DISABLED CONFERENCE GROWING

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may 2019 :: RMTnews 24 O ver thirty delegates gathered in Plymouth last month for RMT’s third annual disabled members’ conference. This is the newest of RMT’s equality group conferences, and has grown each year as more disabled members get involved in its work. Chair Janine Booth welcomed delegates, stressing the important decisions that the conference would make, the discussions that would take place, and the solidarity that would develop among delegates. A recurring theme of the conference was the need to make RMT more effective. RMT assistant general secretary Steve Hedley told the conference that the lack of accessibility of union premises and events is an embarrassment. “When we demand that employers treat disabled workers better, they can accuse us of double standards,” he warned. Throughout the conference delegates posted their ideas for improving the accessibility of RMT branch meetings and these ideas are being put together with responses to the RMT access needs survey. Conference also condemned employers’ use of personality testing for applicants for jobs and promotions. These may be called 'psychometric tests', 'situational judgement tests' or something else and are designed to select applicants on social conformity rather than on aptitude at the job. Nick Jones, Birmingham Rail branch explained how these tests particularly discriminate against autistic and other disabled applicants and called on the union to demand that employers stop using them. Christine Willett, South East Essex also proposed that the union expand its training on disability issues, establish and fill disability officer posts in branches and regional councils, and run a national ‘Know Your Rights’ campaign aimed at disabled members. Christine reported on the successful ‘Know Your Rights’ week run by RMT reps and activists in Transport for London in January, during which two thousand wallet-sized ‘know your rights’ cards were distributed to workers. Jennifer Aggrey-Finn, European Passenger Services argued that ‘reasonable adjustments’ for disabled workers are Plan B – our Plan A is for workplaces and jobs to be fully accessible. But while individual workers still need adjustments, it is important that they do not lose them when they change job, workplace or manager. Jennifer explained that the solution to this is ‘reasonable adjustment passports’, and successfully moved a motion on behalf of Finsbury Park branch calling on the union to negotiate these will all employers. Conference noted that were employers are running ‘mental health awareness’ campaigns but continued to damage workers’ mental health, through anti- social hours, low pay, insecure employment, management bullying and trauma at work. Conference called on the union to run its own campaigning in support of workers’ mental health, against distressing working conditions and independently of employers. Conference also welcomed the initiatives by some employers in setting up programmes for learning disabled and/or autistic people to learn work skills, for example Transport for London's 'Steps Into Work' but these were often unpaid. Delegates did not accept that learning disabled and autistic people were less entitled to pay while they are working and studying than apprentices are. Deleages notes that more members were contacting reps and branch officials seeking advice on disability and long term issues regarding medical conditions. South East Essex branch called for more education and information. What you can do if you would like to get more involved: email Janine Booth j.booth@rmt.org.uk. complete the union’s access needs survey http://tinyurl.vom/y3ggchdq DISABLED CONFERENCE GROWING