150 YEARS OF UNDERGROUND TRADE UNIONISM

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: february 2013 :: RMTnews 18 A s long as there have been railways there have been trade unions to defend those who work on them. In December 1871 a permanent national union was established, RMT’s forerunner, the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. Long working hours were a particular problem which Board of Trade inspectors recognised as a threat to public safety. It was common for signallers, guards and engine drivers to work 15-hour days. The companies claimed that sharing control with the union would impair discipline and safety, but the ASRS responded that discipline and safety were better on the only two railways that recognised the union, the North Eastern and the District (forerunner of today's District Line). The All-Grades movement of 1906-7 demanded reductions in hours, pay increases and crucially, union recognition. But a Conciliation Scheme was put in place whereby the Companies would not have to recognise the Union: staff representatives could be union members but union officials could not sit on Boards. There were interminable delays in getting grievances settled. Following 1911’s strike, companies recognised the unions, though officials were still not allowed into the negotiating machinery. A further strike in 1919 led to the Conciliation schemes being made a statutory requirement in the 1921 Railways Act. By this time the three railway unions supported the Conciliation scheme. It gave the appearance of a degree of workers' control and some deluded themselves that it was a step towards the syndicalist plan for the unions to run industry themselves. But the companies still held all the cards. The Underground Group, known as 'the Combine', included the District and deep tube lines but not the Metropolitan which remained independent. It developed a paternalist style of management which meshed well with the Conciliation scheme. Strikes became uncommon. Wage cuts in 1928 were applied to the Metropolitan but not the Underground Group. However, in 1931, Underground Group chairman Lord Ashfield gave notice to terminate existing agreements on wages and conditions. Negotiations resulted in wage cuts as few staff were willing to strike. The paternalist policy continued with the formation of the London Passenger Transport Board in 1933. The unions secured representation on the negotiating committee and a new Wages Board. The wage cuts were restored in stages up to 1935. Demands for improved wages and conditions were submitted in 1936 and partially achieved in 1937-8 without strike action. Despite pay rises during and immediately after the war, transport wages then declined relative to other industries, largely because nationalisation allowed governments to hold back wages. There was great disillusionment with the way nationalisation was implemented and the supposed workers' participation in management. Eventually the NUR Executive decided on a withdrawal of labour from February 15 1960. Underground staff pre-empted this with a one-day strike on February 1. This action concentrated minds and the official strike was called off following the granting of a five per cent increase. Unofficial strikes in 1989 demanding more money for One Person Operation of trains bypassed the Conciliation scheme, and signalled the end of such schemes (not before time, you may think). In 1990 the Conciliation scheme was finally abolished and replaced by direct negotiation. London Transport management had changed from the old paternalism to an aggressive confrontational style that continues to this day. The privatisation of many aspects previously part of the London Transport 'family' has created a plethora of companies to negotiate with which the Conciliation scheme could not cope with. The NUR, and RMT since 1990, has adapted to this new reality and become the modern union it is today, responding to the needs of its members in ever new situations. 150 YEARS OF UNDERGROUND TRADE UNIONISM by Martin Eady A restored steam train Metropolitan Locomotive 1, built in 1898, reverses from its sheds near Earl's Court last month, before its journey from Kensington Olympia to Moorgate as part of celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the London Underground.