THE RULE- BOOK FARCE AT BRITISH RAIL
1972Cliff SlaughterRailways Read the scan at ETOL (PDF) →Read from the scan by machine and not corrected: headlines and words can be misread, and a caption or advert can run into the text. For anything you quote, read the scan.
Railway workers were given a new version of the British Railways Board rule-book last week.
The new rules, which come into effect on October 1, are designed to up-date the old rules, many of which referred to standard practices when operating steam-engines.
But where the old rules were packed into a pocketsized, 5}in x 6}in black book ot 439 pages, the new 150-page loose-leaf versior comes in a red folder 8zin x 67in.
This caused considerable amusement at a number of stations last week, as one of the rules is that railwaymen must carry the rule-book with them everywhere.
A BRB spokesman rather stupidly got himself quoted as saying that the rules revision, which has taken about two years of consultation with the unions, could help to increase efficiency.
'Because the old obsolete book has been replaced there will not be the same opportunity for staff who are so inclined to hide behind the rules to achieve a disruptive effect', he said rather snottily.
'The rules are intended to be observed reasonably!
Labour Richard Marsh, chairman BR However, if the railwaymen quite reasonably observed the rule about carrying the rulebook everywhere, the prospects of any increase in efficiency becomes extremely remote.
Unless the BRB wants its workers to cut up rougi it should stop making snide remarks about them.
A. series_ which appeared now available as a pamphlet in the Socialist Labour League Pocket Library. 'WHY A LABOUR GOVERNMENT? A Reply to some centrist critics.' Price 5p include: Election anifesto hs John Forde was one of sumer wants maximum HKERS DEFEND IRIGHT to STRIKE GOVERNMENT : HANDS OFT Top: Ford Halewood workers strike In March, 1971