PROTECTING YOUR FUTURE

RMTnews :: april 2006 :: www.rmt.org.uk 18 A key issue that kept cropping up at this year’s young members conference was the future of pensions. It is increasingly worrying for all, but it was felt that this generation of the working class will suffer in the future with a ‘work ‘til you drop’ attitude which is rapidly developing. Ross Marshall, Central Line West delegate warned that young people were going to be seriously effected and action must be taken now to stop this government taking away any chance to retire with respect and dignity. Assistant general secretary Pat Sikorski also expressed his deep concerns to delegates. “In the past, although the rail industry had poor working conditions and low pay, they recruited and kept staff by two major positives, free travel and a good pension. “Since privatisation, our travel privileges have been severely cut and now it seems our pensions are now at threat and we cannot afford to let that happen,” he said. Dave Collins, Council of Executives spoke about the need for branch secretaries to encourage young members to meetings to help develop union involvement as well as becoming more confident within their workplace and knowing their rights. “It is clear that the people present here at this conference have good supportive branches but we must support this growth and encourage other branch secretaries to become more aware of young members in their branch and we need to look into ways of doing this,” he said. Dave Giles, Jubilee South and East London Line delegate said: “If each branch secretary were to write to each young branch member, they would find, as my branch secretary did, a few new members turning up to the branch meetings”. SOLIDARITY As Plymouth No. 1 delegate I said that developing solidarity amongst young workers in the UK and across Europe was important. “Although everyone knows that rail privatisation has not worked, European governments are still plotting to get rid of the public ownership of their railways,” I said. I said the union should unite with others all other Europe to help campaign against privatisation, the exploitation of workers and help develop emerging unions. It was agreed that a European Young Members Council would be the perfect solution in this fight. Conference thanked Jamie Lines who stepped in at the last minute to be acting chair due to unforeseen circumstances and led the conference exceedingly well. Next year’s conference is to be held in London and Brian Bancroft was voted in to be chair, so the conference will be in safe hands. If you wish to know more about the activities young members contact your branch secretary or get in touch with the Ray Spry-Shute at head office. This is your union so I would urge all young members to get involved to fight together to protect your future in the workplace. PROTECTING YOUR FUTURE Nick Quirk reports from this year’s young members’ conference in Glasgow, which proved to be another step forward in generating new young activists