By a railworker LAST WEEKEND's Signalling Grades Conference brought into the open frustration at lack of progress in the dispute and allowed Knapp and the RMT right to keep open the basis of retreat.
The conference was presented with a number of emergency resolutions, ranging from a call to accept arbitration to a call for all-out strike action.
To many, arbitration seemed an attractive proposition if it meant that Railtrack would be forced to re-enter serious discussions with the RMT.
In the end however the conference agreed to ask the national executive to examine resuming talks on the claim while at the same time progressing restructuring talks - and if this was not possible to look to escalating the dispute. Any agreement on restructuring would be put to a ballot.
The idea of parallel talks had been raised by Knapp and some other executive members as a way of breaking the deadlock.
Climbdown
In practice it is a climbdown which gives back the initiative to Railtrack. There is no indication that the government is prepared to allow a settlement in any way favourable to RMT.
Now Railtrack can push its restructuring agenda, which means job losses, without having to make any concessions on the claim.
Only victory on the claim can put the RMT in a position of strength in restructuring discusSIons.
Any further talks will break down rapidly unless RMT makes major concessions: it is a recipe for demoralisation.
What is needed is a way of the RMT seizing the initiative. Escalation confined to signal workers is not an option; the dispute must be extended to other rail workers.
In line with health and safety R M legislation, drivers and guards who believe they are in imminent danger are entitled not to work.
There have been a series of near misses, as managers staff the signal boxes. The RMT strike committee has called a meeting with the Traincrew Grades executive to discuss these issues. Guards and drivers are extremely frustrated to be told to work normally on strike days.
The issue of health and safety must be used to underpin a call for guards and drivers to refuse to work on strike days. North West railworkers say.. out to win!
OFFICIAL PICKET