should resolve the issue without the expense of going to a tribunal. Remember also that a
Rest days count towards sick leave periods
UK
who was late for work on successive days, first because of flooding on the line, then because her train broke down. Both occasions were only 10 minutes but the boss has said he will deduct an hour’s pay because it happened twice in one week. This sounds like an unlawful deduction of wages to me, but she’s only worked there six months and I’m not sure if she could go to a tribunal.
CC By Joe Lanman
weekends and rest days so if the total number of days exceeds seven you must get a fit note – even if you would normally be off on some of those days. It is advisable to notify your employer of the day you are fit to resume, even if that day is a day off and you would not work it, so that you are not asked for a doctor’s note unnecessarily.
0800 3282673/1800 805272
Sick leave & days off Q. I was off sick for a week and
TSSA Journal
23
letters This is your chance to share your views with thousands of other TSSA members. The deadline for the next issue is 15 October. Letters may be edited for length or clarity. Email journal@tssa.org.uk or write to TSSA Journal, Walkden House, 10 Melton Street, London, NW1 2EJ.
letters
Still fighting the good fight! I wish to thank TSSA for the 25 year long service award which I shall be proud to wear alongside my Veterans Badge. I joined LNER in 1940 as a probationary clerk and received a very good grounding in all facets of Goods and Passenger work and rose through the ranks to Management Staff. At all times during my railway career I was always committed to trade unionism – indeed had I not been so committed to the principles of the TSSA (and before that, the RCA), I might have risen to more senior positions. At least I can say I left the service in 1982 with my nose clean. Reading the Journal, my mind boggles at the complexities that the Union is faced with. I do not understand all the workings of today’s railways, but still curse the names of Thatcher, Marples and Beeching. Now this Government want to increase the capacity of the railways. Don’t they realise it was their party that destroyed them in the first place?
I am now an old codger nearing my 88th birthday and living alone, having lost my wife and son four years ago. My mobility is a wee bit restricted but the old grey matter has not lots its fire. I still preach the political gospel! My heartfelt good wishes to all active members, E R Griggs Honorary life member, Anglia Number 3 Branch REPTA: Much more than ‘priv’ travel Many long-standing TSSA members will remember REPTA – the Railway Employees Privilege Ticket Association. Well, we’re still here and welcome new members. We are a not-for-profit association with 120 years of railway and transport history under our belt. We provide a wide range of social activities and offer many attractive consumer benefits – all for just £4.50 a year. We have an active website and our free yearbook has over 80 pages packed full of special deals and information. Many of our members are active or retired members of TSSA and our
patron, Paul Salveson, is a TSSA member who will be known to many through his Journal articles. We feel TSSA and REPTA share the same values and commitment to our industry. We’ve always been about much more than extending ‘priv’ travel. We are about promoting the social side of the railway and wider transport family. Next year we intend to try to grow our social activities to include a group visit to Buckingham Palace and a Norwegian Cruise in June. We will also be offering
improved Limited Personal Accident cover with Aviva in addition to our many high street discounts (including Asda, Boots, M&S), huge cinema ticket discounts and special holiday packages with Warners to name but a few. To join see www.repta.co.uk or send a cheque payable REPTA to: Colin Rolle, 4 Brackmills Close, Mansfield, NG19 0PB or call 01623 646789. You can also see more on our Facebook page. Peter Davies REPTA general secretary
You can now follow TSSA Learning on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/tssalearning and on Twitter at @TSSA_learning. Not on Facebook or Twitter but want to find out more? Don’t worry – easy to follow Facebook and Twitter guides will be available shortly on the Learning section of the TSSA website at www.tssa.org.uk/learning. Also, look out for the TSSA Learning newsletter, which introduces our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Join us on the TUC demonstration for a future that works Saturday 20 October www.tssa.org.uk/demo
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020 7387 2101