R
Maximise
MT TUBE WORKERSHAVE VOTED overwhelmingly, 77 percent, for strikes against huge cuts. Now its vital we go all out in every station and on every line to build solid action for the two 48 hour strikes from 12 noon on 4 to 6 and 11 to 13 February. It will take a serious strategy, but we can defeat these attacks. Management are trying to divide and rule. Its crucial we stand together. Its no good seeing this first round of attacks as only an issue for CROs, SAMFs and supervisors. Its important to be crystal clear that this is only 6 percent of the total planned cuts. If we let them divide us from the outset theyll be back for more, and workers across all grades will be hit hard. But if we strike hard and strike together now we can stop the bosses in their tracks. We urgently need to build the action across the network. The two 48 hour strikes in February, alongside an overtime ban is a good start to show bosses were serious. But itll take escalating strikes to win. Having closed 10 fire stations across London last week, Boris Johnson is now coming for the RMT. Hes out to rip up our way of working across London Undergroundwe have to be clear that it will take a serious strategy to win. That means escalating after hitting bosses hard with the first strikes. Its right that to complement our strikes, RMT should seek to involve tube service users and give a political edge to our dispute. We should draw out the impact of cuts on the service and passenger safety.
HARD HITTInG AnD UnITED STRIKES CAn DERAIL CUTS
What the Cuts Mean
Every ticket office will go, as will nearly a thousand posts on stations Bosses say jobs are safe if were willing to accept down-banding, attacks on conditions and flexibility. But they aim to clear posts through voluntary redundancies The work that is currently done by 5,747 workers is now to be done by 4,794 With all those posts going, bosses are driving through a drastic restructuring of station grades
As London Underground workers face a huge assault...
www.socialistworker.co.uk
RMT Mitie cleaners show how to fight
RMT PUBLIC MEETING: StOp Tube Cuts Thurs 16 Jan, 6.30pm, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Central London Unite leaders agreed a deal that means a three year no strike agreement, a pay freeze, attacks on pensions and the removal of full time officials from the site. But had the tanker drivers, members of Unite, been called to action, and other Ineos sites been picketed out, the bosses could have been stopped in their tracks.
Some RMT activists on LU have strong concerns over the revenue action that was announced alongside strikes, and the potential impact on health and safety. But it was good to hear Bob Crow last month on the radio saying we would need more than a one day strike and there could be as many as five days consecutive action. This is the kind of action we need to win. The level of attacks can seem daunting, but we can win this fight. Strikes must have the maximum impact. If we shut down the network by striking together, strikes will hit bosses hard and can force them to back off.
Determined
Strategy
Its great that already our union has gained solidarity from Disabled People Against the Cuts (DPAC). We should invite them, and other campaigns, to speak on picket lines. We should also reach out to other unions and groups of workers who are fighting. Firefighters have been striking to defend the fire service. Teachers struck to defend education, and could be out again soon. Tube workers have shown solidarity with firefighters beforeit would be great if our action was coordinated with the FBU. This would maximise pressure on Boris, who is recklessly ignoring the fire authority by slashing Londons fire service while undermining health and safety on the tube.
When we strike, we give bosses a massive headache they cant ignore. In 2010, it cost the city 48 million each strike day the tube was shutthats power! The attacks we face are part of a wider onslaught on working class people. We can be confident that strikes will win widespread public support. Workers face the most intense assault in decades on pay, conditions, union rights and the welfare state. It will take a determined fight from our unions to win. Events at Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland show the dangers when our union leaders dont have a clear strategy.
The fantastic Hovis strikes in Wigan defeated zero hours contracts within a matter of weeks because they were militant, determined and shut down the factory. On London Underground we need to use our full collective power by striking across the network and escalating to make sure we give the bosses no option but to retreat on these attacks. That is how we can win.
I would like to get Socialist Worker regularly I want to join the Socialist Workers Party
Name.................................................................................................................................. Address.............................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... Phone.............................................e-mail.........................................................................
RMT LU 130114
Return to SW industrial, PO Box 42184, London, SW8 2WD e-mail [email protected] or phone/text 07986 936094
Circulation 020 7819 1171 Editorial 020 7819 1180
