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0607a Aslef journal.qxd 29/6/06 13:55 Page 14District Report The ASLEF Journal July 2006REPORT FROM DISTRICT 2 (SCOTLAND)By District Organiser KEVIN LINDSAY14I RECENTLY met Tavish Scott, MSP, Scottish ExecutiveMinister for Transport on the subject of indemnification forFirst Scotrail. As you will all be aware either the Departmentfor Transport or the Scottish Executive pay train operatingcompanies compensation if there are any disputes. This is atotal abuse of the tax payer’s money. Mr Scott said he wasunwilling to change the present franchise agreement but heagreed that in the event of a dispute he would meet directlywith the trade unions before deciding if the Scottish Executivewould pay compensation to First Scotrail. Whilst this is notthe outcome we had hoped for it is a start – and the ministeralso said he would review the issue of indemnification forfuture franchises.On a more positive note the minister insisted that therewould be no line closures as long as he was transportminister.STUC ASLEF once again played a leading role at this year'sScottish Trade Union Congress - but a number of the smalleraffiliates are concerned about the organisation's future –especially as unions account for around 70% of itsmembership. We argue that the voice of all unions must beheard – regardless of their size.LABOUR IN SCOTLAND The Scottish Labour party isgearing itself up for next year's Scottish parliamentaryelections. The mood of the party in Scotland is more buoyantthan in the rest of the UK but we need to ensure that theviews of trade unions are the cornerstone of the manifesto.We union representatives on the Scottish Policy Forum mustinsist on a manifesto based on social justice and meeting theneeds of Scotland’s people.UP IN SMOKE The Executive’s flagship policy of a total banon smoking in public places has been a success but withinthe railway industry certain companies have tried to enforcethe law without giving due consideration to their employees.We have demanded designated smoking areas at all depotsand stations and that companies provide support foremployees who are trying to stop smoking. Some companieshave even tried to get our members to enforce the 'NoSmoking' ban – but we don’t see policing the stations as ourresponsibility.PAY TALKS We will soon begin negotiations with FirstScotrail on the 2007 pay claim. As usual, the companycouncil and myself will consult as many members as possibleabout what should be included in the claim. We aim tocontinue our record of gradually improving conditions and wewill insist on the company re-negotiating the out-datedManaging for Attendance policy. I believe that any policy thatfails to differentiate between certified sickness and casualabsenteeism is flawed – and needs to be changed.● It was a great relief to hear that there would be noredundancies at Virgin’s West Coast depot at Polmadie. Themembership should be congratulated on the campaign theyfought to secure their depots long term future.● In a busy and exciting year for ASLEF, we have openednew branches at Perth, Dundee and Grangemounth as wellas re-establishing Stirling Cale. We are a progressive unionand need to look to the future – we must learn from ourmistakes and move on.● Finally, after nearly five years as the District Organiser forDistrict 2, I would like place on record my appreciation to allbranches and reps who have supported and assisted me inrepresenting ASLEF during my current term of office – and Ilook forward to their continued support.RETIRED members bring a lively debate to Battersea branchBATTERSEA LOOKS TO THE FUTUREAT THE most recent meeting of the Battersea branch,held as always in the delightful Grouse and Claretpublic house in Belgravia, the regular attendees weretreated to a visit by some VIPs.Not only did we have a very informative presentationfrom our District’s Executive Committee member, SimonWeller, but we were happy to welcome two repesentativesof the Retired Members Section.Tony West, the National Secretary and his erstwhileassistant PJ Smith gave us all a very uplifting talk onthe benefits of being a retired member.We learned that not everything stops when oneretires, and that for only £10 per year, a driver whohangs up their EP key can still enjoy privileges andbenefits that are available to active members.We were told that their members are active in otherways and regularly attend rallies and lobbies ofparliament. They have their own Constitution, standingorders, AGMs and meet with the General Secretarythree times a year.As a branch we voted to affiliate ourselves to theNational Pensioners Convention, who are seeking toimprove state benefits for all this nation’s pensioners.The talk given by Tony and PJ ceretainly showed howone can still be active when retired! (I think I saw ourSecretary, Graham Hoy looking at his diary and tappingon a calculator as he left the meeting!)ST PANCRAS THANKS ITS LOYAL MEMBERSTHE St Pancras branch would like to thank the GeneralSecretary Keith Norman for attending our May branch meetingand giving us an informative address, as well as presentingvarious Aslef badges to those due.The evening was billed as a special badge presentationmeeting to thank and celebrate members' loyalty to Aslef, andwas well attended. To those staying after the meeting,celebrations continued, and there was ample opportunity formembers to chat to the General Secretary, as well as theNational Organiser, our District Organiser and our EC member.Our thanks go to them as well for attending.Rebekah Peterson Secretary - St Pancras Branch
0607a Aslef journal.qxd 29/6/06 13:56 Page 15Branch news The ASLEF Journal July 2006WOLVES RETIREMENTREUNION IS FOLLOWED BY...ON Saturday 15 April theWolverhampton branch heldanother successful retiredmembers reunion at theMolineux football stadium.Around 84 members,including Dave Calfe, who isthe executive committeemember for our district, No6, attended the event.Members receiving badgesincluded R. Asbury (15years) R. McMillan (15 years)J. Dummellow (15 years) R.Earlam (15 years) R. Whiley(15 years) G. Thorne (15FORTY people attendedWolverhampton Branch’s‘Pension Education Evening’on 18 May in the GreatWestern. Our guest speakerswere Dave Tyson (one,Norwich) Len Sidebotham(Central, Birmingham Newstreet) Ian Clark (Virgin CrossCountry, Saltley) and BillGoode (Central, BirminghamNew Street). The meetingwas open to all employeesregardless of grade andunion membership.Pensions are a major topicOUR Euston May branchmeeting was graced bybrothers Tony West and PeterSmith of the ASLEF RetiredMembers Section (RMS). I amsure these stalwarts were aninspiration to the encouragingnumber of newer memberswho came along. They are theproof that retirement no longermeans an end to ASLEFrepresentation or activity.Tony and ‘PJ’ outlined thevital function of the RMS inchampioning the pensioners’cause, and pointed out thatpensions, which are actuallydeferred wages, concern bothyoung and old alike – soultimately we all have a vestedinterest in the pensioner’scampaign.It was interesting that bothduring and after the meetingthe questions and debateyears) and R. Hodson (40years).A special presentation alsotook place to Bro D. Calfe forthe ASLEF museum at HeadOffice which was a LimitedEdition Wolverhamptonbadge celebrating 125 yearsof ASLEF. The badge isnumbered 1 of 125.I would also like to say‘thank you’ to D. Andrews,my assistant branchsecretary for stepping intothe breach after my nonavailability.soon diversified into widerpolitical discussions. It onlyserved to prove again howimportant politics is to ourlives, and how vital it is forASLEF to maintain anddevelop its links with otherpolitical and campaigningorganisations.The governmentannouncement that a solutionto the supposed pensionscrisis is to raise the retirementage should be of particularconcern to us. How manydrivers get to 65 without somemajor health problem – nevermind 68? It is clearlyunworkable in our profession.The government spends halfits time saying that the UKeconomy is booming – andthe rest arguing that wecannot afford dignity inretirement for our pensioners.Members receiving service badges: back row, left to right, DaveAndrews (assistant secretary) Roy Goodhead (branch chair) Dave Carfe(EC member) Bob Hodson (40 years): back row, left to right, BobMcMillan (15 years) John Dummellow (15 years), Bob Asbury (15 years)… A PENSION EDUCATION EVENING FOR MEMBERSat present and the speakersgave frank insights andanswered very complexquestions during the latter partof the debate.Firstly, despite the deficit,the RPS is in good shape andthe problems can beaddressed. Secondly, thescheme currently remainsopen to all employees atTOCs and FOCs and is adefined benefit scheme. It isguaranteed by the 1995Railways Act, the integrity ofthe Trustee Board and thecovenant is guaranteed bygovernment. Those facingfranchise changes wereassured that pensionobligations must be taken onby new operators. Thequestion of employer contributionholidays wasaddressed at length.The vote of thanks wasgiven by Bob Hodson, Chairof the VWC company council.ASLEF representativescannot give financial advicenor predict the future but amessage needs to go out loudEUSTON WELCOMES STALWARTS AND FRESH FACESCould it be that someone isbeing ‘economical’ with thetruth!?At the end of the meeting,branch secretary CliffHolloway proposed a vote ofthanks to the RMS colleaguesand the branch agreed toaffiliate to the Greater LondonPensioner’s Committee.and clear to ALL drivers andrailway employees. The RPSranks as one of the bestpension schemes in thecountry; the scheme is assecure as possible: employeecontributions are tax efficient;everybody should join andnobody should considerwithdrawing. Currently,membership of the RPS isoptional; it is our duty toencourage 100% membership.Let’s do that NOW.R.W. McMillan Vice Chair –Wolverhampton BranchIt was good to see so manybranch members inattendance but there is alwaysroom for more. So any Eustondrivers taking the time to readthis – please come along toour meetings to listen, learnand above all, have your say.Suart Hammond AssistantBranch Secretary15
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