RMT LGBT CONFERENCE, 9th - 10TH MAY 2014 BRISTOL
This conference synopsis is taken from a report by Joanne Parry
RMT LGBT Conference 2014 was opened by the Bristol branch secretary who said Bristol was well known for diversity and inclusion. There was then an address from Mick Cash, Acting General Secretary.
BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS – POWER CONTROL OPERATORS – LONDON UNDERGROUND
I write to advise you that following further negotiations with the company at ACAS, your Executive Committee has decided to suspend all industrial action that was due to commence tomorrow 24th May 2014. Therefore all members are instructed to work normally .
MP's call for justice for RMT official Mark Harding as he faces imprisonment under UK anti-union laws
MP's call for justice for RMT official Mark Harding as he faces imprisonment under UK anti-union laws
MPs and trade union leaders have issued a statement calling for London Underground RMT Branch Official Mark Harding to receive a fair trial when he appears in court this Friday.
All drivers are invited to the launch of the London Underground Drivers’ Charter. With the prospect of
attacks on us in the form of enforced “flexibility”, deskilling and driverless trains it is essential that we take a
stand to protect our grade.
The London Mayor and the Government are whipping up a frenzy of anti-union feeling and foremost in their sights are tube drivers – it’s time to defend ourselves before it’s too late!
London Underground has begun the process for the purchase of driverless trains. This ‘Periodic Notice’ from early March, for trains capable of ‘unattended operation’ is taken from the Official Journal of the European Union. A Periodic Notice “provides advance information about works, supplies or service contracts that, at the beginning of the budgetary year, the contracting authority intends to award during the next 12 months.”
The RMT has already declared itself in dispute over the issue of driverless trains.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) survey on gender equality - known as the "8th March Survey" has been released. The survey, completed by unions across Europe, shows that of the unions which could indicate women membership numbers; of 44 million members, 44.2% are women. yet the results reveal that of the 39 presidents "within national confederations"; only 4 or 10.3% are women.
WHO REPLIED
• 51 (out of 85) national confederations from 31 European countries.
• 20 sectoral national unions from 12 European countries.
• 6 European Trade Union Federations (out of 10) .
RMT, London Underground and other unions are involved in ongoing talks regarding 'Fit for the Future: Stations' plans. Our succesful industrial action has secured further and more detailed talks which include a station by station review. This could be a positive step but tube bosses propose to carry it out in a very short amount of time.
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Defend Mark Harding, drop the charges now, defend the right to picket.
With the strike action on the Tube on hold, it is important not to lose momentum in the campaign to defend Mark. He has been charged under Section 241 of the Trade and Labour Relations Act and could face a prison sentence. Mark was dragged off the picket line at Hammersmith by the police after a strikebreaking staff member got upset at being asked to respect the picket line.
His trial is Friday 23rd May, at City of London Magistrates Court, 1 Queen Victoria Street, EC4N 4XY (nearest Tube Bank/Monument)