TAXI COURSE TAKES OFF

T he RMT London Taxi branch’s inaugural, workplace level one rep course in London finished recently and was voted a great success. Students roundly praised the course for being very informative and thought provoking. The London Taxi branch was set up two years ago and has already represented many members. The idea behind the course was to enable students to hone the skills they have learned over years representing members against spurious claims and grievances. The course was set up by London Taxi branch committee member Mike Tinnion who worked closely with RMT's education officer Andy Gilchrist. Andy said that due to the drivers self employed status the course needed some thought especially about the location of the course and the members potential loss of earnings. Andy and Mike organised a course over four Tuesdays at the union’s building in Clapham, Maritime House, instead of the usual five days at the education centre in Doncaster. Maritime House has been newly refurbished as a learning resource centre and is a great facility not only as a learning centre, the London Taxi branch recently held a committee meeting there. Course lead tutor Ray Knight said that it was a challenge as some of the basic format used in any other reps course had no bearing on a taxi drivers day to day working. Some of the course content needed to put it into a taxi based context. As a result the students, ably lead by branch chairman John Kennedy and two of the Ranks and Highways Committee, Paul White and Sean Kelle, took to the task. The finished product should help tutors and students from taxi branches across the country to understand their role as taxi trade reps. The dates have just finalised for the branch’s second reps course to be held in May. " This is the first of what I hope will be many courses for our taxi driver reps. “It has certainly opened my eyes to taxi drivers’ conditions and I look forward to the next course,” said Ray Knight. London Taxi branch member Mat Howe said: "This course has given me the confidence to go out and be more active within the branch and the wider taxi trade, and its really nice to know that I belong to a strong and supportive union". Jim Philp of Fife branch and Mick Tosh of Portsmouth branch also made contributions to the course that were informative and helpful throughout. Mick Tosh said:"coming onto a course with workers that I haven't worked with before gives me the option not just to teach, but also to learn”. RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: april 2011 :: RMTnews 21 The 9th annual RMT Garden Party for Cuba in association with Cuba Solidarity Campaign June 21 Special guests to be announced Live music, food, free bar Tickets at £15 Order by post, cheques payable to RMT, from: Cuba Garden Party, RMT, 39 Chalton Street, London NW1 1JD. Credit card orders on 020 7387 4771 TAXI COURSE TAKES OFF Photo from left to right. Paul White, Ray Knight, Sean Kellet, Matt Howe, John Kennedy and Mick Tosh