PRESIDENTS COLUMN

www.rmt.org.uk :: march 2007 :: RMTnews Every day we hear about the damage caused by global warming and the continuing growth in carbon emissions. I believe that it is not an exaggeration to say that the long- term existence of our planet could be under threat. However, the response from the politicians who govern us has so far left many people with an understandable level of deep scepticism. Media stunts and statements do not equate to a coherent policy on this important issue. The sight of politicians jumping on the band wagon and, in fact, saying very little always leaves a bad taste in the mouth of voters. Growing levels of road traffic and the continuing cuts in rail services and staff are not seriously being addressed. However, RMT has been arguing for a greener and more environmentally-friendly approach to transport issues for many years. The union has, with others, been calling for the development of an integrated transport network that could utilise and co-ordinate all modes of transport from rail, buses to waterways. The case for freight on rail and for the development of decent public transport to get people out of their cars is a core part of this union’s work. There always seems to be plenty resources and money to spend on bombing other countries and building weapons of mass destruction such as Trident. If the same level of determination, effort and resources were spent on the war on poverty and to save our environment we all depend upon, we could achieve our aspirations. However, the fatal rail crash at Grayrigg, Cumbria shows just how far we have to go. Just hours after the tragedy, it was staggering to witness that Sir Richard Branson had made his way to the crash site to demand that profit-hungry train operating companies should take over control of the track. It is becoming clearer by the day that the whole network should be re-unified, owned and operated in the public sector where it belongs. I was privileged to speak at the union’s well-attended health and safety conference last month in Blackpool. The sheer dedication of our health and safety reps out there in the workplace night and day at sea, on the railways and in road transport is something we should all be proud of. The debates were constructive and, at times, critical of the union. This open approach is vital if we are to represent the best interests of the members, which is what we should be all about. This is a young but growing conference and I was very pleased to attend. The Council of Executives has called a Special General Meeting this month to discuss the Offshore Industry Liaison Committee (OILC) merging with RMT. OILC was formed in 1988 in the aftermath of the Piper Alpha tragedy in which 167 offshore workers were killed. It has vigorously campaigned for better safety and conditions for offshore workers. The democratic point here is that rank-and-file members will debate and vote on the future of the union and that is only right and proper. John Leach For a green and democratic agenda President’s column A t least 65 people have been killed after a bomb attack aboard a train travelling from India to Pakistan. Passengers said they heard two blasts as the train passed near Panipat, about 50 miles north of Delhi, and a fire then swept through two carriages. The train is part of the "Friendship Express" service that takes passengers from Delhi to Lahore in Pakistan. Indian and Pakistani leaders denounced the attack as an act of terrorism aimed at disrupting their peace process. The blasts happened a day before Pakistan's foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri was due in Delhi for talks with Indian leaders. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf called for a full investigation by the Indian authorities but said the attack would not undermine peace efforts between the two nations. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed "anguish and grief" at the loss of life. The reaction from both governments suggests the prime suspects might be groups such as Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, the main Islamic terror groups who have been blamed for many high-profile bombings. Recent attacks on Delhi, Mumbai and Varanasi seemed designed to damage India's image abroad and stoke anti- Pakistan feeling inside India. The twice-weekly rail service from the Indian capital to Lahore was restarted in 2004 after a two-year gap as part of the peace process between the two countries. INDIAN RAIL BLAST