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OUR union’s historic AGM
decision in 2003
subsequently endorsed by
the 2004 Special General
Meeting resulted in a
number of Scottish
branches and the Regional
Council in Scotland
affiliating to the Scottish
Socialist Party.
This year’s annual SSP
conference saw another
historic moment when the
RMT presented resolutions
for the conference agenda
for the first since
affiliation.
The first resolution
moved by Jim Gray
(pictured) from the Council
of Executives and SSP
member gained unanimous
agreement and support for
the union’s campaign to
return rail to public
ownership and control.
The second resolution
covered our campaigns in
the maritime industry
including opposition to the
privatisation of Caledonian
MacBrayne ferry services,
for an increase in training
and employment for UK
seafarers and an end to
shipowners’ exemption to
the Race Relations Act.
The value of affiliation
becomes increasingly
evident. Not only does the
SSP share our aims and
policies but it is also
prepared to act on our
behalf and give support to
our campaigns.
Tommy Sheridan has
stood down as party
convenor but remains an
MSP. He will continue, as
he has always done, to
provide a valued voice on
behalf of our members.
The newly elected
convenor, Colin Fox, had
this to say about the
relationship between the
RMT and the SSP: “The
affiliation of RMT
represents a giant step for
the SSP into territory which
means we can see our
vision of a genuine mass
party being realised one
day soon.
“Only a party which can
claim to represent not just
railway workers, seafarers,
transport workers and their
families but the interests of
hundreds of thousands of
people across Scotland has
a chance of achieving our
goals.
“I had the great good
fortune to attend the recent
Cal Mac lobby of the
Scottish Parliament
organised by the union and
I look forward as the new
Convenor to a continued
close working relationship
with the RMT,” he said.
Jim Gray said that it was
marvellous to witness and
participate in a conference
attended by over 400
delegates from all parts of
Scotland united and
determined in their resolve
to bring justice and
fairness to all societies at
home and abroad.
RMT resolute at
SSP conference
By John Milligan
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