PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

"Stand and deliver" was the famous demand from the notorious masked highwayman, Dick Turpin in the early 1730's. Who would have thought that the latest exponent of this order would be a man dressed very similar to those that sent Turpin to the gallows in York 276 years ago. The decision from Justice Supperstone, that the Communication Workers Union [CWU] could not take legal strike action was nothing more than a modern day Turpin - style "gun to the head" order; that the members must “stand and deliver”. We already live in a country with some of the most regressive anti - trade union laws imaginable, whereby a simple majority is good enough when it comes to deciding who runs the government but it is not good enough when workers try to withdraw their labour. 110,000 CWU members were balloted with a 73.7% return, of which nearly 90% voted for industrial action; smashing the thresholds needed in law, so, the company needed a friendly judge and it looks like they found one! These workers are facing a reduction in their pensions of up to a third and that is with a pension scheme that is currently in surplus. At the same time Moya Greene, the chief executive at Royal Mail has received a 23% increase to her pay and perks package; so it’s not surprising that Dave Ward and his members are less than pleased. We in RMT know only too well what it’s like to have to fight the private operators, governments and the unequal legal system in this country and I'm sure you will all join me in sending a strong message of solidarity to our CWU comrades. Recently I attended the four-yearly congress of the Transport Workers Union of America, with the General Secretary and Sister Lorna Tooley, who was chosen by our Annual General Meeting delegates to represent members at the conference. TWU has many similarities with RMT, being an all grades transport union. Founded in 1934 by New York subway workers, the name of the union was chosen as a tribute to the Irish Transport and General Workers Union, which was led by Jim Larkin and James Connolly twenty years before. TWU established a reputation for militancy and left-wing politics which it still has today, while we were there John Samuelsen was confirmed as the new international President. A large part of John's acceptance speech focused on Bob Crow and how much he admired and learnt from him; it was an emotional tribute. Finally, I would like to commend all our members right across the RMT, who have had to stand up and be counted; whether you have already been forced to take action due to unfair or unsafe demands/plans from the employer or recently voted in preparation to do so, you are all heroes. “Honest politics and Tory politics are contradictions in terms. Lying is a necessary part of a Tory’s political equipment, for it's essential to him to conceal his real intentions from the people. This is partly the reason for his success in keeping power” [Aneurin Bevan 1944] In Solidarity, Sean Hoyle President’s column STAND AND DELIVER RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: october 2017 :: RMTnews 23 Dover shipping branch secretary Lee Davison represented the union at the Dover Merchant Navy day memorial ceremony. The annual event is hosted by Dover Council to commemorate the sacrifice given by members of the Merchant Navy during times of conflict. A wreath was laid on behalf of the union at the Merchant Navy memorial on Dover seafront. MERCHANT NAVY DAY