Rail workers in Motherwell, near Glasgow, have underlined why they refused on January 8 to move a train carrying ammunition for use against Iraq. At a meeting of their Associated Society of Locomotive Enginneers and Firemen (ASLEF) branch soon after, Motherwell train drivers discussed the stance taken by the two drivers, who work for the England Wales and Scotland (EWS) rail company.
The meeting agreed to a statement which began: "Motherwell branch is totally opposed to any conflict with Iraq and the USA's seemingly headlong rush into war. We also applaud the ASLEF leadership's stance in opposing the conflict. We are also proud of the EWS members at our branch who have intimated that they have grave reservations if required as part of their duties to drive Ministry of Defence trains at this time."
The statement pointed out that workers at other EWS depots could also be asked to move munitions trains: "We have no doubt that many of these drivers will have similar sentiments to ourselves."
The statement concluded by demanding "that no EWS member is harassed, victimised or disciplined for taking this action... and finally that we, as a trade union and individually, take every opportunity to oppose this conflict".
There are reports that EWS drivers in Scotland will be asked to move munitions again. With tens of thousands of British troops now heading to the Persian Gulf, there will also be military convoys moving all across Britain in the coming weeks. We need to build every protest and every action against this war. We must make sure the demonstration on February 15 in London is a huge outpouring of opposition to the war.
[From the British Socialist Worker. Visit <http://www.socialistworker.co.uk>.]
From Green Left Weekly, February 5, 2003.
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