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Our range of merchandise has been extended again. We have secured a range of quality cargo pants at a special low price and are pleased to pass this on to members at £11.99 plus post and packing. We now have available durable nylon Wallets at only £1.99 and stylish Bronx hats at only £3.99 plus post and packing. Men’s and women’s watches are now at half price £9.99. Visit our web shop to see the full range. Buying couldn’t be easier. You can:G Buy on line at www.rmt.org.uk. Payment can be made by credit or debit card using a secure link. G Telephone your order to our members helpline on freephone 0800 376 3706 and pay by credit or debit card G Complete the tear off slip below and send with your cheque Support and promote your union by buying and displaying these items with our famous logo. RMT launch new merchandise! Name....................................................................................................... Address.................................................................................................... ..................................................................Postcode................................. ❑ Polo Shirts £8 plus 75p postage ❑ Parker Frontier Pen set £16.99 - free postage ❑ Knitted Bronx hats £3.99 plus 50p post and packing ❑ Football shirt £99 plus £75 postage ❑ RMT Ties £4.50 plus 50p post and packing ❑ Nylon Wallets 1.99 Plus P&P 50p ❑ Gents and Ladies Watches to clear £4.99 ❑ Women’s Rain Jacket £27.99 plus £4.00 postage plus £1.00 postage ❑ RMT mugs £3.00 plus 0.75p postage ❑ Scarfs xx plus £xx post and packing ❑ Inherit the World T Shirt £11.99 plus 75p postage xzzxzxzx ❑ RMT briefcase £14.99 plus 2.00p postage 24 T HIS time of year is RMT grades conference season, where all our sections meet to discuss particular issues in the lead up to the unions Annual General Meeting. Our not so active members often ask: what happens at these various grade or section conferences? Well, I have had the pleasure of attending some this year, and I think the particular problems got excellent and widespread discussion and debate to be followed by chats and bar debates in friendly atmospheres in the evenings. The women’s conference at Poole in early March witnessed mature debate on what is the most import problem for our women members – that of childcare – the view being that it is about time that employers and indeed the government took this seriously. This is of particular importance in the transport industry which has the added problem of shift working which many of our women are having to contend with. I say women as childcare is thought of a women’s issue but it is a question for everybody, including men. Governments these days seem to play lip service to equality and the role of women in this “flexibile” economy, without providing an equal playing field in terms of childcare. However, this should be high on the election agenda. Our women members again asserted the fundamental right of women to choose on abortion and warned against any change in existing laws that would weaken their right as women to choose. I also attended the black and ethnic minority members conference in Birmingham and listened to an excellent address by Roger McKenzie who is the first black TUC regional secretary. Roger outlined his origins – coming to England in the sixties to the “black country” where his father joined the P Way on British Railways in the Wolverhampton area. He outlined the racist problems his family experienced coming from the Caribbean to do valuable work for the country that many others didn’t want to do. Roger went on to join the trade union movement and become an activist, pointing out that all is not well as the BNP is still raising its ugly head. Roger inspired members by pointing out that black and ethnic workers should be proud of their contribution to the country and demand recognition as an equal right. Our young members met in Nottingham to highlight the fact that whilst most of us think that life is easy for the young – that is not the case. In this rat race life just getting a roof over your head is no easy task as getting a mortgage is very difficult since council houses are not being built and existing stock is being sold off. This is leading to young people to move away from their communities. The feeling was that trade unions perhaps do not understand young people and that we “oldies” should do more to listen and involve them, - is there a lesson there? Our Retired members met recently – pointing out that all of us will sooner or later be retired and therefore we should join them in fighting for decent pensions by restoring the link between pensions and average earnings. Retirement for men and women should be sixty unless they wish to work longer – why should people not enjoy a secure and happy retirement after a life of long toil and sweat? TONY DONAGHEY Equality on the agenda 25 Send form to Finance Dept RMT, Unity House, 39 Chalton St. London NW1 1JD HALF PRICE £4.99 RMT news – President’s column