TAXI MEMBERS ON COURSE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: june 2011 :: RMTnews 28 BASINGSTOKE HONOUR RMT general secretary Bob Crow addressed a recent meeting of the re-launched RMT East Lancashire branch in Blackburn. The branch was re-opened last year and membership has been growing steadily ever since. Bob spoke on the challenges facing the union with particular reference to the McNulty Report. He also spoke about job security issues for Network Rail staff. He was accompanied by North West regional organiser John Tilley and executive committee member for Manchester and the North West of England Craig Johnston. St Pancras branch got together recently to present a number of badges to members. S ix members of RMT's London Taxi branch recently completed another stage one representative course set up by the union. RMT education officer Andy Gilchrist, along with London Taxi branch assistant secretary Mike Tinnion set the course up on the same lines as the first one, over four weeks at Maritime House in Clapham, London instead of the usual three days up at the national education centre in Doncaster. This arrangement suites the self-employed Taxi drivers of London. Course member Steve Emment said: "The course has helped me understand that listening carefully to what people say plays an important part, I look forward to the next stage". Mark Sherlock, a branch activist, said it was a really enjoyable and informative course which helped to outline strategies dealing with licensing authorities and the spiralling tyranny of stealth PCNs. “I would recommend to other members," he said. A stage two representative course is been being planned for the those on this course and those from the first who wish to attend, again interest is high and we in the London Taxi branch believe that its members will be well represented in the years to come. Mick Smith, who is looking forward to the stage two course, said that it had made him realise that he was not just working under the banner of RMT but part of a big union with lots of resources. The course tutor was again Ray Knight ably assisted over the four week course by Jim Philp, Dave Gott and Dave Jones. Mike Tinnion will be liaising with Ray Knight and Andy Gilchrist to set up a stage two representative course, in the near future. ON COURSE: Dave jones(behind) Paul Walsh, Dawn Cooper, Steve Emment, Mike Smith, Mark Sherlock and Ray Knight(behind). TAXI MEMBERS ON COURSE EAST LANCS MEETS Back row left to right: Branch secretary Allan Jeyes, Bob Crow, Neil Hoeg 1 ten- year badge. Middle row left to right: Barry Cox 40-year badge, Courtney Franklin, ten-year badge, Graham Kent 40-year badge. Front row left: Michael Ryan, ten-year badge and Matthew Willison ten-year badge. ST PANCRAS BRANCH RMT executive committee member Sean Hoyle presents Andy Rutter with his 25-year badge. Sean said he was pleased and honoured to make the presentation. “The Basingstoke Branch meeting was full of topical debate, just what you expect from a well organised and informed branch,” he said.