RMT train crew based at Waterloo struck on Thursday 23rd March in defence of Sarah Friday, sacked by South West Trains, on trumped up charges for campaigning over rail safety. Only a handful of scabs came to work out of the one hundred and eighty workers called out. Over twenty members joined all day picket lines outside the station. Whilst services into Waterloo ran with guaras and ormers trom depots SWT was forced to cancel a significant number of services.
Another strike day has been set and the RMT is now to ballot all train crew working for SWT. If SWT refuse to reinstate Sarah they face a series of strike days which will totally snut cown ser vices. RMT members at Waterloo are very angry at Sarah's sacking. They understand it is an attack on being forced to work on the strike day, train crew at other depots did what they could to support us. Many refused to work their rest odys rather than cover Waterloo jobs. A number of RMT Branches have asked to be bal. loted over their own grievances no we e concernswer successfully extend the dispute.
Management have been shocked by the level of support - a five to one vote for strike action. The strain. On the eve of the first strike he came into the guards mess room shouting and swearing at the workers there, only to have to return a an now tena sheepishly apologise.
Support is pouring in. As well as He TRAINS