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From The Socialist newspaper, 11 August 2021
RMT strike solid on East Midlands rail
Nottingham picket line, photo Clare Wilkins (Click to enlarge)
Geraint Thomas, Nottingham Socialist Party
On Sundays throughout August and September, the RMT union is taking two coordinated strikes on East Midlands Railway. Senior conductors, striking over attempts to implement a two-tier workforce, managed to comfortably win their reballot. They were also joined by the East Midlands intercity lines' train managers (guards), who are striking over staffing and passenger safety.
East Midlands Railway has imposed new working arrangements on the multi-unit, 12-carriage Class 360 Trains which means that although two trains are joined together, there will only be one guard who will not have access to the other train.
We understand that there have been multiple instances on the intercity lines where incidences happened on the part of the train they couldn't reach. These ranged from toilets being blocked to a mugging taking place.
Operating company owner Abellio has happily profited from government support during the pandemic to the tune of £4.4 million. However, it is now preparing systematic imposed attacks on its workforce.
They have been stonewalling the union in refusing to negotiate. It was even remarked at the Nottingham picket line that a manager had travelled to Kettering to attempt to intimidate the (new) depot members there, but was rebuffed by the members.
The strike was solid with managers being conscripted to cover the work. However, as assistant general secretary Steve Hedley noted on the picket line, this is a prelude to more general attacks across the rail industry in the coming months on pay, staffing and pensions.
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In The Socialist 11 August 2021:
NHS
Defend the NHS. Fight the Tory pay insult. Prepare strike action!
NHS: Kick out the privatisers, Fight for funding, Build for strike action
News
Tory government nationalises Sheffield steel plant
Tory cuts worsened crime and Johnson 'blitz' won't help
Thanks to the miners - an example of workers' struggle and solidarity
Comment
Olympic 'success' masks cuts and inequality in sport
Campaigns news
Capitalism = climate catastrophe
Rising against a rigged and rotten system - Socialism 2021
London Pride cancelled - pandemic shows protest Pride is necessary
London: Hundreds protest for trans rights
Save Newham's theatres from Labour council cuts!
Socialist Party young members summer school
A day in the life of a young hospitality worker
West Midlands: austerity and capitalism offers no future for young people
Why I joined the Socialist Party
Don't privatise Dudley libraries
Socialist Party: Solely funded by the working class
Review - The Struggle for World Socialism
Housing
Waltham Forest: Fighting for a home for Nadia and homes for all
History
August 1991 - The aborted military coup in the 'Soviet Union'
Workplace news
Ballot majority essential to continue DVLA strike action
Night tube strike suspended to allow talks - scrap compulsory duties!
RMT strike solid on East Midlands rail
You need a union when the time comes to fight
Unions protest at exploitative Leicester company Food Attraction
Over 3,000 votes for fighting socialist programme in CWU
International news
Beirut's devastating port explosion one year on
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2021