End of line for strikers

Published: 1 July, 2010

• I BELIEVE Johnny Bucknell to be a good councillor.

However, his letter (Driverless trains, June 24) betrays a lack of any knowledge about the subject matter.

He says that Brian Coleman, London Assembly member, is correct to ask for driverless trains on the Northern line.

This is the same Brian Coleman that was given the nickname “Grab-a-cab Coleman” because in 2008 he claimed more than £8,000 in cab fares.

To see the real purpose of Cllr Bucknell’s letter, just go to the last sentence.

He says that driverless trains: “…could lead to the end of strikes on the Underground”.

I have no idea if Cllr Bucknell has ever withdrawn his labour but I doubt it.

Taking strike action is a worker’s last resort and is only taken when all else has failed.

Workers who strike lose money and do not do it to get the days off.

The  Victoria and Central lines are automatic but have a driver in the cab.

This may be how all lines will be in the future.

The new part of the Jubilee line has doors at the platform edge.

However, does Cllr Bucknell know the cost of installing these on the 50 Northern line stations?

Does he also know that in 2007 in Shanghai a man was killed when getting caught between the platform doors and the train?

Cllr Bucknell tries to make a case for removing drivers from trains and mentions the 7/7 bombings.

He attempts to disregard what Bob Crow of the RMT says by talking about another bomb injuring the driver.

These remarks are in poor taste and he should apologise for them.

Cllr Bucknell talks of stalling trains in the tunnel.

Is he aware of signal failure; which can be a main reason for trains being held in the tunnel?

Moreover what about late running and station closures?

Does Cllr Bucknell want to take away the right of the working person to withdraw their labour if they believe they are not being listened to?

This is why the Labour Representation Committee was founded in 1900: to give workers a voice.

And when pilots go  on strike… pilotless aircraft?

Or nurses… get rid of them as well?

In fact let’s get rid of all the workers… that will stop the strikes.

Why didn’t I think of that?

DAVID GOWERS
Broxwood Way, NW8