1955 




1955 STRIKE 





A.S.L.E.&F.'s 


NATIONAL STRIKE OF 1955


The reason for the A.S.L.E.F National Strike of 1955 lay behind the wage increase by the 
Transport CommissionA.S.L.E.F. felt that this offer of between 9% for the lower Footplate 
Grades to only 1% for the higher had eroded differentials between Enginemen and Motormen and other Railway Grades. After protracted negotiations led to no agreement being reached the National Strike was called for from midnight on Saturday May 28th.

The Chairman of British Rail Southern Region Area Board stated that out of 1000 Motormen employed only 42 had reported for Duty. The N.U.R. did not support the Strike but very few Enginemen or Motormen were in that union.

At Brighton on Whit Monday only 12 Trains ran all day to and from London only a fraction of what would normally been the case on a Bank Holiday.

The Strike lasted for 17 days being called off after The Transport Commission agreed that there was a case for higher rewards adding 2 % for the higher grades of Enginemen and Motormen.

The Strike had been backed by almost 100% of A.S.L.E.F. Members. On June 29th the very few who had defied the call to strike were expelled from the union by the Executive Committee.   





A.S.L.E.&F.’s 


NATIONAL STRIKE OF 1955






Extracted and adapted from

Tunbridge Wells Branch Meeting

Sunday April 24th 1955, at 10.45 a.m.

at the Welfare Rooms, Central Station.

Bro C.R. Cornford presiding

Members present Bros. R. Cornford, V. Rumley, R. Sulivan, K. Savage, A. Brooker, 

R. Bridger, F. Bone, L. Evans,W. Wareham, K. Cavie G. Howis, W. Gent, W. Ovenden, 

A. Dodwell, F. Robinson, B. Gower, D. Nye & D. Ward

Strike Action

In view of the impending strike action called by the Executive Committee arrangements  were to be made to hold strike meetings in the Wheatsheaf Hall, Victoria road. Morning and evening meetings on Wednesday 27th April and if need be on Sunday morning and evening April 30th 1955.

Strike Committee

Proposed R. Sullivan seconded K. Cavie – 

Bros. Cornford, Russell, Robinson, Wareham, Brooker, Rumley & Savage. 

Unanimous

Picket Points 2 men at each point, main entrance, Bates Yard, Show ground Gates, and Top Gates.




 PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN 

The scene at Brighton Loco during the strike




Extracted and adapted from

Tunbridge Wells Branch Special Strike Meeting

Wednesday April 27th 1955, at 10.00 a.m.

at the Wheatsheaf Hall .

Bro C.R. Cornford presiding


Members present Bros. C. Kemp, F. Elmer, F. Robinson, R. Saunders, R. Wickens, 

M. Kibbey, D. Ward, C. Woods, R. Jeffery, K. Savage, D. Austin, G. Howis, R. Taylor, A. Dowell, J. Francis, W. Gent, F. Bone, A. Card, W. Wareham, C.R. Cornford 

& C. Russell.

Correspondence Ref No. 50/1955

Strike Decision notice from Executive Committee was read to the meeting

District Council No.4

Bro. R. Cornford gave a verbal a report on the Strike situation from District Council No.4 meeting which he attended as delegate on Sunday 25th 1955. He informed us that Organising Secretary W.J. Cleaver stated that the potential strike is legal and appealed to all to support the call. The reports of Branches all over the area showed favourable support of the strike on behalf of the footplatemen so much so that there had been promises from some N.U.R. footplate staff to come out with us.

Bro. F. Robinson gave his verbal sentiments on the strike situation saying that as an older member he had been through strikes before to uphold the tradition and bearing of the footplateman. He felt that we were falling below our standard in the wage level and we had got to make our stand now to pressure the esteem with which a footplateman had always been held for the benefit of the future of the younger fraternity.

It was suggested by Bro. F. Elmer and seconded by Bro. F. Robinson. 

“That as E. C. member P.G. Hocking was speaking at Tonbridge on Sunday  1st May. Secretary should write to Head Office inviting Bro. Hocking to speak at one meeting on Sunday morning." Carried.

On arriving home secretary immediately sent off to Head Office and received a copy next day requesting  that as Bro. Hocking was an E.C. member he would be in committee at National Level on the Wages Negotiations with the B.T.C. and our own local branch officers to make arrangements to carry the strike through successfully.

Proposed K. Savage and seconded R. Saunders. “That W. Gent be first on 3.0a.m. Tuesday May 2nd.” Carried


Extracted and adapted from

Tunbridge Wells Branch Special Strike Meeting

Wednesday April 27th 1955, at 7.00 p.m.

at the Wheatsheaf Hall .


Members present Bros. D. Nye, A. Hollands, S. Neal, H. Dyer, L. Coomber, A. Murphy, 

V. Vidler, D. Card, G. Chalkin, W. Baldwin, A. Brooker, R. Bridger, B.  Gower,

A. Dougherty, M. Flattman, W. Ovenden, R. Aspey, J. King, J. Mace & R. Cornford

Report was given on the Sunday meeting held at the Welfare Room, Central Station April 24/55 

Picket Messengers

L.Coomber, A. Murphy, D. Card, R. Bridger

Bro. A. Hollands kindly offered to use his motorcycle in the event of the strike taking place to perform the duties as messenger between depots. Bro. D. Nye kindly offered this services as cyclist messenger in the locality.

District Council Report

The Chairman gave a further report similar to the one he delivered at the morning meeting on the District Council No.4 meeting attending on Monday April 25th .

On the advice of an E.C. Member of the strike should take place members could present themselves at the pay table but immediately leave the premises.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.0 p.m.

NOTES BY BRANCH SECRETARY

After these Special Meetings were held, I received from Head Office 2 cheques valued at ÂŁ240 used as strike pay at the rate of ÂŁ2 per member and 4/- for each child up to school leaving age. These were dispatched from Head Office on April 29th 1955.

On Sunday 10.15 a.m. May 1st 1955, I received the following telegram:-


RUSSELL 4 B.T.C. XW 50

PRIORITY DELIVERY TONIGHT 30

XW50 39 7.30 OF 30TH HAMPSTEAD XN

PRIORITY = RUSSELL 4 HIGHFIELD ROOM HIGH BROOMS TUNBRIDGE WELLS 

SETTLEMENT REACHED WITH B.T.C. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

INSTRUCT MEMBER TO CONTINUE NORMAL DUTIES.

CIRCULAR WILL BE DESPATCHED AS EARLY AS PRACTICABLE

HALLWORTH


A meeting was called for 10.45 a.m. To deal with strike duties on Sunday 1st May but on the reciept of the telegram the meeting was called off pending usual Branch Meeting to be held Sunday 15th May or any previous emergency arising. Members were advised that they could hear E.C. Member Hocking speak at the Medway Hall Tonbridge 7.0 p.m. Sunday May 1st  May.




Extracted and adapted from

Newhaven Branch Meeting


Sunday April 29th 1955


With respect to the implementation of the Head office instruction to withdraw our labour on May 1st, attempts were made to arrange meetings in consequence. Two thing were decide, one, that we hold no meetings until our delegate had attended the District Council meeting on April 25th, and two that if possible any action taken would be jointly with our neighbouring Motorman’s Branch at Seaford. This was arranged, and a meeting held on Wednesday April 28th at 10.45 a.m. and 7.0 p.m. for the benefit of the two shifts of men. Our Branch Chairman was able to be present at both meetings. To share the work and the interest it was agreed to draw up a Strike Committee from both these meetings and four strike committee members were elected included one from Seaford and this together with our Chairman made a total of nine. As we had had such a good response from our appeal for member of the non-union fraternity, the morning meeting decided that picketing, either at Seaford or at Newhaven would not be necessary, but the evening meeting revised this decision and a further meeting was agreed for Sunday Evening to draw up and arrange a picket rotor. As events have turned as far, this Sunday meeting has not been required, but the organising of our action had been completed. A despatch rider had been made. The possible total of those who would have worked at Newhaven, were two N.U.R. men, one non unionist, and one boy cleaner, who would of course not have been available for firing. Amongst other things, had the strike to be place, arrangements were made for members to attend the Labour Club between 10 a.m. and 12 noon daily, also suggestions were already raised for social activities to interest the members.

STRIKE COMMITTEE

Chairman E. King, 

C. Wilson, W. Mullett, W. Sharpe, R. Bush, J. Giles, D. Renville, R. Hooker 

& J. Hillman. 




Extracted and adapted from

Tunbridge Wells Branch Meeting

Sunday May 15th 1955, at 10.45 a.m.

at the Welfare Rooms, Central Station.

Bro A. Brooker presiding


Members present Bros. A. Brooker, C. Russell, V. Rumley, R. Bridger & K. Cavie.

The Vice Chairman Bro. A. Brooker opened the meeting by asking the Secretary to read the minutes of the previous ordinary branch meeting.

Proposed V. Rumley seconded K. Cavie they were a true record.

The Special Strike meetings minutes held on Wednesday 27th April 1955 were taken as read.

New Membership G. Reeves submitted an application for membership form and was accepted by the meeting. The Secretary informed the meeting that the membership was now 91. Bro. V. Rumley moved and R. Bridger seconded a vote of congratulations on the Secretary for the new he had obtained since taking over his duties.

Branch membership for February 1955 for the T.W.W. branch was entered at the District Council meeting was:-

OURS 86, N.U.R., 11, NONS 1, POLITICAL 85.




Extracted and adapted from

Newhaven Special Branch Meeting

 May 27th & 28th 1955


Joint meetings were held with the Seaford Branch at the Labour Club, Newhaven, to finalise arrangements for the strike.

It was agreed to have pickets on the Gate on Sunday morning 29th May 1955 at Newhaven Loco. and that no further pickets would be necessary. Members would then meet daily at Labour Club, between 10 a.m. and 12 noon except Whit Monday. 

Pickets were. 

Bros. J. Lower, W. Lipscombe, J. Giles & C. Wickenden.




Extracted and adapted from

Tunbridge Wells Branch 

Report of a Special Meeting

Held on Friday May 27th

at the Wheatsheaf Hall

A. Brooker presiding

The Chairman outlined the Circular letter, No. 55/1955 and the read the proposal of the B.T.C. And it was pointed out that at this depot the 6.6 a.m. would be the only turn to benefit namely 3d per day, and fireman 2 ½ per day.

Discussion on men working ballast trains on Saturday night, advised men to complete turn to nearest depot.

Bro. J. Wareham being on holiday, it was moved by Bro. Cavie & seconded by Bro. R. Sulivan that Bro L. Evans be asked to take his place on Strike committee.

Sunday picketing was discussed, and it was suggested 5.40 a.m. To 10.15 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Main Gates and Broadwater Lane to be covered.

Members present Bros. P. Underwood, J. Wareham. R. Sullivan, K. Cavie, D. Nye, 

E. Dunmall, L. Stephenson, R. Wickens, D. Tasker, A. Brooker, G. Howis, R. Jefferys 

& K. Savage.


 Extracted and adapted from

Tunbridge Wells Branch 

Report of a Special Meeting

Held on Friday May 27th 1955 

at the Wheatsheaf Hall

at 7.0 p.m.

F. Robinson presiding

Bro. F. Robinson the gave details of C. Russel's illness and arrangements pending

Bro. L. Evans was then moved for strike committee in place of J. Wareham who was on holiday. Carried

Picket for Sunday was then arranged

Main Gate

Bro. L. Coomber 5.40 a.m. to 8.0 am

Bro. V. Vilder 8.0 a.m. to 10.15 a.m.

Bro. F. Diplock 1.30 p.m. to 4.0 p.m

Bro. J. Pring 4.0 p.m. to 6.0 p.m.

Broadwater Lane

Bro. F. P.age 5.40 a.m. to 8.0 am

Bro. R. Coomber 8.0 a.m. to 10.15 a.m.

Bro. R. Bridger 1.30 p.m. to 4.0 p.m

Bro. F. Robinson  4.0 p.m. to 6.0 p.m. 

A vote of thanks was then moved for Bro. F. Robinson by Bro. R. Bridger and seconded Bro. L. Evans, also for Bro. A. Brooker, moved by Bro. V. Rumley and seconded by Bro. 

P. Pepper for taking over at this late stage. Carried

Members present Bros. A. Hollands, P. Pepper, R, Bridger, J. Pring, L. Evans, 

F. Diplock, A. Benton, E. Dunmall, F. Page, L. Coomber, V. Rumley, F. Robinson, 

R. Saunders, R. Coomber, A. Gordon, H. Dyer & G. Reeves.




 1955 A.S.L.E.F STRIKE 

Bognor & Littlehampton branch members

Photo taken outside Littlehampton Railway Station, back of the Co-Op in Albert Road.




MIKE JOYCE COLLECTTION 

This photo feature Littlehampton Motormen and 

Bognor Engine Driver, Firemen, Cleaners & Motormen

Only some names are remembered which includes

Jim Ricketts (second row middle wearing black coat with white shirt collar opened).

Alec Lovell (light coloured raincoat and cap?) 

Edgar Tuck (1st on the left standing wearing cap and rain coat)

Stand Janaway (standing behind the child)

Fred Janaway (4th from the right back row)

Robert â€™Todd’ Slaughter (6th from left back row)

A. Janaway.





HORSHAM BRANCH 

During the 1955 strike we only had two come into work, one of them was my driver, on the 
Saturday night I asked him if he was coming in, he said yes, I said goodbye Alf, and that was the last time I spoke to him except on duty, and that was not social vocabulary! The other was an N.U.R. man, he didn't last long after!


RODNEY BURSTOW




THREE BRIDGES DRIVERS & FIREMEN ON STRIKE IN JUNE 1955


STANDING BACK ROW

Jim Sayers, Charlie Jenner, Peter Miles, Bob Hickman, Unknown, Den Reed, Jack. Knight, Sandy Holman, Jim Covey, Jim Smale, Jim Burtenshaw, & Ken Owens

FRONT ROW

Max Sumner, Dave Shopland, Jim Green, Peter Stark, Tim Turner, Pat Laker, Ken Drew, Archie Setherton, Charlie Miles, J. Robinson, J. Bradley, George Slight, Charlie Mapston, Gordon Knight, Percy Terry, George Rice, Colin Smith, Bill Peacock, Roger Hopkins, W â€śBungy” Charman & Sid Ellis. 

FRONT ROW 

(kneeling) Chris Burton, Ron Coveney, Fred Stoneman, Bill Barratt & Charlie Stokes (Branch Secretary).

There are number of striking ASLEF members missing from this photo, due to them not having any transport to able to attend the strike meetings.

------------------------------------------- 

The Locomotive Public House is now known as the â€śMoonraker" which is situated in Three Bridges Road.


Ray Young’s Memories of this photo

For those like myself seeing this picture takes you back to those days of friendship and fraternity, it seems that it only happened a few years back. 
Engineman George Taylor did move to Horsham and lived at Christ Hospital, his wife unfortunately was killed by a train there.
Max Sumner emigrated to Australia soon after the strike, 

Archie Setherton moved back to the West Country as did Ken Drew. 

Jim Covey lived the later part of his life in Sharpthorne, I think he joined his daughter there, 

Ron Coveney became an inspector on the South Eastern 

Sandy Holman went to East Africa to work on the railway, 

Peter Stark became a Driver at Selhurst before moving over to management.

Les Wilson although a member of the N.U.R. Joined us for the strike period.


Some men were absent for the photograph it was I believe taken on the day we returned to work hence the overalls Colin Smith, Jim Burtenshaw, 
Chris Burton & Ron Coveney, are wearing, 


Ray Young was absent as myself and Jack Owen had taken a message to Fratton Depot.

(no mobile phones in those days.)




LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL


STRIKE ISSUE


JULY 1955


BRIGHTON (2)

 

It is with great pleasure and pride in our hearts that we can report in this special issue of the 

JOURNAL such a splendid response by all our Motormen, Drivers, Firemen and Cleaners, 

members of No.1 and No.2 Branches, to the E.C.’s call May 28th and also to include in this 

report a tribute from Bro. C. Batchelor, who says:


“Congratulations to Brighton for 100 per cent response to the call of the E.C. for strike 

action. One member in steam and one â€śNon” spoilt the record.

Thanks are due to the Branch Secretaries and Strike Committee for carrying out of their 

duties so well, also to the N.U.R. members who came out and thus assisted in getting our 

grade recognised.

This proves that there is only one Union for footplate staff, that is the A.S.L.E.& F.

The bond between the Electric and Loco depots during the strike should now be 

maintained in all L.D.C. and social matters.Keep the good work up brothers!

Yours fraternally, C. Batchelor.”


These remarks by Bro Batchelor make all the work and trouble involved very much

worthwhile, to know that ir was so appreciated. Lets us hope this spirit of brotherhood will 

long be kept alive through the medium of our branch rooms.


F.W. Musk

Branch Chairman



 

WJ. CLEAVER - District No.7


During the crisis period I addressed special meetings at AshfordBrighton Nos1 and 2 

(twice), Colchester (twice)Paddington, Slough, Reading Nos. 1 and 2 branches, Hitchin

Southall, Kentish Town, Stratford, CricklewoodClacton, Parkeston Quay, Wimbledon and 

districtSouthend and Shoeburyness Joint, Feltham, Eastbourne, NewhavenKing's Cross, 

Gillingham and Didcot. I also addressed the special meetings of the London and Redhill 

District Councils.

Packed halls were in evidence everywhere and votes of confidence in the General Secretary 

and the Executive Committee were in every instance unanimous.




LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL


STRIKE ISSUE


JULY 1955


ASSOCIATED SOCIETY OF LOCOMOTIVE

ENGINEERS AND FIREMEN

To Footplate Staff and Motormen This booklet is being issued to every man in the line of promotion on British Railways. It presents a concise summary of the facts relative to the recent historic strike of Locomotivemen when, at the call of the Executive Committee of the A.S.L.E. & F., our fraternity gave from first to last so united and telling a display of craft solidarity

and Trade Union loyalty. By their overwhelming response to that call the Loco. staff and Motormen vindicated and safeguarded a principle of supreme importance to their well-being the principle of " differentials " whereby skill and responsibility are given due recognition within the

wages structure. The pages which follow will well repay careful and earnest perusal. Moreover you are counselled to keep the booklet by you, as a sober factual retort to any attempts, from whatever quarter, to minimise either the immediate concrete gains which resulted from our dispute, or -vitally important from the standpoint of the future- the splendid manner in which the loco. fraternity signalised and upheld its craft status at a most critical point in the history of our calling.

JULY 1955


The successful defence of a principle concerns all trade unionists and all those who value fair dealing and economic justice. 

The 17 days between midnight May 28 and June 14, 1955 are of vital interest to the trade union movement. During that period, 70,000 members of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen were on strike in defence of a principle. 

From the first this was clearly understood by the footplatemen and Motormen; hence their magnificent solidarity and the support they received from sympathetic members of the National Union of Railwaymen. 

But for many others the real issue was obscured. Great play was made of matters that had no bearing on the principle involved. There was a hunt for scapegoats. Public attention was largely focused on its own immediate interests.

Now that the poison cloud of propaganda has lifted, the facts can be set forth. They tell a story of struggle and of victory after the longest strike in railway history.

It is a story of which the "Associated " are proud.

Let the record now speak for itself.

WHY STRIKE ACTION?

The principle involved was embodied in Railway Staff National Tribunal Decision No. 16. 

The background of the decision must be understood if the importance of this victory is to be grasped. 

In 1947 and 1951, independent Courts of Inquiry had laid down the need to restore adequate differentials, but nothing tangible emerged from the subsequent discussions. 

The principle in question was recognised for the first time by the British Transport Commission after the strike threat in December, 1953, when it was agreed to make an extensive review of the wages structure, special reference being made to the question of giving "added incentives including differentials in desirable cases."

Ultimately, the B.T.C. made a final offer, granting a maximum increase of 6s. 6d. to top rated drivers. The " Associated " was not prepared to accept the offer. 

After overcoming N.U.R. objections on the matter of procedure, the Society eventually forced the issue to the R.S.N.T., with the object of obtaining satisfaction on our claims or, failing this, to place ourselves in a legal position of being able to take strike action to enforce our just demands. 

The result was Decision No. 16. This decision, won by firm resolve and action on the part of the " Associated," accepted substantial adjustments of the differentials, and its tremendous value to locomen is well known to our entire fraternity. 

Within a matter of days the N.U.R. repudiated their agreement in respect of other conciliation grades and, following a Court of Inquiry, obtained a further agreement in January, 1955, which broadly conceded to them the 15 per cent demanded in 1953. 

The effect of this was to distort yet again the relative rates of the loco. grades, as was, in fact, recognised by the B.T.C. themselves, who entered into discussion with us regarding the matter. 

In due course they made an offer, ranging from 6s. 6d. weekly for the adult cleaner to 2s. 6d. weekly for top-rated drivers; this was the maximum proposal that could be obtained. 

Take special note of this: the offer for the drivers coincided with what the N.U.R. had claimed, and, quite understandably, was acceptable to that Union.

THE STRIKE ISSUE WAS THEREFORE A SIMPLE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD ONE. IT WAS not A WAGE APPLICATION. IT WAS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THE retention OF THE PRINCIPLE OF DIFFERENTIALS WON BY THE SOCIETY AS A CONSEQUENCE OF DECISION No. 16.


This, too, must be noted: in spite of the emphasis on differentials in the 1953 agreement, the N.U.R. clung to their policy on a broad 15 per cent. basis. Ominously, the B.T.C. offer followed the same line, despite their recent acceptance of Decision No. 16.


It was then that the " Associated " took its stand for the defence of the principle.

We could not allow the wages of footplate staff to be so determined.


THE BIG GRAPPLE


The footplatemen's immediate response to the fundamental issues involved was proof that they grasped what was at stake. The strike call was magnificently supported.


The Society's members, and many of their N. U.R. colleagues, never wavered in their determination, throughout the i7 days strike, to see the matter to a victorious

conclusion.


But as soon as the strike began, other and more complicated issues were raised.

Within a few hours, the Prime Minister went to the microphone and broadcast to the nation. His speech did nothing to clarify the principle involved.


Then the Government invoked Emergency Powers and clearly showed their hostility to the Society's action and to put it mildly their indifference to the just demands of the footplatemen.


Crisis point was reached when it was announced that no negotiations would be opened under duress.


This announcement involved the Society on a principle of fundamental importance to the whole trade union movement.


PHASES OF THE STRIKE


The strike period fell into two distinct phases.


During the first week, no attempt was made by the B.T.C. or the Government, to open negotiations between the " Associated " and the B.T.C. that would prepare the way for a settlement.


The object of this designed stalemate was clear: to discover and exploit any possible weaknesses in the Society and its membership. This futile tactical move was not abandoned until the strike was in its tenth day. Then the Trades Union Congress produced a formula to get negotiations started.


T.U.C. intervention undoubtedly caused the opposition to change their attitude and initiated the second phase. On the 12th day of the strike began the big grapple which was marked by intensive negotiations and hard bargaining.


With regard to basic rates, the Society were faced by an inflexible attitude on the part of the B.T.C., who, learning nothing and forgetting nothing, stuck to their old ground by rejecting any increase at all. The Commission did, however, as a result of our stand, abandon an obnoxious attempt which they had previously made to reintroduce classification; and they now merely confined their offer to an extension of mileage payments.


This offer we recognised to be of present and potential value to a large proportion of the Society's membership; moreover, we extracted a guarantee that the nature of the Commission's proposals in this connection would be improved in immediate negotiation.


THE ACID TEST


So far so good; but the main issue was yet to be joined.


Cash increases were to be an acid test. The B. T.C. refused even to discuss them until the strike was lifted. The Society, on the other hand, were equally determined not to call off the strike until a cash advance on the basic rate was guaranteed.


Deadlock ensued.


It was partially broken when the B.T.C. finally agreed that the rates of pay of drivers should be improved, but they were not prepared to state a figure.


So once again the clash of wills produced stalemate. The Society could concede nothing here, and for a time it looked as if negotiations would be merged into the old conundrum of what happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object. But the problem was solved by a suggestion that, in order to break the deadlock, a referee of unquestionable integrity should be appointed, to whom the B.T.C. would state their figures.


The Society would then be able to argue the footplatemen's case before him and enable him to determine the appropriate rates.


When the rates had been thus determined, they would be binding on all parties and the strike would be lifted.


This was well as far as it went; but the Society were still concerned about the position of the firemen, which was not recognised and defined. Pressure was therefore exerted to secure recognition and, after sustained bargaining, it was agreed that the rate of pay of third year firemen should also be referred, on the same basis, to the referee, without, however, committing the B.T.C.


The importance of this solution of the deadlock will not be lost on the Society's members.

Note this: WHILE THE STRIKE WAS STILL ON, THE B.T.C. HAD CONCEDED THAT ALL DRIVERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE ON THE TOP RATE, SHOULD HAVE AN INCREASE. ALSO, THE TOP RATED FIREMAN'S WAGE WAS TO BE ARGUED BEFORE THE REFEREE.


Having obtained satisfaction on this vital principle, the Society voluntarily lifted the strike.


THE MORRIS AWARD


The Morris award did not concede the Society's claim in full. It did, however, maintain the fundamental principle of relativity. Strike action was taken to defend that principle. It therefore ended in a craftsmen's victory.


This fact has since been widely recognised within the trade union movement.


CASH BENEFITS


Negotiations on the extension of the mileage arrangements, which formed part of the settlement, have been speedily and satisfactorily concluded.


They have produced substantial cash benefits for a large section of footplatemen well in advance of the cash differences involved in the dispute.


This is another important aspect of the victory.


FOUNDATIONS OF VICTORY


To measure the Society's achievement fully, it is necessary to appreciate the strength of the forces aligned against our demands.


Never before has so powerful a combination of hostile interests been met and defeated. The outcome will certainly be a landmark in trade union history, for it is a resounding triumph for the craft basis of organisation.


It was made possible by the economic power of the Society and the loyalty and solidarity of our fraternity. To both must go the credit for an achievement whose full importance will be grasped as time goes on.


The " Associated " has proved beyond any shadow of doubt that they, and they alone, adequately represent footplatemen.


The Society's determination secured, in the R.S.N.T. Decision No. 16, a substantial improvement in differentials, and its unwavering resolve, backed magnificently by the solid strength of the rank and file, routed the strenuous efforts of the B.T.C. to nullify the improvement gained and once more to close the gap.


The attempt to impose the obnoxious feature of classification has been forcefully rejected.

Despite all attempts, during the negotiations, to widen the form of representation, the Society stood firm and had its way.


The N.U.R's efforts to intrude were frustrated, and the settlement was confined to the Society and the B.T.C.


Mark, also, the fact that that the Government refused to influence the B.T.C. in their refusal to negotiate while the strike was still on.


The Society won this trick also. They not only had negotiations but forced a settlement which guaranteed a cash increase-while the strike was still in progress.


Moreover, the cash settlement maintains the differential position and is supplemented by substantial monetary benefits, ranging up to 24s. id. over an 88-hours fortnight for top rate drivers and 20s. 6d. over a similar period for top rate firemen, arising from the extension of the mileage arrangements and improvement obtained in the existing agreements.


THE FUTURE


The Society is proud of the record set forth above. We look upon it as a battle won and an earnest of future progress.


We have no doubt that the craft solidarity, the loyalty and determination displayed throughout the struggle will reap further benefits in future negotiations.


ABOVE ALL, IT HAS BEEN FIRMLY DEMONSTRATED TO ALL CONCERNED THAT THE ASSOCIATED SOCIETY OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS AND FIREMEN ARE THE VOICE OF FOOTPLATEMEN AND THAT THEY ARE UNSHAKABLY RESOLVED TO PURSUE THEIR CONSISTENT POLICY TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE STANDARDS OF FOOTPLATE STAFF AND MOTORMAN



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