Around 50 people packed a meeting organised by Hackney TUC to launch a local campaign against the privatisation of the East London Line. The Line - which currently does not serve Hackney - is due to be extended in time for the 2012 Olympics, but will be sold off to private contractors. Stagecoach and National Express are amongst the list of "preferred bidders".
Human rights lawyer Louise Christian - who represented the families of the victims of the Hatfield and Potters Bar rail crashes - spoke, as did Jerry Wines (TSSA Regional Organiser) and Jason Humphreys (local RMT rep for ELL staff). Hackney TUC chairperson Janine Booth and RMT General Secretary Bob Crow also spoke.
The speakers clearly set out the case against privatisation, highlighting the drop in the quality of service, safety and pay and conditions for staff that previous privatisations have brought. A lively debate from the floor followed, focusing on a range of issues including the question of working-class political representation. Comrades from Workers' Liberty, the Socialist Party and the SWP all intervened.
At a time when many labour movement structures, and particularly local Trades' Councils are moribund and defunct, Hackney's example of attempting to revitalise and build itself through organising fighting campaigns on issues of real importance to working-class people in the area is a good one.
