TRANSPORT WORKERS PROTEST AT NATIONAL EXPRESS AGM

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may 2013 :: RMTnews 29 R MT general secretary Bob Crow presents Peter Limage with a 40 year membership badge. Peter is a member of Lincoln No 1 branch. R MT retired member Ron Douglas has been successfully elected as National Pensioners Convention (NPC) president for the next two years. The NPC plays a key role alongside the trade union movement in promoting the welfare and interests of all pensioners, as a way of securing dignity, respect and financial security in retirement. Ron left School in April 1949 and joined British Rail at the age of 15. Working as a train recorder in Colchester junction box, Ron joined the NUR in May 1949 and became an active member of his branch. Ron’s trade union positions while working included NUR Colchester Branch Collector and Secretary. After 49 years working on the railways Ron retired in October 1998 but continued to be an active member within the trade union movement and retired member organisations. Soon after his retirement Ron joined an RMT retired members branch which he is now the branch secretary. Ron plays a key role on behalf of RMT not only on the NPC but as a TUC delegate on the Federation for Retired and Elderly Persons Association (FERPA) steering committee. FERPA campaigns for retired people not only in the UK but internationally. Ron has also been a member of the Labour Party since 1960. On his election as NPC president Ron said: “I am truly honoured to accept this national position to represent the 1.5 million NPC members with the full support of the union which nominated me for this position for which I am truly grateful”. For more information about the National Pensioners Convention National Pensioners Convention write to NPC, Walkden House 10 Melton Street London NW1 2EJ Tel: 020-7383-0388 Email: info@npcuk.org Web: npcuk.org B ritish trade unionists joined members of the US Teamsters union at a protest against union-busting outside the AGM of global transport giant National Express earlier this month. Coach and bus operator National Express has faced growing protests from US bus drivers who have accused the company of "anti-worker, anti- union" policies. Members of the Teamsters union, which represents more than a million transport workers across the US, and British trade unionists, recently held a "rally for respect" outside the firm's Birmingham headquarters. National Express, the second- biggest operator of school buses in the US, stands accused of disciplining and sacking workers involved in union activities, as well as putting union activists under surveillance. In a letter to be delivered to the company's bosses, Teamsters president Jimmy Hoffa said that the company "continues to violate the wishes of workers who wish to form a union and engage in collective bargaining." Mr Hoffa said that the company's policies meant workers were being deprived of "decent working conditions and respect". National Express has a history of reward for failure in the UK, despite throwing back the keys when their franchise collapsed into chaos on the East Coast Main Line they continue to hoover up valuable public contracts. The company is headed by former Tube Lines chief Dean Finch – another company embroiled in spectacular failure on London Underground at public expense. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that RMT stood shoulder to shoulder with the Teamsters in their battle against the union-busters from National Express. TRANSPORT WORKERS PROTEST AT NATIONAL EXPRESS AGM RMT MEMBER ELECTED AS NATIONAL PENSIONERS CONVENTION PRESIDENT LINCOLN LEGEND