A STRATEGY FOR GROWTH

RMTnews :: february 2006 :: www.rmt.org.uk 18 Incorporating The MacPhail Lawrence Partnership. 65 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 2DD. e-mail: mail@drummond-miller.co.uk website: www.drummond-miller.co.uk > Injuries at work > Post traumatic stress disorder > Repetitive strain injury > Road traffic accidents > Vibration white finger > Criminal injuries claims Experts in Employment Law, Accident and Injury Claims > Asbestos related diseases > Unfair dismissal > Discrimination > Conveyancing - Estate Agency > Wills & Executries > Family Law Telephone 0141 332 0086 - Glasgow Drummond Miller Drummond Miller ARE PLEASED TO OFFER OUR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO THE RAILWAY, MARITIME & TRANSPORT WORKERS’ TRADE UNION. Legal services helpline for Scottish & North East England members - freephone 0800 328 1014 Every RMT region has been developing and planning recruitment activities to ensure that every transport worker is encouraged to join the union. The aim is to have active workplace representatives in every workplace and for the union to educate, train and fully support local union reps. The bigger the union gets, the better it can protect and improve members' jobs, pay, pensions and conditions. ORGANISE Organising is about more than just recruitment – it’s about building an active RMT organisation in the workplace and making sure that the organisation is self-sufficient and sustainable. The union co-ordinates organising campaigns, supporting the vital day-to-day work done by workplace reps, and the RMT organising unit has been created to give maximum support and assistance. Workplace reps are the best people to explain the benefits of RMT membership to non- members. Therefore, new reps receive training as soon as possible to build sustainable union structures in the workplace. A larger membership gives RMT members a greater influence, thus improving the union’s ability to achieve positive results for working people. INDUCTION COURSES A part of the strategy is to address staff induction courses and inform new workers of their rights and eligibility to join a trade union. You can assist by informing your regional offices the dates of forthcoming induction courses. If you find out that RMT was represented at an induction course it is important to inform your regional organiser or your branch secretary. The organising unit has produced a free 52-page guide to help members who address such induction courses on behalf of the union. This includes a handy seven minute DVD, presented by comedian and activist Mark Thomas, which can be shown during the class itself. RECRUITING Regional councils carry out regular recruitment activities at least one day a week. This involves activists visiting workplaces to recruit members. Site visits also raise the profile of the union and keep the union in touch with issues that matter to staff. The union has also encouraged branches to draw up plans for local recruitment and organising. The includes working out the branch's potential membership, ensuring workplaces have reps, giving reps adequate training and ensuring reps have paid release to carry out their duties. The union has a stock of recruitment materials to assist branches in their work. RMT’s organising strategy seeks to improve its ability to recruit workers into the union and retain members once they have joined A STRATEGY FOR