DESPITE two setbacks the fight for reinstatement continues by the 106 Chelmsford busworkers sacked by Eastern National.
The first blow to the busworkers was stuck by the failure of a special TGWU conference for delegates across the Badgerline group to vote to take solidarity action.
The reaction of some of the busworkers in Chelmsford was that this was inevitable given the fear that other Badgerline companies would follow Eastern National's example and sack workers on strike.
The reaction of others, however, was that the TGWU leadership had not fought hard enough to convince the delegates that they would have official backing for solidarity action.
Such action could win not only reinstatement for the bus•.. Mannin HaH Unive workers in Chelmsford but make it clear throughout Badgerline and the bus industry that bully boy tactics by management were not going to work any longer. The second problem for the Chelmsford busworkers is a police clampdown on the TGWU free bus service by enforcing by-laws to stop the free buses using bus lanes. Hurting This has not stopped the buses from operating, and the service is in the process of being registered so that bus routes can be used. This harassment has obviously been instigated by Eastern National, and substantiates the sacked busworkers' statements that they are hurting Eastern National by taking away their passengers. Momentum for wider solidarity action is building up this month. The sacked busworkers are travelling the Speakers (personal capacity) include: • ALICE MAHON, MP • JACK JONES (National Pensioners Forum) • SUE LISTER (Chair, FACE) • DOREEN CAMERON (NATHE • CAROLE REGAN (NUJ/STA) • ALAN SIMPSON MP SiLy o Landon Union, Malet country to build support - in particular they have up invitations from Sheffield, Oxford, and Hull Trades councils.
A public meeting is being held in Chelmsford at AEU House on the evening of March 17 with Paul Foot as one of the speakers.
Most importantly, a march and rally is taking place in Chelmsford on SATURDAY MARCH 25, assembling at 10.00 am in Central Park (near the rail station).
The march will go past the bus station and trade unionists across the country are urged to come to Chelmsford and through weight of numbers close down the Eastern National depot. • Messages of support, requests for speakers and donations to Roger Welch, Chelmsford TUC, 87 Mildmay Road, Chelmsford, Essex. CM2 ODR. Tel: 0245-263727. Cheques to TGWU (Chelmsford Bus Drivers Support Fund).
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SOCIALIST OUTLOOK No. 79. March 11 1995, Page 5.