YOUNG MEMBERS MEET

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2016 :: RMTnews 27 Young member Chair George Waterhouse welcomed delegates to conference and presented an overview of the work of the youth advisory over the last 12 months. Conference also heard from the union’s organising unit members Bill Paterson and Alan Pottage on the success of organising young members over recent years and the need to keep this work to ensure the next generation of RMT activists and officials are in place. Senior assistant general secretary Steve Hedley presented an overview of the current issues facing the union and its membership. He gave a scathing analysis of the proposed Trade Union Bill that is the most pernicious attack on trade unions in decades. He also set out the RMT of supporting UK withdrawal from EU membership and the importance of this referendum that will almost certainly not be repeated in a lifetime. Newly-elected RMT president Sean Hoyle gave his first RMT conference address in the position. Sean gave a wide ranging contribution on both the problems facing the Union but also the successful fighting back strategies that had brought victories for our members and the wider movement. Conference members set a list of priorities and tasks for the coming months and agreed two resolutions that will go to the 2016 AGM, on the ‘living wage’ and ‘international organising issues’. Debates on structures and the need to produce new organising/education materials led to six further resolutions being submitted to the NEC for their consideration. Conference was felt to be a huge success both during the debates as well as the ‘lively’ evening sessions! Conference elected a new chair Lorna Tooley, who is also on the Liaison Committee, along with Dominic Hill, Kate Stokes and Matt Trotter. The new Liaison Committee will begin preparations for the 2017 conference in Salisbury. A vote of thanks to outgoing chair George Waterhouse and vice chair Chris Hodds was also taken. RMT YOUNG MEMBERS MEET RMT Young Members hold their annual conference in Canterbury