CROSSWORD EDITORIAL

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2021 :: RMTnews 30 Crossword sponsored by UIA £50 PRIZE CROSSWORD Send entries to Prize Crossword, RMT, Unity House, 39 Chalton Street, London NWI IJD by August 24 with your name and address. Winner of last month’s crossword was Roger Stone, Andover. Last month’s solution... AACROSS 1 With regard to society (10) 8 Festoon (7) 9 Rate (5) 10 Brief (5) 11 Voter (7) 12 Fame (6) 14 Fame (6) 16 Gain with effort (7) 17 Malicious burning (5) 19 Rejoice (5) 20 Urgent (7) 21 Incessant (11) DOWN 1 Central collection place (8,5) 2 Graceful (5) 3 Rough (6) 4 Female performer (7) 5 Boundlessness (13) 6 Sharp blow (4) 7 Bad (6) 12 Lecturer (6) 13 Struggle (7) 15 Desert (6) 17 Dwell (5) 18 Crazy (4) W olverhampton branch regret to announce the passing of branch member Janet McDonald (Campbell) who worked as an ASM for Avanti and was the branch equalities officer. Janet had just been re- elected into her second term as local rep and developed a passion for the Black and Ethnic Minorities Committee and was pleased to have been elected on to the liaison committee. She was a regular attendee at the branch and always remained true to herself and lived her best life, but the pandemic took its toll. Like many reps we were flat out in the first few months including supporting shielders with food parcels outside of work and looking after her two sons who both work on the railway. In all the years I have worked on the railway I have never known shock and grief on a national level following the death of a member of staff, which is testament to her and the respect everyone had for her. She will always be remembered for her infectious personality and drive to get things done, but most of all as a friend and for the support she gave to us all. Wolverhampton branch secretary Steve Smith As a driver with Gett and an RMT member I was disappointed with the article that implied that a disabled driver was not allowed to join Gett. Given the use of the word "claimed" a greater check should have been made before publishing the article. Due to the pandemic and severe downturn in work Gett stopped recruiting drivers at the time in order to protect the income of existing drivers. All be it with the caveat that you could join for a payment of several thousands of pounds which was a technical device to comply with restraint of trade legislation no drivers were taken on at this time. So, the disabled claim is specious. Having a driver that has an exemption certificate for carrying wheelchairs does not affect the 100% wheelchair accessible fleet claim either. The vehicle remains wheelchair accessible even if the driver cannot take a wheelchair. Additionally, if the person in a wheelchair has a helper that helper can put the passenger in the cab. I contract Gett as an agent to find me work. They do not employ me. Finally, it should be noted that whilst the London Taxi trade is 100% wheelchair accessible our competitors in the Private Hire industry are 0.5% wheelchair accessible. Regards, Michael Epstein FAREWELL JANET DISABLED TAXI DRIVERS CLAIM LETTERS