New rail union launched

Wednesday, 12 January 2005 12:00 AM

A new rail union has been launched by a group of train drivers who are disillusioned with the main train drivers' union Aslef.

The Associated Train Crew Union (ATCU) was established today following recent problems with Aslef's leadership, which has seen both its president and its general secretary lose their jobs.

In a statement ACTU said that the demographics of the rail industry were changing, and new drivers coming into the industry demanded more from their union.

"They demand equality. They demand accountability. They demand respect for the rules of the union and that those rule apply to all," it said.

"What we have been unable to find elsewhere, we shall create."

Former Aslef president Martin Samways was dismissed following a fight at a union barbeque and former general secretary Shaun Brady lost his job after refusing to cooperate with an inquiry into the union's finances.

Steve Trumm, who helped set up the new ATCU union, was himself expelled from Aslef after setting up a rival website.

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