RETIRED MEMBERS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may 2018 :: RMTnews 28 Conference opened by paying respect on the recent death of Brother Alex McFadden, life- long NUR and RMT member who was an active member of the retired section. The RMT retired members advisory was set up about twenty five years ago to campaign and engage retired members in the union on retirement issues within our union and the wider national movement. Around 50 delegates attended, discussed and debated the major problems existing for retired people including transport and the3 crucial issue of guards on trains. Why do elderly and people with disabilities need guards on trains? Ageing is natural and we need more assistance particularly when travelling on public transport where pensioners and older use most to get around. When British Rail first abolished guards on commuter trains some years ago, they didn’t think through the impact on this section of our society and frequently these days there are no staff on stations or booking offices which adds to the problem. Transport Consultant Peter Rayner, who has spent most of his working life in the rail industry, acknowledged this lack of foresight in his address to conference and further added that the 2010 Disability Act of Parliament was being ignored and strongly suggested test cases of instances should be vigorously pursued. Conference expressed solidarity with guards members who have been defending for the last two years safe train travel. This year was the 10th anniversary of the Bus Pass and the 50th of the 1968 Transport Act and both were welcomed but the continual reduction in rural bus services is a concern. It’s all very well having a bus pass but more and more often there are no busses. Since 1984, when the provisions of the 1968 Act was deregulated, public transport has suffered and delegates thought it should be re-enacted. Uniting the generations, Increase in State Pension Age, Older Peoples Commission, and Social Care, and the Citizen Rail Card were also discussed. Two members from the RMT young members section addressed conference. RETIRED MEMBERS Retired members’ advisory conference chair Tony Donaghey reports on their recent annual meeting in Doncaster