WIGAN SOLIDARITY

Wigan RMT member Colin Spicer was viciously assaulted on the gate-line last month in the course of his duties in an unprovoked violent attack for simply asking the customer to purchase a ticket for his journey. Colin suffered multiple fractures to his eye socket, jaw, and skull in what can only be described as one of the worst assaults ever suffered by one of our members at work, yet he receives no sick pay. He is employed by union- busting employer Carlisle Support Services who refuse to recognise the union on this revenue contract despite the RMT having 90 per cent membership density. A campaign is currently running to secure RMT recognition that will ultimately result in a ballot for industrial action of members should the employer decline RMT demands. Due to Carlisle Support Services lack of sick pay and the only income Colin will now receive for many months will be statutory sick pay which falls way short of his weekly earnings. As a paying member of Wigan Wallgate RMT Solidarity Fund, Colin immediately received financial support as the committee agreed to donate towards Colins loss of earnings. It also launched a GoFundMe page to recoup Colins loss of wages as he had been advised by his surgeon that he could be absent from his place of work for a number of months. Within 48 hours RMT members from all over the country had also sent messages of solidarity to Colin and donated over £4,500 towards Colins loss of earnings whilst he recovers from the assault. Once again, the solidarity displayed demonstrates the power and value of trade union membership which cannot be underestimated. There is nothing stronger than a group of working-class people uniting during a time of need in support of one of their own. It just doesn’t happen anywhere else in society. As a result, we have managed to secure a big chunk of the loss of earnings our brother Colin Spicer of Wigan RMT branch will suffer over the coming months simply for asking a punter to produce a valid ticket at the station gate-line. Colin has now undergone surgery for a fractured eye socket, a broken jaw and multiple head injuries and must endure months off work without any sick pay. This once more highlights the need to abolish the outsourcing of core railway work to rogue contractors employing workers on poverty wages, zero-hour contracts and poor conditions. Carlisle Support Services are leaving their staff destitute and financially abandoned as has happened in Colin’s circumstances. This company clearly should have a duty of care towards staff when attacked in the course of their duty. Following a conversation with Colin, he thanks everyone who has donated and is completely overwhelmed at the level of support he is receiving from the union and other trade unions across the country. A big up to everyone who has supported him in his time of need. RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2022 :: RMTnews 21 RMT NEC member Steve Shaw reveals a shocking attack on a gate-line member and the solidarity given WIGAN SOLIDARITY