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This year Darren was elected as the Midlands Regional Organiser and now the Organiser for Engineering and Infrastructure. Previously Darren was a member of the original ATCU formation committee. "I feel proud that I have been chosen to represent the Midlands, Engineering and Infrastructure membership and also proud of what Derby has achieved in its first year. Together, we have survived a Strike, we can hold our heads high and say that we did not cross a picket line and work trains, Together we survived the gagging from other union officials who attempted stop us from spreading our beliefs, together, we all have one thing in common.. SOLIDARITY... this is the key to all victories. Since I joined the industry straight from School back in 1989 I have gone 'through the ranks', From Junior Railman working on the Platform at Birmingham New Street, right through to passing out as a Driver at Acton, west London in 1997. I have seen many changes within our proud industry that I did not like, but my criticism, like many others, fell on deaf ears. It is as though we were being led by three wise monkeys. It would be conceited of me if I were to cite our development on par to that of the Labour Party but in the October 1900 "Khaki election" two candidates were successful: Keir Hardie in Merthyr Tydfil and Richard Bell (general secretary of the Railway Servants union) in Derby. Such people had a strong belief and that is what I and others have within the ATCU. It is time for all the workers in the industry to reclaim our beliefs. That belief is the right to be heard, the removal of power from a small elite and a voice for those who are at the forefront of our industry. We will give the power to where it comes from in the first place, back to where it matters the most, our members". Darren Lovell Midlands Regional Organiser |
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