STRATEGIES FOR ROAD FREIGHT

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: april 2013 :: RMTnews 22 AWARD: Assistant general secretary Mick Cash presents Tony Marsden with his 25-year badge More support for members and a bold strategy in the road freight transport sector is the only way membership levels will be increased, RMT executive committee member Mike Sargent said. Addressing the national road freight conference, Mr Sargent spoke candidly about the need for greater communication between the members and the union. “we need to get in the depots and organise. “Once we set up a strategy of going into see members in the depots, we should be going back every couple of weeks,” he said. “It is pressure from the grassroots that dictates events and what happens so you need to let us know,” he said. Assistant general secretary Mick Cash said that a robust organising strategy was key for the sector to retain members and more importantly grow from the current 1000 members it has at present. “We’ve done the thinking and talking so we need to walk the walk and get it sorted. “We shouldn’t take members for granted and once in the door with recognition we have to keep it open,” said Mr Cash. Mick referred to some RMT members obtaining 3.8 per cent pay rises against the tide of bosses attacks and rising inflation through “strong organisation”. “There is no difference in farmers getting screwed over their milk than our members in logistics working for Marks and Spencer’s getting a raw deal,” he said. Mick went on to highlight changes to unfair dismissal claims which will see workers charged £1,200 for taking up the case and a 20,000 bill if they are unsuccessful. But he pointed out RMT would cover the costs, adding that this should be used a recruiting tool for non-union members. “An ordinary non-unionised worker wouldn’t be able to foot that bill and take on a big company who unfairly dismisses them,” he said. RMT president Peter Pinkey STRATEGIES FOR ROAD FREIGHT RMT’s national road freight conference meeting in Leeds looking at building membership in the grade AWARD: Assistant general secretary Mick Cash presents Shaun Matthews with his 25-year badge Delegates with Mick Cash