‘Time to escalate’ say rail strikers as Tories and bosses dig in

Rail strike pickets in Sheffield were determined to win (Picture: Phil Turner)

The eighth day of rail strikes on Saturday saw the beginnings of more widespread debate and discussion about the need for escalation against ruthless bosses and the Tories.

The RMT union members’ battle, involving 40,000 workers at Network Rail and 14 train operating companies, saw picket lines across Britain. Train managers in the TSSA union were also out at four companies.

RMT Manchester South branch secretary Clayton told Socialist Worker, “We’ve seen no movement since the dispute began. We need to see an escalation in the action is my belief. We need coordinated action from the labour movement if we are going to survive the cost of living crisis. 

“It is only a strong, militant union that can see immediate results for workers who have no time to wait for a change of government. We know we will see no political appetite from the Conservative government who are only interested in profits and tax cuts for the rich.”

Dan, a Network Rail worker in the West Midlands, agreed. He said public support for the strike today was “great” and “nobody has crossed the picket line”. He argued that the “way forward is more strikes”. “Our mandate to strike ends on 26 November, we need to start building the vote now,” he told Socialist Worker. “The bosses are waiting for that, riding out the next month.

“Given how high the vote to strike was, I’m not worried about Network Rail workers missing the 50 percent threshold. But I am worried that the RMT won’t call any more dates—if they don’t, we won’t move forward.”

Dan reported that lots of his co-workers found last Saturday’s action—coordinated with CWU members in Royal Mail and Aslef union train drivers—much more effective. “The difference is the CWU has called more strike dates, the RMT have to do the same, aligning with the posties and BT workers,” he said.

This feeling was echoed in York as pickets chanted, “We support the BT engineers.”

Clayton from #RMT Manchester South calls for stepped-up #solidarity, escalation of the #railstrike and for coordination across the labour movement. #railstrikes #EnoughIsEnough #CostOfLivingCrises #ToriesOutNow #rmt #TSSA #Aslef pic.twitter.com/8N0HZbrzQH

— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) October 8, 2022

Martha, a train operating company worker from London, told Socialist Worker, “Bosses are feeling the strain of this rail strike. Many of them are fed up with having to try to fill our boots. They can see that we are determined to win this dispute by any means but haven’t had the opportunity to strike long enough to cause a big fuss.”

Martha added that the RMT leaders “need to listen to what we have been saying”. Her colleagues said that bosses have been much more brutal recently, looking to discipline any worker who makes a slight mistake or steps out of line.

In Swansea, RMT branch secretary Mandy told Socialist Worker, “They still don’t want to come to the table, they still don’t want to talk to us, there’s still not one single proposal. There’s been a bit of an impact this week. We will win this one.”

There were cheering reports from Coventry of unofficial action. RMT pickets said they had heard of Aslef union members refusing to drive trains by working to rule over health and safety obligations. They pointed to managers operating the railways with no experience, which has led to dangerous incidents every strike day.

The RMT rail strike battle must grow if it is to win. The cost of living crisis is happening now and many rail workers are struggling to survive. United, escalating action can win, and more strikers think that’s what’s needed.

Clayton added, “If you can support picket lines please do—as it gets colder we will be standing with our hands in our pockets but hopefully the bosses will also get their hands in theirs too.”

• Martha is a pseudonym