'Crocker's Corner': What Young RMT Members Are Doing

Submitted by Janine on 31 January, 2009 - 13:04

Rebecca Crocker, London Transport Regional Council Young Members' Officer gives her insight into Taking the Power back and Current issues that she feels affect all young members in our union.

You might ask, ‘what’s the point of having a young members’ section of the union’? Well ...

If more young people don't get involved, the union movement will literally DIE. The average age at union branch meetings is 40+.

Unions should fight over issues that young people care about.

RMT Young Members Visit Cuba

Submitted by Janine on 30 January, 2009 - 19:42

Emma Baldwin (Watford Branch) Reports.....

When I first joined RMT I was told about a trip to Cuba that they do and how I should definitely get myself on to that trip, so when the chance came for me to go I jumped at it feet first!

There is a bit of a warning attached to this you have to remember that Cuba has a trade embargo with the USA, for many decades and because of this some things are very basic, when the information you receive says “basic but adequate” it may not be what you imagine it to be.

Dear Comrade, ...

Submitted by Janine on 30 January, 2009 - 19:33

From RMT Young Members ...

Write in with your work or union related query stating your employer, grade and line/location of work and we’ll ask the font of all trade union knowledge and give you a response in the next edition.

Keeping Informed.......

Long extinct is the carrier pigeon and by the time snail mail arrives the issues have moved on – no offence to our postal comrades at CWU.

So don’t be shy contact us via e-mail with “dear comrade” in the subject line.

Power workers on London Tube set six new strike dates

Submitted by Admin on 29 January, 2009 - 23:00

RMT press release, issued today

POWER WORKERS responsible for finding and fixing faults on the London Tube’s power supply will begin the first of six new overnight strikes at 19:59 on Sunday (February 1) after employer EDF Energy Powerlink again failed to deliver pay parity with non-shift colleagues.

The two dozen ‘shift testers’, who have already stopped work three times, will also strike for 12 hours starting at 19:59 on February 4, 11, 15 and 22 and March 1.

Charter for Track Workers

Submitted by Janine on 29 January, 2009 - 23:00

This resolution, proposed by LU Engineering branch and seconded by TfL no.1 branch, was carried unanimously by the Regional Council in January 2009.

This region notes that successful recruitment needs planning and support from the whole region. We further note the success of other Charters for Cleaners/ Drivers etc and therefore call on the London Transport Region to endorse a similar charter for track workers:

Support the Shministim

Submitted by Janine on 29 January, 2009 - 23:00

This resolution, proposed by TfL no.1 branch and seconded by Stratford no.1 branch, was passed with one abstention at the Regional Council meeting in January 2009.

This Union notes that 7 Israeli teenagers – known as Shiministim – are refusing to serve in the Israeli army because they object to Israel’s military occupation of the Palestinian territories. They are all 18 or 19 years old, have been called for military service but have refused to go and are now in prison.

Docklands Light Railway strike suspended

Submitted by Admin on 29 January, 2009 - 17:00

RMT press release, issued today

A STRIKE by members of Britain’s biggest rail union working in the control room of the Docklands Light Railway has been suspended after the company agreed to leave existing roster and leave arrangements in place pending the outcome of further talks.

Some 30 RMT members had been scheduled to begin a 24-hour stoppage at 13:05 on Monday in a dispute over changes to weekend working hours.

2009: What's On For Young Members

Submitted by Janine on 29 January, 2009 - 14:54

Joanne Parry, National Young Members Chair tells us what 2009 has in store for RMT Young Members

So far you have read articles on what our young members got up to in 2008. So what’s in store for 2009? Well your union needs you!

You don’t have to be an established rep or an activist to take part in any of the activities below you just have to be a paying member who is willing to find out a bit more about the union and mix with folk your own age.

What would you say, if I said, You could go to Music Festivals for FREE!! Read on...

Submitted by Admin on 29 January, 2009 - 14:28

From RMT Vision volume 1 issue 1

Tickets for the best music festivals are always in short supply and can be very expensive but RMT can help... and it won’t cost you a penny!

Throughout 2009 RMT Young Members will be looking for volunteers to work as bar staff at some of the UK’s greatest music festivals to help raise money for the RMT young members fund. The money raised is then used for organising events and courses for Young Members to help keep the cost of future YM activities to the bare minimum.

Huge job losses on London Underground will be resisted, says RMT

Submitted by Admin on 29 January, 2009 - 14:00

RMT press release, issued today

ANY THREAT of forced redundancies of RMT members at TfL and London Underground will be resisted, the capital’s biggest tube and rail union said today.

In response to news that at least 1,000 jobs would be cut and fears that thousands more were under threat, RMT said that any move attempt to impose compulsory redundancies would be met with a ballot for industrial action.