YOUNG MEMBERS MEET

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may 2011 :: RMTnews 29 Both Plymouth number 1 and number 5 branches hosted this year’s young members conference with both providing an exceptional social event. I had the honour to open conference and it was very pleasing to see that the room was full of vibrant faces, ready to take on the bosses. Around 50 delegates attended the conference this year, over the past few years, delegation numbers are building, which can only be a good thing. The theme was fighting the cuts, assisted by Alan Pottage and Dave Marshall from the RMT’s organising unit, Ivor Riddell and Bill Hendy of RMT Learning and education officer Andy Gilchrist who is also secretary of the young members’ conference. The meeting promoted teamwork through learning and small groups were given topics to choose from, research and feedback in a presentation at the end of the conference. This ensured everyone was involved and given the option of debating people’s views throughout the workshops. Richard Williams from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) addressed conference about how the FBU is fighting the cuts and the recent industrial action in London. Richard admitted that the FBU doesn’t have a youth section but said that he would be requesting that the FBU start one. Conference was also privileged for the second year running to be addressed by general secretary Bob Crow and president Alex Gordon, both having to travel from different conferences to get to Plymouth. Bob and Alex both re- iterated the need to fight for our rights and to remember that workers had fought hard for rights to leave, conditions and to work safely. Both speakers said that the ConDems would stop at nothing to push through their savage cuts which would affect the young generation more. Vice Chair of the conference, Ashley Farrant from Plymouth 1, presented me with an engraved tankard after I have served three years and chair. I was very moved and honoured to serve the union in this role but I believe that it was time to let somebody else move into the chair . Resolutions to the conference this year were on the subjects of pensionable age, education fees and cuts, young members age limit and youth employment and apprenticeships. These were wide-ranging debates, with some motions falling, but two were chosen for the AGM. I closed conference as chair for the last time, thanked everyone for attending, and hoped to see them all next year. So if you are a young member get to the 2012 young members conference to be held in London and ensure you bring a friend too! YOUNG MEMBERS MEET Young members conference chair Adrian Rowe reports on the annual meeting this year held in Plymouth