THE FIGHT against privatisation of London Underground reaches a crucial stage next week. Ballot papers are going out to build strike action among the RMT tube workers’ union. London Underground is on the point of forcing workers, including maintenance staff from the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, into the private sector. Blair and London Underground have two aims-massive profits on the one hand and to weaken workers and trade unionists.
In the same way that the break up of the railways’ ‘group standards’ in maintenance led to the disaster at Potters Bar, so the break-up of unified structures would weaken our ability to stand up for our rights on the underground.
Disgracefully, the leaders of Aslef are not organising a ballot with their RMT colleagues. This is despite the fantastic joint action last year over safety issues related to privatisation that were so successful.
The unity in those strikes showed just how much power tube workers have. All activists should call joint meetings on every station and depot, to build picket lines and maximum joint action.
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