SOLIDARITY IN EGYPT

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: june 2011 :: RMTnews 26 I was invited as a delegate of the RMT London Transport Regional Council to meet trade unionists in the Egyptian capital Cairo. Our visit would have been very difficult except for the brilliant help of our interpreter, Anne – she not only did English to Egyptian, but cockney to English. The first trade unionist we met was Kamal Abu Aita, President of the Property Tax Inspectors Union (RETAU), an incredible man who organised independent strike action in 2007 under the Mubarak regime. Their pay is abysmal, a common theme across all sectors. These workers went on strike and held a ‘sit in’ by their government offices for many days, with popular support and food being given by local people The ‘state’ trade union tried to get them back to work, however, they refused and the government gave in to their demands. This action was key to showing other workers how to organise. We met with medical technicians as they were just forming their union after 4,000 people turned up to a meeting. It was inspiring to watch them deciding how much to charge members union subs, what to spend their money on and how to organise their union. It was strange that they had instinctively organised themselves. Doctors are paid less than £30 a month and have also formed their own union. We met them as they were deciding on what strike action to take (emergency and ICU would not be affected). They were very patient and focused with demands including better pay and training aimed at improving care. In one hospital workers organised and voted out the boss and elected a new one, so they could get their pay slips signed off, and took control of running the place. I like the idea of unions electing their own boss. I suppose it’s like the Council of Executives elections really. We also introduced the idea of picketing to these people as there was not an equivalent task in Egypt. Egypt brought civilisation to the world and we returned the favour by showing them picketing. This no doubt will be used to blame Bob Crow for the fact the pyramids look like they've not been finished yet. We also met rail workers in the process of forming their own independent union. They were suffering the same injustices as us except we get sacked and they get shot, a small but important difference. We also met bus workers leader Ali Fattouh, currently being tried as a test case for inciting ‘illegal’ strike action under the new anti-trade union laws that had been brought in "after" the revolution, and his solicitor, Haitham. I thought the revolution was meant to free the people from the tyranny of the past and not just replace it. The state is throwing its weight to crush the new organisations being created. The main tactic for his case seemed to be a mass demonstration at the court. This is taking the idea of justice out of the legislature and making it the property of the people. On to the May Day rally in Tahrir Square. As the riot police were on strike too it was a very peaceful event. There was great oratory from solicitors – I can't imagine Thompson's doing rhythmic chanting – and it certainly got the crowd going. Probably the most poignant moment was meeting the Mothers of the Martyrs, mothers carrying bill boards of their dead children. One mother explained her son was arrested and shot twice in the back in a prison cell. Words really fail me, as none suffice. As a founder member of the sarco- cynicists, I was not expecting much from this eye-opening visit except perhaps murder and beheading. The trade unions need to reach out and help the unions in Egypt in ways they want, not how we think they should be helped. We need to reach out and carry on learning, but for now it must be at a distance. SOLIDARITY IN EGYPT LU Engineering branch secretary Paul Jackson reports on a visit to Egypt following the popular uprising that toppled the government