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RMTnews :: february 2007 :: www.rmt.org.uk 22 Everyone who is involved in the labour movement should make a point of reading this book which presents the best and most vivid account of, not only RMT, but of trade unions in the years that followed Mrs Thatcher’s election as prime minister, right up to the present day. It begins with an historical survey that takes the story right back to the nineteenth century when the unions were beginning to act strongly and act politically. The foundation of the Labour Representation Committee and the Labour Party itself provides a very useful perspective against which successes and setbacks can be assessed. We are reminded of the Triple Alliance, the role of the National Union of Railwaymen in the twenties and thirties, post-war nationalisation and on to the Beeching cuts. But it was only when the Tories returned to the power in 1979 that the real onslaught began with the economic recession, direct attacks on the unions and the weakness of some trade union leaders that seemed to go along with government policy. However, the NUR fought hard to help the miners in the 1984/85 strike when Neil Kinnock and the TUC were lukewarm in their support. The effect of that defeat was the decline in union membership as the Tory laws bit deep into the rights and role of trade unions. During this time the merchant maritime fleet was shrinking due to flags of convenience and creeping privatisation. Even so, NUR members did win a battle over pay with strike action in 1989 over pay and, after becoming RMT in 1990, the union took action in 1994 against Railtrack. Like all of us, RMT looked forward to the election of Labour in 1997 as a significant turning point, only to be disappointed. Clause Four, which represented a commitment to socialism, was dropped and an opposition pledge to bring the rail network back into public ownership was dropped. Moreover, a Labour conference decision to call for rail re-nationalisation was ignored by New Labour, a point underlined by the privatisation of London Underground infrastructure against the views of the elected mayor of London Ken Livingstone. The disillusionment followed quite quickly after the 1997 election and, when RMT in Scotland decided to back Tommy Sheridan and the Scottish Socialist Party, the Labour Party expelled the union. A decision by the Fire Brigades Union conference to disaffiliate also deprived the Party of two of its most radical and affective unions at a time when their influence is most needed as their votes could influence the choice of Labour’s next leader. But today, RMT is stronger and more effective than ever with a determined leadership and loyal membership. Its role and influence have extended beyond their own ranks and are helping to shape the public perception of the policies needed at this time. When Jimmy Knapp died the entire labour movement felt a personal sense of loss and those who believe – as I do – that the struggle for democracy, political and industrial, has to be fought all over again, were reminded of the key role played by transport workers. This work must be carried on, as it is now, so effectively by Bob Crow and his comrades in RMT. Anyone reading this book will inevitably come to the same conclusion and its publication now is so important. NEVER ON OUR KNEES Tony Benn reviews a new history of the RMT from 1979-2006