EDUCATE AND AGITATE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december :: RMTnews 26 Almost a year after recognising Bob Crow’s inspiration behind the establishment of our education centre by naming it after him, it was right to hold our third education festival to mark 10 years of the centre. The Bob Crow National Education centre opened its doors and gardens to over 250 members and friends of the union to celebrate 10 years of educating, supporting and preparing our workplace representatives, officials and officers for the task of fighting for member’s interests. Despite the weather members and friends of RMT socialised to a background of local musicians and headliner ‘Joe Solo’ all fuelled by a few local ales, it was clear many plans and strategies were in early development stage by the afternoon’s end. The crowd were welcomed by Liz Rees from the TUC and Stuart Howard from the ITF, before the president and general secretary addressed those gathered to mark the 10 years of education work after attending the funeral of the trade union legend Davey Hopper. The centre heads towards 2017 in good shape, with RMT lay tutors delivering a wide variety of courses to nearly 800 RMT members and with plans to further develop courses that help and support all of our activists. All speakers paid tribute to the centre’s Staff who made the day work as they do the courses all year round. If you are interested in improving your ability to represent your workmates, build our union or join the fightback for workers go to our website and check out the courses available. EDUCATE AND AGITATE RMT education officer Andy Gilchrist explains how the Bob Crow education centre has been developing RMT reps for 10 years