SIGNALLING SAFETY

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2017 :: RMTnews 16 A packed signalling grades organising conference held in Kinston-Upon-Hull welcomed the two-year pay deal with no compulsory redundancies but heard warnings that the Tories wanted to re-privatise Network Rail and attack transport unions. RMT assistant general secretary Mick Lynch said that the government was looking at devolved route structures and a fracturing of NR as a whole. “This could lead to regional collective bargaining and it is something we must guard against,” he said. RMT general secretary Mick Cash warned that the 2016 Trade Union Act, which comes into force this month, was designed to prevent trade unions from defending their members. Currently, industrial action can be lawful if a simple majority of those balloted vote in favour. The Act introduces a 50 per cent turnout requirement. If the majority of those balloted perform a public services specified in the regulations, such as education, fire, health and transport, at least 40 per cent of those eligible to vote must back action. “We need to increase our power at the workplace by recruiting members and getting reps in place. “Our reps are important because they tell us what the membership wants that’s why we knew we had widespread support for this year’s pay deal,” he said. Gerry Hitchen of the organisation unit echoed the call to build the union by strengthening membership at the workplace where it matters. “The need for branch and regional plans is now in the union’s rulebook, Rule 10, and we need to carry out workplace mapping exercises in order to find out who is not in the union,” he said. Delegates also heard reports from the various National Operations Council working groups in a number of areas SIGNALLING SAFETY Signalling grades discuss safety, joint working parties and travel facilities