YOUNG MEMBERS MEET BY ZOOM

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2021 :: RMTnews 15 O ver 40 delegates and guests took part in key discussions and debate over the current issues young workers face, politics in the Labour movement and at the workplace and what the future holds for trade unionists. The conference had a clear focus on how the pandemic had affected both how we function as a trade union and how we have been able to quickly adapt to continue with democracy, organising and educating members. In 2020 the Young Members Advisory Committee (YMAC) successfully produced a well attended six-part educational Autumn School programme run by the committee to encourage young RMT members to participate in union activity and understand the history behind the labour movement. This has led to higher involvement from young members within the workplace and their respective branches. This has led to the creation of a new three-part educational course on Women in Power to encourage young women to be more involved with our great union. RMT general secretary Mick Cash opened up to the conference on how it has been a difficult time during the pandemic for transport workers and how the union has had to respond to reductions in passenger levels and with health and safety issues. However, the message was clear that it is crucial young transport workers not only join RMT but participate in trade unionism to fight for our future as previous generations have done. This was followed by a panel: Politics in the labour movement and workplace – what the future holds for trade unionists with Millie Apedo- Amah (RMT NEC), Luke Elgar (CWU Youth NEC Rep), John McDonnell MP and Jeremy Corbyn MP who said: “Your union is strong, more than anything because of the education system Bob Crow brought in” referring to the National Education Centre in Doncaster that bares his name. This is often forgotten when talking of the strength of our militant union as we face ongoing threats of cuts to our public services, casualisation of labour and the current pandemic. The education system we have in place allows industrial and health and safety reps to gain the knowledge and training needed to effectively organise their workplace in the best interests of our members. The main topics covered by the panellists and discussed with the delegates were equalities issues within the workplace, industrial trade unions and the importance of using an organising model, the history of the Labour Party, issues facing young workers and the important role of transport industries in creating a green future all of which young members have a vital role to play in to build for a better future. Other talks were given to the conference by Mark Carden, newly re-elected Assistant National Secretary, on the issues faced by seafarers and the maritime industry, Tony Donaghey, ex- RMT President and representing the Retired Members conference on the importance of solidarity across generations of trade unionists and Lee Rundle, South West NEC member, with a catch up on progress of last year’s motions. The conference closed with South African trade unionist and international guest Zithuele Radebe talking about the casualisation of labour affecting young transport workers and how the pandemic has affected trade union organising in South Africa. The YMAC would like to thank Rae Lewis-Ayling who has put in a lot of work in the past year as Vice Chair of YMAC to organise young members nationally, put on zoom educational courses during the lockdowns and put on this year’s successful conference and congratulate the newly elected liaison committee. Lastly, a thank you to all attendees who helped raise £120 for British Heart Foundation in memory of Bob Crow via a raffle in which the star prize was a book on Fidel Castro owned by Bob himself. Rhys Harmer – Chair of YMAC Niamh Ramsey – Vice Chair of YMAC YOUNG MEMBERS MEET BY ZOOM