YOUNG MEMBERS

RMTnews :: december 2005 4 Open six days a week Mon to Fri - 8am until 6pm, Sat - 9.30am to 4pm e-mail: info@rmt.org.uk Legal helpline: 0800 587 7516 Seven days a week Members Helpline Freephone 0800 376 3706 The structures for young RMT members, including the annual conference and the liaison committee, are very young themselves and have only been up and running a few years. Some may think that a young members' group is a waste of time and money. However, thankfully, most people have been very supportive towards us as a group. We have held two conferences, one in Plymouth and more recently in Nottingham. Various issues have been raised including a review of the union’s funding and a recognition that the group was for all grades within the transport industry. We have a very active core of young members who have been pushing for recognition and support. I’m happy to say our numbers are growing and within a few years we will have a strong voice in the union. This is to ensure that young members are retained, developed and educated in the ways of trade unionism. Aside from the obvious point that young members are the future of the union, young people make up an increasing proportion of the membership. Years ago, when unions were stronger, young members would quite rightly be told to watch and learn from older members. However, anti-trade union laws brought in by Margaret Thatcher in the 1980’s have changed that process and many young people have never even heard about trade unions let alone joined one. Increasingly, management tactics include blackmail and threatening behaviour, using strong-arm tactics such as sackings and pay cuts. They often target young members due to the fact they may not know their rights or where they stand under the law. To cite a recent shocking example, a train crew member was assaulted on a train and was sacked “for his own protection”. Luckily, he contacted his local rep and was re-instated thanks to some hard work by our union. This is the nature of our world today and our concepts of fair employment and safety at work are under attack by employers. The purpose of the young members’ group is to inform and educate young and new members about what a union stands for and of their rights work and we need your help. You need to tell members in your area that we exist and can help them to understand the complexities of the union. If we all want a more secure industry and a brighter future we need to nurture the next generation of activists from the silent thousands who are unaware we exist. If you would like more information about the activities of young RMT members please contact Ray Spry-Shute at head office or ring me on 07915372886. RMT DIVER WINS TAXING CASE An RMT diver has won an Inland Revenue Tax tribunal case, with the help of the union, over the employment of his wife. Divers and diving supervisors work on a freelance basis with UK companies with no contract of employment, but their rate of pay is set by the Offshore Diving Industry Agreement with RMT, which has been in place since 1984. Divers and Diving Supervisors have, since 1978, been allowed by statute to be classed as employees for National Insurance purposes but are allowed to be taxed as self- employed for tax purposes. This allows personnel to offset a number of legitimate expenses before they are taxed on their remaining income. The Inland Revenue challenged the expense of the diver employing his wife to perform a number of administrative and clerical duties and provide the employee the benefit in kind of child-care facilities. The Inland Revenue claimed that the expense was not applicable under section 74 of the Taxes Act. The case went to tribunal and the diver concerned was represented by RMT member Derek Moore who has built up a considerable knowledge of tax and revenue regulations. The union argued that the expense was legal in that the relationship was that of an employer and an employee, not husband and wife. After listening to all the arguments, the tribunal found in favour of the diver and allowed the expenses in full. Derek Moore said that it was a great victory for the rights of divers and diving supervisors to employ a person to assist in their work. “It clearly shows that, with RMT support, members have access to services beyond the usual claims for pay awards,” he said. YOUNG MEMBERS AND THE UNION Young members’ liaison committee member Brian Bancroft looks at the role youth can play in the union YOUTH COURSE: Young RMT members with general secretary Bob Crow at this year’s youth course which is run alongside the union’s AGM every year.