SCOTTISH PARLIAMENTARY GROUP LAUNCHED

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: november/december 2010 :: RMTnews 8 T he Scottish Parliament RMT Group of MSPs was officially established in November with Elaine Smith MSP elected as Convenor and former RMT organiser Phil McGarry providing political and secretarial support. RMT general secretary Bob Crow launched the group in the presence of a number of MSPs, researchers and members of the press. Bob expressed his pleasure at speaking to Scottish MSPs at such an important time for transport services in Scotland and explained that the group provided a forum for RMT and MSPs to express their views regarding transport matters and how this impacts on workers and the wider community. Current concerns included the forthcoming Ferries Review including proposals to break-up Cal Mac and tendering for Northlink Ferries. The indemnification clause within the Scotrail franchise which simply allows privateers to profit from the public purse at times of industrial dispute was also raised. The arrangement effectively means that employers have no incentive to reach agreement with the unions. At a later formal meeting of the group, which includes MSPs Elaine Smith, Bill Butler, Jamie Hepburn, Dave Thompson, Marlyn Glen; Cathy Peattie; Patrick Harvie and Brian Adam it was agreed to advance a progressive agenda on behalf of the around 10,000 RMT members in all areas of public transport including: • Public ownership and public accountability of the rail network. • Increased employment of Scottish seafarers in the Scottish shipping industry • Support for an integrated publicly owned and accountable ferry service • Safety before profit in the offshore sector • Repeal of all anti-trade union legislation and the promotion of rights at work. MSPs had a good general discussion and agreed that the group should meet quarterly. No MSP from the Conservative or Liberal Democratic party had expressed an interest in joining and membership comprised of Labour, SNP and Green Party MSPs. Group convenor Elaine Smith said that she was delighted that the RMT MSP group was up and running. “It was fabulous that Bob Crow could join us to address the first meeting and I hope that he will attend at a future meeting. “I look forward to working with colleagues to advance a progressive transport and employment agenda here in Scotland. “At this time of vicious cuts and threats to the public sector, it has never been more important to promote public ownership and protect jobs and services,” she said. Others have expressed an interest in joining but need to be endorsed by the RMT Executive. The next meeting of the group is provisionally on January 18 2011. The delegation will be led by regional organiser Ian MacIntyre, Council of Executive members and the regional council secretary Jim Gray. SCOTTISH PARLIAMENTARY GROUP LAUNCHED A video of this protest in Scotland against the cuts can be seen on youtube at the web address below http://www.youtube.com/user/RMTtelevision