UNITY IN DIVERSITY

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2019 :: RMTnews 20 RMT published a pamphlet last year to mark the 25th anniversary of the union’s black and ethnic minority members’ advisory committee and its annual conference. Unity in diversity, a celebration of black and ethnic minority union members was written by Steve Martin a specialist in Black British history and literature. He works with museums, archives and the education sector to bring diverse histories to wider audiences and has published five books. The pamphlet offers a brief overview of the role played by race in unionised labour in Great Britain with a special look at the part played by rail maritime and transport unions in that story. It looks back to the 19th century when black seamen and their families settled in Britain’s port cities. Many of them would have been among the first significant body of non-white unionised labour. Occasionally, as in the case of the 1911 Seamen's Strike, black and white workers in Cardiff took joint industrial action to seek better pay and conditions. However British unions often fell short in their obligations to defend them so black workers often formed their own organisations. After the war the Windrush generation came to Britain and many worked in the transport sector. Unity in diversity looks at the struggles for equality that followed including breaking the colour bar at Euston station and ending discrimination against Asian workers at Paddington station. Calls were made at the 1992 RMT annual general meeting for the establishment of a black and minority members’ advisory committee. The advisory has held an annual conference since 1994 and continues to work for equality and against racism. This pamphlet is an important publication and every member should take time to read it. Unity in diversity, a celebration of black and ethnic minority union members is available from head office by emailing: j.webb@rmt.org.uk As a member of RMT, you have the opportunity to join the BHSF health cash plan. By joining, you and your family can claim cash towards your everyday healthcare costs, including dental, optical and therapy treatments, plus much more. The health cash plan available to you has changed; your brand new Health4All health cash plan has enhanced benefits to help you better manage your healthcare costs. One of the key changes is that you can now claim every year for optical, hearing aids and health screening. Cover starts from as little as £5.78 per month and premiums are payable through convenient payroll deduction. *For example, a policyholder with personal Gold cover could claim: • Up to £150 towards dental bills • Up to £150 towards optical costs • Up to £250 towards diagnostic consultations • Up to £500 towards therapy treatments such as physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic treatment Policies also include access to a GP consultation service, connecting you 24/7 to a fully- qualified GP, via a helpline for advice and diagnosis on health matters. Also included is a telephone helpline available 24/7, providing a telephone counselling service on stress, family relationships, substance abuse and debt, along with legal advice and information on financial and health matters. Any RMT member aged 16 or over, who normally resides in the UK can apply; no medical is required and 90 per cent of eligible claims are paid within two working days of receipt. You can claim from the start date of your policy with the exception of maternity benefit which is subject to a 10 month qualifying period; and if you have an existing medical condition, you will have to wait two years before you are covered for hospital claims for the same or a related condition. Telephone helplines can be accessed from the start date of your policy. For more information about the BHSF Health4All health cash plan, or to apply, call 0121 629 1089. *based on the personal Gold cover at £18.50 per month. CLAIM EVERYDAY HEALTHCARE COSTS Claim cash back on a range of everyday healthcare costs from dental to optical bills with your union UNITY IN DIVERSITY A celebration of black and ethnic minority union members