The picket wil taka plac BY-8238S (A4). TM sport bus 81 treme Saturday July 27 12-2pm Men the Cat sok ear tas U3 By a London Underground Train Operator THE TRIAL OF strength between workers and London Underground continues While London Underground attempts to impose restructuring and productivity, the workers, especially train operators, are fighting for shorter hours and increased holidays.
Last year, AŠLEF pulled out of a fight for shorter hours and claimed they nad a deal with management to cut an hour off the working week. Many train operators switched to the RMT who continued the fight.
ASLEF have for several years attempted to collaborate with London: Underground and arranged several such private deals. In return they have received favourable treatment from management for union activities and, to some extant. for their membershin However, last year's deal fell through and the ASLEF leadership have been forced to fight to retain their! members. Last month they called an early ballot even before London Underground's final offer, and surprised everyone by calling strike aCion.
RMT activists are divided. The RMT ballot of train crew members is still not over so once again. some train operators are on strike while others work. Some of us are refusing to cross ASLEF picket lines. Others are afraid of dismissal if they strike without legal protection, or else take a sectarian view of the ASLEF strike.
Management have not carried out as much intimidation of ASLEF strikers, in contrast to their behaviour during last year's RMT strikes. Furthermore, ASLEF's demands are weaker and more acceptable to management than the RMT's.
All of us should organise to unite in strike action and insist on a veto of any deals with London Underground.
At present, management and the ASLEF bureaucracy have a few days left to do a deal. If this doesn't come off, both unions will be on strike together, the workforce will be united and the tempo will heat up. With the privatisation of British Rail, LUL is the largest railway company successful struggle would give an important lead to other railway workers.
Socialist Outlook 105 July 13 1996. Page 3.