PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

President’s column Well, my final column! I thanked all those that helped in my campaign last month but missed the biggest THANK YOU which is to you the members as without your support and kind words of encouragement I’m not sure the three years would have not been bearable. We have had quite a rollercoaster, with general secretary elections, long serving officers retiring all having given their best to the trade union movement and I’m sure many will be around with words of wisdom and encouragement. As you read this, the regular yearly national executive committee elections will have concluded and those regions will have your voice in the boardroom. So, I wish Bros King and Goard and those successful in the respective elections all the best and remember you’re there to make the decisions despite what some may say or do. Democracy and the rule book remain the most important thing in our union. This is why my final AGM had lots of decision overturned by our supreme body a democratic process where 60 plus delegates make what should be an independent decision based on the debates presented. It's gone on for 150 years and hopefully will continue for 150 plus years. As national president I'm often reminded by others what their interpretation of the role is and have battled to maintain the essence of what our AGM decided. "To ensure the AGM is never overturned by the NEC and to be a safe valve for our democracy". I would like to think that despite what some have said about my tenure I've maintained that and that any president that comes in the future (hopefully another women soon) continues the essence of the role. I hope now with Mick Lynch's election we can move forward and the unity statement eventually becomes a reality because having witnessed the 2020 AGM and 2021 and the misinformation being peddled by a so called newspaper masquerading as a socialist paper decides to retract some of its published material about this union because it only continues to add to the strife. This organisation doesn't need that as we face a difficult 2022 for our membership. It's time we removed our inability to embrace others ideas and realised it's the membership that matters not personalities and ego's. Lastly a big thanks to each and every employee of this union from the various departments at Unity House and beyond. You contribute to what makes our union so fantastic on a day to day basis and don't ever think we forget that. I wish Mick, Steve, Eddie, Darren, the new president and the rest of the NEC ( the officers are the NEC too even though they don't get a vote their influence forms part of the decision making) all the best for 2022 and I'm sure you'll continue to make those decisions and Mick and officers will continue to carry out your wishes. I'm not saying goodbye just see you soon and sisters don't let me be the last! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Solidarity, Michelle Rodgers THANK YOU I’m Alison Hazlehurst, and I am a customer complaints manager for Northern Rail. Before this, I was a conductor, also for Northern. When I was still a conductor, I developed severe pain and tiredness. After around ten years of visits back and forth to the doctor, I was eventually diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (a long- term condition in which the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed) and fibromyalgia (another long- term condition that causes pain all over the body). Shiftwork presented a massive barrier to me. I was unable to work early turns, and I ended up being permanently medically redeployed into the job I do now. The workplace presented barriers in my new role as well. I needed a suitable office chair, desk and working environment, and later shifts. After union intervention, I got all these. The union has been there for me from start to finish, which ensured that management realised I was not making it up! I have become Equality Officer for my RMT branch, and represent my region on the union’s Disabled Members’ Advisory Committee. Shiftwork and inadequate office facilities present problems to disabled workers across our industries. A truly accessible workplace would address these issues rather than wait for individuals to demand changes. My advice to other union members facing a similar situation is: Seek advice, don't ever give up, keep fighting.   RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2021 :: RMTnews 29 WORK CAN BE A PAIN D I S A B L E D M E M B E R S S P E A K O U T