shut down two mainline stations and disrupted services throughout the London region last Friday, 19 February. A follow-up meeting of depot representatives the following Monday mapped out a longer term campaign to kick out the flexible rosters and all the other productivity plans that Sidney Weighell, the union's general secretary, seems intent on ramming down the throats of the membership.
campaign to win national support for a special general meeting of the NUR.
Union's executive that back him will be prime targets in this campaign. And it's no wonder after his performance in recent weeks. Not only did he sell his own members down the river oy signing away their right to an eight-hour day, but his attitude to the courageous action labour movement. During the ASLEF strike, it was often hard to tell if Weighell was speaking was often hard to tell if Weighell was speaking as a leader of a union or as a representative of the British Rail Board!
As striking workers assembled outside Unity House, the headquarters NUR, a roar went Hang on lads... We want Weighell.
came a feeble rejoinder. 'Are you trying to tell us the ecutive aren't prepared to listen to us?' demanded railworker credulously. 'They're too scared!' shouted another.
After frantic negotiations carefully doors. leaders were forced to ofter to meet six renresentatives. "No way, all of us, or nonel was the noisy verdict. Other compromises equally quickly swept aside until the executive meekly agreed to book a room in a nearby hall. Its first priority will be to launch a vigorous Weighell and the other members of the executive members сопseveral angry railworkers. If the would convince the meeting that productivity has a human face after all, then it was sorely disappointed, In the face of persisSidney Weighell who Lane chairing meeting said, 'After hearing these viewpoints from the executive. have 1YML changed your minds! deafening roar of "No' sent Sidney Weighell on way to another engageFriday's strike their disgust angry speeches from the floor. He indicated his support for SOMe COLE ference of the membership.
conference will easy Dozens of branches have sent in quarters. Executive claimed no knowledge of them.
Well, no matter how many resolutions Weighell's waste-bin, the growing resistance of Le HUBE nored, Weighell's claim proved union leaders, that 99.9 per cent of NUR members agree with flexi ble rostering is growing a bit thin. The fight is on to that policies which reprethe terests will be promoted.
mode resolution calling for a special general meeting will be drawn up the London LDC'S (works committees). Plans are already underway for steering committee members travel throughout the country to meetings already organis ed. Des. Liverpool St ASLEF have without agreeing BrOKEN ranks Server since wouldn't have been necessary.
What we think of Weighe shown by hundreds of resolutions branches criticising his stand John, Ealing Broadway branche Whet NOTeS Veroner second information from members with management which off from Unity House. It would be Peter ed if Tony Benn was leader of / think his election defeat was rigged. Ray Buckton: I'm laughing backbone of the right in the Labour Party and it's a lesson all members of the Labour Party should learn The fight in the unions and outside is the same. I's TIME TPB up the Bishop's Stortford agree and shunt IMES apologies for trade union leaders into the sidings where they belong The drivers victory end of the fight. placency should not he allowed set The tones are amendy looking at ways in which to recoup HEH TOSSES HES TO CH off the vital funding BR Mike, Southall This is a uni got Our members BISO fighting ecutive Senior guard. Southend Essex radio made the charge got campaign charge withorawn. A lot of us are aft SUNTIED campaigners l've given 35 vears of servic to BR and this is the first tim The real cowards are the NUF • CACCUU! ELY COSCE rostering the membership already been made Other productivity items are already agreed and this year's pay negotiations have even started. The ASLEF victory has changed the balance in favour of railworkers. Ine Tories have suffered a major defeat in a very important first round They must not be allowen to win the war The police action at Laurence Scott's has shown workers Thatcher's Tory Britain will be like if she finally wins. It's about time the trade unions showed Thatcher what a workers Britain will be like
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UNOFFICIAL strike action by angry members of the National Union of Railwaymen virtually
that railworkers are no longer content with venting but are prepared to begin to organise against them. striking guards told Socialist Challenge