A tube driver writes... posted by Richard Seymour

My RMT correspondent has written an updated piece, as promised:


Heathrow and Stockwell: Practical solidarity

There's a line spun by the media that we should all feel sorry for the sacked workers at Gate Gourmet, but that we should also condemn the solidarity action taken by BA baggage handlers. In other words, we're being told that it's ok to see people as victims, but we mustn't actually do anything about it (except bring our own packed lunches if we're travelling by plane).

One thing that makes this blog different is that it doesn't follow that line. Not only does it comment on what's going on around it, it actively encourages people to do something. Lenin's Tomb has given 100% support to the BA workers who took solidarity action in support of the sacked catering workers.

While we – as blog readers - are not in a position to ground flights from Heathrow, we are in a position to help. We can offer the best form of practical solidarity after striking: We can collect money to help out those workers who've been sacked or are on strike.

Loads of workers have taken collection sheets round their workplaces and have had a fantastic response. People are collecting anything from a few tenners to hundreds of pounds. I’ve just done a quick whip round of 25 tube drivers in my depot and got 200 quid. I’ll be taking it down to a Gate Gourmet workers’ solidarity meeting tonight.

It doesn't have to be organised through union branches, although that's a good start. Download the collection form here (PDF), print it out and take it round your workplace. If you've only heard the media condemnations, you'll be surprised by how much support there is for the Heathrow workers.

It's important to collect what you can and send it to the Gate Gourmet workers ASAP. The address is Gate Gourmet Hardship Fund c/o TGWU, 218 Green Lanes, London N4 2HB. Make cheques out to TGWU and put “Gate Gourmet” on the back.

In the same way, Tomb readers in London are in a position to show solidarity over the murder of Jean Charles de Menezes by police at Stockwell.

Jean Charles' family has organised a protest at Downing Street this coming Monday, 22 August, at 6.30pm.

The protest is supported by the RMT rail union. Be there if you can, tell everyone you know, and bring union banners.

This kind of practical solidarity can really turn blogland into a place that spurs people into action. So many sites have contributors who just want you to sit back and bathe in their bland words. Here, we can make a difference.

Let’s get out and do that

Update: I got the following information via e-mail:

[S]ix representatives of the
Metropolitan Police travelled to the village of Gonzaga in Brazil
to offer the family a substantial sum of money in return for their
silence.

After the police seized Jean Charles' house for investigation his
family were placed in a hotel in Richmond selected by the police.
Here they were held effectively incommunicado and denied phone
calls to Brazil.

Despite this, the Menezes family is determined to seek justice and
have refused to be bought off. The family campaign is several
thousand pounds in debt; all the money thus far has been donated
by a handful of activists and friends. If you can help in any way
please send cheques made payable to Jean Charles de Menezes Family
Campaign, PO Box 273, london, E7 or transfer money to Jean Charles
de Menezes Family Campaign, Account Number: 61455664, sort code:
40-07-12. HSBC bank, 349 Green St, London, E13 PA5. Contact
justice4jean@hotmail.co.uk 07931 337890 or 07956 210332