ORGANISING ROAD FREIGHT WORKERS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may 2016 :: RMTnews 20 R oad freight members gathered in Portsmouth under the conference’s new title of national road freight transport industrial organising conference for the first time and were tasked with the objective of transforming the event into an effective and cohesive part of the union’s wider organising strategy. This was a theme that was developed by assistant general secretary Mick Lynch in his speech to delegates. He challenged those in attendance “to have a frank discussion on how we improve member numbers and conference attendees” in order that the conference can develop a wider appeal. “The task of the conference under the rules is to organise, the rules compel the conference to come up with strategies which the union has to implement. “We don’t need to just recruit members but we need to service them and own the workplace so members feel there is a presence alongside them” said Mick. he also spoke about some of the issues currently facing road freight members such as driverless vehicles. “Stagecoach is buying and ordering driverless buses, so it will happen and road freight companies are developing convoys with one person driving at the front, this technology will change the industry and is an obvious threat to members’ jobs”, mobile phone use, tachographs, in-cab CCTV and self-employment and driver franchises,” he said. Mick was asked by delegate Mark Woods about the use of health and safety legislation in campaigning for changes to the current working-time arrangements. Mick said that that this could be used and that we are also pushing for a charter to specify a maximum number of driver working hours and for a driver care package. Mick also spoke about the need for a policy on self-employment as employers seek its introduction across the board and specifically within the road freight industry. Mick also urged the conference liaison committee to come up with ideas for the way forward to increase member density and conference participation. Andy Blackman, London, Anglia and Midland Road Transport said that “people don’t realise RMT is involved in road freight and we need to do more”, a point with which Mick agreed but said that change “has to come from the membership; a rebrand or different ideas can be considered but they need to come from the shop floor”. RMT president Sean Hoyle welcomed delegates to his home city. He spoke about people’s motives for joining a union such as for self-interest or workplace protection but said we need to recruit for the wider issues. “Go out and talk to your colleagues, urge them to sign up and join. “We need a good membership density to take on the companies and we are a member-led organisation; nothing happens without their democratic bidding,” he said. Mark Broadfield, Leeds Goods and Cartage called for the union to pursue Freightliner for payments for outstanding ADR (Hazardous Work). This work which requires members to undertake specific training that is renewable every five years and means that a members has to remain with their cargo at all times is a service for which Freightliner charges a premium rate, but for which, it refuses to pass on this premium in the form of higher payments to drivers. Whilst these payments have long been promised they have not been delivered. ORGANISING ROAD FREIGHT WORKERS