8 Women members hold special conference

WOMEN’S committee chair Pauline Howe of Dover shipping branch explained to delegates that the meeting had been called by the executive committee in order to hear the views of female members. “We need to develop a membership-led campaign to increase women’s involvement in the union and represent what they want,” she said. General secretary Bob Crow made clear that as far as he was concerned all members were equal within the RMT and no member should suffer discrimination. “As long as there is discrimination against women there will be structures within the union, such as the women’s committee, to advise the executive committee,” he said. Plymouth delegate Pauline Harris said that her workplace was a very male environment but she got full support from her male colleagues when carrying out her union duties. “We need to give confidence to other women to get representation,” she said. Bristol delegate Glen Burrows said that many women faced prejudice and abuse every day and a lot of work still had to be done. Exeter branch delegate Carol Green pointed out that women wanted to be heard but they were very often isolated. “Employers will sometimes ignore a woman if she complains about health and safety for instance, but might listen more to another man,” she said. Helen Butler of Lincs Roadcar agreed and said that it was important to encourage women to talk to their union rep and get representation. Linda Wiles of Jubilee and East London Line said it was up to women to get their female colleagues involved and to support each other. Mary McNamara of European Passengers Services said it was time that women put themselves forward for positions within the union to increase representation. Cheryl Dennis of Wimbledon branch pointed out that some women are single mothers and may be more reluctant to speak out due to the fact they are the sole bread winners and losing their jobs would be disastrous. Jacquie McQuade of Feltham branch suggested there should be a women’s page in the union journal to encourage interest amongst the entire union membership in women’s issues. Conference agreed and encouraged delegates to put pen to paper (see page 27). G Female members interested in raising an issue should send material to Unity House or email bdenny@rmt.org.uk Women members hold special conference RMT women members gathered in London last month to discuss how to increase the activity, role and participation of female transport workers within the union SISTERS: Women delegates from around the country meeting in London last month MEDIA smears against the union continued last month with a scurrilous article in The Sunday Times containing serious allegations against RMT officials, which were repeated by The Sun and The Daily Express. All claimed that union officials held a “boozy” night in a Gloucestershire hotel at the expense of RMT members. Defamation claims have been lodged as the reports were factually incorrect and unsupportable as fair comment. All social aspects of the scheduled meeting of RMT officials were paid for by personal contributions from the officers attending. The proprietor also confirmed that staff were duped by a Sunday Times reporter, posing as an RMT accountant, into faxing a copy of the bill. The hotel also pointed out that the RMT party had behaved impeccably. RMT lawyers have also launched proceedings for libel against Lib Dem mayoral candidate Simon Hughes and the Evening Standard following damaging and untrue allegations about Bob Crow’s role on the board of Transport for London. Hughes claimed in the paper that Bob Crow pocketed £23,000 from TfL and never turned up to meetings. However, Bob donates the money – the entitled salary of any TfL board member which is less than half the £23,000 quoted – directly to charity, mainly to the RMT Orphans’ Fund. Bob has attended ten TfL board and panel meetings or given apologies. “When I was appointed to the board I made it quite clear that my first duty as general secretary of RMT was to the members of the union,” he said. Readers will remember that The Mail on Sunday is also embroiled in police corruption charges following the publication of an article detailing how Bob Crow travelled to work by scooter during a Tube dispute. Charges have been brought relating to how the details of the owner of scooter, which are confidential under the Data Protection Act, found their way to the offices of a national newspaper. The Evening Standard was forced to publicly apologise to the union in 2002 for claiming that RMT was planning to take strike action on the first anniversary on the September 11 attacks on New York. Media in the dock over anti-union smears, again 8