I respectfully seek your vote for the privilege of serving as ASLEF’s General Secretary.
From being a driver in Wales, the West Country and the South East, I was elected to ASLEF’s Executive Committee before serving seven years as National Organiser and nine as Assistant General Secretary. That experience empowered me to represent you in negotiations with employers and ministers - including during the recent national dispute - leading, resolving and winning others. Today, I serve on the Executive Committee of the TUC - the top trade union body – and speak for you in print media, TV, radio and podcasts.
Under Mick Whelan’s leadership train drivers have at last been recognised for the contribution we make. We can celebrate for a moment but complacency will be disastrous. Big challenges are coming.
The mainline passenger railway faces the biggest reorganisation in a generation. This and every other sector - tube, tram and freight - will be confronted with technological upheaval and employers who would love to replace us with automation.
I will continue to make the case for train drivers as a skilled and essential role in all the railways of the 21st century. We must not allow our hard fought salaries and conditions to be eroded. I will lead the fight to raise pay and conditions in companies where members have fallen behind.
ASLEF fought for 30 years to secure renationalisation of the passenger sector but freight remains privatised. As freight lead officer for over 12 years, I know first-hand the insecurity there. Speaking at the recent Trades Union Congress, I secured support for freight nationalisation and ending the race to the bottom.
ASLEF’s membership is changing fast. We’ve welcomed many more women drivers and significant numbers from the uniformed services, with a wave of younger drivers coming. ASLEF must modernise communications, make democratic structures truly representative of our depots and companies, and offer subscriptions that keep us competitive everywhere.
Our structures must be able to respond with the degree of militancy needed to defend and advance train drivers. Strikes and other disputes are always our last resort but ASLEF has shown in recent years that we will not flinch from using them if required.
As your Assistant General Secretary, I created ASLEF’s modern training programmes for representation and organisation. As General Secretary, I will invest in these systems for the next generation.
I identified the need for cultural change in ASLEF about sexual harassment. Working with women members and colleagues, I devised and delivered new procedures and training. My vision as General Secretary will be for the union and the industry to be permanently safe places for every train driver.
With your support I will deliver the changes needed to make ASLEF a modern, effective trade union that actively listens to, and involves our members.
We must not be complacent. We must modernise and prepare to stand firm as we face an uncertain future - one full of opportunity as well as challenges.
"...we stand at a point of profound upheaval. Not only does the mainline passenger railway face the biggest reorganisation in a generation but every sector of our membership will be confronted with technological change being promoted by employers who see our skills as a cost they would like to do without.
Transport for London has come under repeated attack by previous Tory governments, using its funding as a way to attack tube and tram drivers. The effects of those attacks are still being felt and still need to be resisted.
I recognise there are specific issues relating to ASLEF on London Underground and I will work with your reps, EC member and officer to develop innovative solutions to these problems. District 8 needs to be fully included within ASLEF structures. We will work together to improve support for member recruitment, rep engagement at national level, and to begin to address issues within your terms and conditions that need improving."
If elected as your General Secretary I will.
I am seeking your Branch's nomination for the privaledge of serving as ASLEF's General Secretary
We must evolve to reflect our membership & our industry. We need to consider how we engage and communicate with members, how we organise in a digital world and how we work collectively to prepare for future opportunities.
I will invest in support for member recruitment, and the development of our Reps supporting them to engage at a national level. Working together to improve your terms and conditions.
In the last 10 years the railway and our membership has undergone great change. We have more women members and overseen a significant recruitment of drivers from the uniformed services.
Following failures of governance in other unions I have led cultural change working with women members and officers to develop training and procedures to promote an inclusive culture, to prevent sexual harassment and to future proof the union.
I will overhaul the training of reps and organising to develop the next generation.
We stand at a point of profound upheaval for the industry. The mainline passenger railway faces its biggest reorganisation in a generation. But every sector of our membership will be confronted with technological change, pushed by employers who see our skills as a cost they would like to do without.
Understanding the power and importance of our history is important. I have a clear vision for our industry & the future of our union, we can build that future together.
