RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: october 2013 :: RMTnews 28 R MT general secretary Bob Crow presented Aberdeen RMT branch member Graeme Raitt with an award after 40 years service to the union. Graeme started his railway career as a Cook on the dining cars during the British Rail days in 1973. After being made redundant following privatisation, he became a steward then chief steward on the old Inter - City then GNER services . Presently Graeme is team leader on East Coast trains . He has served as local rep for 15 years and represented staff on many occasions. R MT president Peter Pinkney presented 40-year badges to Ray Helsdon and Peter Cooney of Newcastle and Gateshead branch and a 25-year badge to John Bell. O ver 60 people attended a special meeting in Plymouth to discuss the union’s strategy and key demands in response to the McNulty report. Senior assistant general secretary Mick Cash, regional organiser Phil Bialyk and executive member Nick Quirk all backed the call to step up the campaign. Dear editor, I would like to thank the union for the death grant it was very general of RMT. I would just like you to know how much my family and I would like to thank RMT members, LU and Luke’s colleagues at the Ruislip Garden depot for their constant and continuing support that they have shown for my son, his girlfriend and myself. When you hear of all the bad things, more needs to be said about the good things. I have been so touched by so many people who knew my son Luke and I even received letters from those that have heard about him. Everyone has been amazing, once again, thank you. Yours faithfully Miss Mieke Charlott TYNESIDE AWARDS ABERDEEN AWARD NO TO MCNULTY