PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Conference season has begun for RMT members and I had the pleasure of attending the young member’s conference in London. They had invited Suzi and Vladimir from CGT rail union in France as they build International solidarity for the future. Worker solidarity across the globe is important in today’s precarious world and similar fights face each of us. I also attended a very well- organised signallers conference in Crewe where debates were reassuring showing that our representatives are switched on to the challenge that faces us in an ever- changing industry and that we are ready to change with the modern world with great RMT reps leading the way. The women's conference hosted by Dover branch was another great success and well-attended, with over sixty-five delegates registered. Jacqui Smith from ITF seafarers office had a great debate which was informative and knowledgeable. It's International women day on March 8 and I hope that we are all able to join in an event somewhere to celebrate and show how women have enriched the world to which we all belong and how together we are stronger in struggle. I would like to quote Millie Lansbury, a great women even in today's modern world ,and one I think we all try to do in our day to day life, which Janine Booth kindly allowed me to open her latest book launch. ”How shall we help the poor, the weak, the fallen, weary and heavy-laden, help themselves”. All your resolutions will be dealt with by your NEC members in line with your wishes making our union stronger. There have been big steps forward also at Northern and South Western Railways but we have to be patient to achieve our goals, also good news for DHL and great work by the rank and file organisers to achieve such results. I am disgusted by the far right peddling there vile views on our streets and hatred against those of religion, race and organised workers. I am proud in our union we step up and defend fascism and racism and educate our members to see that such behaviour allows the capitalist state to befit, and leaves the working classes worse off as we fight each other and that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. It's a responsibility of all of us to be vigilant especially in our workplaces to speak out, to educate and stamp out this behaviour and not ignore! We must not allow going unchallenged. I was also fortunate enough to be invited to the premiere of Witch Hunt, a film about expelled Labour member Jackie Walker. Her hearing starts soon and I want to wish Jackie well and I hope the Labour Party stops ripping itself apart and start building on its success of a high increase of members and turn together to rid us of the shocking government who is dividing us and bring our country to its knees as a laughing stock to the world. I'm also concerned about the election process within our own union as it is seen as wrong to challenge incumbents. There is already language which is undermining our union's democracy and we should embrace the opportunity to challenges as open and transparent and a fair culture of democracy and trust that our members will always choose the right person and this should be done with respect and dignity. We are one union fighting the bosses and that's where our strength lies. Never forget we are leaders in the trade union movement and respected by many as being a fighting democratic union, member-led creating the structure we are all so proud of. I also managed to visit Chester branch and Manchester South, both well attended with rank and file members. In Solidarity, Michelle Rodgers President’s column CONFERENCE SEASON RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2019 :: RMTnews 23 and Conservative governments have led to 8,000 bus drivers losing their jobs, bus fares in England (outside of London) increasing at over twice the rate of average earnings and over 3,300 bus services in England and Wales reduced, altered or withdrawn since 2010. In 2017-18, the private bus companies in England profited from £3.34 billion in passenger fares and £2.18 billion in subsidy (local authority and DfT), yet the total number of bus passenger journey’s fell again for the fourth year running. RMT is demanding a return to municipally owned bus services but this Bill also allows the chance to hammer home the need for reform to bus drivers’ hours. It needs government support to pass but it would limit the working hours of bus drivers and harmonise UK legislation and bring consistency to this issue, to the benefit of bus drivers. As Matt Western said at the end of his speech: “It cannot be right that we have different regulations for freight vehicles and passenger vehicles. We must harmonise and we must legislate”. The fight goes on for a publicly owned and operated bus industry, recruiting more bus workers on improved terms and conditions to serve a growing number of routes and passengers. Member of Parliament for Newport West from the 1987 general election until his death. In 2016, he briefly served as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales and Shadow Leader of the House of Commons. Aged 81, he became the oldest MP in over a century to hold a shadow cabinet position. He was a republican and in 1996 tabled a bill to abolish the monarchy via a referendum. He was also a harsh critic of the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan.