ALL IN THE FIGHTBACK TOGETHER

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2011 :: RMTnews 26 The new government says “we’re all in this together” – but so far we’ve seen nothing but broken promises and lies. The ConDem coalition’s promises of ‘Making a Better Britain’ have dissolved into creating an unemployed Britain – and, once again, the working class is being told to take the brunt of the cuts. With the first of more than a million job losses in both the private and public sectors already becoming reality across Britain, with VAT increasing to 20 percent, benefits being slashed, students having to pay three times more in tuition fees and vital local projects being cancelled, the time has come to say ‘enough’. And with a string of broken promises and u-turns already, including health-service cuts they said they wouldn’t make, and a massive assault on local council services, now is the time for all of us to stand up and say NO – and we should be clear that the coalition CAN be beaten. Recently I was one of a number of RMT young members from across the transport sector who travelled to Edinburgh to join the Scottish TUC’s ‘There is a better way’ protest against the government’s cuts plans. Before the march we went on a course aimed at putting together new ideas for how to get the message across, both to ordinary people and to the government of millionaires. Led by Alan Pottage and Dave Marshall of the RMT Organising Unit, it covered how to organise demonstrations, and looked back through history at some of the many examples where progress was made possible by civil disobedience and direct action. We looked at the Suffragettes, the Battle of Cable Street and the fight against apartheid, where ordinary people faced arrest and even violence in order to fight for a better society or to stop fascism. RMT was prominent during this year’s TUC calling for civil disobedience, and the young members at our course agreed that we needed to do more than march, make speeches and hand out leaflets. We all agreed we were ready to join in and play our part, and we discussed ways in which we can make a difference. My fellow young member Emma Baldwin and I were also at this year’s AGM and heard the inspiring debate about the importance of standing up to racism – something we all agreed was important, whenever and wherever it happens. The next day we joined RMT members from across Scotland to march through the heart of Edinburgh alongside trade unions and other organisations in one common goal – to make the government hear just how we feel about its cuts plan. All of the RMT young members who went on the march and the course couldn't thank the Organising Unit enough for their tireless hard work. From Edinburgh I visited Victoria Train Station in London along with organisers Dave Marshall and Phil Boston to talk to the staff there and see how the government’s proposed cuts would affect their lives. Speaking to many members and potential new members from the shop outlets, Network Rail, Gateline and Platform staff, it became clear that everyone is concerned at what is to come. To potential new members we emphasised the importance of being part of a trade union, as it is going to be a long and hard fight to keep people in work. I hope this has been an eye opener to you all and hope to see you out and about fighting the good fight. Solidarity! A video featuring the large RMT contingent on the Scottish TUC demonstration on October 23 can be viewed at www.youtube.com/user/RMTtelevision ALL IN THE FIGHTBACK TOGETHER PROTEST: RMT young members Gwynn Williams, Emma Baldwin , Ashley Farrant on Edinburgh STUC demonstration As the movement gears up for a massive fight-back against government austerity cuts, Ashley Farrant, vice chair of RMT’s Young Members’ Liaison Committee, reports on an active few days in Edinburgh and London