PRESSURE is increasing union, ASLEF, leader of the NUR proved once again that he is more a friend of the employers than railworkers. He took his scabbing behaviour to new heights in the press, claiming that ASLEF is going to cause his members tion tribunal.
Why won't ASLEF go to arbitration? The reason is quite simply that there is nothing to arbitrate about.
The Rail Board has renegcd on an agreement - and ASLEF conference was quite cicar on keeping the hour day. Arbitration means a willingness to compromise, that is, give up their eight hour day.
This we will not do.
Remove If the NUR leadership was serious about ending the woud pressure the Board to pas up. It would also join with US opposing rostering. The rail unions unicca woua cwickiy Dring this dispute to an end.
There has been a lot of discussion as to ASLEF han't called an strike. Many drivers feel that an all-out strike would be counter productive. The majority were involved in the 1955 strike when ASLEF called everyone out prevent the loss of firemen's jobs on the train drivers" to go to arbitration. Sid Weighell £920m external cash limit for the present year has ocen usco uD.
Next month Rail will be brought to its financial knees if the presci ahuanon goes ou But has to be weighed up alongside this, is the way that BR is attempting to use the effects of the drivers' action to turn other railworkers against the drivers. The withdrawal of Sundav working has been coupled with a warning that paymen Tor buncE the drivers" strike will also be withdrawn.
Doom-laden threats are being mutered that the financial loss caused by the Trivers action will preven any wages rise at all bein given by BR in April.
The hopes of BR utilise Weighell's scabbing to isolate the drivers from the start didn't work out. But its present methods might erode the overwhelming sympathy displayed by the guards.
sunie tne Erata that RE KINKI Kings Cross Guards win right of reply to attacks in the Sun possible lock out by BR A total close-down is coming. The question is on whose this will be. the pressure on the RUR ASLEF needs to leadership to force Toin! all-out action. Time is run ning OUL. Ray Buckton, the drivers leader, cannot allow Weighell to use the federation which exIsts between ASLEF NUR to prevent criticism of his scabbing role 2 The men Stie te travr to protect jobs 'DRIVER Sleep
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to lose their jobs. He said he would take ASLEF "kicking and screaming if necessary' to the arbitra-
Sun WE ARE