HEALTH AND SAFETY REPS FIGHTING FOR YOUR RIGHTS

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: november/december 2010 :: RMTnews 20 There is a perception that the world of work is getting safer yet the following quotation from a track safety handbook is just as applicable today as it was when written in 1920s: “What are the kinds of injuries that befall them? “In the grim list are amputations of legs, arms and hands; fractures of skulls, arms, legs, ribs and collar bones; dislocations, ruptures, sprains, cuts bruises, burns, shocks and many others. “What this means to the workers – breadwinners all – in suffering and distress, and what it means to their homes must be indescribable”. RMT’s National Health and Safety Conference will again be held at the Doncaster Trades Club on Wednesday February 16 2011. In line with previous years the conference will have a theme, this year’s theme, chosen by the conference liaison committee, will be centred on the role of health and safety reps and the importance of effective action in securing change in the workplace to improve working conditions for all RMT members. As with the most recent conferences a training course will be available to all delegates’ related to the conference theme. In the past this has made it easier for delegates to obtain release with pay from their employers. Since the first call for nominees was made in September over 50 delegates have registered for conference and it is hoped that this year’s event will attract the highest numbers of delegates in the nine year history of conference. They will be able to hear from our invited guest speakers Hugh Robertson from the TUC, Ian Prosser, Chief Inspector of Railways at ORR and finally we hope to hear from John McDonnell MP. Hugh will concentrate on the support that RMT and the wider trade union movement can give to its safety reps, Ian will concentrate on the role of the enforcing authorities and what they can do to support safety reps in the field and John will look at the wider political approach to health and safety and the potential crisis in health and safety brought about by the current ConDem government’s approach to health and safety. MOTIONS As conference has become so successful over recent years, branches are reminded that this year we have had to set a new timetable for receiving nominations and motions. This will enable the agenda to be drawn up in good time for distribution to delegates and to ensure smooth running on the day. Completed nomination forms, which have already been distributed to all Branches and Regional Councils in September, must be returned to Head Office by Friday December 17 2010. Any Branch motions for debate at conference, which should be of national interest and relevant to health and safety within the transport industry as a whole, must also be submitted by Friday December 17 2010. One of the adopted motions from this year’s event called for the union to develop a health and safety charter and work on producing this is well under way. The final version of the charter is due to be agreed by the Council of Executives its December session and the charter will be launched at conference. HEALTH AND SAFETY REPS FIGHTING FOR YOUR RIGHTS RMT’s annual Health and Safety Advisory Conference takes place next year at the Doncaster Trades Club on Wednesday February 16 2011