PARLIAMENTARY COLUMN

Parliamentary column 9 www.rmt.org.uk :: june 2006 :: RMTnews Railways are increasingly being seen by many as one solution to the increasing threat of climate change and global warming. This is another boost to a rail industry that has increased passenger numbers consistently over the past nine years. It is a credit to all RMT members who work so hard to keep the trains running and ensure that travelling by train is a pleasant experience. My contention is that for rail transport to continue to increase traveller numbers, the railway has to not just be the cheapest and lowest carbon transport option but also the most appealing. It is this belief that feeds into my contention that Dundee rail station needs a massive overhaul. Dundee is quickly becoming a great Scottish city. There are a number of thriving industries, two great universities and in general a good feeling around the city. However, if you were to look at the station this would not be immediately apparent. In my opinion, a railway station is the first impression many people see of a city and also the last memory they have before they leave. Having a poor railway station simply gives people a bad impression of a good city. In addition, having a bad railway station discourages people from rail travel in the first place. How can we expect people to see the real benefits of travelling by train when the railway station is in such a state of disrepair? Quite simply, the railway station has to reflect the trains that run in and out of it. Another issue to consider is the working environment of those who work in the station. I have argued for most of my adult life that employees should be provided with good quality working environments. A good workplace encourages staff to take pride in their work, demonstrates an employer’s respect for those who work for them and doubtlessly increases productivity. With a poor workplace the opposite is the case. To my mind, Dundee station is a prime example of one which simply isn’t up to scratch. A substantial improvement to Dundee station is vitally important to the local economy. It is the right thing to do for those who work there, it is the crucial as we try and encourage people to leave their cars behind and take the train and it is central in any attempt to make Dundee a city ready for the 21st century. ACTION ON STATIONS R MT has disaffiliated from the Scottish Socialist Party after consulting the Scottish regional council and branches. The union has also decided not affiliate to the new Solidarity movement set up by former SSP leader Tommy Sheridan. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that it was clear that the SSP had been destablised and that it was no longer in the interests of the union to remain affiliated. Dundee West MP Jim McGovern argues that a good railway station is crucial for the future of the local economy, the employees who work in them and the future of the railway network E leven RMT members in Scotland were recently trained in Edinburgh to to take on the role local union representatives. Participants came from all parts of the transport industry including rail, bus and parcels. The course covered how to recruit new members, represent members at disciplinary hearings and conduct local level negotiations. RMT’s lay tutor Graham Buchanan (below) delivered the training along with the organising unit’s Donald Graham. Graham Buchanan, who has been a tutor for over 20 years, said that he was delighted to see huge improvements undertaken in the last few years. Alan Pottage of the union’s organising unit said that the aim was to put all reps through RMT’s new education centre at Doncaster so that new reps will get eight days training within a year. “That is going to make a huge difference,” he said. ORGANISING IN SCOTLAND RMT DISAFFILIATES FROM SSP