PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

www.rmt.org.uk :: january 2006 :: RMTnews 25 I would like to start by wishing all members every success in 2006. We begin a New Year optimistically, building on our advances and successes over the previous year. RMT is on a sound footing and widely appreciated as an open campaigning and challenging union. A union that tries its best to represent its members on pay, conditions, working hours, pensions, health and safety as well as providing excellent legal and benefit services in the difficult circumstances that transport workers can find themselves. No doubt new challenges will appear during the next twelve months, and nobody in the transport industry should be without the protection and representation of this union. We hope to provide and improve representation and meet the needs of our members. One exciting venture will be the opening during this year our new Education Centre in Doncaster, where our local and regional representatives will receive first class education and training to enable them to provide first class representation in all areas. We need rank-and-file tutors from among our membership in the various modes of transport, so I would urge anyone thinking about taking up the challenge to teach others to fill out the application forms when they become available. Bear in mind that full training will be provided. We are continually improving and reviewing cash benefits, including orphan fund benefit. accident benefit and death grants and others which are, sadly to say, still necessary in the 21st century. We are also improving general services to members – we now have an improved help-line and a new website which has gone on- line this month staffed by a new website manager. We have recently appointed two more relief organisers to provide a better “out in the field” service to our branches. RMT is, of course, able to provide improvements due to the steady increase in members joining and an energetic programme of recruitment and retention. This is backed up by a responsible finance and budgeting regime. However, there are far too many transport still not being protected by a union so why not try to recruit a friend to RMT as a new year resolution? In my view, a major problem in the near future will be that of pensions. The valuations on most schemes are now known and they don’t make happy reading. RMT is adamant that pensions are a condition of service and workers should not be made to carry the can for deficits that are not of their making. It is important to remember that it will be the expert protection of a trade union during these important negotiations to defend and secure our existing final salary schemes for the future. Pensions should concern everyone, young and old and young people coming into transport should be given maximum encouragement to join the union and defend their interests. So come on board and get involved in the most democratic, open, transparent and fighting union in the country. Tony Donaghey President’s column MEETING THE CHALLENGE LONDON Saturday, and an evening meal and social event on Saturday night in central London. Further information about the conference, including information on registering as a British delegate, and sample invitation letters for European trade unionists in English, Spanish, and French, can be received by calling Campaigns Manager, Natasha Hickman on 0207 263 6452 or emailing campaigns@cuba-solidarity.org.uk takes? railway stations and providing shelter, food, healthcare and education. The countries in which it provides support include India, Mexico, UK, Zimbabwe and Russia, funding more than 50 projects. The Railway Children, in the 10 years since its start, has helped over 50,000 children. For more information, please contact the Railway Children events team – email – events@railwaychildren.org.uk, telephone 01270 251571. They expect places to go fast following the success of the Three Peaks Challenge, so don’t miss out!