‘I’m proud of the unity shown by our members’
As train drivers prepare for their next round of strike action, Aslef general secretary MICK WHELAN talks to Morning Star reporter Peter Lazenby about the ever-increasing profits of rail privateers and the Tories’ politically motivated intransigence
The welcome news that Cuba has finally been removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list is tempered by the fact that Donald Trump, the man who put it there, is returning to the White House, warns NATASHA HICKMAN
Thanks to impressive progress in Britain with wind and solar generation, clean electricity now costs a fraction of the price of gas — yet the current system keeps bills artificially high to protect fossil fuels, writes TOM HARDY
By spreading race-based conspiracy theories, the billionaire tycoon turned right-wing provocateur has been seriously undermining the case against those who really did let victims of the grooming gangs down, writes SOLOMON HUGHES
Many Western countries are grappling with deep political instability. What are the causes of this, and what could be a possible way forward? asks MARC VANDEPITTE
KEITH BENNETT explains why, despite its present meagre economic outcomes, an honest and fruitful partnership with China is worth pursuing
Nick Wright talks to photographer and author JANINA STRUK
THE resilience of train drivers in their fight for a pay rise seems to know no limits, and the general secretary of their union Aslef, Mick Whelan, is proud of them.
After 22 months and 17 rounds of strike action they still voted by more than 95 per cent to strike again, after easily surpassing the government-imposed 50 per cent threshold for turnout in union ballots on industrial action.
Tory legislation introducing compulsory ballots on strike action appeared to be based on a Tory fallacy that workers went on strike on the orders of so-called “union barons” like Whelan — not because they had a grievance and were prepared to fight to rectify it.
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