PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

It is hardly surprising that over two- thirds of British people believe there is a link between the occupation of Iraq and the dreadful events July 7. A recent report by the establishment thinktank Chatham House also admitted that “there is no doubt that the situation over Iraq has imposed particular difficulties for the UK”. There is a general perception that we are reaping the whirlwind for launching an illegal war and backing the United States’ role as a rogue superpower. However, this is a complex question and we may never fully understand what transformed a young classroom assistant into someone capable of murdering so many innocent people. Pointing the finger of blame at anyone other than the bombers themselves and their mobilisers is futile.Yet seeking to understand why this tragedy occurred is in no way saying that callous murders were understandable or justified. After the terrible carnage of 9/11 and the London bombings, a natural reaction is one of shock, then outrage, followed by sadness and a grim solidarity with the victims against the murderers. This coming together of a grieving nation puts great power and responsibility in the hands of the country’s political leadership. They have the choice over how that power is used to respond to the threat. US president George W Bush used that power to launch long-planned invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq to consolidate US control in the oil-rich Middle East. Domestically, he launched an onslaught on civil rights, providing the state arbitrary powers under the Patriot Act, long-dreamt of by his neo-conservative advisers. However, there is an alternative and it is one we must demand of our government. Our mission must be to prevent conflict, not provoke it. For as long as Britain occupies Iraq, the terrorist recruiters will attract more susceptible young recruits to their jihad. For as long as we fail to speak out against human rights abuses in Guatanamo Bay and Abu Graib, we stand condemned as hypocrites when we demand adherence to the rule of law. For as long as we ignore the plight of the Palestinian people, the Middle East will remain the cradle of Muslim anger and the suicide bomber. We must never again alienate so many people from the democratic process by rejecting the valid concerns of our own citizens in the interests of a foreign power. The Labour Representation Committee, which RMT is affiliated to, can play an important role in framing a progressive response to this terrorist attack. We must say to the prime minister and other ministerial commentators; please do not tell us that the war in Iraq played no part in it. These assertions are simply intellectually unsustainable. It was not just the anti-war movement that warned you that if Britain participated in Bush’s illegal invasion of Iraq there would be an upsurge of terrorism. The Butler inquiry revealed that even our own security services warned of such consequences. Firstly, we must condemn this barbaric attack on London. It was the working class people of London who suffered as it is the working people of Fallujah, Baghdad and the Gaza Strip, who continue to suffer. Second, we must stand in solidarity against any attacks on the Muslim community in Britain. Thirdly, we must oppose attempts to use this tragedy to undermine civil liberties here or support any further illegal military aggression abroad. We must also demonstrate that through democratic political activity that we can address grievances and, yes, change the world. The LRC offers itself as a vehicle for political engagement to all those who wish to challenge the injustices of our present society. John MacDonnell MP Parliamentary column A PROGRESSIVE RESPONSE TO TERROR july/august 2005 :: RMTnews 9 ‘ONE’ WORKERS WIN IMPROVED OFFER Over 270 RMT conductors, ticket examiners and revenue protection inspectors at ‘One’ railway voted overwhelmingly to accept an improved offer from the company over the introduction of new technology. Following the suspension of planned strike action, the company agreed that following training in the use of Avantix machines, staff are entitled to receive an increase in commission of 1 per cent for a period of 12 weeks. Staff who transfer to a paperless accountancy system for ticket issuing, ie machines replacing paper ticket issuing facilities, will be entitled to receive an Accountancy Automation Allowance of £75. In respect of both conductor grades and former GE and former WA Revenue Protection Inspectors, there was an agreement to commence harmonisation talks for each group and for Stansted Express cabin crew and customer service agents included in the retail harmonisation. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that there was no doubt that the company was taken aback by members’ determination to stand up and be counted. NO PPP ON THE TYNE RMT has insisted that much-needed new investment in the Tyne and Wear Metro must not lead to a “dog’s breakfast” of the London Underground privatisation fiasco. Politicians, trade unions and operator Nexus are all agreed that the 25-year old light rail network is in dire need of investment. Nexus has put forward a 20-year programme, known as Project Orpheus, which includes plans for a new fleet, signaling, improved station equipment and revamped tracks and stations. However, Transport Minister Alistair Darling has insisted that funding comes from the private sector, leading to fears that staff and passengers could suffer at the hands of greedy contractors. RMT regional organiser Stan Herschel, who chairs the network’s joint trade union committee, said that he has asked Nexus director Mike Parker for some key assurances. “We’ve asked him to pledge that, whichever funding scheme is used, there must be no franchising out of the service and our members must remain directly employed by Nexus,” he said. VICTORY AT VIRGIN Following a ballot result in favour of industrial action short of a strike, Virgin Cross Country agreed to withdraw the current £1,000 threshold on commission payments and to introduce a flat rate of five per cent on all Avantix takings on new chip and pin technology. The company had tried to impose new chip and pin technology without any financial compensation to those using it despite the obvious improved productivity that would have followed. “This excellent achievement has come about through both the determination of you and your colleagues to take action and through the skills of our negotiating team, for which all involved should take the union’s congratulations,” said RMT general secretary Bob Crow. “Be under no illusions, this is a victory which will serve as a great example to members of your union in other train operating companies,” he said.