WOMEN’S TUC BACKS RAIL NATIONALISATION

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: april 2012 :: RMTnews 13 D elegates at this year’s TUC women’s conference demanded that the railways should be taken out of the hands of privateers and renationalised. RMT delegate Mandy Evans criticised the McNulty report for recommending higher fares and fewer staff. “This money is public money and should be put back into our public infrastructure to ensure that we get a quality, affordable train service and get to and from work safely. “If they are taking the money and running with it obviously they are not putting it back in. Less staff will result in more risks. “Our train service is the most expensive in Europe and that’s because it’s been privatised. “The only sensible solution will be to renationalise the railways,” she said to applause. The RMT delegation to this year’s women’s TUC was made up of Jennifer Gray, Tracy Darker, Mandy Evans and Janet Cassidy. Jennifer Gray was successful in getting elected to the TUC Women’s Committee. said that grades-specific charters that had been produced by the union outlining minimum demands and problems in the sector had proved successful in recruiting staff and winning battles. “We need a new charter for this grade,” he said. Alan Pottage of the organising unit said that grades conferences were very important democratic parts of the union. “Your conference helps to organise workers in your sector,” he said. Brian Woods, Feltham, said that ‘un-restructured’ clerical and supervisory staff employed by train operating companies were working under less- favourable conditions than ‘restructured’ staff. “A system should be put in place so that all pay negotiations ensure all staff receive a fair pay rise,” he said. Mick Tosh, Portsmouth, called on the union to ensure agreements made with companies operating pension schemes restored parity for all workers. “Companies have used legislation to downgrade or remove pension schemes. “They are also introducing different tiers of pension provision. “Wightlink members balloted for strike action some years ago to defend and extend pension provision,” he said. Andy Budds, Leeds, reported that Northern Rail had launched massive attacks on jobs and office opening hours. “Northern Rail is also ignoring long-standing PTR&R arrangement and using ‘selection events’ to redeploy displaced clerical staff,” he said. Conference called on the union to resist any dilution of such arrangements with industrial action. Ivor Riddell of Union Learning explained the role of union learning reps in the workplace. “ULRs have the same rights as other union reps and their role is to encourage members to take up education opportunities,” he said. Next year’s conference will take place in Great Yarmouth. TUC WOMAN BACK RAIL NATIONALISATION RMT DELEGATION: left to right, Jennifer Gray, Tracy Darker, Mandy Evans, Janet Cassidy