EMPOWERING WOMEN

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may 2019 :: RMTnews 19 Nine RMT women members attended this year’s Women’s TUC to highlight the need for jobs in the maritime sector and the safety-critical role of the guard. Conference noted the importance of the safety critical role of a guard on a train and in particular the security they bring for women passengers. Delegates were informed of an RMT survey of guards outlined how they have used their training throughout their careers with such matters as emergencies, sexual assaults, anti-social behaviour, security and providing assistance. The findings included: • 51 per cent of guards have prevented or deterred at least one sexual assault and 12 have dealt with more than 5 such incidents • 98 per cent of guards have dealt with anti-social behaviour with 63% having tackled it over 20 times • 80 per cent have prevented an emergency situation and a further 80% have dealt with an actual emergency Conference sent solidarity to workers fighting to ensure there are safety critical guards on all trains. Conference backed calls for the TUC to campaign for adequate staffing on trains and stations and the renationalisation of the industry for the benefit of all. Delegates also backed calls for the TUC to campaign for more women seafarers and to highlight the barriers that exist to this in employment and equality legislation. Conference welcomed that the International Maritime Organisation theme for World Maritime Day 2019, Empowering Women in the Maritime Community, as an opportunity to highlight the important contribution of women to the maritime sector and focussing on raising awareness of gender equality. The industry lobby group, Maritime UK, has also produced a ‘Women in Maritime Charter’ which states “Achieving a balanced workforce at all levels in the maritime sector will undoubtedly improve culture, behaviour, outcomes, profitability and productivity”. Despite these initiatives RMT remain concerned at the parlous state of jobs held by UK ratings as shipping companies routinely avoid the national minimum wage, practice nationality based pay discrimination and impose contracted hours way beyond land based health and safety requirements, there are immense structural barriers to recruiting a new generation of female seafarers in the UK shipping industry. DELEGATION: Mary Jane Herbison, Kim Gibson, Ann Joss, Georgina Holmes, Josie Partington, Lesley Clark, Samantha MacLeod, Shelagh Hewitt, Marie Harrington, Millicent Samuel, Christine Willett, Maria Evans TUC WOMEN’S CONFERENCE EMPOWERING WOMEN RMT delegation to 2019 Women’s TUC call for safety at work