Gelderen THE UNIONS in London Transport have called for an all strike for OUL March against the proposed increases in fares and cuts in services. The recent Law Lords' decision will result in a 100 per cent increase in fares March more increases to come; bus services will be cut by 25 per cent and there will be reductions in underground services. Underground stations and bus garages will close and the night services are threatened.
The London Transport Trade Union Defence Committee launched a E20,000 campaign week in defence of current services, against job cuts and for the restoration of the fares fair scheme.
The strike which will be the first workers nave struck came from a meeting of 700 workers representing all the unions involved in London Transport.
It was the first time rank and file leaders had ever held SUCH meeting which was call. ed because of pressure from the Campaign to Improve London Transport. Certainly the readers don't do much want tO although they do want to be seen to do London Transport representatives 2I MARCH something.
This is particularly the Sid CaSE Weighell's union. the National Union of Railwaymen, which had been very keen summer to call a strike against London leader Ken Livingstone, over the London Transport wage claim. Now that thousands of jobs are the line the NUR leadership prepared to take any 100% Inarcase the first time all the unions had come together meaningful action It is this attitude from the union leaders THaT made some transport workers cynical about the proposed one day strike. They have had no exFor meetings about the proposal.
At the defence committee meeting many representatives were dissatisfied the way the platform refused to announce the date of the strike until the press conference the following day. After all.
3100 screas - Wistrinster met within a week, and the target is now 250,000 Badges stickers, posters have been produc ed, and the local press has given the issue front page coverage nearly every day for a fortnight. The cam paign has been the mair item of discussion at labour meetings, in pubs and on the buses themselves When in uniform, complete strangers broach us to ask for the latest news, our opinion on the campaign, or where they should hand in petition forms! march through Sheffield Saturday 13 February attracted, at rather short 3000 MOLICE demonstrators, led by 150 busworkers But time is running out. The County Counc has to decide NORMAL EXTORTION RESUME SHORTLY as they pointed out, it was they who would have to organise it.
This one day strike can only be effective as part of an ongoing campaign against Tory policies that has to be taken into the heart of the labour moment. All trade unionists in London should be supporting initiatives taken by London Transport workers At the same time there has to be a fight back at a national level. The campaign committee in London is giving support to the South Yorkshire lobby on 1 March and there are also plans for a selective non collection of bus and tube fares But despite the misgivings of transport workers as to how effective this one day strike will be. it has to be built into a resounding success. London should grind to a halt.
Then transoor workers can use that action as a springboard to show how essential are tne services they provide The drivers showed the Tories that - It's the on ly language they understand.
Monday 1 March Lob by of Parliament from South Yorkshire transport workers Wednesday 10 March One-day strike of London Transport worktorce Thursday 11 March Lobby of organised by GLC
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