Activists’ corner

TWO RMT members on South Eastern Trains, Brian Whitehead and Ken Slade, put up a good show in recent train driver company council elections, with a positive and well-received approach that emphasised how second-level reps have to be responsive and accountable to their constituencies. It was a creditable result, with 110 votes cast for Brian and 101 for Ken. RMT now has close to 100 driver members on SET, and Brian and Ken, along with the national union, are planning to ensure that our members are well-represented at discipline and grievance hearings. In 1998 with the advent of the Traincrew agreement, many RMT guard members took the opportunity to become drivers and, as a result, a number joined Aslef – although some remained in RMT and some took up dual membership. In recent months, many have been returning to RMT. The reasons for this are many and varied, but if you think back to the start of the Traincrew agreement, most of us believed that there would by now be only one industrial union for all railway grades. It is possible to understand why people think this is taking just a wee bit too long to achieve, although of course it remains RMT policy. This union believes in industrial trade unionism which welcomes workers from all grades and transport sectors. Regardless of the job they do they are part of the union and RMT believes in the old slogan unity in strength. Unity is the only way to resist employers that seek to divide and rule where ever they can. RMT believes that the strong must help the weak and, furthermore, more can be achieved together rather than divided into sectional interests. On South Eastern Trains, RMT is leading the fight to keep the region’s network within the public sector, under control of the Strategic Rail Authority, in the interests of all rail workers. And increasingly many drivers are beginning to see the benefits of such an approach. To those drivers who have come back on board, we say: Welcome back! Members can rest assured that RMT will provide first-class representation to anyone who needs it. Driver’s can call the RMT helpline on 0800 376 3706 for assistance. Welcome back to train drivers RMT News – Activist’s Corner Southern representative on the Council of Executives Paul Cox welcomes train drivers back into RMT in his region Edwards Duthie Solicitors has a special affinity with trade unions, their members and officials. We have advised union members and their families for some 22 years, to the point where we now serve some 40,000 members across 230 branches nationwide. We have a dedicated team which serves RMT members, their families and friends. Unlike our competitors, we offer a full range of legal services, many of which are free or heavily discounted for union members : G PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS G SPECIALIST CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE TEAM G EXPERT ADVICE ON ALL ASPECTS OF EMPLOYMENT LAW G 24 HOUR CRIMINAL ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION G FREE WILLS SERVICE FOR MEMBERS G 10% DISCOUNT ON RESIDENTIAL CONVEYANCING G LAW SOCIETY SPECIALISTS IN FAMILY AND MATRIMONIAL ADVICE G FREE HALF HOUR INTERVIEW IN ALL AREAS OF LAW Our approach is both proactive and hands on. Our lawyers go to see members and officials at the workplace, at home, at union premises or wherever discussion can best be accommodated nationwide. We are here to provide a service and, unlike our competitors, we do not consider that we can do that from a remote standpoint. RING NOW FOR ADVICE & ASSISTANCE ON 0208 514 9000 email: allinfo@edwardsduthie.com In partnership with the 36