TSSA rail workers' conference decides unity is vital

The TSSA rail workers’ union conference finished just before the McNulty Report on the railways was published last week.

Its proposed agenda of attacks on rail workers’ pay, conditions, jobs and pensions will come as no surprise.

The report will, however, be a catalyst for rail companies to attempt to justify deeper cuts, with unity across the unions an even greater need.

The conference was infused with the spirit of resistance from the anti-cuts demonstration on 26 March.

General secretary Gerry Doherty argued to begin discussions with other transport unions that could lead to a merger.

There was overwhelming if reluctant support for this.

A small minority supported an amendment stating our preferred merger must be with the RMT union. Conference also backed the Right to Work campaign despite opposition from the executive committee.