EWS–GETTING OUR RIGHTS BACK

RMTnews :: march 2008 :: www.rmt.org.uk 22 European trade unionists unite to demand negotiation rights are restored at EWS for RMT following its take over by German rail operator Deutsche Bahn RMT has been holding meetings with German and French unions to win back recognition rights for the union which were effectively removed at the English, Welsh and Scottish (EWS) rail freight company in 2005. Following the signing of a single-union deal with another union, EWS has refused to recognise the union and its local reps, forcing RMT to send full- time officials to negotiate on behalf of members. However, EWS has now been bought out by German rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) with a very different industrial relations culture. RMT’s sister union in Germany, Transnet, recently organised a meeting in Berlin through DB’s European works council with the company attended by all UK trade unions with members employed by EWS, including ASLEF and UNITE. Deutsche Bahn executive board member with responsibility for freight Norbert Bensel said it was important that UK unions spoke with one voice on issues of principle such as the company’s attempt to exclude RMT from collective bargaining arrangements. EWS managing director Keith Heller, who was also present at the meeting, said: “we are keen to get RMT re-recognised. We will set up a meeting to get this sorted out”. The issue of RMT recognition is currently being dealt with under the auspices of the TUC and TUC deputy general secretary Francis O’ Grady has been informed of these developments. EWS–GETTING OUR RIGHTS BACK