40 YEAR BADGES/LETTERS

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: march 2009 :: RMTnews 27 Neil Mackenzie (left) of Glasgow Shipping branch receiving his 40 Year Badge from Phil McGarry, RMT Scottish Regional Organiser QUESTIONING SUPPORT FOR CUBA Once again, RMT News carries a double-page spread about Cuba. Some of our members are beginning to think that the union is obsessed with this island! It is right that RMT takes an interest in international issues, that it celebrates the fall of the terrible Batista regime 50 years ago, and that it opposes the US blockade of Cuba. However, it is not right that in its extensive coverage of Cuba, the union simply cheerleads the Cuban regime rather than reporting on the concerns of our fellow workers in Cuba, nor that it finds no room for any criticism of the regime. Elsewhere in RMT News, the union rightly and robustly criticises our own government, and discusses the possibility of a new political party for working people. The fact is that were we in Cuba, we would not be able to publish such things, as criticism of the government is suppressed and only the ruling party is allowed to stand candidates in elections! When it comes to Cuba, RMT needs to support our fellow workers and take off the rose-tinted spectacles through which the union sees the regime. Janine Booth Stratford no.1 branch SEND ELECTION ADDRESSES PLEASE Cardiff Rail Branch held its December meeting, and part of the business was to elect delegates to the various BTUC and Welsh TUC conferences for 2009. This task was made nigh on impossible by virtue of the fact that none of our branch members knew anything about the vast majority of candidates, or their reasons for seeking election, as none of the candidates had sent out an election address. Most of our ballot papers had only first and second choice candidates marked by us before being returned to Unity House. As the elections are carried out by region, and the constituent branches of each region are known, would it in future be possible for candidates to try and send out election addresses in order that we can make full selections at branch meetings based on better knowledge of the candidates in question? This could be done via email utilising the branch email addresses published in the RMT directory. Greg Harrison Cardiff Branch 40 YEAR BADGE AWARDED LETTERS