24 REASONS TO BE A MEMBER OF RMT

1.COLLECTIVE BARGAINING The union has a dedicated team of elected officers and local reps to serve your interests negotiating with employers on issues from pay, hours of work, pensions and working conditions. They are supported by a team of researchers to formulate pay claims to obtain the best negotiated terms for you. 2 SUPPORT IN THE WORKPLACE RMT has a national network of 230 branches organised under regional councils aimed at providing local support. Every member has their own branch secretary to provide immediate support and advice in the workplace. The union has health and safety at work representatives coordinated from head office to ensure safety is given due priority by employers and risk is properly managed. RMT’s equal opportunities specialists also provide support to ensure fairness and help to stamp out bullying and harassment. 3 HELPLINE 0800 376 3706. A freephone members’ helpline staffed by experts in the industrial relations department advises members on all work related and membership enquiries. Lines are open Monday to Friday 0800 hours to 1800 hours and Saturdays 0930 hours to 1600 hours. 4. ADVICE LINE 0800 376 3706 (ENGLAND & WALES) 0800 328 1014 (SCOTLAND) If you have a query on any topic besides workplace issues, members can ring up the Advice helpline. RMT provides initial advice on personal and domestic matters such as divorce, property purchases, debt etc and can point you in the direction of professional bodies and solicitors. 5 CRIMINAL CHARGES 0765 911 8181 Should a member or family members find themselves arrested by the police or questioned under caution , RMT’s Criminal helpline can give initial advice and the provision of a duty solicitor should the need arise. Members who are charged with crimes at or connected to work and who are not guilty can be considered for legal representation. All legal representation is discretionary and according to Rule. General criminal queries can also be dealt with on this number. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. 6 INDUSTRIAL DISEASES Members who have suffered an industrial disease will receive free legal support to make a claim. Such claims are underwritten by the union and members will not have any deduction from their settlement unlike claims run by no-win, no-fee companies. Call 08457 125 495 7 PERSONAL INJURIES Personal injury claims cover if you suffer an accident in work or outside work. RMT underwrites settlements that would not be provided by no- win, no-fee companies. Call 08457 125 495 8 EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS Should a member find themselves unfairly dismissed, discriminated against or have any claim which has reasonable prospects of success at an Employment Tribunal, RMT will provide legal representation and pay the fee. Even if the union is advised that the claim is unlikely to succeed, members who make a claim are eligible to receive free legal advice. 9 DONCASTER EDUCATION CENTRE The union has an Education Centre in Doncaster offering a range of courses for activists to increase our professionalism in the workplace. The centre has an Information Technology suite which is a valuable training resource together with video linkage to headquarters enabling conferences with the general secretary and other officials. From January members will be able to book places on courses online subject to subsequent Branch approval. 24 REASONS TO BE There are many good reasons to be an RMT member and below are just 24 of them 20