Wales TUC supports tonnage tax campaign

RMT news – Essential reading for today ’s transport worker RMT was represented at the Wales TUC in Llandudno in April by Peter Skelly, Owen Herbert, Regional organiser Brian Curtis, Council of Executives member Mark Facey, President Tony Donaghey and General Secretary Bob Crow. The RMT motion calling for re-nationali- sation of the railways and an end to the present fragmented nature of the privatised network gained overwhelming support. Wales TUC also gave its full support to the RMT campaign to link the tonnage tax to seafarers’ jobs. Conference backed an RMT amendment calling for the minimum wage to be applied for seafarers. Bob Crow also spoke in support of a Swansea trades council motion demanding the repeal of the anti-trade union laws. An RMT emergency motion calling for a public enquiry into the events surrounding the Tebay tragedy and the need for corporate manslaughter legislation was also passed. On the international front, RMT won backing for a call by regional organiser Brian Curtis for the Wales TUC to give all practical support to the development of free trade unions in Iraq. It was also pleasing that Brian was once again re-elected to the Wales TUC General Council and Wales TUC Executive. Welsh TUC supports tonnage tax campaign THE 107th annual Scottish Trade Union Congress in Glasgow was attended by 420 delegates, representing 45 affiliated trade unions with 30 affiliated trade union councils. The total affiliated membership to the STUC now stands at 627,478 trade unionists. A key feature of Congress was the launch of the Union’s Work Campaign, targeting workers who are not in recognised trade unions. A massive campaign has been launched covering pay, terms and conditions, fairness, health and safety, equal opportunities, security in employment, support for representatives, training, equality, dignity, holidays and pensions. The STUC noted that it represented a formidable challenge and a lot of the campaigning work and research material was presented to Congress. RMT members appeared in the launch video and explained the benefits of trade union membership, particularly belonging to the RMT union that has been successful in pursuing litigation claims on their behalf. In line with union policy, RMT had resolutions on the agenda in relation to re-nationalisation and the war in Iraq. RMT had a motion on the shipping industry and one on trade union and employment rights, moved by regional organiser Phil McGarry. RMT also submitted two emergency motions, one on the Northlink tendering, moved by Leith Shipping branch delegate Brian Reynolds, and one on the Tebay tragedy, moved by RMT President, Tony Donaghey, as well as two amendments on low pay and educating youth. General Secretary Bob Crow moved the composite on rail re-nationalisation and Phil McGarry moved the composite on shipping. North Clyde branch delegate Janet Cassidy participated in the debate over Iraq and Edinburgh & Portobello branch delegate Michael Hogg moved the amendment on low pay, whilst Stirling & Falkirk Branch delegate Dave King moved the amendment on the youth committee motion with regards to educating young people on the benefits of trade unionism. RMT received good press coverage over its motions. The STUC delegation now comprises of 11 members as a result of increased membership. This is down to the efforts of all branches and the recruitment team. Phil McGarry was re-elected onto the STUC General Council. “The initiative by the STUC in relation to the Union’s Work Campaign will greatly assist our own recruitment and retention efforts and we can call upon the expertise of the STUC to lend assistance in any campaign initiatives that we consider relevant,” Phil said. Many thanks to Dougie Kinnear for acting as a Teller. Employment rights debated at STUC Congress RMT vistors and delegates at STUC Glasgow from left to right: Stuart Hyslop, Janet Cassidy, John McDougall, Harry Bygate, Brian Reynolds, Andy Gordon, Ronnie Moran, Jim Gray, Tony Donaghey, Bob Crow, Phil McGarry, Dougie Kinnear and Michael Hogg. 7