AGM STANDS FOR UNITY

It gives me great pleasure to report that this union’s annual general meeting in Edinburgh in June was very successful and productive. The importance, responsibility and function of the AGM cannot be overstated and it is defined within our rulebook as “the supreme government of the union”. My role at the AGM is to preside over the thorough debates on all the issues affecting the union that take place during the week. The policies agreed and the decisions taken by rank-and-file delegates are binding on the union and its national leadership. The role of the leadership is to make sure these decisions and policies are acted upon. This week-long conference gives activists from all grades and geographical areas of the union to meet, share their experiences and learn from each other. The reception committee and Edinburgh and Portobello district branch proved to be excellent conference hosts and made everyone feel welcome and comfortable for the week. Guests from sister unions around the world including the US, New Zealand, Finland, Norway, Ireland, Zambia and Sweden also enjoyed this hospitality. These international delegates addressed conference and shared their knowledge and experiences. This international perspective to trade unionism is vital to combat ignorance and prejudice and promote global workers’ solidarity. As such, RMT continues to adhere to the old NUR slogan ‘workers of the world unite’. The transfer arrangements and rule changes which will bring offshore workers in OILC into RMT membership was endorsed by delegates and I think it will prove to be a great moment in our union’s history. A particular highlight for me was to meet with the young members attending conference as part of their week-long course introducing them to the union. These young people are the future of our union and, if the quality of these members is anything to go by, that future is assured. The hundreds of debates held during the week covered a wide range of issues and I believe the union came away from the AGM as a stronger, more effective fighting force. John Leach AGM stands for unity President’s column www.rmt.org.uk :: august/september 2007 :: RMTnews 31