PARLIAMENTARY REPORT

Parliamentary column • Following the Grayrigg derailment, the union has written to the Secretary of State seeking a public enquiry into the similar circumstances that led to both the Grayrigg and Potters Bar Derailments. RMT’s Parliamentary group is actively supporting this call. • The rail unions and the TUC are meeting rail minister Tom Harris this month to discuss plans for a long-term rail strategy which the government is expected to publish in June or July. The union’s executive will be discussing proposals for a national rail campaign and an RMT Parliamentary rail seminar is being arranged for May or June. • Following the crisis surrounding First Great Western’s performance running the franchise, a meeting between the Parliamentary group, interested Great Western MPs and minister Tom Harris has been arranged for April 24. The group has also put down Early Day Motion 311 calling for the franchise to be returned to public ownership. • Despite protests from passengers, councillors, London Assembly members, MPs and other s, the Rail Passenger Council and London TravelWatch have approved cuts in ticket office opening hours. • The Department for Transport is reviewing whether to allow trials of Longer Heavy Goods Vehicles (LHVs). The two types of applications undergoing research, which is due to report back in summer 2007, are for maximum weights of 60 and 84 tonnes. Early Day Motion 730 has been put down against the plans. • RMT’s Parliamentary working group, supported by senior communities and Local government civil servants, has reached agreement to retain the regulations introduced after the 1987 Kings Cross Fire, which are not covered by the 2005 Fire Safety Order. The working group’s recommendations are being sent to the minister Angela Smith. Unions and the TUC have met the Minister and she stated she wished to achieve a consensus on the issue. EDM 133 has been put down in support of the campaign. • Private companies MTR Laing and Govia have been short-listed to run the London Rail concession which will include the East London Line, with a decision expected in the summer. At least eight different companies will be involved in the operations, maintenance and renewals of the concession. Using the Freedom of Information Act, RMT has obtained the Invitation to Tender Documents and minutes showing that it was originally the intention to keep the service in the public sector. EDM 286 has been put down in support of the campaign. • The government is set to produce a draft bill to make it easier for local authorities to regulate buses and a final bill will be published in November. The union is seeking to ensure terms and conditions are protected under any new arrangements. The union and the Parliamentary group are meeting Bus Minister Gillian Merron soon on the issue (see page 12/13). • The union will be holding a week-long political school on October 15 to 19 at the new RMT education centre in Doncaster. This will include a day in the House of Commons introducing the work of RMT’s Parliamentary group and a discussion on how Parliament can be used to support RMT campaigns. PARLIAMENTARY REPORT www.rmt.org.uk :: april 2007 :: RMTnews 9 R MT parliamentary group chair John McDonnell MP put down Early Day Motion 1125 in the House of Commons calling on the government to give trade union environmental representatives the same rights at work as other trade union representatives. The EDM follows warnings set out in the Stern Report about the potential economic effects of climate change and the Department of Trade and Industry’s review of facility time made available for workplace representatives. Early Day Motions can be signed by MPs to show their support for a campaign or issue. Ask your MP to sign Early Day Motion 1125 below. CAMPAIGNING FOR WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENTAL REPS EDM 1125 “That this House notes the warnings set out in the Stern Report about the potential economic effects of climate change; strongly welcomes the fact that the Climate Change Bill will legislate to reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent. by 2050; believes that trades unions and their 6.7 million members have a vital role to play in this task by working for best environmental practice in the workplace by negotiating sustainable workplace agreements with employers; notes that the Department of Trade and Industry is currently reviewing facilities and facility time for workplace representatives; and urges the Government to use this review to respond positively to the campaign for trade union environmental representatives to be given the same rights at work as other trade union representatives”.