PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

This October is Black History Month, it is also known as African-American History Month in the U.S., is an annual observance in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States. It began as a way for remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. It is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada in February, as well as in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland in October. Black History Month kicked off with a strong message from Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party saying that he was proud to lead a party that puts equality at its very heart and has a rich history of championing for equal rights and opportunities for all. This year we had our 25th anniversary of our Black and Ethnic Minority Members Advisory Committee [B&EMMAC] Conference and we continue to see our members fight hard for improved representation and a louder say on union decisions that affect them which is as it should be. We in the RMT have a long record of defending activist when they come under attract from whatever direction. 2 years ago, Manuel Cortez's GS of TSSA publicly accused Jackie Walker, a black Jewish activist, writer and former Vice-Chair of Momentum of being a racist, for not agreeing with any of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance [IHRA] definition example. Jackie was invited to speak at our Black & Ethnic Conference and an AGM resolution was passed seeking to defend Black activists unjustly ostracised in the national media. Marc Wadsworth, anti-racist campaigner, founder of Anti-Racist Alliance and anti-racist campaigns involving murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence was expelled from the Labour Party on 27th April 2018 for bringing the party into disrepute. Mark challenged Right Wing Labour MP Ruth Smeeth at the launch of the Chakrabarti inquiry into allegations of anti-Semitism and other forms of racism in the Labour Party saying that she was working “ Hand in hand with a Telegraph journalist” and like many other Right Wing Labour MP’s the real objective was to damage Corbyn. Mark has a crowd funding page to help support his defence. : https://uk.gofundme.com/justice4marca Recently along with local reps, NEC members and the SAGS/AGS we have been campaigning to keep our ticket offices open on London Overground. Arrival Rail London and Transport for London held a public consultation on their plans to close 51 of the 62 staffed ticket offices. Staffed ticket offices are vital on our rail network as ticket vending machines simply do not offer the range of tickets many passengers need, often overcharging people in the process. Station staff in ticket offices also regularly provide a point of human contact for passengers improving safety and enabling disabled passengers to travel with confidence we must do everything in our power to fight these plans. The National Executive Committee members have continued to visit as many picket lines as possible, around the country during our various disputes and the feedback I’m receiving from our heroes on those picket lines is heartening. I’m sure the NEC will continue to be as visible as they possibly can in the future and thank you very much for all the cakes we have been greeted with along the way [not that we needed them]. +34 -,04-0310432%-1414+3 '21*,44+34%%.3,,-.4,4+34 (1* 4+34%%.3,,3* [Steve Biko 18th December1946-12 September 1977] In Solidarity Sean Hoyle President’s column BLACK HISTORY MONTH RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: october 2018 :: RMTnews 23 BIRMINGHAM AWARDS Gerald Wilkes 25 year badge Ian Stokes 40 year badge Mark Solloway 40 year badge Prince Allen 40 year badge Michael Windle 40 year badge