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LETTERS RMTnews :: july/august 2006 :: www.rmt.org.uk 36 Dear editor, It seems like every issue of RMT News carries an article in praise of Cuba or North Korea. Of course RMT News should cover international issues, but to me, 'internationalism' means solidarity with workers and trade unionists, not with the governments that rule over them. I would like to see reports from independent trade unions in these countries. But they do not exist, because the regimes do not allow them. Cuba's improvements in health and literacy are welcome, and I completely oppose the USA's blockade. And I am sure we all oppose a war against North Korea. But that does not mean that we have to delude ourselves that these states are socialist paradises. Far from it. Think on: In Cuba or North Korea, the union could not even publish RMT News without the state having a veto over its contents. I think most readers want a trade union magazine that sticks up for workers whatever country they live in and whichever government or employer attacks them. Yours in solidarity Janine Booth Letting members decide Dear Editor, I read with some interest the article in the last issue of the RMT news entitled, ‘Aslef accuse RMT of poaching’. For many years now the argument has been who is poaching from whom, but I personally feel the argument is now rather moot. It is not sufficient for Aslef to consider themselves to be ‘the union for drivers’ and just expect all drivers to gravitate to them. In our currant climate we demand value for money from any product. The argument surrounding membership of a union is even more prevalent given that it is an individual’s livelihood we are talking about. The loyalty that Aslef demand from its members is not something that can be simply accepted anymore, it has to be earned. At Heathrow Express, I have seen the drivers despair as Aslef have sold them ‘down the river’ with secret deals and agreed terms behind closed doors. How can they possibly demand loyalty from their members when they are disloyal to the very principals on which trade unions were founded. All the pamphlets and handouts in the world will not win over a satisfied member. However, give that same pamphlet to someone who has had his pay deal decided for them and he or she will think twice about moving to another union. That’s not disloyalty, that’s plain common sense. Failure to be led by your members is the fault of individual unions and not of another union that has those concepts at its heart. Bob Crow has made great strides for this union, supporting the membership and placing in our hands the strength and ability to see any problem through. Is it, therefore, RMT’s fault that members of other unions desire that kind of support for themselves? Dinosaurs died out because they were unable to adapt to the changing environment around them. RMT, as the strong and united force it has become under the present leadership, has nothing to fear from an old dinosaur blindly stumbling towards the graveyard. Sally Jenkins