News and Media

News Archive

This page lets you navigate through the archived news.

Possible breakthrough in First Great Western: 29/06/2006ASLEF negotiators have made sufficient progress with First Great Western that they are in a position to recommend a basis of settlement to the executive committee.

Train leasing – now government condemns ‘excess profits’: 28/06/2006The government has demanded an enquiry into the ‘excess profits’ taken out of the industry by the UK’s three owners of rolling stock (Roscos). The Department for Transport believes their charges are ‘uncompetitive’ and has referred the matter to the Office of Rail Regulation to set up an enquiry.

Minister Twigg speaks to ASLEF about rail future: 21 Jun 2006When transport Minister Derek Twigg spoke to ASLEF's conference he confirmed his commitment to rail, expressed his respect for the skills of our drivers – but also took a step back from government involvement in the industry saying he ‘could not force change'

Review union HQ, conference says: 09/06/2006The final day of the ASLEF conference in Scarborough called on the executive committee to review whether the union’s headquarters building continues to be suitable for its needs, especially in light of the provisions of the Disabilities Discrimination Act 1995 - and to bring a report back to the 2007 conference.

Union conference calls for progress on cab conditions: 08/06/2006Delegates at the ASLEF conference at Scarborough have called for major improvements in the conditions of driver cabs across the UK. ‘Why should we not enjoy the same conditions at work as office workers, aeroplane staff or even private car users?’ delegates demanded - as drivers complained of excessive temperatures, poor ergonomics, inadequate ventilation and excessive noise levels across the rail system.

Third day of 2006 ASLEF conference discusses industrial and international affairs: 07/06/2006The union’s Annual Assembly of Delegates today discussed a number of proposals on industrial and international affairs and heard an address by transport minister Derek Twigg.

ASLEF demands TUC condemnation of RMT poaching efforts: 06/06/2006ASLEF’s conference, meeting this week in Scarborough, has instructed General Secretary Keith Norman to demand TUC condemnation of efforts by the RMT to recruit train drivers. Delegates pointed out that this is in contravention of TUC accords, ignores guarantees given to ASLEF and leads to harmful splits and disunity within the rail industry.

Conference votes to extend SWT strike: 05/06/2006The dispute between train drivers’ union ASLEF and South West Trains will be stepped up in the coming month. Delegates at the union’s conference in Scarborough resolved today to ballot all members who work for the company for industrial action.

Iraq plea from MP at ASLEF Conference: 05/06/2006‘I opposed the war in Iraq from the very start – but that is history,’ Dave Anderson, MP for Blaydon told delegates to ASLEF’s conference. ‘Our task now is to truly liberate the people of that country by helping them to organise themselves in strong, effective and independent trade unions.’

The Brady era is over: 5 Jun 2006ASLEF conference delegates meeting in Scarborough voted today to bring to a final close Shaun Brady’s tenure of the position of General Secretary. A proposition had been put before the conference calling for Mr Brady to address conference and to consider his reinstatement as GS. In the event the delegates decided that it was pointless to discuss a passed era and declined to debate the issue.