FIGHTING CUTS DEFENDING JOBS

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: may 2010 :: RMTnews 17 everything at our disposal to fight back,” he told delegates, with a warning “not to be under any illusions it’s going to be easy.” General secretary Bob Crow explained how Network Rail used the anti-trade union laws to scupper a planned strike by RMT signallers with a court injunction on April 1. Following the ruling the union postponed similar action among engineering grades. “It would have been lovely to take that industrial action in the run-up to the general election. I think we had them. We would have won it – no doubt about that,” he said. “That’s why they used the courts – because they didn’t want to take us on industrially.” Sacked Jarvis worker Bill Rawcliffe briefed conference on the situation at the former company, laying the blame for its collapse firmly at the door of the “vicious, nasty and thuggish Network Rail”. Bill told delegates: “We’re all still a bit shell-shocked and reeling. It’s quite clear it’s Network Rail driving this and playing fast and loose with people’s lives. The government cannot be allowed to simply shrug its shoulders and say they can’t do anything about it.” He explained how, like many colleagues, he had worked for British Rail since leaving school. Following privatisation they were transferred to Jarvis under TUPE rules – which protect workers pay and conditions when they are moved to another company. “Well we’re only asking to be TUPE-transferred to whoever they give it to next,” he added. Other companies are in the running to take on the Jarvis work amid fears that they will evade their TUPE obligations, employing sacked workers on vastly inferior contracts. Delegates backed an emergency resolution moved by Dave Parks, Sheffield and District, calling for justice for the Jarvis workers, who had been left “high and dry” by Network Rail. “The work itself has not disappeared, it’s just our members’ jobs that have disappeared,” Dave told delegates. Dai Hobbs, Newport Rail, warned: “If we allow this disgusting situation to carry on then it’s going to happen to the rest of us in the renewals companies.” Assistant general secretary Mick Cash, who has led RMT negotiations with Network Rail, told conference: “This is the most difficult, intransigent, callous, insensitive, arrogant management I’ve ever come across”. Conference agreed that resolutions on Network Rail’s phase 2 b/c reorganisation and the collapse of Jarvis would be submitted to the union’s annual general meeting, which takes place in Aberdeen in June. A collection among conference delegates also raised £336 for the Jarvis hardship fund. Elsewhere on the agenda, delegates backed a motion from Jimmy Brown, Liverpool No5, condemning the practice of cross-boundary working among track workers. Jimmy said that when members were forced to work outside their normal area it could lead to job losses and the practice was only for the convenience of Network Rail managers. “If we don’t nip this in the bud then you know what’s going to come next – multiskilling and all the rest,” he warned. Malcolm Williams, North Wales Coast, said that cross- boundary working was already a reality in his workplace. “It leaves a hole in our area for other work that needs to be done,” he said. Ken Knight, South Ealing and Slough, warned that track workers going into unfamiliar territory, mainly in the dark, represented a major health and safety risk. Conference backed a call from Nobby Richardson, Willesden No4, for the union to negotiate with employers of agency staff. “Too often staff are released with no reference to seniority, suitability or disciplinary matters to the whim of management,” he said. Delegates heard how corrupt managers were taking bribes from some desperate agency workers to ensure they are kept on at the expense of others. They also backed a call from Alex Hogg, Edinburgh & Portobello, over home visits by managers to employees injured at work, which he condemned as “a form of intimidation.” Alex gave the example of one 61-year-old colleague who had received no less than five home visits from managers within a 24-hour period. Many workers feel obliged to return to work long before they have fully recovered, he said. With the conference taking place in Liverpool on the 21st anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, delegates observed a minute’s silence for the 96 Liverpool football fans that died in the tragedy. They collected £333 For the Hillsborough Justice Campaign.