DOVER SHIP AWARDS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2017 :: RMTnews 29 Dear editor, I wish to reply to the contentious letter sent in by Ian Allen in the September edition of RMT News endorsing the union re-affiliating to the Labour Party. I am concerned that the letter breached the advice of an RMT circular dated July 27 not to have any formal debate until we are better informed of any future contacts with the Labour Party. I do not think the union should re- affiliate until the party support the aims of the union including a socialist Brexit, abolition of anti-union laws, housing matters especially post-Grenfell, unambiguous positions on renationalisation without compensation of rail and other vital services like water and power supply. We need assurances that renegades from the policies of Corbyn and McDonnell will be disciplined or deselected have yet been received concretely. Also attempts to re-establish reselection of Labour officeholders who oppose socialist principles were remitted at the recent Labour conference. We have also seen Labour mayors like Rotherham in Liverpool and Sadiq Khan in London refusing to back the anti-DOO strikes by our union. I have a great regard for socialists in the Labour Party, especially people like Corbyn, McDonnell and my own MP Cat Smith who massively increased their majorities in the recent general election. But I fail to see why we should ditch a strategy which has served us well since Bob Crow initiated it after our disgraceful treatment by Blair, Mandelson and Brown. I also dislike the singling out by Brother Allen of the TUSC, founded by Bob Crow, who am sure would have been equally suspicious of prematurely diving back into the still far from fit for purpose Labour Party. How many of our members would like their branches, regional councils and the national union should donate as of affiliation automatic funding of candidates even though they are proven enemies of the aims of their union. I believe the singling out of TUSC was a veiled attack on the Trotskyist Socialist Party and I condemn it despite the fact that I am neither as an SP member or even a Trotskyist as some have tried to pigeonhole me. Let us stick to the course laid out by Bob Crow and reject gimmicks and political short-cuts and stunts. Fraternally Steve Metcalfe NOTIFICATION OF CONTRIBUTION RATES FOR 2018 Like most things, the cost of providing you with the benefits of RMT membership increases every year and contribution rates increase to help us to maintain and improve those benefits and our services to members. From the 1st January 2018 new members joining whose basic salary or equivalent earnings are above £21,700 per annum will pay £4.96 per week. New members whose basic salary or equivalent earnings are below £21,700 per annum will pay £2.13 per week. Direct debit payments will be amended accordingly as will contributions collected by employers under paybill deduction arrangements. Members who pay contributions to cash collectors will receive a new contribution card from the collector. Those sending cheques or postal orders direct will need to adjust the amounts sent in accordingly.    Weekly £4.96 £2.13 4 Weekly £19.82 £8.52 Monthly £21.48 £9.23 We maintain a tight control of our costs and continually re-examine them to ensure that we make best use of our resources to deliver improved services to you. I am sure you will agree that RMT membership continues to provide excellent value for money. R MT national secretary Steve Todd pictured with Lee Davison branch secretary of Dover Shipping presenting 40- year medals to Alan Smith, Les Bonham and John Parker. AFFILIATE TO LABOUR? DOVER SHIPPER AWARDS