Resolution to Regional Council: Escalation of Industrial Action

This resolution, submitted by East Ham branch and seconded by Camden 3 branch, was carried at to the October meeting of the Regional Council:

This Regional Council notes:

The 24hr strikes and the action short of strike on London Underground have been a very successful in shifting the dynamic between the workforce and LU management.

The co-ordinated action between the RMT and TSSA has been both industrially successful and politically significant in boosting morale and organisation of the rank and file across all sectors.

The fact that a significant number of Aslef rank and file members refused to cross picket lines durng the second strike should be applauded and built on.

The current dispute is part of a wider, generalised attack on our class from the Coalition Government that is set to announce a massive attack on us all in its Spending Review on 20 October.

The Coalition Government, as well as the Tory Mayor of London, are nasty but weak.

The TUC conference in Manchester has called for co-ordinating industrial action between unions, across industries, where possible, to fight job cuts.

This Regional Council believes:

We must build on the successes thus far and develop a strategy to win this dispute.

With the Fire Brigades Union presently balloting for strike action, further co-ordination with the FBU could facilitate a significant escalation of our dispute and victory whilst, at the same time, assisting a quick victory for the fire-fighters too.

For instance, an approach to the FBU could negotiate co-ordinated action whereby we up the ante and strike for 48hrs commencing noon on a Monday to noon Wednesday whilst the FBU strike between Wednesday and Friday. During the FBU strike the lack of fire cover would force London Underground staff to seriously consider refusing to work on the grounds of health and safety.

This could see London brought to a standstill for the entire working week.

Such co-ordinated action could facilitate quick victories for both unions.

This Regional Council resolves:

1) The CofE and Region approach all rail unions and the FBU for a mass rally in Central London prior to the November strike dates; 2) The CofE to make arrangements for at least 4 such regional meetings, North, South, East and West of London; 3) The unions begin to twin branches to discuss organising co-ordinated action at a local level; 4) Official leaflets and propaganda is produced displaying all union logo's and an address from General Secretaries similar to the RMT/FBU leaflets during the FBU's industrial dispute in 2002/3; 5) To openly discuss co-ordinating strike action as described above where we can maximise our industrial effectiveness.