PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

President’s column Firstly, I would like to congratulate Mick Cash on his election to the position of RMT general secretary and wish him the very best for his future. I would also like to send commiserations to Alan, Steve, John and Alex. We still face very difficult times ahead and need to be totally united. I recently attended the TUC Congress in Liverpool, and as always, came away with mixed feelings. As an institution it should be at the very forefront of our movement. I say should be because it seems a long time since it has been. There are millions of unhappy people out there who are looking for guidance and leadership and they are not getting it. Having totally given up on the Labour Party, we need the TUC more than ever to show leadership. A prime example of Labour's total misjudgement was Angela Eagle's address to congress, not once did she mention repeal of the anti-trade union laws or re nationalisation of the railways. This is despite the massive call from the public for the re nationalisation of the railways. This shows how out of touch this so called ‘workers’ party is. Ed Milliband's speech at the General Council dinner was equally without any hope. He talked about great heroes of the past such as the Tolpuddle Martyrs, the Diggers, the Levellers and the Jarrow Marchers. He spoke, quite rightly, of their heroic efforts but my question is how is it alright for these things when they are in the past, but if we took similar action today we would be condemned by the same man? As well as moving resolutions, I spoke at several fringe meetings. The feeling at all these meetings is that the TUC must take the lead and show the workers and the unemployed that there is hope, and that we can do something. We have another march on October 18 and I have no doubt that RMT will be there in large numbers as ever. We have seen many such marches over the years, and they do help people come together with like-minded people and demand something to be done. The problem is after the march nothing is done. People become disheartened, and wonder if it is worth it. We must have a general strike. That is the only way to show all political parties that we mean business and won't be pushed around. We want a fair and equal society. I believe we would be supported by millions and we can give them the leadership they are so desperately looking for. Also this month I had the privilege of attending the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Hungarian transport union VDSzSz in Budapest. I asked if I could speak and they did me the great honour of allowing me to do so. I say great honour because I was the only trade unionist outside Hungary to be allowed to speak. Whilst congratulating them on their 25 years, I told them that we also had an anniversary, 25 years since the privatisation of the railways in the UK. I warned them of the dangers that they face if the Fourth Railway package goes through, and the same happens to them. It is always difficult speaking to former Eastern Bloc countries and trying to convince them of the dangers. They have faced things that we cannot imagine, especially in Hungary. Having said that my speech was well received by the trade unionists if not by the bosses and government officials who were there. They also took me to meet workers at the workplace. I met with engineers, who work on railway carriages, and, my own grade, signallers. It was gratifying to see that signallers all over the world are the same. It's probably best that I don't say why! One thing I did notice was the large workforce and that health and safety was paramount. This is something that will almost certainly disappear if privateers get there way. Finally, I would like to thank the president, Gasko Istvan, and vice presidents Bella Gyorgy and Barany Balazs for their welcome and solidarity. Special thanks to my good friend Huzsta Krisztian for looking after me so well. Peter Pinkney FROM LIVERPOOL TO BUDAPEST RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: october 2014 :: RMTnews 19 DERBY RAIL ENGINEERING BRANCH NOMINATE KEN USHER FOR MIDLANDS REGIONAL ORGANISER WOLVERHAMPTON BRANCH NOMINATE KEN USHER FOR MIDLANDS REGIONAL ORGANISER BURTON-ON-TRENT BRANCH SUPPORTS KEN USHER FOR MIDLANDS REGIONAL ORGANISER MEDWAY & DISTRICT BRANCH SUPPORT JEFF SLEE FOR COUNCIL OF THE EXECUTIVES MEMBER FOR THE SOUTH EAST CROYDON NO1 BRANCH SUPPORTS GARRY HASSELL FOR COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES COVENTRY NO1 BRANCH NOMINATES KEN USHER FOR THE MIDLANDS REGIONAL ORGANISER WISHAW AND MOTHERWELL BRANCH NOMINATE MICK HOGG FOR REGIONAL ORGANISER