Southern Region drivers planning to strike against cuts in services on 20 April have called off their action. The alleged reason is the publication of the Government's document on transport policy. So bad are its implications for the railways that a Southern Region drivers spokesman claimed that they were calling off their action because they wanted to do nothing that could alienate commuter support.
This is a grave mistake - although a more likely explanation for not pressing ahead with strike action is the scabbing of the ASLEF union executive, which nas relused to support acuon against the cuts on the Southern Region and effectively broke up last month's strikes against new duty rosters on the Eastern Region.
The failure to give a national lead has resulted in a situation where the right wing Midland Kegion sectional council of ASLEF has been allowed to adopt BR management policy, resulting in a loss of jobs for 30 drivers and 1,5 seconds. Meanwhile negonatons are still continuing on reductions in services on the Eastern Region, while the cuts are being implemented on the Southern Region.
Not only do old craft divisions run deep between the separate rail unions, but the failure of the national bureaucracy to impose any national policy means that the workers and services on region after region are being picked off one by one. BR is exploiting the divide and rule tactic twice over.
As for the Southern Region drivers' decision, commuter support will not be won by calling off action and so allowing services to deteriorate still further. Rather a publicity offensive by rail workers should be launched towards them, explaining how the defence of jobs and sérvices are inseparable; and joint plans should be worked out that can provide both improved services and more jobs. Calling off action will only strengthen the hand of BR management.
No one can accuse British Rail management of being unimaginative. They have Just cev sea a new pay deal — not yel public - that would actually mean a cut in wages in money terms) for rail workers.
BR management want to take 2% percent off basic rates and then pay the £6 limit, but not as part of the basic rates. As all premium payments, over time, weekend working, shift payments and so on are calculated on this rate and many rail workers depend on such payments to make up tel carnings the result could be wage cuts as large as £10 for some drivers.
It remains to be seen whether BR management will even let their workers