EDUCATING RMT MEMBERS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: february 2014 :: RMTnews 10 Education continues to develop within the union to ensure all representatives, officers and officials have the best possible support in terms of trade union training. With two fully equipped teaching rooms, dedicated staff and a programme of courses designed specifically for the RMT membership, the union can be proud of its achievements in the centre’s development over the last seven years. The education centre (right) is situated in the centre of Doncaster and has accommodation and facilities for those attending that consistently received positive feedback from those leaving each Friday. Courses are developed specifically for the members and the working environments they operate in. Our goal is to have fully equipped and trained workplace reps in every workplace to ensure the best possible support and advice for our membership. Regular feedback about the education programme has led to many courses being designed to fit the requirements of our reps. RMT courses are now fully accredited through our ‘partnership’ agreement with Northern College, which means all those attending a course at Doncaster will receive proper academic accreditation for their work there. All courses can be delivered with some simple organisation more locally if this suits the members, in particular the Council of Executives encourage all regions to run a number of the workplace representatives Introductory three-day course across their region. It is disappointing that in some areas these are not as yet being requested. Alongside this the union is now ensuring all RMT tutors have the appropriate tutor-training with the provision of an accredited teaching course. Further educational developments were set out in the Head Office Circular on “RMT Membership Database – Education Module” (MF/141/13). This gives members access to the education programme and information 24 hours a day through the RMT website and the opportunity to apply to attend a course. Each and every application is then notified to the appropriate branch secretary by email or letter. Importantly the new system also collates the courses attended and so enables the union to see the number of trained reps we have, and the level of training they have participated in. It also gives us the opportunity, in time, to record the attendance at the centre over the last two to three years so providing us with a picture of who has attended what and what they can reasonably be asked to do for their union. I hope all RMT members will be proud of the developments at Doncaster and the Council of Executives continuing commitment to trade union education and if you haven’t been on a course to enable you to get active in the branch or region then take a look at what’s available and apply. Of course if there are any issues, subject or any area that you feel needs addressing then please let your regional council or branch know and they will pass that on to me. Andy Gilchrist can be contacted at a.gilchrist@rmt.org.uk or telephone 020 7387 4771. Union Learning Representative (ULR) Lee Maybin was one of the speakers at the recent launch of the Arnos Grove Learning Centre based in Ash House late last year. Lee, who was only elected as a ULR last year and is a train operator on the Piccadilly Line, was one of a number of speakers at the launch. The Learning Centre, which will provide a quiet place and PCs for members to engage in learning, is the culmination of two years activity and the result of many hours of negotiation. “We are rightly proud of this achievement, but I must give credit to my predecessor Dean O’Hanlon who conceived the idea of a Learning Centre at Arnos when he was doing his Stage 2 ULR training. I hope that it will encourage more of our members to get active online and build on their skills base,” Lee said. Arnos Grove was actually the third Learning Centre that the union has launched on London Underground. In February of last year ULRs Des Rice and Tracy Fitzpatrick launched the Brixton Learning Centre based above Brixton tube station. Brixton is a larger Learning Centre and again was the result of a real push by RMT activists to get the room adequately equipped and fit for purpose. There has already been an open day and other events put on in the room. In 2012, ULR Stephen Brennan, launched the Knowledge Action Point (KAP) at Griffith House which is specifically equipped for engineering workers to access information to build on their skills. Stephen has also held a number of training events within the department where the KAP is based, after interest was shown by his colleagues. Across the Underground eagle-eyed ULRs are looking out for potential venues for Learning Centres and one has been spotted by former LU Lead ULR, Bjorn Bradshaw-Murray, at Seven Sisters which thanks to his efforts and the efforts of ULR Susan Egbulefu, is due to be finalised shortly. For more information about Union Learning in London contact RMT ULR development worker Sharon Allen by phoning 07533 125166 or email: s.allen@rmt.org.uk EDUCATING RMT MEMBERS RMT education officer Andy Gilchrist explains how union education is being developed A LEARNING LEGACY FOR TUBE WORKERS RMT opens three learning centres across the London Underground network Lee Maybin