PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: may 2008 :: RMTnews Workers May Day is a day of international solidarity with all working people throughout the world fighting for peace and against neo- liberal globalisation and the drive to impose anti-worker policies. This year I joined the RMT delegation on the annual march through London which began at Clerkenwell Green. It was great to see the LU Engineering and Leeds City branch banners among the usual colourful array of trade union standards. It is always a pleasure to met new members and catch up with colleagues including those from my own branch Finsbury Park beneath their banner. I have also had the privilege to meet members from across the country as part of my duties as president attending the grades conferences that take place this time of year. From the health and safety conference in February to the catering grades conference I attended just recently members are coming together to discuss common concerns and draw up our objectives and aspirations. This is part of the yearly cycle of conferences and meetings building up to our annual general meeting at the end of June, this year in Nottingham. As president, I chair each AGM for the three years of my tenure and my last one in my term is in the Isle of Man next year. The AGM is the parliament of the union and discusses and votes on motions sent from branches and grades conferences and appeals against executive committee decisions. This 12-month cycle of democracy has been built up over many years and represents the lifeblood of the union. Without these structures the union could not operate and maintain the confidence and trust of the membership. These structures are designed to allow members to take part in the debates and decision-making processes of the union not to keep them out. So if you feel strongly about something go to your branch and take part in the debates that happen there, go to your regional council and your grades conference. It is at these bodies that you have the power to make policy that could improve the lives of thousands of transport workers. You can write a motion from your branch which can be sent to the AGM and you could even stand for election to become a delegate and present your motion, which will be democratically debated and voted on. AGM decisions are binding on all members and are, in effect, instructions to the leadership of the union. AGM delegates have a duty and responsibility to the membership and it is a highly respected position. You may win your motion, you may lose, but either way you would have contributed to the democratic culture of this union which we can all be very proud of. The measure of how successful a union’s structures are is how many workers voluntarily join it. And, judging by today’s growing membership figures, we ain’t doing bad. I would encourage all members who don’t attend branch meetings to take that extra step and get involved if you can. The stronger we are the more we can achieve together. John Leach Solidarity on May Day President’s column G ermany’s right wing “grand coalition” government of the conservative CDU-CSU and the SPD plans to sell around 30 per cent of Deutsche Bahn’s (DB) passenger and freight activity this autumn. The rising left-wing Die Linke minority fiercely opposed the sell-off. The CDU-CSU had wanted an immediate 50 per cent sell-off. They said the present privatisation was a “first step” and they will sell another 25 per cent if they win the 2009 elections, while the SPD said there would not be a further sale. The 34,000km national rail network, electrical supply system and almost 4,000 stations will remain under 100 per cent government ownership. One major question for the coalition is the degree of control over future private shareholders, especially regarding line closures. With assurances that guarantees job protection until 2023, the unions are now concerned that private investors will put money into DB with the sole aim of running the group down. They are also concerned by a recent internal DB report showing that 10,000 of the country’s 27,000 mechanical signalling systems are more than 80 years old and the 8,000 of the electro- mechanical systems have operated for over 60 years. And the governments of Germany’s powerful Länder, or regions, are now demanding a say in defending regional rail transport networks, an issue that has been only been dealt with by parliament. GERMAN COALITION PRIVATISES DEUTSCHE BAHN