RMT pledges to fight Tory plan to ban strikes in the transport sector
strike flag

TRANSPORT UNION RMT said today that it will fight tooth and nail plans from the incoming Tory Government to effectively outlaw strikes on the rail and tube networks.

It has been reported this morning that Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is planning to include provisions in Thursday's Queen's Speech that would force workers to run services during industrial action.

General Secretary Mick Cash said:

"It hasn't taken long for the true colours of this new Tory Government to emerge. Banning strikes and denying workers the basic human right to withdraw their labour has been the hallmark of hard right, authoritarian regimes throughout history.

"Instead of attacking rail workers fighting to defend safety and disabled access any responsible Government would be tackling the scandal of private profiteering on Britain's railways which has reduced services to chaos.

"RMT will fight any plans to deny out members their basic human rights."

> RMT National News

Saturday, 21st February
Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) seafarers will take strike action on March 5th and 6th in a dispute over pay, transparency and compliance with minimum wage legislation.
Friday, 20th February
RMT has accused Network Rail of failing to provide adequate toilet and welfare facilities for maintenance patrol workers, warning that the situation may amount to breaches of health and safety law.
Thursday, 19th February
RMT members at Northfields fleet maintenance depot servicing Piccadilly line trains are taking four days of strike action this week following a breakdown in industrial relations.
Tuesday, 17th February
Maritime union, RMT has welcomed an overwhelming vote for strike action by seafarers employed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) after management could not even demonstrate that it was complying with minimum wage legislation.
Tuesday, 10th February
RMT is demanding a new law to safeguard transport workers in Scotland against a sharp rise in assaults, ahead of a meeting with MSPs in Holyrood.