[A-List] UK labour militancy: Glasgow underground

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

Striking subway drivers sacked
Underground to remain closed after wildcat action

KAY JARDINE
The Herald, 7 November 2002

GLASGOW underground chiefs yesterday sacked 32 drivers for taking part in
wildcat strike action which brought the city's subway network to a
standstill.

Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) said it would "not tolerate such
militant behaviour" and issued dismissal notices when the drivers failed to
turn up for their shifts throughout the day.

A total of 42 drivers staged a 24-hour walkout in a row over training
duties, forcing the cancellation of all underground trains and affecting
thousands of commuters.

A spokesman for the Transport and General Workers' Union said they were
"shocked and extremely angry" at the dismissals, adding that management had
over-reacted and inflamed the situation.

Services will also be cancelled today but SPT hopes to have a reduced
service in operation on Friday.

Last night, SPT invited the T&G representatives for talks aimed at resolving
the dispute.

Passengers criticised drivers and said they should have been given more
warning.

The employees are angry over plans for new staff to be trained as CCTV
operators as well as part-time drivers. They fear this will introduce
drivers and CCTV "on the cheap" as well as having implications for health
and safety .

SPT called on the remaining 10 drivers, who are on holiday, rest days, or
sick leave, to attend work as normal and warned that if they did not, they
would face similar notices.

The transport authority claimed staff were refusing to perform their normal
working duties despite the modernisation of industrial relations.

Douglas Ferguson, director of operations, said: "It is outrageous that a
small group of employees have been able to cause disruption to more than
55,000 people's travel plans.

"Despite the fact that no changes have been made to drivers' wages,
conditions, training procedures, or job descriptions, we are now in the
situation that they have decided to walk out on the job.

"SPT will not tolerate such militant behaviour bringing one of Glasgow's
vital public transport modes to a standstill."

Jimmy Farrelly, T&G's senior regional industrial organiser, said the union
was forced to repudiate any unofficial action under existing legislation.

But he called on SPT to reinstate the drivers "as a matter of urgency". He
said: "This is an unbelievable situation. I cannot begin to think what the
management are seeking to do.

"There has been no attempt to sit down in a meaningful way. Yesterday we
thought we had concluded the basis of an agreement and to think that we've
arrived at this is astonishing."

Mr Farrelly also expressed his anger at references by SPT to "militant"
behaviour.

He said: "The drivers have offered flexibility and have been assisting so
the idea that we have got some militant crew is a lot of nonsense."

John Mason, leader of the SNP group on Glasgow City Council and a member of
the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority, said this was "no way to
conduct industrial relations".

He added: "This latest development takes the macho management style
developed by Glasgow City Council, and now replicated in the Labour
dominated transport authority, to absurd new heights."

Lewis MacDonald, transport minister, called for a quick end to the strike.
He said: "We will expect the workers involved to take heed of the advice of
their trade union and we expect all parties to resolve this as soon as
possible."

An SPT spokesman said a 10-minute shuttle bus would be put on between
Shields Road and St Enoch subway stations, and Govan and Partick.

The subway stations will also be open with staff available to advise
travellers on alternative arrangements.