CAMPAIGNING FOR YOU

Parliamentary column 9 www.rmt.org.uk :: september 2006 :: RMTnews As RMT News goes to press, the union will be meeting the new Secretary of State for Transport Douglas Alexander MP. He has overall responsibility for transport policy and RMT representatives will discuss areas of mutual interest. The union will be seeking to raise concerns such as the structure of the railways, the future rail white paper, the environmental case for rail, bus regulation and the continued exploitation of seafarers. The union is continuing to hold a series of meetings with Minister for Transport Dr Stephen Ladyman MP. His primary responsibilities include the shipping industry and the union is pressing the minister on key issues such as the tonnage tax, work permits, the exemption of non-UK seafarers from the Race Relations Act and minimum wage and boat master regulations. Derek Twigg MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, has day-to-day responsibility for the railways. RMT has already assisted in successfully arguing the case for Northern rail, for union involvement in transport security and against the fragmentation of Network Rail operations in Merseyside. While the union has had a constructive dialogue on railway pensions and the environmental case for rail, it is still vigorously arguing for public ownership of the railways and an end to powers that give the government the option of supporting train operating companies during disputes. Angela Smith MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Communities and Local Government, has responsibilities that will decide the future of the fire safety regulations introduced after the Kings Cross fire. RMT had successfully lobbied her predecessors to delay the abolition of the regulations and for further discussion before a final decision is made. The union is seeking an urgent meeting to continue to make the case for the retention of these essential regulations. Following devolution, the Scottish Parliament and Executive has responsibility for most of Scotland’s transport policy. The union, together with the STUC, has an on-going dialogue with the Scottish Transport Minister Tavish Scott MSP on issues such as a new transport strategy for Scotland, the role of the Scottish Executive in industrial relations and the future of Caledonian MacBrayne lifeline ferry services. RMT representatives have also been working with the Wales TUC to lobby Andrew Davies AM, the Welsh Transport Minister, and to discuss the new devolution of powers under the Government of Wales Act. You can find out how you can support RMT campaigns by visiting the “Events and Campaigns” section of the RMT website. CAMPAIGNING FOR YOU RMT works with its Parliamentary Group and regularly meets Ministers across Britain to lobby on you behalf T ube drivers on London Underground’s Jubilee Line are being balloted for industrial action over the “blatantly unfair” sacking of a fellow driver. RMT member Raj Nathvani, a driver with eight-and-a-half years’ experience who had never previously passed a signal at danger or been involved in any safety-related incident, was dismissed after reporting that he had overrun a signal. When Raj over-ran a signal he reported it to his controller and proceeded at caution. “Ahead of him were green signals and no points, but he was sacked without mercy,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said. The union pointed out that other drivers who haD made similar errors are still driving, and some managers who have made errors have not been disciplined at all. “LUL has breached their own procedures by refusing Raj a union rep until the actual disciplinary was heard, and by collecting evidence against him in casual emails from other staff members,” Bob said. London regional organiser Bobby Law said that RMT branch secretary and Wembley Park rep Les Bruty has now also been put on a gross disciplinary charge for a minor incident while he was driving an empty train. “Les Bruty is being disciplined for a procedure used by Jubilee Line drivers every day, and without which no train would ever leave the depot,” he said. JUBILEE LINE TUBE DRIVERS BALLOTED OVER UNFAIR SACKING