ORGANISING TRANSPORT WORKERS

RMTnews :: june 2006 :: www.rmt.org.uk 20 Over the last two years the union continues to grow and the organising weeks are very much an important part of this successful strategy. Many more such weeks are planned for the rest of the year as well as ‘introduction days’ for new and prospective representatives. It’s important that the union continues to build proper workplace organisation through a democratic reps structure. PAID RELEASE All regional offices have been supplied with a ‘pro-forma letter’ to make it easier for elected representatives to apply for paid release. These letters should be submitted to management four weeks prior to the organising week. Any difficulties should be reported to the regional organiser in order for them to be dealt with. In 2004, the South East Regional Council managed to get about fifty reps some form of paid release. Last year, RMT managed to get 63 RMT reps paid release in the South West. It is vitally important that all reps apply for release. PLANNING Regional Councils who felt they had successful weeks were those who had spent the most time planning in advance. At least three planning meetings should be held before each organising week. Local propaganda is also very important. The union now has a large selection of propaganda and materials produced by the Organising Unit that is sent out free of charge to activists. However, each Regional Council should produce a leaflet showing local contact details of key officials, reps and activists. Every office is a resource centre with desk top publishing and colour-copying facilities to use and staff have been trained to produce top quality materials. Alan Pottage of the organising unit said that it was a welcome indication of the growing success of the strategy that Regional Councils are now holding additional weeks. The South East Regional Council are holding two, the Regional Council in Scotland are holding four and Wessex and South West Regional Council are planning to hold one main organising week and nineteen further organising weeks. ORGANISING UNIT ORGANISING TRANSPORT WORKERS The union’s organising weeks continue to be a success, promising to make 2006 RMT’s best organised year to date REGIONAL COUNCIL ORGANISING WEEKS 19.06.06 South West & Wessex Regional Council (Phil Bialyk/Alan Pottage) 17.07.06 South Wales & South West Regional Council (Brian Curtis/Rob Conlin) 21.08.06 North East Regional Council (Stan Herschel/ John Milligan) 04.09.06 Scotland Regional Council WEEK 3 (Phil McGarry/IanMacintyre/Donald Graham) 18.09.06 London & Anglia Regional Council (Bob Rayner/Carolyn Siddall) 23.10.06 Midlands Regional Council (Ken Usher/Gerry Hitchen) 6.11.06 Scotland Regional Council WEEK 4 (Phil McGarry/Ian Macintyre/Donald Graham) 20.11.06 Manchester & North West Regional Council (Andy Warnock-Smith/John Milligan) BUILDING WORKPLACE ORGANISATION The dates below are for an initial ‘introduction’ to the role of RMT workplace representative. These days are held in the region shortly after each organising week. The relevant regional organiser will be responsible for arranging release of the activist to attend. He will also notify the new representative of the course details two weeks prior to the course date. Then a more in-depth two-day training course will follow that will be held within six weeks of the one day introduction. Dates and venues are to be confirmed. The aim is to give all new reps three days training within a few months of coming into contact with the union. New/prospective RMT rep training days 13.06.06 Scotland Regional Council (Donald Graham) 04.07.06 South East Regional Council (Carolyn Siddall) 01.08.06 South West & Wessex Regional Council (Alan Pottage) 22.08.06 South Wales & South West Regional Council (Rob Conlin) 26.09.06 North East Regional Council (John Milligan) 31.10.06 London & Anglia Regional Council (Carolyn Siddall) 28.11.06 Midlands Regional Council (Gerry Hitchen) 19.12.06 Manchester & North West Regional Council (John Milligan)