Organising

RMT news – Essential reading for today ’s transport worker UNITY: GNR and jarvis RMT members of the Berwick Rail branch, which reports an increase in activities and a healthy turn out at branch meetings. Recruitment and organisation are a priority for this growing branch. All grades together Organising in Watford ORGANISING: Stewart outside the City Link depot at Hemel Hempstead - part of the Tiger Haulage franchise. MEMBERS of Edinburgh No1 branch (above) launched a very successful organising week that took place throughout Scotland. Branch activists went through the branch register and worked out priority targets for recruitment. The organising unit had already delivered recruitment materials which were all distributed in a very busy week. Many new members were instantly signed up and the local activists anticipated many more completed membership forms being returned in the next few weeks. Activist Mark Nothard said that a bit of graft would ensure that RMT was at its strongest. “We had a really positive response from pretty much all the workers we spoke to and it’s great to hear that we have taken our branch to over 1,000 members but we know have a lot of work still to do,” he said. Kelly Griffiths added that the branch was a bit surprised with the low levels of membership in some companies. “The time we spent ploughing through the branch print out was well worth it as it gave us even more reason to get stuck in. “We all enjoyed the week and once you get started, recruiting new members gives you a really good feeling and I’m already looking forward to covering Scotrail induction classes in the near future,” she said. The branch has committed itself to carrying our regular recruitment activities in its branch plan. WATFORD branch secretary Stewart Cameron is keen to ensure that all grades in his branch are properly organised. Stewart has viisted his local City Link depot a couple of times along with Alan Pottage of the organsiing unit. “I never realised the diversity of members in my branch. Now that I am Branch Secretary I want to ensure that all members are properly taken care of - regardless of who they work for,” Stewart said. “I was aware of the new recruitment strategy that Bob Crow has introduced and now I can see with my own eyes the potential that exists,” he said. He said that, having spoken to City Link workers, it is obvious that they need the help of RMT more than most. “I never realised workers had such poor terms and conditions and no wonder they are all angry with the way they are treated. Their low pay won’t improve with the lousy two per cent just imposed by the employer,” he said. Stewart has already signed up for the organising week for his regional council later this year but he will be making every effort to mobilise branch activists between now and then to get around as many workplaces as possible. 4 Edinburgh branch over 1000 strong