PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

24 President’s column RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2021 :: RMTnews As the year draws to a close as so does my term of office in November we have the world’s leaders converging into Glasgow for COP 26. With this comes a number of issues covering Network Rail, Cross Country, Caledonian sleeper and Scotrail. As we are all aware the last two are currently in dispute over issues, however as I write this five SNP back-benchers have chosen to politicise our members issues in the hope of dampening down the appetite of our members appetite for taking industrial action. Anyone can see that they are trying to avert embarrassment by using this as a tactic to try and make sure Joe Biden gets the 8.58am from Shettleston during the event, equally disappointing is none of the Green Party MSPs at the time of writing have come out publicly to denounce the statement by the five. Our press department, Scottish NEC, Scotrail convenor and lead officers will be critical in the run up to this with the live road show meetings building up to disruption if these Scottish Ministers don’t come and talk to us. It’s time to live up to the fair work agenda. August became a bit of a historic moment for women in the trade union movement as Sister Sharon Graham was elected General Secretary for Unite. Sharon now joins Sarah Wooley, Christina McAnea and the lovely Jo Grady in top jobs in our movement. Whilst we continue to make progress round equalities we as a union are trying to find that magic wand to bridge the gap and get away from that stereotypical males gets the job. I'm sure the general secretary will echo these sentiments and attempt to persuade and empower our next generation of female activists to seize the day and who knows we may end up with a female general secretary in the not too distant future. I'm honoured that both Sis Herbison and Sis Apedo-Amah have been elected to the NEC during my time as president and hope we can continue this trend moving forward. Remember to use your vote in all elections for your union. I am also very proud of our organisation around bus workers, and the fight we are taking forward to improve pay and conditions fit for their professional role in our communities. I also want to pay tribute to the representatives that continually put their heads above the parapet for our members. So, remember when your rep is being attacked it’s your duty to support them. I am also aware of how busy the roles of elected officials have become and the staff in our RMT offices with the lack of answers from the RICF and the RRIG. This, of course, to frustrate and undermine negotiations. But your union has clearly stated NO JOBS ARE FOR SALE we will fight to protect every role in the railway sector and your involvement is paramount to make sure we win a better future and secure working conditions. There are lots of fights against the attacks of our members and your union will give you all the support you need to stop the attacks on pay, conditions, safety and individuals who stand up to protect the members they represent. So, when the government and bosses thought we would accept cuts, remember our members were heroes getting key workers to work and now we are ready to fight for our jobs. In finishing this month I’d like to pay tribute to Bill Rawcliffe, with Bill’s passing I’ve lost a dear friend, brilliant trade unionist and, more importantly, this union is left with a massive gap in it. Rest in peace Bill you’ll be missed by many. Solidarity Michelle JOIN THE FIGHT My name is Nick Brown and I work as a Retail Customer Service Assistant on Avanti West Coast. I am visually impaired due to corneal sight loss caused by a condition called ‘pellucid marginal degeneration’, which I developed around eight or nine years ago. I was just unlucky, I suppose. Work has put numerous barriers in my way. There has been a lack of understanding from managers, customers and peers, and I have had to fight for the reasonable adjustments I need. My management has never once recognised their legal responsibility to make adjustments for me. Instead, they have always made me feel as though they are doing me a favour keeping me in work. Being involved in the union has helped me tackle this discrimination. The union has provided the education I needed to know my rights and to fight for adjustments. We have good union reps who have supported me. I have taken up the role of Disability Officer of my RMT branch Birmingham Rail and I represent the Midlands region on the union’s National Disabled Members’ Advisory Committee. I have also been elected to be a Company Council representative on Avanti West Coast. If employers were to genuinely recognise and apply the social model of disability, this would be a great start to improving the way they treat disabled workers. This is an approach that sees people with impairments as being disabled by barriers we face at work and in wider society. By applying the social model, employers can identify the difficulties that they are causing to disabled workers and remove and reduce those difficulties. We have registered this issue for discussion at our Company Council. My advice to other RMT members who face a similar situation to mine is: please be proactive, educate yourself and that way you help others fight for their rights. DISABLED MEMBERS SPEAK OUT REMOVING BARRIERS, CHALLENGING DISCRIMINATION A member explains the need to be proactive, educate yourself and help others fight for their rights