Black and ethnic minority RMT members are organising for equality and against racism.
Terms of reference / forum functioning
TfL’s Diversity and Inclusion team held an online meeting on 20 May. This was not a form Equality, Diversity and Inclusion forum, and included various participants as well as D&I management and trade unions.
On the 54th anniversary of the union defeating the colour bar at Euston station rail union RMT said today that the campaign against racism remains an absolute priority.
On August 15 1966 the colour bar at Euston station was finally defeated when West Indian guard Asquith Xavier was allowed to start work after initially being refused a job.
British Railways had announced, after negotiations with local leaders of the National Union of Railwaymen, that no grade would in future be closed on racial grounds anywhere in the London division.
Mick Cash, General Secretary and Michelle Rodgers, President:
George Floyd’s death is an indictment of entrenched racism within state forces. Racism has always and continues to inflict injustices on the black communities, not only in the US but also globally and in the UK.
Now is not the time for silence - we must shout our anger in the call for justice. The State must not be a tool for the expression of racism and hatred.
As trade unionists we stand united against state racism. No to silence, no to police brutality. Justice for all. Unity is strength.
The RMT Bakerloo Branch has passed a motion on the protests against police brutality across the US and internationally. The resolution highlights that the branch 'stand in solidarity with our BEM members against the racism they face in society' and calls for the union to offer international solidarity and to 'develop and support struggles for racial justice and equality in the workplace and wider society.'
RMT BAKERLOO BRANCH RESOLUTION: BLACK LIVES MATTER: AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY AND RACISM
TRANSPORT UNION RMT has written to industry bosses and safety regulators seeking answers and protections regarding the impact of Covid-19 on are Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) workers in the transport sector.
RMT has reminded employers that there is concrete data regarding the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on BAME workers.
The union has raised a series of questions with transport bosses and safety regulators.
Whilst we are working tirelessly to maintain good industrial relations at this difficult time our colleague remains dismissed, this is not good for him nor our critical workers who need every bit of support getting to where they need to by qualified and hardworking people like Ezra.
Train Operator Ezra Christian Sacked
Bakerloo Line Management have today dismissed Ezra over an incident which should have been dealt with by a corrective action plan.
The RMT Bakerloo Line branch will support Ezra in every way possible.
21 March is United Nations Anti-Racism Day. Stand Up to Racism, to which RMT is affiliated, are organising demonstrations in London and Glasgow to mark this day and to protest at the rise of mass support for racist and fascist forces worldwide.
The Glasgow demo is titled ‘March against Racist Johnson’ and is supported by unions from across Scotland. It will begin at 11am in St George’s Square.
The London demo is titled ‘March against Racism’ and will set off from Portland Place, London W1A at noon.