Sadiq Khan: the train is probably empty because no RMT driver would want to get on one with him in it.
Wasn’t this a desperately disappointing development from Sadiq Khan, just when Tube drivers need support from the London Mayor who belongs to the Party of the Workers?
Tube drivers are striking because Transport for London has ripped up existing agreements and working arrangements for the Night Tube, demanding extra night and weekend working.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch explains: “This strike is about the ripping apart of popular and family friendly agreements that helped make the original Night Tube such a success. Instead the company want to cut costs and lump all drivers into a pool where they can be kicked from pillar to post at the behest of the management.
“We have made every effort in ACAS and direct talks since the off to resolve this dispute but it is clear that LU bosses are driven solely by the bottom line and have no interest whatsoever in the well being of their staff or the service to passengers.
“This strike action, and its serious consequences in the run up to Christmas, was avoidable if the Tube management hadn’t axed dedicated Night Tube staff and perfectly workable arrangements in order to cut staffing numbers and costs.
“We warned months ago that slashing two hundred Night Tube Train Driver positions would create a staffing nightmare and LU need to start facing up to that reality and soon. The union remains available for further talks even at this late stage.“
Contrast that with what Sadiq Khan, Labour’s London Mayor, has said about it, and you’ll understand why Unite’s Sharon Graham has tweeted what she did:
This comment is precisely why workers are turning away from @UKlabour when a Labour mayor attacks workers. It's about time the @MayorofLondon did the right thing and stood up for workers not just at election time but when it matters. https://t.co/MVHoo0PFwa
— Sharon Graham (@UniteSharon) November 26, 2021
Here’s where Khan crossed the line:
The Night Tube has an important part to play in our capital’s recovery and helps to improve safety for everyone, especially women and girls making their way home at night.
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) November 26, 2021
It seems the claim was not true:
Earlier today, @SadiqKhan said that the RMT "refused to attend talks" to resolve the tube strike.
But @RMTunion says that's not true – and they have the receipts.
So either the Mayor is lying to Londoners to protect TfL management, or he was lied to himself. pic.twitter.com/tBarrILfcm
— Ronan Burtenshaw (@ronanburtenshaw) November 26, 2021
The letter to Khan states: “Our Lead Organiser for TfL wrote an email to London Underground senior managers… which ended with the words “We are happy to attend ACAS to resolve the dispute. And are available to do so.” We never received a reply to this email.
“Our reps and members have seen the email in which RMT offers to meet at ACAS and are justifiably furious at the complete misrepresentation of our position in the public domain. It is having an incendiary effect. It’s hard for us to understand why you’ve done this and all I can think is that you have been fed an inaccurate line by hawks within TfL.”
The explanation kindly suggested by Mr Lynch in the letter, even if true, wouldn’t let Khan off the hook because he should have checked the facts with the RMT Union.
It’s a terrible position for a Labour politician, in an elected position of authority, to choose. Here’s the better choice:
If you're a representative of the so-called workers' party and think the Night Tube is a good idea, here's an idea:
Instead of attacking and smearing tube drivers and their trade union over the strike, pay them much higher wages for night work, so they're incentivised to do it.
— Another Angry Voice (@Angry_Voice) November 26, 2021
And here’s what all Labour politicians should be saying about it:
Solidarity with @RMTunion members on strike again tonight ✊🏾
Labour was founded to stand up for the cause of labour, so we should never have any hesitation in doing so.
— Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) November 27, 2021
Sadly, the damage has already been done:
Glad our members money won’t be funding the bosses party .@UKLabour who attacks workers forced to strike. Scab party.
— Ian Hodson (@IanBFAWU) November 26, 2021
And we have identified the heart of the problem:
Under Starmer's dismal leadership Labour politicians, including the man himself, keep forgetting that they're supposed to be the party of the workers, not some kind of capitalism-peddling, worker-battering, corporate-approved Tory tribute act.
— Another Angry Voice (@Angry_Voice) November 26, 2021
That’s exactly it. The rot is at the heart of the Labour Party because it is spreading from the leader himself.
Yesterday morning, This Writer’s Twitter feed was full of comments like these:
I am a Socialist which is why I will NEVER vote for @Keir_Starmer's @UKLabour Party
— Steve 🇨🇺🏴🇵🇸🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️✊🏾 (@RecordsToLiveBy) November 26, 2021
Keir Starmer is like marmite, isn't he? Really splits opinions 50/50. Some days he's loathsome, some days he's cretinous.
— Matt Thomas (@Trickyjabs) November 26, 2021
The Labour Party is lost. It’s a place socialists are harassed, bullied & broken.
We need to build anew, with the same courage & innovation that created the party in the 1st place.
Our commitment needs to be to the mission, not the vehicle.
Peace & justice for all.
— Kerry-Anne Mendoza 🏳️🌈 (@TheMendozaWoman) November 26, 2021
If Jeremy Corbyn stands as an independent at the next General Election, I don't think many people outside of the Parliamentary Labour Party will be campaigning for the official Labour candidate?
— Heather Mendick (@helensclegel) November 26, 2021
I won’t canvass for the Labour Party under Keir Starmer.
But I will canvass for Jeremy Corbyn if he’s forced to stand as an independent against the Labour Party.
— Josh Funnell (@Josh79227449) November 26, 2021
Why is it the Left's responsibility to uncritically support Starmer rather than his responsibility to earn our support?
If we don't win the next election, it's on him and his factional supporters. They're calling the shots and acting like they have a monopoly of wisdom.
— Steve Howell (@FromSteveHowell) November 26, 2021
You don’t like me tweeting negatively about @Keir_Starmer?
That’s your problem, not mine.
Here’s what it says on @UKLabour’s website:
“It’s formation was the result of many years of struggle by working class people, trade unionists & socialists”.
We’ve been betrayed.
— James Foster (@JamesEFoster) November 26, 2021
I hereby pledge that I will not vote for Starmer's Labour party and will do all I can to encourage my family and friends not to either. To reward traitors for their actions would be a terrible lesson for the younger generations. They want a war with the left-they have got it!
— Socialist Party | Liverpool Branch (@SocPtyLiverpool) November 26, 2021
There are lots of good points in those comments. Probably the most pertinent are those stating that people who want a better country – for everyone rather than just the very rich – don’t owe Labour anything now that it clearly does not have the principles on which it was founded.
Nobody is obliged to vote for Labour. It is Starmer’s – and Khan’s – responsibility to show, by example, that they are worthy of our support.
Starmer’s record since April 2020 – and Khan’s shocking performance over the Night Tube – tell us they aren’t even interested in it.
Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.
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