ALEX GORDON ELECTED RMT PRESIDENT

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: january 2010 :: RMTnews 4 Train driver Alex Gordon has been elected to serve as RMT president for the coming three years. RMT president is the most senior lay official in the union, whose responsibility is to uphold the union’s rulebook and to preside over meetings of the union’s executive bodies, including the annual general meeting. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that Alex was a highly respected RMT activist. “He has served the union at all levels, from the all- important local rep to the union’s executive, and I know he will make an excellent president,” he said. Ken Usher has been elected to a further five-year term as East Midlands regional organiser and South West regional organiser Phil Bialyk, relief RO South Brian Whitehead and relief RO North John MacDonald have all been re-elected. Micheal Hogg has been elected Scottish regional organiser and Dave Collinson is the new Yorks and Lincs regional organiser. RMT has produced a campaigning postcard inserted in the magazine for members in Scotland to stop plans to close the East Coast Mainline connection between London and Glasgow. The postcard can be sent to MPs to ask them to sign Early Day Motion 497 put down by Katy Clark MP in support of the campaign to save direct East Coast Mainline services. The motion calls on the government to guarantee “regular direct services between London and Glasgow on the East Coast Line”. The route may be axed from early 2011 but a final confirmation of the decision is expected very soon. RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said that it was clear that there had been a carve up behind closed doors which threatened the future of the important East Coast Mainline connection into Glasgow. “We know that MPs and MSPs from all parties will be furious at this attack on a crucial Scottish rail link and RMT will be fighting all out to stop this proposal from being ratified. “Time is short and it is deeply cynical of East Coast to try and bundle this decision through over the Christmas and New Year period. “This cash-driven plan would blow a massive hole in rail services through to north and south Lanarkshire with dire social and economic consequences and with an impact that will be felt right along the East Coast route and it must be stopped,” he said. You can help by sending the postcard by just filling in the name of your constituency MP and your address. The RMT Freepost will save you the cost of a stamp – RMT will forward the card to your MP. You can also go to www.rmt.org.uk to find out how to help with the campaign. RMT TO FIGHT PLANS TO SCRAP EAST COAST MAINLINE CONNECTION TO GLASGOW ALEX GORDON ELECTED RMT PRESIDENT Save direct rail services between London Kings Cross and Glasgow www.rmt.org.uk