PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Recently I visited members in their workplaces, on trains, in depots and on stations in Cardiff and in around south Wales. This was followed by attending the Bridgend and Llantrisant branch meeting. The whole day was highly informative, constructive and the branch was very friendly and positive. I also went back to my own workplace, which is Knightsbridge London Underground station. It was good to see all my old workmates on duty. As always, there was a bit of fun, but we were also able to spend some time talking about the latest exploits of the local managers and the big issues such as LUL plans to cut back on booking office positions. It’s my view that it is vital that the leadership of our union remains in touch with members in this way. And, as president, I make it one of my priorities. It was a complete contrast to lead the RMT delegation to the TUC Congress in Brighton. Grey suits, self-congratulating speeches from government Ministers and very little real debate seemed to be the order of the day, which left us asking sometimes, is this the real world? Importantly, our union did push RMT policies for the whole week. Our delegation won widespread support against the EU constitution and for a referendum which the government promised us two years ago. We also successfully backed the called for the repeal of the anti union laws, the scrapping of the PPP on London Underground and for renationalisation of our industries. Our campaign to keep Calidonian MacBrayne ferries in the public sector regardless of EU diktats, which demand the so-called ‘liberalisation’ of these lifeline services, also found support among delegates. I seconded a motion calling for the rail industry to be brought back into the public sector, making particular reference to the collapse of the Metronet consortium on the Tube. I was proud to salute those RMT members that went on strike at Metronet. It is amazing that this gang of privateers can walk away from these contracts after pulling in over £1 million a week and the government is already trying to hand it back to the private sector. It is vital that all unions strive for real solidarity through good organisation and cooperation. We as a union play our part and represent this belief at the TUC and at the workplace. However, in all honesty, I was glad to get back to Unity House and my responsibilities as your national president of the union. John Leach Meeting the members President’s column www.rmt.org.uk :: october 2007 :: RMTnews 29 On August 29 2007 the POA took national strike action for the fist time in 68 years, this is why: • Because the Government refused to follow the recommendations of the Pay Review Body for an award of 2.5 per cent, even though that was below the rate of inflation and 1.3 per cent below the RPI; • Because the Government undertook to the ILO that they would follow the Pay Review Bodies recommendations and they didn’t downgrading the pay award to 1.9 per cent • Because the Prison Service owes Prison Officers 422,071 hours of TOIL (unpaid overtime) worth £6,000,000 • Because between 1993 and 2006 the prison population in England and Wales has gone up by 28,400 and officer numbers by 440 • Because of planned budget cuts of £60 million a year for 3 years • Because over the last seven years assaults on female Prison Officers have increased by 121 per cent and on male offices by 50 per cent