Signals go for train strike

Workers Press no. 928, 23 November 1972 · scan pages 2, 3

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THE 29,000 ASLEF train drivers are on 24-hour strike today. This follows the moving by management representatives of the new 150 m.p.h. "super train' in the Derby workshops.

The train has been "blacked' by ASLEF, which wants increased pay for drivers of highspeed trains as well as a rise for all their members. British Rail has promised to 'review' drivers' pay, but has said that all-round increases are 'not justified'.

The decision to go ahead with the strike followed a six-hour meeting of the ASLEF executive yesterday.

Derrick Fullick, ASLEF local departmental committee member at Waterloo station, London, told 'What has to be remembered is that in May this year it was written into the wages agreement that there would be a review of footplate staff pay. Yet since then there's only been one meeting between the union and the Rail Board on November 7.

"The disagreements with highspeed trains are mainly cab design and the manning. The speed of the train itself is not in dispute. Trains have already been speeded up-the normal rate of the inter-city trains is about 90 m.p.h.—yet we have got nothing out of it.' At Waterloo the feeling was 100 per cent for the strike.

Mr Fullick said drivers wanted their status restored and a complete revision of the wages scale.

'We think the union shouldn't talk about anything less than £40 basic and the longer the delay, then the higher it will go.' • See cartoon p.

Thursday