Rail workers to join lobby of Parliament over casualisation and pay abuses

Submitted by rmtlondon on 25 November, 2014 - 18:21

Rail Worker's from across the country will join a lobby of Parliament on 26th November 2014 to oppose the exploitation of workers through the use of umbrella companies, and also to highlight the safety concerns of those working alongside an increasingly casualised contractor workforce.

The day will include a demonstration in Old Palace Yard opposite Parliament starting at 10.45 – 12.00 noonafter which workers will go into the Houses of Parliament for a lobby and rally at 12.45pm – 2.00pm in Committee Room 14

Speakers at the rally include:

Mick Cash - RMT General Secretary

Test Train Drivers Balloted For Strike

Submitted by rmtlondon on 25 November, 2014 - 16:34

EXTENDED LEAF FALL SEASON & BOXING DAY – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/7/2)

Further to previous Circular No. IR/303/14, 17th November 2014, members will recall the GGC decision to ballot our Test Train Operator members, in unison with ASLEF, over a failure to agree in relation to reward and recognition for Boxing Day working and Sandite overtime. I can now advise that the ballot papers will be posted out to affected members on Tuesday 25th November and the closing date for this ballot is Tuesday 9th December 2014.

I will keep you advised of all developments.

Tube Drivers Vote By Over 75% For Strike To Defend Bro McGuigan

Submitted by rmtlondon on 25 November, 2014 - 15:58

DISMISSAL – A. MCGUIGAN – TRAIN OPERATOR – MORDEN, LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/4/1)

Further to previous Circular No. IR/282/14, 23rd October 2014, the ballot has concluded and the result is as follows:-

Question: Are you prepared to take strike action?

Total Votes Cast… 58
Number Voting ‘Yes’… 45
Number Voting ‘No’… 13
Spoilt Papers… 0

Report part 1: ETF Women's Committee meeting, October 2014 - The Committee and its Campaigns

Submitted by Janine on 23 November, 2014 - 18:16

An ETF Women’s Committee meeting consists of the elected Committee members, representatives of each sector (railways, civil aviation, etc), guests from affiliated trade unions, local women trade unionists (this time, from Antwerp port), and ETF staff. At the next meeting, we will be joined by the newly-elected young women’s representative. I have proposed that RMT arranges for our National Women’s Advisory Committee Chair, Becky Crocker, to attend the next meeting, in March 2015.

 

Women’s Health and Safety at Work

Report part 2: ETF Women's Committee meeting, October 2014 - Women Port Workers

Submitted by Janine on 23 November, 2014 - 18:03

Women Working at Antwerp Port

Having begun working as a receptionist in 1975, Monique Verbeeck is the first female secretary of the Belgian port union, BTB. She is also the ITF and ETF women port workers’ representative. Monique introduced a deputation of women union activists from the Port of Antwerp, who addressed the meeting and took us on a visit to the port.

A DHL worker told us that port working is no longer entirely a “man’s world”, although it is still male-dominated.

Report part 3: ETF Women's Committee meeting, October 2014 - Country and Sector reports

Submitted by Janine on 23 November, 2014 - 17:56

Country Reports

Spain

From 2007, the socialist government introduced equality legislation and a framework to demand action against sexism and harassment. But since then, the situation has been worsened by economic crisis, with equalities driven off the agenda, curbs on collective bargaining, crèches closed, and equality plans dropped.

There has been a “dualisation of the labour market”, a split between secure workers and precarious workers, who are harder to unionise.