RMT statement of support for Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell

Responding to Owen Smith’s comments that he had never heard John McDonnell lead on workers rights, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:

“When John was Chair of the RMT Parliamentary Group he was at the forefront of championing the rights of RMT members.
 
And John has been a stalwart for the wider Trade Union and Labour Movement as well. In 2008 he led  the parliamentary campaign to amend the Employment Bill to introduce fairer arrangements for industrial action.
 
In 2010 John came top of the Private Members Bill ballot and used this to seek to get the Lawful Industrial Action Bill through parliament which would have massively benefited workers.    Owen was an MP at that time and so he will know this.
 
And John does not just talk the talk, he walks the walk, which is why you will see John on the  picket lines. John has over many years consistently provided leadership on workers rights and always will.     

> RMT National News

Saturday, 22nd August
RMT members working at East Midlands Railway (EMR) will take further 48-hour strike action starting from Sunday August 30 over ongoing safety concerns and major train faults.
Friday, 21st August
Seafarers’ union RMT has secured another pay win for seafarers at Stena Line which represent uplifts of up to nearly 25 per cent in addition to the annual pay increase for 2026.
Thursday, 20th August
RAIL union RMT has called on the government to instruct Northern Trains to cease trials that reduce gate line operations.
Thursday, 20th August
Seafarers union RMT today marked a significant victory for seafarers' pensions after P&O Ferries paid over £90 million it owed to the Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund (MNRPF).
Friday, 14th August
English Heritage has installed a blue plaque at the former Notting Hill home of Asquith Xavier (1920–1980), the railway worker whose determination to challenge racial discrimination helped bring an end to an unofficial ‘colour bar’ at London’s Euston Station.