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RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: october 2019 :: RMTnews 24 M y name is Martin Dean, and I have a stammer. I work as a customer host. So why does this mean that I am disabled? A stammer is an impairment that affects an important life activity: speaking and communication. So, in my job as a host, this can be difficult. With the support of my company but most importantly RMT, I received therapy. I know that I have good days and bad days, but without this wonderful help and support from my friends and my union, I could not have achieved so much to cope with my stammer. Last year, I proudly joined RMT’s disabled members’ advisory committee as a representative of the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire region. Getting involved more actively in the union and its disabled members’ group have given me the confidence to speak on issue that I care about. This year, I gave a speech about mental health at the TUC disabled workers’ conference, in front of about two hundred people from lots of different trade unions. I have achieved all this by gaining the confidence to embrace my disability. Don’t be ashamed: it is part of who you are. N etwork Rail met in Liverpool recently for a very informative and constructive conference which included training workshops and presentations. The event was chaired and coordinated by RMT equality rep and diversity and inclusion (D&I) champion Mark Beresford with help from RMT equalities officer Jess Webb and Liverpool regional office staff. Jonathan Payne of Network Rail’s D&I team gave a presentation on the need to build a more diverse, open and inclusive organisation. Bernie Wentworth of RMT solicitors Thompsons gave a training session on D&I matters with a question and answers session. Mark Beresford led a discussion on D&I champions and six volunteers have committed to becoming champions. There were also discussions around progress of issues and progress going forward as well as on the role, activities and functions of RMT equality reps and experiences, concerns and feedback. NETWORK RAIL EQUALITY REPS MEET D i s a b l e D m e m b e r s s p e a k o u t GAINING CONFIDENCE