PARLIAMENTARY COLUMN

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2015 :: RMTnews RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2015 :: RMTnews Parliamentary column As we face 2015 and a General Election in May here are five New Year Resolutions for the RMT Parliamentary Group. First, we must build on the progress we have made in making the case for public ownership of our railways. All the polls show support for such a policy would make a real difference especially in marginal seats where passengers are fed up with paying through the nose for the highest rail fares in Europe. RMT Parliamentary group campaigning has helped ensure Labour had supported keeping East Coast in the public ownership and has committed to change the law to allow for the public sector to operate railway services but it needs to be far more specific and bolder. And there is no use supporting public ownership but also supporting austerity on our railways. Labour must commit to a properly funded rail and tube network which is properly staffed and also safer and better for passengers by putting an end to the years of casualisation and deskilling of rail workers jobs. Second, we must renew the pressure to support UK seafarers and stop the downward spiral in the number of UK ratings. That means we need to build on the slow progress we have recently made on wider and better enforcement of the minimum wage and linking the tonnage tax to the creation of training opportunities. But most importantly we must press for a commitment to implement the independent “Carter Review” commissioned by the last Labour government and which recommended the complete outlawing of pay discrimination and the consequent undercutting in the UK maritime industry. Ed Miliband recently said a Labour government would act to stop the undercutting of wages by overseas workers, well Ed implement the Carter Review and that will be a huge start in the shipping industry. Third, the social dumping that is endemic in the maritime industry is also of course undermining employment in our offshore sector and we need to ensure that this is challenged at every opportunity. The government decision to rule out an independent inquiry into North Sea Helicopter safety (despite being told to conduct such and inquiry by the House of Commons Transport Committee) shows that a step change is required for safety in the offshore sector. That means a full independent inquiry into all aspects of offshore safety, with offshore safety reps being given a massive increase in powers, including the right to call a stop to the job if there are serious safety concerns. If it can be done in Norway it can be done here. Fourth, campaign for a commitment to new legislation in road transport. That means recognising that buses account for two thirds of public transport journeys and that bus privatisation has been a disaster. Profits and fares have gone up while services and workers conditions have been driven down. We need our buses bought back into public ownership and we also need to drive down the hours of bus workers and road haulage workers to safe levels without loss of pay and at the very least to levels recommended by the EU. And as part of a properly integrated transport system we need to defend the taxi trade from deregulation so that all those who want and rely on taxi’s can know that they will be taken to the their destination by a professional driver in a safe environment. Finally, number five, we will with the RMT and the wider Labour movement campaign to resist the constant attack on Trade Union and Employment rights and for re-peal of the anti trade union laws and also their replacement with a positive framework of trade union rights. The fact is strong trade unions and widespread collective bargaining coverage means higher standards of living, securer, safer employment and less inequality. Strong trade unions don’t just protect workers, they protect communities and help create a better world. Solidarity and Happy New Year to all RMT members. John McDonnell is the convenor of the RMT Parliamentary Group and the Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington FIVE NEW YEAR PARLIAMENTARY RESOLUTIONS 9