THOUSANDS RALLY AT DURHAM GALA

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2011 :: RMTnews 5 R MT branch and regional banners were carried through the streets of Durham in early July as part of the huge Durham miners’ gala which attracted over 130,000 people this year. Heavy rain storms failed to dampen the spirits of those taking part in the 127th miners gala which included over 40 marching bands and over 100 hundred union banners. Among the speakers was Carlos Bugueno Alrama, one of the 33 Chilean miners rescued last year after spending two months underground. Introducing Mr Alrama, Durham Miners Association general secretary Davy Hopper said that he would rather share a platform with him than Labour leader Ed Milliband who had pulled out of addressing the gala over the fact the RMT general secretary Bob Crow was also speaking. Mr Hopper pledged support for the Chilean miners after their government refused to pay them wages for the 69 days they were trapped underground. Mr Hopper also called on the TUC to organise a co-ordinated fight back against Con Dem government cuts. Bob Crow backed the call for co-ordinated action across the labour movement to defend jobs and public services. “The Con-Dems have thrown down the gauntlet and we will not be found wanting,” he said. A n overtime ban due to begin by bus driver members at First Devon and Cornwall has been suspended as the company has agreed to talks in a dispute over the axing of essential staff transport. In May, the company announced that it was withdrawing its “Staff Trooper” service for employees and members voted overwhelmingly for action short of a strike. The “Staff Trooper” was a bus operating in the early mornings to get staff to work and has been part of the working conditions since before the privatisation of services. Members relied on the transport to get to work and the company had refused point-blank to enter in to dialogue with RMT to either change their decision or modify their proposals leaving no option but to ballot members at Plymouth. The company has now agreed to enter into meaningful talks to resolve the issue. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that by standing shoulder to shoulder management had got the message that the union would not stand idly by while it stripped away long- standing terms and conditions. “It is now down to First Devon and Cornwall to get back round the table and enter into meaningful discussions on the issue of staff transport,” he said. THOUSANDS RALLY AT DURHAM GALA FIRST DEVON AND CORNWALL ACTION SUSPENDED