Conference 2013: Strengthening our voice

n Merger talks commence

n Winning Equal Pay

n Rolling stock absurdities

July 2013

2 July 2013

in this issue

Transport Salaried Staffs’Association

General Secretary: Manuel Cortes

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Vol 109/issue 1229

Campaigners fromTransport for Allprotest over the impactthat any reductions instation and on-trainstaff will have ondisabled travellers.

74–10 News and campaignsu Merger talks with Unite

u Political conference

u Progress on equal pay

u Accessible transport

u Women leaders

u Opposing racism

11 General secretary: Strengthening our hand through merger

12–14 TSSA Annual Delegate Conference

15 President Mick Carney: The challenges ahead

16–17 Christian Wolmar: Rolling stock absurdities

TSSA Journal 3

editorial

Welcome to the Julyissue of the TSSAJournal. As newlyelected presidentMick Carney says (p15)we’re living in a timeof constant change –change in ourindustries, be that theongoing threats tostation staff (p7), or the more welcomechange of Labour joining our campaign tokeep the East Coast public. Yet this is also atime of change for our union itself.

The near unanimous vote of TSSA’sdelegate conference to proceed with mergertalks with Unite (p4) will potentially heraldsome big changes over the coming year.Members are very much in the driving seatof this process, and nothing will go aheadunless approved in an all-member ballot, butbranch delegates were very much convincedthat this deal represents the strongestpossible option for securing and building ourcollective voice long into the future.

Talks between TSSA and Unite are nowprogressing based on the frameworkapproved by conference delegates (p11), withthe potential for an agreement to be reachedby autumn.

Given that all our issues with employersand the government will remain regardless ofthis process, we need to keep organising, keeprecruiting and continue to ensure we havethe biggest political impact possible. That’swhy the work building our community andpolitical alliances to support our coredemands of a properly staffed, publicly ownedrailway with full rights at work for all, is sovital (p5 and 10). News that a TSSA member isamongst Labour’s latest set of candidatesselected for winnable seats (p4) shows justhow direct members’ power can be. We’reproviding training and support to potentialcandidates, so if you’d be interested instanding for election, from council-level up,do speak to TSSA’s political officer.

Whatever changes lie ahead, and inwhatever precise shape we exist to respondto them, we can all be grateful for thededication of the reps, activists and officerswho will continue their work to ensure we allget the best deal possible.

Ben Soffa, editor

TSSA cakes made aspart of a UnionLearning practicalsession

Delegates at TSSA’sconference braved avery wet Glasgow tospeak to commutersabout threatenedstaff cuts.

18–19 Paul Salveson: Merseyside’s new direction

20 Neurodiversity and disabilities

21 Learning and neurodiversity

22–23 Advice: Morrish solicitors and Helpdesk

24 Letters

12-14

4 July 2013

news

NANCY PLATTS, A TSSA member andformer employee of the union, has beenselected by Brighton Kemptown LabourParty to be their candidate at the 2015general election. A longstanding member,Nancy has been a champion of rail issuesand TSSA policies in the Labour Party. Shefought an exemplary, but tough,campaign to be selected and was activelysupported by the Association.

TSSA has been implementing apolitical programme to support ourmembers into office – from council levelup to Parliament and this is a majorvictory for TSSA’s approach. To ensure wehave not just allies but membersthemselves in elected office, TSSA hasbeen supporting candidates rightthrough the process of applying andseeking selection.

It was a hard fought contest – withNancy’s main rival being backed by theProgress faction. Through the jointefforts of TSSA, Unite and GMB and anexperienced and hardworking TSSAmember as the candidate, the result wasa comprehensive victory by 126 votes to48. Now comes the real task of workingwith Nancy to ensure a Labour victory inBrighton Kemptown in 2015.7

TSSA memberselected forparliamentary seat

Conference backs Unitemerger talksAFTER A COMPREHENSIVE debate atTSSA’s annual conference, delegatesoverwhelmingly backed the holding oftalks with Unite, with the aim ofagreeing a merger. Negotiations arenow progressing, with any agreementneeding to clear a vote of all TSSAmembers for it to go ahead.

TSSA general secretary ManuelCortes told the TSSA Journal, ‘If agreedby members, this will create Britainand Ireland’s first-ever cross-transportand travel union, organising andrepresenting workers across all formsof the transport industry. I believe thiswill greatly strengthen our hand innegotiations and increase our ability todeliver a far better deal for you atwork.’

Conference passed a motionrequiring a number of guarantees bebuilt into any deal, including thecreation of a new stand-alone railsection of Unite, which will have itsown conference, committee anddedicated resources (see page 11).

Delegates spent several hoursdiscussing issues relating to themerger, with the general secretaryanswering dozens of questions put bybranch representatives. The vote toproceed with the plan was in the finalevent almost unanimous.

As negotiations progress, updateswill be distributed to members, with a‘question and answer’ day with TSSA’sManuel Cortes and Unite’s LenMcCluskey scheduled once the termsof any agreement are known. Thatwould be followed by an all-memberballot and, if passed, a two yeartransitional period as Unite and TSSA’sstructures are combined.

Whilst indications are very positive,Manuel remarks, ‘We all need toremain focused on the day- to-daywork of the Association. I know ourreps, activists and staff will continueworking extremely hard to protectmembers’ interests as we discuss howwe best strengthen our voice for thefuture.’7

TSSA Journal 5

organising

Shadow Transport SecretaryMaria Eagle, c2c rep Mary Sitole

and Manuel Cortes

IN A HUGELY successful day,over 100 TSSA members andcommunity supporters metat London MetropolitanUniversity in early June todiscuss how communityorganising can win supportfor public transport issues inthe run up to the nextelection.

Attendees heard from anarray of speakers, includingleading community organiserfrom the US, Arnie Graf,famous for mentoring a youngBarack Obama. Since Labourleader Ed Miliband convincedGraf of his commitment toembedding the Labour Partyinto grassroots andcommunity organising, he hasbeen advising the party acrossBritain on approaches to take.Jon Cruddas MP, who isleading Labour’s policy review,spoke about how adoptingcommunity organising cantransform the character of thetrade union movement andLabour Party so that we aremuch more closely engagedwith the concerns of thecommunity. Manuel Corteslaid out the opportunity we

have to end the madness ofprivatisation and challengedthe Labour Party to put itselffirmly on the side of ordinaryworking people.

Our three pronged attackahead of 2015l Community organising:Building alliances with ourpassengers and communityorganisationsTSSA members have a naturalcommon interest withpassengers, disability rightsactivists and environmentalcampaigners. Our strategy ofbuilding strong links withcommunity groups paved theway for the vigorous campaignfollowing the TransportSecretary’s announcement ofRPI + three per cent fare rises.The successful campaignoverturned this and bySeptember 2012 fare rises hadbeen restricted to one per centabove inflation. Through to2015, our union will continueto build our work with ournatural allies to win on issueslike the defence of staffedticket offices, amplifying ourcollective voice.

l Re-frame the debate:Another way is not onlypossible, it’s essential!Our campaign for publicownership of rail is inherentlyopposed to the agenda of thecurrent Conservativegovernment. If unchallenged,they would continue to havecitizens believe that austerityand privatisation are the onlyoption and any involvement ofthe public sector is inherentlybad. Our strategy requires thatwe re-frame this debate to beable to demonstrate that notonly is public ownership of railbetter for passengers, it’sessential to deliver the kind ofinfrastructure investment ourcommunities needs now andin the future. The privatesector will not, and for thepast 20 years sinceprivatisation has not, made thekind of investment that theUK economy needs. l Campaign in marginal seats,to return MP who will supportTSSA membersThere are 107 ConDem heldmarginal seats that theLabour Party will be targetingin 2015. However, TSSA will

not have itself taken forgranted by Labour. We aregoing to be prioritisingworking on the ground onlywith those Labour candidateswho support TSSA’s policiespublically. Our supportedcandidates will publiclysupport and advocate for therights of working people,public ownership of rail andbetter employment rights forour members.7

‘Winning’ the general election forpublic transport

How you can get involvedOur political and communitycampaign is about TSSAmembers working within ourcommunities to create aBetter Railway. Can you getinvolved? To discuss howyou can help, contactcommunity@tssa.org.uk orphone 020 7529 8019.l Hold a Ghost Train actionat your local stationl Get involved in your localrail users’ groupl Invite a TSSA communityorganiser to run a localcampaign training sessionfor you and 10 othercommunity activists in yourareal Find out more aboutbecoming an electedrepresentative – be that inyour workplace, on yourcouncil or even as an MPl Sign up to www.togetherfortransport.org to getcampaign updates in yourarea

6 July 2013

equal pay

MANAGEMENT GRADEMEMBERS at Network Railjoined company bosses, MPsand senior executives at otherrail firms for a recent House ofCommons reception tocelebrate the progress madetowards winning equal pay forequal work at Network Rail.

Talks with the firm areprogressing, albeit slowly,towards a new pay and gradingsystem for managementgrades. This work is notfocussed on the actual rate ofpay at this time, but the paystructure: how jobs are graded,how you decide which jobs areworth more than others andthe principles that govern pay progression.

This was made possible bythe courage of 36 TSSAmembers who launchedemployment tribunal claimsfor equal pay, with NetworkRail sensibly agreeing to meetTSSA around the negotiatingtable rather than in court.

Beyond the pleasantries atthe reception, the messagefrom general secretary ManuelCortes to the other railemployers who attended wasclear: our preferred way of

dealing with equal pay is jointworking, however we are quiteprepared to use the legalroute to force progress intheir companies.

They heard the positivemessage from Network Railthat working with us todevelop a fair pay system wasalso their much preferredoption. The direct result of thisis that we are now discussingjoint working in a number ofother railway companies.

There are of course manyemployers in the Railway whohave not yet engaged withTSSA. We will continue to seektheir cooperation.

Network Rail talksDespite the plodding natureof progress TSSA welcomesNetwork Rail’s commitmentthat any new pay and gradingsystem must be fullycompliant with legalrequirements. Of course wehave to ensure thatcommitment is delivered inpractice and we are aware thatthere will be plenty of pressureon Network Rail with regardsto the costs of moving froman unfair to a fair pay system.

This is a complex piece ofwork. It needs members to beinvolved at every level toensure the new scheme is fitfor purpose. Whether thatmeans reviewing existing jobdescriptions, or exploringwhether some jobs with thesame job description should infact be two separate roles,neither TSSA’s nor NetworkRail’s negotiators will have thedetailed knowledge that ourmembers actually have.

Network Rail has agreed allTSSA reps will be allowedthree days’ release for trainingin job evaluation and itsrelationship to a pay andgrading system. This is apositive sign that thecompany does, indeed, intendto adopt a pay system basedin equality principles.

The specially designedcourses will be delivered inJuly and August. Reps cancontact their regionalorganisers to book a place.

Winning across the industryEqual pay legislation hasbeen law in this country forover 40 years yet there arestill grossly unfair and

discriminatory pay structuresin place. Traditionally, manyemployers have put equal payin the ‘too difficult’ box andhave simply responded as andwhen individual women (andit is predominantly women)take claims for unequal pay.

However, with the advancesin technology, it is nowrelatively easy for TSSA tosurvey members in companieswhere we think there areequal pay issues and with theevidence we can launchsignificant numbers of cases,likely to be very expensivefor the employer. Whereemployers refuse to engagewith us, we will systematicallyexplore their pay structuresand support our members tolaunch claims. The effect ofthis is that ‘doing nothing’for the targeted companieswill no longer be a viableoption. In short our messageto the industry is talk to usnow and let’s make a start inmaking the railways an equalpay sector. 7

If you would like to knowmore about equal pay contactstansfieldv@tssa.org.uk.

Big steps forward for equal pay

Former TSSA organiser, nowLabour MP for Bolton West,Julie Hilling, speaking at thereception.

i

TSSA Journal 7

TSSA SUPPORTED THE recentAction for Rail meeting inParliament and protest atKings Cross to coincide withthe publication of a newreport looking at the impactof railway staff cuts ondisabled and older passengers.

‘What does the future ofrailway staffing mean fordisabled and olderpassengers?’ has beenproduced in partnership withTransport for All, the NationalPensioners Convention andDisabled People Against Cutsand includes findings from anew survey of disabledpassengers commissioned byAction for Rail.

The survey has somestartling findings showing thehuge value that disabledpassengers place on staffbeing available on trains and atstations. 39 per cent of disabledpassengers say that they relyon staff assistance to be ableto travel; a further 32 per centsaid they found it helpful.

Given the benefits thatstaffing brings, from an added

sense of safety to physicalhelp getting on and off trains,it is little wonder that over 75 per cent of those surveyedsaid the loss of staff wouldmake train travel difficult. Overa third said it would deterthem making some journeysor make travel impossible.

A particularly worryingfinding from the survey wasthat over a quarter (27 percent) said they had beenabused or suffered a hatecrime while using the railways,jumping to over 40 per centfor those who use wheelchairs– something deterred by thepresence of staff.

Yet the drastic staffingcuts proposed in the McNultyReview, endorsed by both thegovernment and railoperators, indicates that wecould lose up to 7,000 guardsand other non-driver staff ontrains, 5,000 station andplatform staff, 2,000 ticketoffice staff and 675 ticketoffices completely.

The action day included alively debate at parliament,

hosted by Labour’s Jack DromeyMP, at which Junior TransportMinister Norman Baker alsospoke. Norman Bakerreiterated the government’scommitment to the equalitiesand accessibility agenda – butgot short shrift from disabledrights activists angry that hisrhetoric was not borne out bythe impending cuts to stationstaffing. TSSA sponsored MPJulie Hilling gave a powerfulspeech to the 70 or so peopleat the meeting. Stridentcontributions from TSSA frontline ticket office members,including TSSA president MickCarney, really rammed homethe message that rail staff andpassengers are totally unitedon this issue.

Turning anger to action,many went from the meetingto Kings Cross for an action,photo call and mini rally. TSSA’sstrategy of organising alongsidepassengers demonstrated itsstrength at this event, ascampaigners from a variety ofdisability rights groups joinedthe rail unions for the demo.

TSSA member, and recentlyselected Labour Parliamentarycandidate for BrightonKemptown, Nancy Plattsjoined the demonstration. Shesaid, ‘Public transport shouldbe there for everyone. It is ascandal that people withdisabilities are once againbeing forced to fight for basicservices that others can takefor granted. By cutting staff atstations, rail companies aretaking away a public servicefrom people with disabilitiesand dodging their duty underthe Disability DiscriminationAct. Rail companies need toget their act together.’ 7

For more information, seewww.actionforrail.org/?p=491.

Disabled passengersfight staff cuts

accessible transport

i

women leaders

8 July 2013

WOMEN HAVE A long history working inthe rail industry, but do their positions inmanagement and our union leadershiptoday reflect that? TSSA’s new learningproject in Scotland aims to build greaterequality in the rail industry.

The first female railway employee whosename is recorded was Stationmistress MaryArgyle, who was in charge of Merry Leesstation on the Leicester and SwanningtonRailway from 1832 right through until1871. At no point in her service was MaryArgyle able to join a trade union. Not onlydid no national railway union exist untilthe 1870s, but it was not until 1907 whenthe Railway Clerks’ Association (TSSA’sforebear) decided to accept womenmembers. Throughout the Victorian era,women were excluded from mostuniformed station grades, such as ticketcollectors, as well as from seniormanagement. They were also excludedfrom the trade unions that representedtheir male colleagues.

By the time the First World War brokeout the situation had changed. A hundredwomen had joined the Railway Clerks’Association (RCA) and their voices werebeginning to be heard. The first womandelegate to an annual conference of anyrail union was the RCA’s Mamie Thompsonin 1915. Throughout the First and Second

World Wars, as the numbers of womenworking on the railways grew, so too didtheir membership of and activism intheir unions, especially the RCA. In 1942women held one in ten posts within theRCA and the union was firmly behind thewomen rail workers’ equal pay campaign.

Today, the formal commitment toequal pay for men and women is a given.Yet 70 years on women remain under-represented at senior managementgrades in the rail industry. A 2005 surveyby the European Transport Workers’Federation (ETF) and the Community ofEuropean Railways and InfrastructureManagers found that across Europe, onlyone percent of executive posts are takenup by women, despite 19 per cent of therail workforce being female. Even in theirown trade unions women are under-represented at senior levels. Just two outof the 15 members of TSSA’s ExecutiveCommittee are women – hardlyrepresentative of the 31 per cent whoare members – and only one more thanin 1942.

There are many reasons why womenfind it harder than men to progress inthe rail industry and in their union. Eventhat first step into activism can seem hardin an industry still dominated by men.Now TSSA Scotland’s new learning project

offers a chance for women in theLowlands and Uplands areas to sign upfor a programme in women’s confidence,aimed especially at TSSA members. ‘Theydon’t have to be rail workers – women fromthe ferries and the travel trade are welcometoo,’ says Liz Warren-Corney, newlyappointed Learning Organiser (Scotland).

The project isn’t just about learningfor women – new programmes inleadership and management andneurodiversity awareness are open tomen and women. There are alsoopportunities to get involved in moretraditional learning opportunities such asforeign languages, British Sign Languageand report-writing skills. Plus for anyoneconsidering a first step into activism,there are opportunities to be trained as aUnion Learning Representative.

‘The Union Learning Rep role is a greatway to get started in union activism!’ Lizcomments. ‘You’re fully supported,mentored and trained and you can learnall the skills you’ll need. It’s also great fun,you get to know your fellow workersmuch better and you can really make adifference in people’s lives.’7

For more information contact Liz onwarren-corneyl@tssa.org.uk or 07872 507201.

i

Developing our women leaders

How far have wecome? In 1926 justone of our 13delegates to LabourParty Conferencewas a woman.Recent years haveseen an all-female,if smaller,delegation, but thatis not the caseacross the union.

TSSA ACTIVISTS IN York recently had aweekend of highly contrasting activities,writes Frank Ormston. One group ofmembers took the positive message ofequality to York Pride, campaigning for aBetter Railway amongst the thousandsthere, whilst other members helped leada very necessary but less welcome task –opposing the racist English DefenceLeague‘s attempt to abuse a memorial torail workers.

TSSA members were amongst 150people who gathered at the NorthEastern Railway war memorial. This hadbeen singled out by the racist EDL in anattempt to stoke Islamophobia in thecity in the wake of the brutal murder ofLee Rigby.

TSSA supported the counter-protestafter local members and other railworkers had expressed disgust at theextremists’ attempt to misuse themonument.

Our endorsement of the counter-protest gave encouragement andconfidence to many local anti-fascistswho had been concerned aboutappearing to disrupt a purported‘remembrance’ event, no matter howdebased its intent.

The turnout of anti-racists dwarfedthat of the EDL by a margin of around

ten to one. A local community activistmade a moving speech about how weshould remember both the victims offascism and all who lost their lives in thestruggle to defeat it. He called for a two-minute silence to honour all victims ofwar, fascism, and terrorism.

The crowd observed a dignifiedsilence, which the EDL attempted todisrupt by slow hand clapping.

A local TSSA rep spoke to condemnthe EDL for attempting to hijack amonument that bore the names ofhundreds of rail workers who had dieddefending their country and democracyagainst fascism. The day belonged, hesaid, to the wider community who hadmobilised successfully to defend thedignity of the monument.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city,there was a Spectrum stall at York LGBTPride. This was the fourth time thatSpectrum had represented TSSA at thisevent, which attracts thousands for alively afternoon’s entertainment.

Spectrum chair Steve Horne and ateam of volunteers from around thecountry ensured a high profile for TSSAthroughout the afternoon, by giving outinformation leaflets and materials,promoting the union and its support forthe Better Rail and FairFail campaigns.7

TSSA Journal 9

news

THE FIRST EVER UK gay pride marchtook place in London on 1 July 1972,with the date chosen to fall on theanniversary of the Stonewall riots of1969, when the gay and transgendercommunities in Los Angeles foughtback against police brutality. Sincethen Pride events have grown larger,and broader, now involving thewhole of the LGBT+ community.

Spectrum, TSSA’s LGBT self-organised group, has achieved agrowing presence at Pride events inrecent years. 7

Spectrum welcomes all TSSAmembers, both LGBT and straight, tocome along to Pride events and showsupport for LGBT equality. LondonPride includes the parade onSaturday 29 June (www.londoncommunitypride.org) with Brightonon Saturday 3 August(www.brighton-pride.org). For more information contact Mel Taylor: taylorm@tssa.org.uk.

Members stand up to EDLand celebrate equality

TSSA marcheswith pride

i

Thom

Shu

tt

campaigns

10 July 2013

AS PART OF TSSA’s politicalstrategy of using transportcampaigning and communityorganising to deliver a stringof knockout blows to ToryMPs in marginal seats, over50 locals attended a recenttraining day in Hastings.

TSSA is targeting areaswhere Labour candidatessupport our key policy issueson rail and our wideremployment rights policy

agenda. The meeting wasjointly arranged withHastings Labour Party andveteran US communityorganising guru Arnie Graf asthe start of a programme toboost the chances of Labour’sSarah Owen winning in 2015.

TSSA political officer SamTarry reports, ‘It was afantastic event with over 50local people in attendance,including a number of TSSAmembers. They were joinedby faith groups, Labour partymembers and others. TSSAPresident Mick Carneyopened the day with afascinating speech on whycommunity organising isproving a powerful tool forthe TSSA, and is helping buildour political clout – andpower for our members.’

After an introduction fromlocal Labour Party chair CllrJay Kramer, Arnie Graf, justarrived from Chicago,followed with an inspiring,

and humorous call to arms,using his life story and thebattles that he and thepeople he organised foughtand won.

Arnie explained why, aftera lifetime of organising, hewas now for the first time inhis life, backing the work of apolitical party. After longdiscussions with Ed Milibandhe had committed tospending months touringBritain, training people andhelping the trade union andLabour movement really re-connect with ordinaryworking people.

Story sharing – tounderstand peoples’motivations for beinginvolved, and to practice theskills of relational organisingthrough one-to-one’s were akey part of the day’s learning.Attendees finished the daybuzzing with enthusiasm –and ready to put the neworganising skills to good use.

The sessions looking atidentifying the local issues –and how we could build localpower to tackle them – wereparticularly potent. Transport,including rail transport, fares,and connections fromHastings along the coast andto London, all came out askey issues that peoplewanted to campaign on. Thisgives a fantastic opportunityfor TSSA to work with localsto take those issues forward.

Arnie Graf challenged allthose who attended to bringthree more people to thenext meeting – plannedusing collective decisionmaking for 7 September. Sowe have a goal now of over150 people attending thatnext meeting. And hechallenged the TSSA toengage more members – andensure TSSA’s membersturned out at what promisesto be a really powerfulevent.7

TSSA MEMBERS UNDERGOING training to become reps gotan unexpectedly early opportunity to put some newfoundskills to the test when they discovered a protest againstblacklisting was about to take place next to their coursevenue at TSSA’s Bristol office.

Every rep on the course gave up their lunch break to joincolleagues from Unite, who had called the demo to protestagainst the illegal practices by employers and tradeassociation who keep files on, and block the appointment of,known union activists.

It has been alleged that a firm working on Crossrail hasbeen engaging in blacklisting, dismissing staff on the basis ofthem raising health and safety concerns whilst at a formeremployer. Unite are currently backing a member through anEmployment Tribunal to discover the truth.7

Community organising to unseat commuter-town Tories

New reps say no to blacklisting

TSSA Journal 11

general secretaryManuelCortes

com

men

tLast month in Glasgow our union held its116th Annual Delegate Conference. Thisgathering may well turn out to be a historicone. It looks to have paved the way towards yetanother very important milestone in ourextremely long and proud history – a newbeginning. Delegates overwhelmingly passed amotion instructing me and our ExecutiveCommittee to pursue talks with Unite to formBritain and Ireland’s first ever cross-transportand travel union. If this aim is achieved, thenew union will organise workers across theentire spectrum of the transport and travelindustries – greatly strengthening ournegotiating hand. I believe this would greatlyincrease our ability to deliver a far better dealfor you!

Of course, as always, conference never gives ablank cheque – tough conditions will need to bemet before a merger can become a reality. Thismeans that before we embark on a newbeginning, at very least, the following will needto be put in place:l There will be a new stand-alone rail sectorwithin Unite. If the merger goes ahead, the vastmajority of you will in future be part of this.l Those of you not working within the railways– or in Ireland where, fortunately, we still havemulti-modal publicly owned public transportcompanies – will be transferred into the sectorwithin Unite that provides you with the greatestbargaining strength. For example, our travel trademembers will team up with Unite’s powerfulaviation workers.l There will be a new specialist unit to ensurewe deliver membership growth, enhancedorganisation and build wider communityalliances to better defend and improve your jobs,pay and conditions. This will have its owndedicated resources, funded from our existingassets for an agreed period of time.

Democratic structures:l TSSA branches will transfer into Unite’sregional structure and will be maintained for aminimum of two years – or for a shorterperiod through mutual agreement – duringwhich time consultation on theirreconstitution will take place.

‘Conference

overwhelmingly

passed a motion

for talks with

Unite to form

Britain and

Ireland’s first ever

cross-transport

and travel union.’

‘If you approve

this, it will greatly

strengthen our

negotiating hand

and increase our

ability to deliver a

far better deal for

you.’

Strengthening our hand through mergerl Every effort will be made to ensure that ourSelf Organised Groups are given adequaterepresentation. They will either transfer to theappropriate structures within Unite or as a newstand-alone group with a view to beingexpanded to include eligible members fromwithin Unite’s existing membership.l TSSA members will be allocated reserved seatsacross industrial, national, regional and equalitystructures of Unite for an agreed period of time.l There will be a rail sector conference, with itsfrequency and other details to be jointlydetermined.l You will continue to enjoy a Helpdesk facility.

I have no doubt that in-depth negotiationswill follow over the next few months – indeedthey are already getting under-way. You know, asI told conference, goodwill is not sufficient toseal a deal, but without it, I can guarantee thatno agreement would ever be possible. Thankfullythere is plenty of it around.

Of course, it is vitally important that we keepyou fully informed of progress as it is beingmade. This is something that will most definitelyhappen, although I am seeking your forbearanceas some issues may take a while before they areresolved to our satisfaction.

If negotiations go well and deliver significantprogress, then in the near future myself and thegeneral secretary of Unite will hold a Q&Asession. This event will be attended by seniorworkplace representatives and an invite will alsobe extended to each of our branches so that theytoo can send members along to receive answersto any questions you may have. This session willhappen well before you get a vote to determinewhether a merger should go ahead – you willalways have the final say!

However, it is vitally important that we don’tget distracted by the possibility of a merger,essential as this is for our union’s future. We allneed to remain focused on the day-to-day issuesthat affect you and your colleagues – particularlyduring the tough economic times that we aresadly living through. That is why our reps,activists and staff will continue workingextremely hard to protect yourinterests and to deliver the best possible deal foryou!7

This year’s Annual Delegate Conferencetook place in the middle of May,returning to Glasgow for the first timesince 1909. 76 branches and self-organised groups were represented by 99delegates, with the Executive Committee,staff and others in attendance.

The general secretary openedconference as the president was unableto attend due to illness. Treasurer andpresident-elect Mick Carney was thenelected to chair the three days of debateand decision-making.

Conference was welcomed to the cityby the Deputy Lord Provost, Bailie GeraldLeonard. A proud trade unionist, heoffered genuinely comradely greetingsbeyond the normal civic pleasantries.Other guest speakers included GrahamSmith, general secretary of the ScottishTUC, Mick Whelan, the general secretaryof ASLEF and Johann Lamont, the Leaderof the Scottish Labour Party.

Johann arrived at conference freshfrom launching Labour’s campaign forScotland to remain a nation within the UKafter the referendum next year. She

committed to deepening the linkbetween Scottish Labour and the unions,saying ‘the trade unions have anunderstanding of what it really going onin our communities and in our families.We need to talk together and worktogether to bring about action on theseconcerns and to work out what our nextsteps as a country should be.’

MergerThe biggest decision of Conference wasundoubtedly the discussion around theunion’s own future. Two separate periodswere allocated to this – an informal‘question and answer’ session, whereManuel Cortes exhausted all the querieswhich delegates brought forward, and aformal debate. The questions were varied,from whether our self-organised groupswould be integrated into their Uniteequivalents, to how the differencebetween our respective subscription rateswould be handled. Manuel explained hisapproach to all of these, committing toreporting back as details were agreedbetween the two unions.

12 July 2013

conference

Conference 2013: big decisions for our future

TSSA’s parliament debated the issues facing us at work, in wider society and within

our union itself.

Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont MSP

TSSA Journal 13

conference

As reported elsewhere (pages 4 and11), delegates overwhelmingly passed amotion which ‘authorises the generalsecretary and Executive Committee toprogress negotiations [with Unite] withthe objective that these will ultimatelylead to a transfer of engagements’.

Transport policyConference debated many motionsseeking to shape our input into thedebate about the future of travel. IanMcDonald, of South Eastern (Kent) Branchargued that whilst the already-announcedinvestment in electrification was welcome,given the time such upgrades take, manymore steps were needed to achieve themodal shift to rail needed to meet thegovernment’s environmental targets.

Delegates welcomed the campaigninginitiatives of the last year and mandatedthe strengthening of many of these, suchas the need to spread greater awarenessof the ‘Rebuilding Rail’ report as a modelfor bringing the railways back into publicownership.

Others, such as Steve Halliwell,representing London South Western andMiddlesex Branch successfully put the casethat ATOC, TOCs, bus and other transportoperators who receive public funds in anyform should be compelled to make theiraccounts available for public scrutiny.

In terms of our own openness, amotion passed calling for a summary ofExecutive Committee meeting minutesto be published.

The effects of the McNulty cuts onsafety were condemned, as weregovernment attempts to further restrictworkers’ rights both through dismissingthem as merely ‘red tape’ or throughfinancial charges limiting access tojustice.

CampaigningThe failure of the government’s economicpolicy was attacked in many motions,with conference calling for policies whichwill generate jobs and growth, rather thanattack services relied upon by ordinaryworking people.

A motion moved by Tim Price ofEuston Branch called for greater inter-union working to maximise campaignsagainst the government’s failing austerityapproach and to use our Labour affiliation

to push for a more strident challenge tothe failures of market-driven thinking.

Motions in opposition to thedismembering of the NHS byprivatisation, for the Minimum Wage tobe raised to the level of the Living Wage,for investment to create a million ‘greenjobs’ and to oppose environmentallyhazardous gas extraction via frackingwere passed. A motion on deaths in policecustody sparked much debate, with a callfor incidents to be more thoroughlyinvestigated ultimately being passed.

The pernicious practice of ‘blacklisting’was also on the agenda, with DimitrisPhanos of TfL Central branch proposing asuccessful motion calling for it to become

a criminal offence to engage in creatingor using databases of ‘banned’ unionactivists to deny people work. Restrictionsshould be placed on firms that have usedblacklisting, preventing them fromreceiving public contracts until they makeamends of their actions.

Eileen Turnbull of the ‘Shrewsbury 24’justice campaign followed up the issue ina fringe meeting, telling delegates of theshocking collusion between police,ministers and employers in the aftermathof the 1972 builders strike, which sawRicky Tomlinson and other picketssentenced to years in prison.

Conference also received a report-backfrom the delegation to Palestine andagreed to support the Boycotts,Divestment and Sanctions (BDS)movement to help secure justice there.Delegates approved a motion to raiseawareness on the thirtieth anniversary ofthe massacre of Sikhs in India and toaffiliate to the International BrigadeMemorial Trust, remembering those whovolunteered to fight fascism in Spain. 7

l Election results for delegations torepresent the union at events includingTUC Congress and Labour Partyconference were announced, with theresults online at www.tssa.org.uk/elections.

Eileen Turnbull of the Shrewsbury 24campaign spoke about blacklisting and thelong campaign for justice.

Ghost train tour kicks offDelegates braved wind and rain on a pre-breakfast campaigning session tolaunch the ‘Ghost Train tour’ at Glasgow Central station. Hundreds of commuterswere handed postcards by activists, who received a warm reception from thetravelling public.

The Ghost Train will be visiting stations up and down the country,highlighting the attacks on staff and services inspired by the McNulty Report.Many previous visits have drawn extensive local media coverage and supportfrom local MPs and councillors - opening up a discussion with them which canserve members well on a range of issues.

To arrange a visit of the Ghost Train to your area, contact raen@tssa.org.uk.

conference

14 July 2013

CONFERENCE RAISED £460 for the Yorkhill Children’s Hospital in Glasgowafter the Executive Committee pledged to match pound-for-pound everyticket sold in a raffle amongst delegates. Bobby Paterson, Chair of this year’sLocal Reception Committee presented the cheque to the Hospital soon afterconference and wishes to pass on the thanks of the LRC to all those whodonated.7

TSSA’S MEMBERSHIP RATES are frozen thisyear. The rate you pay, based on your paymentfrequency, will remain at the current levelshown here.7

Delegates support children’s charity

Elections

No change to subsrate for 2013/14

THIS NOTICE TAKES the place of the individualsubscription letter sent if subscription ratesincrease. Direct Debit subscriptions willcontinue on the same frequency, monthly onthe first Wednesday or four-weekly fromWednesday 3 July then Wednesday 31 July,Wednesday 28 August etc.

Although we are not sending out letters toall members you can request an individualschedule letter if you wish, emailing membership @tssa.org.uk with yourmembership number.7

INCOMING PRESIDENT MICK CARNEY writes about the task ahead of himon page 15.

Newly elected treasurer Andy Bain told the TSSA Journal: ‘I’m lookforward to overseeing good financial governance as we move towardsmerger. In the meantime we must not slacken on our day job, which is tolook after our collective interests as TSSA members. This will not be easy aswe face up to the inevitable attacks that will come from the McNultyrecommendations. All TSSA members will face some aspects of thegovernment cuts to education, health, housing and welfare provision andwe should give a lead in opposing these, such as through the People’sAssembly. I personally would be happy about one cut though – don’t spend tens of billions on the proposed new generation of Trident nuclearmissiles’.7

Notice to DirectDebit members

Delegates passed on warm thanks to theLocal Reception Committee for the excellenthospitality shown after the end ofconference sessions each day. The LRCconsisted of Bobby Paterson, MargaretAnslow, Karan Park and John Hall.

Full rateWeekly £4.00 €4.60Four weekly £16.00 €18.40Monthly £17.40 €20.00Quarterly £52.20 €60.00Half annual £104.40 €120.00Annually £208.80 €240.00

Part rateWeekly £2.00 €2.30Four weekly £8.00 €9.20Monthly £8.70 €10.00Quarterly £26.10 €30.00Half annual £52.20 €60.00Annually £104.40 €120.00

Election of presidentMick Carney 2547 electedHarriet Yeo 815

Election of treasurerAndy Bain 2445 electedSimon Lee 940

Election of Executive Committee member for ScotlandStephen Lawrence 138 electedMargaret Anslow 130Karan Park 53

TSSA Journal 15

Mick Carney

Thank you for electing me as your newpresident. I’m a career railway man, havingstarted out on the Youth Training Scheme(introduced the last time the Tories needed tomassage the dole figures) in 1983 straightfrom school in my native North EastEngland. After the scheme, the only chance ofgetting work was to transfer ‘down South’, sojust after I turned 17 I took up a position as acarriage cleaner at East Ham sheds. I stayedthere for a year then transferred back to Yorkto work in despatch at what was then BritishRail’s main headquarters outside of London.Whenever I pass by what is now a veryexclusive hotel not far from York station, I’malways filled with sadness, remembering thatonce proud railway office. In early 1988, underthreat of redundancy, I transferred to WaterlooTEB and via a couple of other ticket office jobs,I ended up at Penge East in South London,where I have now been for over 20 years.

I take on this role at a time of greatuncertainty for many of us: in the industrieswhere we work, on a national level due to theheinous attacks of this government and indeed atime of change within our union itself.

In the industries we organise in, things seemto change on a daily basis. The travel tradecontinues to contract as more and morebookings are made online. This is all well andgood, but means many people no longer haveaccess to the expertise that our members canbring. I for one would rather phone through andknow who I am speaking to, or better still, visitmy local travel store and have a friendly, well-trained staff member make my booking for me.

In the railways, we work in a privatisedindustry and have to survive in a time ofconstant change. Last year’s West Coast debaclehas thrown the discredited franchising systemright up in the air. No one in government seemsto know what they are doing – they are just surethey need to do it before the next election.

It’s now been over two years since the

‘A merger will

only happen if it

is the right move

for our members’

‘I’m a firm

believer in

branches, but

our democracy

is only as strong

as the people

willing to

participate. Get

stuck in!’

TSSA’s newly elected president,Mick Carney, looks forward tothe challenges ahead

publication of the McNulty Report. Up to now,we have managed to stave off the worst excessesof the report, thanks in no small part due to thepressure built through our communityorganising strategy and the alliances we havebuilt. I personally wish to thank DPAC –Disabled People Against Cuts – a morecourageous group of campaigners you could nothope to meet, and thanks to you, our hardworking reps and members. But we mustremain vigilant. This government is still after'value for money' whatever the cost to thequality of services. This will come at the expenseof our members, whilst allowing greedyprivateers to continue with their inflation-busting price rises and skim profit from the top.All except in East Coast. Now that's an oddity.Taken back under public control a couple ofyears back, services have improved and recordprofits have been paid back into the publicpurse. And the answer to this success story forpublic ownership? Privatise it again. It is time toscrap the whole failed privatisation experimentand follow the East Coast example andrenationalise the railways.

As Manuel has said before in the TSSAJournal, we are currently in discussions withUnite regarding a possible merger. I sit on theteam in the discussions and can pledge it willonly happen if it is the right move for the TSSAand the right move for our members.

And lastly I want to thank my branch,Southeastern Metro, for their unwaveringsupport and friendship they have shown meover the years. I am a firm believer in thebranch structure being the way forward forour internal democracy, but a democracy isonly as strong as the people willing toparticipate. Whilst we may need to move awayfrom traditional branch meetings and beprepared to look at other ways of doingthings, I do encourage you all to engagewithin the democratic structures of ourunion.7

com

men

t

Christian Wolmar

Siemens

The most obviously scandalous aspectsof the whole rail privatisation fiascohave tended to be over rolling stockdeals. It all started with the sale of thethree rolling stock companies, whichwas carried out in 1995 in great haste toput a few bob into the Treasury coffers.This deal, rather like today’s hurriedand equally shocking sale of the RoyalMail, cheated taxpayers out of at least£1bn. Now the scandals continuethrough a variety of crazy and complexdeals to acquire new trains.

The creation and then sale of therolling stock companies (or ROSCOs)became necessary as part of theprivatisation process because thesensible solution, of allowing the trainoperating companies to own the stock,was not possible because their franchiseperiods were too short. The rolling stockwould outlast the franchise, andtherefore another arrangement had tobe made. Therefore the trains had to beleased and the three rolling stockcompanies, now all owned by banks,

were established in order to ensurecompetition – though this was a bitdaft, too, since competition was prettymuch impossible in practice givenrolling stock tends to be line specific.

This all added significant costs. Oldtrains, long depreciated so that they wereeffectively worthless, still had an assetvalue and therefore were leased at oftenhigh costs to the operators – who had nochoice – and in any case, were mostlysubsidised. The most scandalous of thelot were the old Tube trains on the Isle ofWight, built in 1938, but which afterprivatisation had earned their owner over

a million pounds in leasing fees. This onlystopped when they were eventually givenaway by HSBC Rail, conscious of the badpublicity that had resulted.

The ROSCOs have fallen rather out offavour – somewhat unfairly as all theywere doing was taking advantage of thegovernment’s incompetence – and insteadthe government sets up deals to purchaserolling stock through insanely complexpartnerships with the private sector. Themost absurd has been the Intercity ExpressProgramme, a procurement process thathas dragged on for nearly a decade andfinally resulted in a £2.4bn deal withHitachi in 2012. This will undoubtedlyresult in far higher train costs thannecessary. Instead of simply buying trains,the deal involves an ongoing contract forHitachi to provide sufficient trains to fill aset number of paths and for them tocarry out all maintenance on the trainsthroughout their lives.

Ministers opt for these Private FinanceInitiative deals as otherwise suchpurchases would be on the government’s

The most absurd deal has been the Intercity Express Programme, it’s taken nearly a decade and will undoubtedly result in far higher train costs than necessary.

16 July 2013

Rather than simply buying new

rolling stock, the post-privatisation

settlement has created a monster

through using unnecessarily

complex leasing arrangements.

Our money could be put to

much better use, argues

Christian Wolmar.

Rolling stockabsurditiesSiemens' Desiro City beat off competition from Bombardier to supply the Thameslink route.

books, something ministers are alwayskeen to avoid because, they reckon –wrongly in the view of many economists– that it might lead to higher interestrates. However the stated rationale is‘passing on risk’. But ministers neverseem to understand that privatecompanies have a very conservative viewof risk and therefore charge enormousamounts in order to take it on. Moreover,since governments can borrow moneymore cheaply than private companies,these deals are inherently moreexpensive. So the Hitachi deal will resultin higher train fares and more taxpayers’subsidy than is necessary.

The similar arrangement forThameslink trains, controversially signedwith Siemens rather than the Derby-basedBombardier, has been the subject of arecent National Audit Office reportwhich was highly critical of the two yeardelay in finalising the deal. The NAOqueried whether the first of the 1,200coaches could now be delivered in timefor the 2015 deadline for the first trains,because two years after the granting ofthe contract, the financial arrangementsare still up in the air and the £1.4bn dealhas not been concluded. The delay is dueto Siemens being unable to come upwith a suitable funding deal – ironicgiven that it beat off Bombardierprecisely because it was able to offercheaper financing arrangements.

There are signs that in at least someparts of government, there is arecognition that the private sector is notable to take on the massive risksassociated with rolling stock andtherefore should not be involved. It hasrecently been announced that the newtrains for Crossrail will not be part of aPrivate Finance Initiative deal, as hadbeen originally intended, but rather will

be entirely publicly funded. They willnevertheless still be leased, like theLondon Overground stock, because thatis ‘tax-efficient’ but there will be noattempt to pass on risk for constructionor maintenance to the private sector inexchange to create a Private FinanceInitiative arrangement.

This will create a rather strangesituation. Crossrail will run trains east-west through London while Thameslink

operates in a north-south directionthrough the capital. The two will meet atthe hugely expanded Farringdon station,where one set of trains will have beenpurchased in a conventional deal, whilethe other will be subject to a complex PFIarrangement. What’s more, they mayeven end up being the same train, thoughpolitically Bombardier would be favouredas it has a British base. Only in Britain dowe make things so damn complicated.

All this waste of money and thesescandalous – there is no other word for it– complexities arise because of theinsistence on keeping railway assets offthe government’s books and because ofthe obsession with passing on risk to theprivate sector, without realising that italways has to be paid for. Perhaps theCrossrail decision will mark the beginningof a change in policy. The best option, ofcourse, would be to return to system priorto privatisation, when rolling stock wassimply purchased by the operator, andpaid for conventionally. It would be quitepossible to set up long term maintenancedeals, rather like an extended warranty onone’s car or washing machine that werepaid for separately so that the contractswere transparent, something that is notpresently the case. That arrangement stilllargely prevails in Europe whereprocurement is faster and far cheaper.

However, I suspect that we will notreturn to those simpler days. The neo-liberal agenda is simply too firmlyentrenched and there are too manylawyers, consultants and bankers arguingthat these complex deals represent valuefor money when clearly they don’t. Sadly,it will be our children and grandchildrenfooting the bill for them.7

CC

BY

SA D

arre

n J

Gla

nvill

e

Hit

achi

Rai

l Eur

ope

In at least some parts of government, there is a recognition that the private sector should not be involved.

All this waste arises because of the insistence on keeping railway assets off the government’s books

TSSA Journal 17

Christian Wolmar

Retired tube trains on the Isle of White may be 75 years old, but still earnt over a millionpounds for their owner.

Hitachi was announced as the preferredsupplier for the Intercity ExpressProgramme over four years ago. Thecomplex contract is still to be finalised.

18 July 2013

Merseyside has always been a leader ontransport. It was the Liverpool andManchester Railway, opened in 1830,which really started the Railway Age –and there’s plenty of ground-breakingstuff going on there today. Much of thisis down to the team led by TSSAmember Liam Robinson, who chairsMerseyside Integrated TransportAuthority (ITA), which oversees thetransport executive Merseytravel.

The area has its own train company –Merseyrail – which is unusual in beingthe responsibility of the transportexecutive, not the Department for

Transport. It’s a long contract, running for25 years, which provides the sort ofstability that many national franchisesmiss out on. Furthermore, the closerelationship between Merseytravel andMerseyrail has led to a positive partnershipwhich has seen major growth inpassenger numbers and new investment.

Merseyrail scores consistently well inpassenger satisfaction scores, making itBritain’s most popular regional trainoperator. It’s also at the top of the class inperformance scores, reaching 96.2 per centPPM this year. Little wonder then thatpassenger numbers have grown by 40 percent over the decade. It marks its 10thanniversary in July this year, and there’splenty to celebrate.

Merseytravel was established back inthe 1970s and one of its earlyachievements was the creation of twounderground links that connected up andre-modelled Merseyside’s local railnetwork. ‘Merseyrail’ was developed as adistinct brand by BR, reflecting the stronglocal identity of Merseyside. Followingprivatisation, Merseyrail was kept as aseparate franchise covering the localelectrified network. It was a radical stepby the transport authority to insist that

they, not the Department for Transport,would be the franchising body. The newfranchise was let to a joint venturebetween Serco and NedRail (now Abellio)in 2003. The company has an ethos ofsocial responsibility and its staff haveraised over £500,000 for charity in thelast 10 years.

TSSA member Cllr Liam Robinson tookover as chair of the transport authority in2012, having been elected onto LiverpoolCity Council in 2008. He has hit theground running, picking up a number ofkey projects which could transformMerseyside’s rail network.

‘Rolling stock is a huge issue for us,’Liam told TSSA Journal. ‘We are going fora complete replacement of our fleet, aproject worth over £300 million. We’veappointed a director to oversee the projectand we will be issuing tender notices laterthis year.’ Merseyside currently operatesa fleet of 59 electric units introduced inthe late 1970s. ‘The financial package forthe order will be challenging to achieve,but we’re confident we’ll do it,’ says Liam.The trains will be owned by Merseytravelor a subsidiary company, rather than arolling stock leasing company. ‘This is apioneering approach,’ says Liam. ‘We want

Merseyside’s transport future: TSSA’s Liam sets a new direction

Paul Salveson explores how

Merseytravel – which

licenses its own TOC – is

using its powers to develop

the region’s transport

network in a very different

way to the UK government’s

model.M

erse

ytra

vel

CC

BY

SA 3

Dav

idA

rthu

r

Paul Salveson

Cllr Liam Robinson at theaward winning LiverpoolCentral station

TSSA Journal 19

Paul Salveson

to buy the trains ourselves so that thefleet will be owned by the people ofMerseyside, not the banks. We’re lookingat a range of options across a 40-yearhorizon which will give us the capacity toexpand the network.’

The current Merseyrail system is basedon two linked networks: the Wirral Line,reaching out beneath the Mersey to NewBrighton and West Kirby and the NorthernLine which connects Liverpool withSouthport, Hunt’s Cross, Kirkby andOrmskirk. The 75-mile network is poweredby 750v third-rail – with parts of thesystem having been electrified during theFirst World War. The hub of the networkis Liverpool Central, which has recentlyundergone a major upgrade to handle a

huge increase in passenger numbers overthe last ten years. It won the top ‘stationexcellence’ award at a recent ceremony.The work was funded through apartnership between Network Rail andMerseytravel and has resulted in amodern, user-friendly facility which canhandle future growth. Further stations arebeing refurbished as part of a £40mproject. The jewel in the crown ofMerseyside’s new generation of stationsis Liverpool South Parkway, a brand-newstation opened in 2006 which serves theexpanding John Lennon Airport. It wasbuilt as an exemplar ‘eco-station’incorporating a range of state-of-the-artfeatures which combine energy efficiencyand lower life-cycle costs. And it’s a lovelystation to use, with excellent passengerfacilities. Another special feature of theMerseyrail network is the ‘M to Go’ shopswhich combine traditional booking officefacilities with convenience stores.Merseytravel and the train operator havebeen at the head of the game inpromoting cycle access to stations, withan expanding network of cycle facilitieswhich will soon cover most stations onthe network. Merseyrail has its owndedicated cycling officer who is seconded

from parent company NetherlandsRailways (NS). A new ‘cycle point’ based onNS experience will open in Liverpool earlynext year. The historic Edge Hill station isnow a flourishing arts centre called ‘Metal’which encourages visitors to arrive by train.

Liam and his team want to see anexpanding rail network, working withMerseyrail and Network Rail to plug somemajor gaps. The 1960s new town ofSkelmersdale provided homes for tens ofthousands of Liverpudlians displaced byslum clearance programmes. Yet therailway that went through the heart ofthe new development was closed beforethe construction work started.Merseytravel is now looking at ways ofbringing ‘Skem’ back onto the railnetwork by providing a new extensionfrom the Kirkby Line. ‘We’re working withWest Lancashire District Council andLancashire County Council on ways ofachieving this,’ says Liam. ‘It’s one of thebiggest towns in the North-West notconnected to the rail network and wewant to change that.’ Merseytravel is alsolooking at other projects which useexisting but under-used infrastructure:upgrading the ‘Halton Curve’ to createservices from Liverpool city centre, viaLiverpool South Parkway, to North Wales,as well as electrifying a second route toWrexham via the Bidston line on theWirral. In the longer term, the authorityare looking at extending third-railelectrification beyond Ormskirk to eitheror both Southport and Preston.

Community involvement is central toMerseytravel’s approach and its‘Community Links’ team is a well-established part of the organisation. Theyhave pioneered innovative approaches tocommunity involvement on the rail andbus network, encouraging children andyoung people to get involved in transportawareness projects. Many of Merseyrailstations have attractive art work created bylocal youngsters and over 50 stations havebeen adopted by the local community.

Merseytravel has a positiverelationship with Northern Rail, whichoperates the ‘City Line’ routes fromManchester and Wigan into Liverpool citycentre. The historic ‘Chat Moss’ routebetween Liverpool and Manchester, builtby George Stephenson in 1830, iscurrently being electrified, allowing this

‘Cinderella route’ to come back into itsown as a key inter-regional corridoracross the Pennines to Leeds and York.The route from Wigan is also being wiredto create a ‘Lancashire Triangle’ of newly-electrified lines. In addition, part of theroute between Huyton and Liverpool isbeing restored to quadruple track byNetwork Rail. ‘Electrification betweenLiverpool and Manchester will offer much-reduced journey times between the twogreat cities and bring huge benefits to StHelens, Newton-le-Willows and Huytonfor commuting in both directions. Thekey worry for us is that we could find wehave a new electrified railway next yearbut no electric trains to run on them!’

Liam and his Labour colleagues on thetransport authority back moves to devolveresponsibility for the Northern andTransPennine Express franchises to theNorth. ‘We strongly support the principleof devolution and the success of theMerseyrail franchise, managed by ourselves,shows that the principle can work inpractice.’ Liam isn’t content just to manageanother private sector franchise when thecurrent Northern and TransPenninecontracts end in 2016. ‘I would like to see anot-for-dividend train operator accountableto the community, where the profits areput back into the business so new trainsand station improvements can be made.Currently, Northern and TransPenninebetween them make about a £100m ayear profit. We could get a lot of new kitwith that.’ 7

‘M to Go’ shops retain fully staffed ticketoffices by combining them withconvenience shops.

Mer

seyt

rave

l

‘Northern and TransPenninemake £100m a year profit. We could get a lot of new kit with that.’

‘Our new fleet will be owned by the people of Merseyside, not the banks.’

20 July 2013

equal it ies

TSSA’S WORK IN assisting members with a range of disabilities linked to theprocessing of information was highlighted to the wider union movement at therecent TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference.

A well attended fringe meeting saw TSSA’s Neurodiversity Organiser SarahHughes explain that the term links conditions such as autism, dyslexia,dyspraxia, dyscalculia and attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder. As these arehidden disabilities, if an employer is either unaware or unsupportive, it can leadto work-related stress, grievances, sickness and disciplinaries if a worker’sperformance is affected.

Sarah presented research commissioned by the union from Heriot-WattUniversity. The report ‘Neurodiversity in the Transport and Travel Industry’ looksat the knowledge, perception and support for neurodiverse conditions withinTSSA workplaces. Many attendees said this would serve as a useful tool forworkplace discussions with managers, helping them gain understanding andsupport for neurodiverse workers.

The event created a huge interest, especially around the new role of‘neurodiversity champion’ in the workplace. Sarah explained that the TSSA hasdeveloped the role to offer support, information and help with negotiating agood working environment for those who are neurodiverse.

A further fringe meeting, sponsored by Morrish Solicitors will take place atTUC Congress on 10 September in Brighton.7

If you are interested in becoming a neurodiversity champion or you would likesome information, please email Sarah Hughes at hughess@tssa.org.uk.

TSSA neurodiversitywork at TUC conference

DisabledWorkers’Conference TSSA WAS WELL represented at theTUC’s annual conference for disabledworkers by four members who joinedwith over 200 delegates from otherunions, writes Simon Pearson.

Delegates voted on 20 motions andelected the Disabled Workers’Committee. Debates ranged fromchallenging disability-related povertyand supporting disabled workers’ co-operatives, through to promotingmeasures to encourage more disabledMembers of Parliament.

We heard speeches from significantplayers in the trade unions anddisability organisations. Kay Carberry,the TUC’s Assistant General Secretaryspoke about the TUC’s campaign for ‘AFuture The Works’, Andy Greenrepresented Disabled People Againstthe Cuts, Cathy Casserley spoke abouther work as a barrister defendingdisabled people’s rights and ChrisHolmes, who is blind, spoke about hiswork in the Equality and Human RightsCommission

Delegates also held a street protestto publicise the cuts in benefits andsupport for the disabled.

As well as the fringe onneurodiversity (see left), there was asecond meeting hosted by the Actionfor Rail campaign, highlighting theirreport into the effect that staff cutswould have on disabled rail passengers.

This was an important conference ata time when the progress that has beenmade in supporting disabled workers isin danger of being lost. 7

Railway Employees Privilege Ticket AssociationAvailable to all in the transport industries, TSSA members, family and retiredstaff. REPTA offers many free, discounted and special rates, listed in our 80 page Yearbook.New for 2013: Membership discounts at National Railway Museum, freePersonal Accident cover for travel on public transport. Discount cinematickets and online rail ticket bookings continue.

£4.50 per year. Additional cards for family members £3.

Send cheques/POs to REPTA, 4 Brackmills Close,

Mansfield NG19 0PB. Tel: 01623 646789.

Include name, address, email and date

of birth for each + code ‘TSSA’ or

join at www.repta.co.uk.

i

TSSA Journal 21

Learning and neurodiversity

AS THE LEAD Union LearningRep (ULR) at a First Groupfranchise, it is John Bacon’srole to encourage learning inthe workplace. His fellowworkers, whether they’reTSSA members or not, oftenapproach him for advice andguidance if they’ve had anydifficulties.

As someone who’sattended TSSA’s learning repstraining programme, Johnknew about the union’s workto encourage a betterunderstanding of dyslexiaand other similarly hiddenconditions in the workplacethrough the NeurodiversityProject. Specialist reps havebeen trained so they canconfidently talk their fellowworkers through the bestcourse of action as well asadvise employers, hopefullybefore difficulties arise, inhow best to support staffwith a neurodiversity-relatedcondition.

Through employersdeveloping an understandingof the conditions and puttingin place what are often verysimple support systems,performance issues whichmight otherwise be taken upvia a disciplinary route can beprevented or resolved.Members can also carry outtheir work more effectivelyand reduce their stress levels,ultimately benefiting the

employer through fewer dayslost to sickness.

David Brady works for aFirst Group company as aRevenue Inspector. His mainrole is to travel the line,checking tickets and dealingwith passengers who have notpaid the fare. When he firstcame in to contact withlearning rep John Bacon, hewasn’t a TSSA member.

David had been assessed ashaving dyslexia at his previousemployer. He recognised thathe struggled with certainaspects of reading and writingfor his paperwork andalthough he could strugglethrough, he found it wasslowing him down.

Although David hadinformed his employer, hehadn’t received any extra helpor guidance. Employersare often concerned that

changes might beexpensive or they simplyaren’t clear about their legalresponsibilities under thedisability legislation.

John noticed many of theproblems David had could beeasily resolved with a fewreasonable adjustments – forexample an extra 10 minutesto give him more time tobook up and make sure hispaperwork was correct, orto change to using yellowpaper at his depot.

As a result of TSSA’sintervention, yellow paper wasordered straight away andDavid was able to negotiateextra time to complete hispaperwork with his employers.

As a result of his experience,David joined TSSA and went onto become a ULR and aNeurodiversity Championhimself. He is now formally

trained to act as an accreditedneurodiversity screener. Hehas already recruited 15 newmembers to the union and isworking on ideas for aneurodiversity policy that hehopes First Group will take up.A growing number ofemployers correctlyrecognise that establishing aclear policy will pave the wayfor others to stand up andseek the support they need tobe as effective as possible inthe workplace.

John Bacon sees the helphe was able to offer having amuch wider impact: ‘David hasbeen able to learn a lot abouthis own fears and concernsabout dyslexia, as well asfinding out about otherneurodiversity issues. Withthis knowledge he will now beable to screen and supportmany others at work. This is areally incredible turn aroundgiven the fact, the first time I met David, he was just usinghis own coping mechanismsto get through the day.’ 7

To find out more aboutUnion Learning contactlearning @tssa.org.uk or 0207529 8049 or for details ofTSSA’s neurodiversity work, orto order information on legalrights, model policies and‘Dyslexia in the Workplace’packs, email Sarah Hughes athughess@tssa.org.uk.

Reps transform workplace livesDavid Bradywent from beinga non-memberto an activistdue to engagingwith a learningrep.

Get active with FutureTSSAFutureTSSA, which represents members under 35 held a highly successful set of training sessions inBristol recently, including engaging passengers with TSSA’s ‘ghost train’ at Temple Meads station.The next meeting of FutureTSSA will be held on the weekend of 7 and 8 September. To find outmore contact Al Stoten on alexanderstoten@yahoo.co.uk / 07428550601 or Gary Kilroy on07904860314 for further details.

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22 July 2013

TSSA personal injury service

Member compensatedafter office accident

“I could not believe thatsomething that seemedso insignificant at first – acut to my finger – couldturn into such a majorproblem.” Mark had been preparingfor a presentation atwork, adjusting theheight of a projectorscreen. As he pressed thebutton to adjust theheight, he felt a sharppain. Releasing theequipment, he discovereda side of the button hadbeen sheared andpresented a sharp edgewhich had pierced hisindex finger. “It kept bleeding and Idid not want any bloodon my shirt before thepresentation, so I got ourFirst Aid officer to quicklydress it and finishedsetting up.” Initially the injuryappeared a minor indexfinger cut. “Normally, after a day, Iwould have been right asrain. Somehow, the cutgot infected. Personally I

think there must havebeen some kind oflubricant on the shaft ofthe supports for thescreen, but whatever itwas, something got intothe cut and infected it.” The cut did not respondto antibiotics, and Markhad to undergo anoperation to the sheathtendon of his index finger. “I was getting a bit offlack from the guys atwork, and I would jokealong with it pretending Iwas only doing it to getattention from the wife,but actually it really wasawkward. This is thedigital age – you use yourindex finger all the time.Working on computer,phone calls, evenwatching telly at home,you need your indexfinger.” After the first operationfailed to stem the effectsof the infection, Mark hadto undergo a secondoperation to his sheathtendon. “By this time I was

getting fed up. When ourlocal TSSA branch rep sawthe accident book, heasked about my injury. Myarm was in this slingwhich I hated but thedoctors insisted I had towear. When the repadvised I could claim forcompensation, I feltrelieved because by thattime I was fed up with thewhole thing. I wouldnever have tried any ofthose TV legal offers, butyou know you can trustyour union.” Wearing the sling afterboth operations broughtfurther complicationswhen Mark began toexperience problems inhis right shoulder. TSSA put Mark in touchwith Fiona at MorrishSolicitors who contactedhis employer, alleging theemployer had failed tomaintain their equipmentin good repair and hadbreached regulations.Mark’s employer admittedliability for the accidentand resulting injuries.

Following negotiations,Mark accepted asettlement for £13,000for his injuries. “I was really pleased withthe support from TSSA. Itcame at the right time forme. I would rather nothave had the cut in thefirst place, but thiscompensation means Ihave been able to getproper rehabilitation. I’mnot quite back to what Iwas, but I’m getting there,thanks to TSSA and Fionaat Morrish.”

l Based on a real lifecase. Certain details havebeen altered to protect.Morrish Solicitors LLPprovides expert legaladvice for medicalnegligence cases,accidents and injuries toTSSA members and theirfamilies. Call the legaladvice helpline on 0800 093 0353.Morrish Solicitors is aLimited LiabilityPartnership and regulatedby the SolicitorsRegulation Authority.

ACCIDENTS AT WORK ACCIDENTS OUTSIDE WORK ASSAULTS ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS SLIPS OR TRIPS OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE

TSSA Personal Injury ServicesFree to Members & their families

0800 093 0353

Accidents do not happen- they are caused!

As a member of the TSSA, should either you or your immediate family suffer injurythrough someone else’s negligence, you will be entitled to FREE legal advice andrepresentation from our specialist personal injury lawyers Morrish Solicitors LLP. No money will be deducted from any compensation recovered and no charge will bemade to you or your family for the advice and representation you receive.If you’d like to find out more, call us today and we will look after you.

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TSSA Journal 23

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If you have a question about your workplace rights, call our employment law specialists on 0800 3282673in the UK or 1800 805272 in the Republic of Ireland or email helpdesk@tssa.org.ukHours: Monday to Thursday 8am–6pm Friday 8am–5pm

0800 3282673/1800 805272

‘Zero Hours’ does not mean zero rights UK

Republic of Ireland

First, a little bit of good newsamongst the deluge of attacks onworkers’ rights by the Tory-ledgovernment. Though we are stillwaiting for the full judgment, theEmployment Appeal Tribunal hasdecided that UK rules on collectiveredundancy consultation areincompatible with the EU directiveand therefore need to be re-writtenwith the words ‘at one establishment’being removed.

This means that the advice given inthe March TSSA Journal about the sizeof an ‘establishment’ is now out of date.There will be a statutory requirement toconsult employees when there are 20 ormore redundancies throughout acompany, not just in any one workplace.

This provides workers with extraprotection, especially in companieswhere they have lots of sites, eachwith only a few staff based there. Itmeans that companies can’t get roundthe statutory 30 / 45 day redundancyconsultation.

We can, no doubt, expect the lightsto be burning late in Vince Cable’sDepartment of Business office while

they try to find a way to negate thisdecision.

Back to the bad news. There arenow around 200,000 employees inthe UK on zero-hours contracts, withno guarantee of work or income, butkept permanently ‘on-call’.

Apart from the uncertainty ofincome, there are other questionsabout statutory rights. Here’s a fewwe’ve had:

Holiday entitlementQ. I am on a zero-hours contractand am not sure whether I am entitledto any holidays. Should my employergive me time off, and if so how much?

A. You should have been given astatement saying when the company’sleave year starts and finishes. Everyworker is entitled to 5.6 weeks leavewithin that year.

The government provides aformula for those on zero-hourscontracts, which allows you to accrue12.07 per cent of actual time workedwithin the normal leave year asannual holiday. If you add up all the

hours you have actually worked, andmultiply by 12.07 per cent, that willbe the number of holiday hours youhave accrued. Note that if you havebeen fortunate enough to be providedwith sufficient hours to accrue morethan 5.6 weeks holiday, you will notbe entitled to more than the 5.6weeks, except if your employer agreesto let you take it. And let’s face it; ifyou’re on a zero hours contract theyain’t going to be that generous.

Holiday payQ. I am on a zero-hours contractand have managed to accrue someannual leave. I was wondering howmy employer will work out myholiday pay?

A. If you do not have ‘normal’working hours, a week’s pay forholiday pay purposes is calculated asbeing your average pay over theprevious 12 weeks. If there were anyweeks when no pay was due, thisshould be replaced by the immediatelypreceding week in which pay was due.

No work, no pay?Q.I was at work when we had apower cut and our computer systemswent down. We were told to wait forit to come back on, but it was outfor over three hours and we coulddo no work. Our boss has said thatas I am on a zero hours contract heis not obliged to pay me for thetime I wasn’t actually working.

A. The National Minimum WageRegulations say that whenever you areon the employer’s premises you areentitled to be paid (except for mealbreaks etc.), even if they don’t giveyou any work to do. If you had beensent home until everything wasworking, then that would be different.Told to stay at work with nothing to do? You must be paid.

24 July 2013

letters

Trades Councils are vitalI am very proud toinform members of thesuccess we have had withBromley Trades Counciland highlight the benefitsfrom being involved inyour local Trades Council.

Over recent years ourTrades Council had goneinto decline. Along witha colleague from our localanti-cuts group, a numberof us got involved andcontacted other unionsand members in our area.

Last year I wasdelighted to be electedas secretary and at thisyear’s AGM I was joined byBig Al as our president. At 29, he is one of theyoungest presidents of aTrades Council andalready bringing in furtherfresh ideas. Attendance isnow five times what it wasand we now have regularguest speakers.

I cannot express enoughthe advantages of gettinginvolved in a TradesCouncil – a chance for alllocal unions to cometogether to support eachother and help fight asone. Steve LeggettSoutheastern Metrobranch

PalestineI was pleased to read of therecent TSSA delegation toPalestine, having travelledthere a few years ago withfive other TSSA memberson an unofficial visit.

Such visits and reportshave done much toinform TSSA membersand the British public ofthe true ‘David and

Goliath’ situation inPalestine and Israel.

Supporters of the Israeligovernment used to try tohide the truth, then whenit started getting out theysaid it was two equalsides, but now the realtruth is out there.

The next stage shouldbe to bring justice throughinternational politicalpressure on the Israeli state.Andy BainNetwork Rail NorthLondon branch

I read with interest theTSSA Journal dated May2013. I thought the article,in the last TSSA Journal,by Manual Cortes aboutthe Welfare State being ahallmark of a civilisedsociety was particularlythought-provoking andshowed his passion to seesocial justice.

It was with someconcern, though, that Iread the article onPalestine. I felt that whilstit is true that thePalestinians are sufferinggrievously and need asocially just settlement, thearticle was too one-sided,ignoring the injusticesbeing carried out againstthe Jewish people/Israeland did not consider thebigger picture.

Israel is a legitimatestate, as recognised by theUN ever since its ‘birth’ in 1948.

Jews have always livedin ‘Palestine’, even aftertheir mass deportation bythe Romans in 70AD.

At the time of the birthof modern Israel,significant parts of the

land of Palestine werealready owned by Jews.Many of the people nowknown as ‘Palestinians’ (a relatively modern term)are actually descendantsof economic migrantsfrom neighbouringcountries who came towork in the land, just asthe Jews did. So there arequestions as to ancestralheritage in the land.

After its legitimatecreation there were majorattempts to destroy thissmall country – eachattempt failed, but it hasleft the Jews bruised,battered and fearful of herneighbours, andpresumably much lessinclined to trust them inany negotiations.

So, what is Israelsupposed to do? Curl upand die? Hand overadjacent territories topeople whose track recordis to fire rockets at hercivilians? Surely bothsides need to lay downtheir arms and beprepared to forgive beforethere can be any progress.

I just feel it does nothelp the situation whenTSSA encourages membersto take sides and boycottIsrael when actually whatis needed is support forunderstanding on bothsides. Peter SummersideNetwork Rail MiltonKeynes branch

Is it any wonder thatmembership of the TSSAis falling when the articleon Palestine takes fourpages of the May TSSAJournal.

Palestinians aresuffering severe injusticewhich is the fault of theirfellow Arabs holdingthem hostage fordecades. The Palestinianissue should have beenresolved years ago withdisplaced Palestiniansmoving to other counties,gaining citizenship, andforging a new future.  Robert WiseSouth Yorkshire branch

Thank you for publishingthe really informativearticle on Palestine. Wholegenerations of Palestinianshave grown up knowingnothing but Israeli militaryoccupation, ordered by agovernment they don’t getto vote for. The world mustnot tolerate this – we mustnot tolerate this.

This is not a questionof ‘taking sides’ in anarbitrary way. All willbenefit from the end ofthe occupation. AsDesmond Tutu has said,‘If you are neutral insituations of injustice, youhave chosen the side ofthe oppressor. If anelephant has its foot onthe tail of a mouse andyou say that you areneutral, the mouse willnot appreciate yourneutrality.’ A boycott is apeaceful and totallyreversible step, whichcould be rescinded whenIsrael ends the occupationand returns to its formerborder. We use sanctionsto push for changeelsewhere – why should itbe any different here?Name and addresssupplied

letters

This is your chance to share your views with thousands of other TSSA members. The deadline for the next issue is 29 July. Letters may be edited for length or clarity. Email journal@tssa.org.uk or write to TSSA Journal, Walkden House,10 Melton Street, London, NW1 2EJ.