The old NUR was founded as an industrial union which sought to unite all grades. The other rail unions are organised on a sectional basis. Whilst ASLEF participated in the kail Federation (set up with the NUR), it has refused to work for a single rail union. As a craft union it encourages the mentality of drivers being a cut above the rest of the rail workers. It refused to support the industrial action of the NUR against the new machinery of negotiation in 1989. The record of the NUR and its leadership is certainly not blameless. There were antagonisms over the abandonment of the 1982 strike after two days by the NUR, which left ASLEF out on strike on its own. However, today ASLEF has launched a membership war which plays into the hands of the management. On the Underground in particular, ASLEF has been recruiting on the basis of join us and you won't have to go on strike The TSSA is the 'moderate union supreme. As with ASLEI it opposes a single rail union. During the 1989 strikes it refused to support any of its members who did not cross RMT picket lines. This led in Scotland to quite a number of clerical staff joining the RMT in disgust.
The RMT however, has not seriously pursued the issue of a single industrial rail union. Any discussion has always been with the full-time officials alone. There needs to be a Peter de bat menthis ist the hyeon it otishe need ear it not issue an open one union - pointing to the advantage that the divisions, and inter-union competition allow the management? It is necessary to develop a dialogue with the members of these unions on the need for a fightback, including resistance lo privatisation, and a complete break from sectoralism which,
although it might deliver some temporary advantage to some grades can only serve to weaken the unions overall.