rmt lu strike 100214
TRANSCRIPT
www.socialistworker.co.uk
LAST WEEK'S STRIKE SAW SOLID
and buoyant picket lines at tube
stations and depots across the
capital, as RMT and TSSA kick started
the rst of two 48 hour strikes.This is a highly politicised dispute,
and it is positive that RMT and TSSA arehighlighting the impact of ticket ofceclosures and job cuts on the service and thetravelling public.
The strength of action by RMT andTSSA hit LU bosses hard, with largechunks of the network shut down.
On many picket lines strikers watchedas a few managers and scabs scrambledaround looking panicked inside.
It was great to see the action start witha bang when line controllers struck onTuesday night.
Management's plan to defeat us isthrough divide and rule. We cannot allowthem to get away with this.
The strength of action by RMT on thePiccadilly line was fantastic―nothingmoved through central London on that line.
And it was good to see that manyASLEF drivers on Jubilee line decided notto cross picket lines after RMT activistsorganised to put a hard argument forsolidarity. This example shows the powerof our strikes and the potential that exists.
If this was to spread to any of the otherlines it would have a big impact.
And it was really encouraging to seewidespread public support for our actiondespite the big impact of our strikes on thetransport system.
Many passers by were stopping to saygood luck, with drivers tooting solidarity.Other trade unionists and local residentscame to show support at many picket lines.
SafeIt is a disgrace that bosses continued totry and keep stations open. As a resultRMT has called for a full safety inquiryinto what the union described as “ lethalovercrowding ” and “ deadly conditions ”at Waterloo station.
This strike is about defending a safe andaccessible tube service for the public aswell as stopping the job cuts. It's importantto win the argument that the rst round ofattacks represent only 6 percent of the total
planned cuts. If we let them divide us now,all grades will be hit hard.
It's essential to keep up the pressure withsolid strikes and to push now for a strategyof escalation if the bosses don't back down.
That means on every station and depot,continuing to build and strengthen the actionfor the strike days to come.
Tory mayor Boris Johnson has a lot ridingon this dispute.
Boris and the bosses will be absolutelydetermined to defeat our unions.
PoliticalHaving closed ten re stations last month,now he's coming for the tube unions.
Boris is out to rip up our way of workingacross London Underground. For thesereasons, some activists have already raisedthe call for ve days consecutive strikes.
We should push our union leaders tomake sure these strikes are followed up byescalation.
It’s right that, to complement strikes,RMT and TSSA are seeking to involve
passengers and give a political edge to ourdispute. We should draw out the impact ofcuts on the service and passenger safety.
SOLID ACTION ROCKS BORIS:NOW KEEP STRIKING TO WIN
Solid picket lines during round one
Round 1: bosses scramble to put on a skeletal service...
It’s great to have solidarity fromDisabled People Against the Cuts (DPAC)and other campaigners.
In every branch we should invite thesecampaigners to speak on our picket lines.
We should also reach out to other unionsand workers who are ghting back.
PowerAs LU workers, we have real power. Thekey to winning is solid, all out strikes and
building solidarity with other workers.Today also gives us a glimpse of the
action needed to beat the Tories.Tube workers and higher education
workers struck last week together,some civil service workers and teachersnationally in March, and several importantlocal strikes. Imagine if we all―and otherworkers too―struck together.
That's what we have to ght to organise.
Defend Mark HardingMark Harding, Branch Secretary of
Hammersmith & City RMT is being
victimised for carrying out his legitimate
trade union activities.
He was hauled off the picket line at
Hammersmith by the police after a
strikebreaking staff member got upset at
being asked to respect the picket line.
Mark's bail conditions have been framed
in such a way as to make it nigh on
impossible to assist with the strike action
in defence of jobs and conditions that he
played such a part in delivering, or even to
attend meetings connected with his union
branch.
This is a deliberate strategy to take out
such a prominent RMT actIvist at such a
crucial point in our dispute.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
●Rush messages of support and solidarity
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LU strike 100214
L U s t r i k e B u l l e t i n N o .2
