LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

MARCH 1962

E.C. COMMITTEE MEMBER

Don Pullen reports

Governments and indeed everyone holding positions of authority, are constantly on the stocks, charged with staggering from crisis to crisis. So, in recent times, Trade Union executive find themselves pilloried and likewise accused.

Whether or not we deserve the charge of  "staggering" is quite beside the point. The plain fact is that the nationalised transport industry, due to bungling and interference influences, from outside influences, has been confronted with many a crisis in the past decade.

Have surmounted one such critical situation by going to arbitration in December last, our people are now enjoying the shorter working week. Despite the total opposition of a management largely influenced by the Government, we won through.

It would be too much to expect the third Rest Day each month to be rostered without causing further trouble nothing is ever accomplish on the railways without manufacturing more anomalies. But our local departmental representatives have now removed most of the snags and the 42-hour week is now an accomplished fact.

So we pass from that particular crisis to another and even more pressing headache -- WAGES. It would be fatuous to dwell here on the strength of feeling on this issue in my own E.C. district. Again, it would be pointless indeed to attempt to argue the rights and wrongs of the action of my colleagues on the Southern Region and London Transport. All that I can say on this subject has already been said, many times, at lively meetings of the Branches connected.

But of one thing I am certain. Those members who  regularly attend their Branches and thus know well enough all the difficulties involved will readily agree that this has been a most worrying time for the Executive and for the General Secretary. It is equally certain that few such members really believe that this Society is likely to accept the Government's ruthless application of their Wages. Pause to railwaymen without an all out scrap.

Goodness knows what the position will be by the time these notes appear in print. We are now near the end of the road. Recognised negotiating machinery appears to count for very little with a Tory government. We have, therefore, suffered all manner of indignities at the hands of the Minister, and yet our General Secretary continues to apply a statesmanlike mind to our problems. The Executive refuses to be panicked into false moves, despite all the provocations.

The urgent need, just now, is for an extension of our patience for a little longer. Regardless of the opinions of the barrack room loud - mouths, the majority of the membership will acknowledge the importance of keeping our noses clean even though our opponents are guilty of dishing out the dirt. In such times as this it is not merely necessary to do the right thing. It is equally important to be seen to be doing just that.

We are in the process of exploring every avenue open to us in order to keep the peace. Some of us, through years of hard experience, look a little sceptically at newspaper reports of "diplomacy" and "statesmanship" when applied to our own actions. It is nonetheless a fact that Bill Evans has once again proved the value of keeping our powder dry until, if the evil day should come, we are forced to sound-off in defence of our position.

The railway unionist who wants a strike now, just for striking's sake, is plainly an idiot. Those who want the A.S.L.E.F. to take on this Tory government, unilaterally, need their heads examined. The way ahead looks rough and stony. But if there is any justice left, anywhere, we shall win through and the A.S.L.E.F. is determined to find the way.

The 1962 Annual Assembly of Delegates will soon be upon us. Once again. a heavy responsibility rests upon the delegates. We are particularly fortunate in being represented again by an extremely experienced colleague Bro. Bagilhole, of London Bridge. Strong support for his advocacy of Electric Multiple Unit Drivers' items will he at hand from Bob Askettle, of East Ham Branch recently elected to Sectional Council No. 3 on London Transport. Our good wishes for a successful Conference go to both, and we look forward with much interest to their reports, later in the year, from Paignton.

Splendid Branch meetings have been held in the past few months and particular mention should be made of those at London Bridge, Gillingham and Feltham Electric.

Promotion, Transfer and Redundancy arrangements continue to provide plenty of ammunition for the younger fraternity to fire at the unsuspecting E.C. member. At Feltham, with the Chairman and Secretary of Sectional Council No. 2, S.R... present, a most interesting evening resulted. Many doubts and fears as to the application of the arrangements following the deletion of Clauses 22 to 26 were discussed and I think it is true to say the air was cleared to a great extent. Our Branch and L.D.C. Officers here are entitled to a vote of appreciation for their sterling services in building up the Branch and particularly arranging Branch business in the most enlightened and interesting manner.

At Gillingham, as is well known, feeling was high o n the subject of wages and the shorter working week. I feel entitled to claim that our lads at the meeting were, generally speaking, satisfied with the E.C.'s handling of those matters as reported, and it was good to be given the opportunity of dealing complaints and criticisms at first hand.

The Future of Transport

Sir, I wish to associate myself with Bro. F. Maxey's remarks in which he advocates the necessity of greater combination of political and industrial power to combat the effects of the new Transport Bill, and also the need for every trade unionist to pay the political levy. Without some demonstration of the former, the mere dogmatic appeal to pay the political levy won't succeed. 

I was at Blackpool last year when similarly the A.S.L.E.F. supported by the N.U.R. moved a successful resolution on Labour Party Conference. Our President's eloquent speech in moving the resolution was made amidst a bedlam of a noisy evacuation from their seats by rows of delegates. This experience of indifference, coupled perhaps with some contempt for our political impotence, further convinced me that without any joint action by the workers involved within the particular industry, it is futile to expect any worthwhile success solely through the efforts of the Parliamentary Labour Party. Resolutions of protest from the T.U.C. or Labour Party Leaders have no real effect on the ruthless representatives of monopoly capitalism.

When we take joint action against the Tories, whether it be against the Transport Bill or the infamous Pay Pause, then will it be appreciated that we are not prepared to be victims of a Tory conspiracy against any effective social ownership, and that we mean what we say.

Harold Bagilhole, 

London Bridge

 LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

MAY 1962

LONDON BRIDGE

Before business commenced at our March meetings, members were asked to stand in silent tribute to a deceased member, Bro. George Godwin, and also to the Society's late E.C. Vice-President, George Crombie, who was known personally by some in our branch. George Godwin, better known by former New Cross Gate and B. Arms men, was a medical case, working up to the time of his death at Charing Cross as a tool-man. He was well liked for his quiet and unobtrusive manner, and his sudden passing was a sad blow to his family, and a shock to all of us who worked with him.

The Wages Circulars were read and discussed, and after expressions of dissatisfaction at the 3 per cent acceptance was agreed, in the hope that the intervening period will be used by the unions to plain to meet an expected deadlock later on.

Like most other branches, we have had to deal with certain anomalies resulting from the 42 - hour week. Confusion from the method of payment was an early priority and at a subsequent Joint L.D.C. meeting progress was made in settling some features of complaint.

With Phase 2 of the Kent Modernisation Plan nearing completion, staffing arrangements are becoming clearer. In the mess rooms speculative rumours are going the rounds. 

The branch room will have the facts.

H. Bagilhole

Branch Chairman

 LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

JUNE 1962

NEWHAVEN

PAGE 140

Our March meeting was well attended, but there is still room for improvement.

This branch very much appreciates the assistance given by Sectional Council Representatives, especially after learning that Bro. Saunders attended a meeting although still on the sick list. Likewise, our Branch Chairman, Bro. E.A. King, obtained doctors’ permission in order to preside over one of our Branch meetings.

We are not proud of the fact that we have two “nons”. Will all members keep these two continually reminded. To those who have paid their full 1962 contributions in advance, many thanks.

Appreciation has been expressed by the Chief Librarian of the Newhaven Public Library for the copy of The Lighted Flame.

S.F.G. Cheal,

Branch Secretary.

On the 18th June, 1962, eight 3 car D.E.M.U.s were introduced between Three Bridges and Tunbridge Wells West. With the introduction of these new trains, a large number of unit failures occurred, and the steam workings remained over this line until 1965.

Railway accident on British Railways

Southern Region 

Central Division

STREATHAM HILL DEPOT

28th SEPTEMBER 1962

EXTRACTED & ADAPTED FROM 

BLOOD & CUSTARD WEBSITE

On the 28th September, 1962, at 5.15 p.m. 4 car Electric Multiple Unit Train a Run Away from outside of  No. 3 shed collided with the buffer block at Balham Junction.

HORSHAM

29th SEPTEMBER 1962

EXTRACTED & ADAPTED FROM 

BLOOD & CUSTARD WEBSITE

On the 29th September, 1962 a collision occurred at 11.58 p.m., when a steam push - pull train was misrouted and collided with Electric Multiple Units, that were berthed in Horsham sidings. 

LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL 

DECEMBER 1962

PAGE 262

NORWOOD BRANCH

Attendance at meetings not good; hoping for an improvement during the winter months. Clear cards by 31 December should be the aim of all of us. Retirements; Bros. Weston, Clark and Harper. Still vacancies for 15 Drivers at our depot. Continual alterations to Engine Workings make our rosters a mockery and very little social life available; Tender First Running increasing and unsuitable engines booked on certain duties which makes our to more trying. What a way to run a Railway! Better pay and conditions is the only way to get the right chaps to stay on our job. Thanks to Assistant General Secretary for the compensation obtained by him for Bro. Killick and myself. I have visited Austria and Holland this year, and conversed with railwaymen there, and I found that their conditions are much better than ours, WHY? At a recent Special Meetings our members, by a unanimous vote endorsed the action taken by our E.C. over the one-day Strike and their efforts to try and implement the 1962 Conference decision. A very happy Christmas to all Branch members and Head Office Officials and Staff, is the wish we send from Norwood Junction.

 P.K. WILLSHAW

BRANCH SECRETARY