Rock solid strikes by RMT ScotRail guards have put the arrogant Abellio bosses on the run, writes Richie Venton After months of refusing to even consult or negotiate with the unions in their reckless gamble with safety, Scotrail Abellio bosses have now been forced to guarantee guards on all the new electrified multiple unit (EMU) […]
Our workplace organiser writes a letter of solidarity to those striking today. Dear brothers and sisters, At today’s meeting of the Scottish Socialist Party national executive committee (NEC) I reported on the issues behind your strike, the updated position in your battle against wholesale Driver Only Operations (DOO) trains, and the role of Abellio Scotrail […]
by Richie Venton, SSP national workplace organiser Anyone with an ounce of experience of working life knows that when a senior manager – and more especially if it’s the Managing Director – starts telling a worker they “want to share things with you”, you’d be wise to get your guard up, mind your back, and […]
by Richie Venton, SSP national workplace organiser Earlier today I and others from the SSP joined a big, determined demonstration outside the Scottish parliament, called by the RMT in support of their fight to Keep the Guards on our trains, to make our trains safe. Striking conductors/guards were there in good number, alongside other RMT […]
by Richie Venton, SSP national trade union organizer Back in August 1963 there was an almighty hue and cry when Ronnie Biggs, Bruce Reynolds and their pals meticulously planned and executed the theft of £2.6million from the Glasgow to London Royal Mail train. In today’s money, that was £48m stolen (and never recovered) in the […]
by Richie Venton, SSP national trade union organiser The morning before the first 24-hour strike by Scotrail train guards/conductors in defence of public safety, a group of RMT union activists gathered outside Abellio’s Glasgow HQ. They brought their own table and chairs, and set it up outside the entrance to the Dutch state company’s offices […]
by Richie Venton, SSP national trade union organiser Train conductors/guards in the Rail, Maritime & Transport workers’ union – RMT – have just announced a series of strikes on Scotrail, starting on Tuesday 21st June. Their action – strikes accompanied by overtime bans – is designed to halt Abellio bosses in their dash for Driver […]
Slightly earlier than the demo banners above anticipated, the Scottish Government have announced their preferred bidder for the West Coast – keeping Caledonian MacBrayne ferries public. The Scottish Socialist Party welcomes this announcement. We oppose all privatisation and rent-seeking capitalism. Richie Venton, the SSP’s national workplace organiser celebrated: “This is a victory for united, militant […]