DISABLED MEMBERS SPEAK OUT

Vibrant new artworks at one of Northern’s Cheshire stations have been unveiled by a local musical legend. Murals at Alderley Edge station were revealed last month by Peter Hook of Joy Division and New Order fame, who is a resident of the village. Created by Stockport- based artist Eamonn Murphy, the images show a historic first-class 1840’s rail carriage on the Manchester bound platform and a set of four images in alcoves on the main station building depicting the view from The Edge, one of Cheshire’s best-loved landmarks The artworks were commissioned by the Community Rail Partnership and Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group and funded by Northern and Waitrose & Partners. Artist Eamonn Murphy’s work can be seen at many stations in the area including Heaton Chapel, Rose Hill and Disley stations. He has created more than 70 artworks featuring landmarks and places of interest accessible from stations on the Crewe to Manchester, and South East Manchester lines. The collection can be viewed online at stationconnections.co.uk. RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2022 :: RMTnews 28 My name is Jennifer Aggrey- Fynn, and I work as a Customer Services Team Member at Eurostar International in London. I have prediabetes, and was diagnosed with endometriosis after surgery fifteen years ago. I have also had two mini- strokes (transient ischaemic attacks: TIA) which have left me with mobility challenges. I used to work a roster where duties started from 04.15am and hours were long. Management showed a lack of understanding, and resisted implementing reasonable adjustments, even after many visits to Occupational Health. Since the closure of our ticket offices, we have no seated positions, which has eroded any support I had to carry out my job. I often use annual leave to cope with the new regime when my medical condition flares up, instead of actually being away on a well- deserved holiday! Working mainly in the ticket office permitted me and others some respite to deal with our medical situations and work full-time. The nature of my conditions and the inadequate way that management have addressed them affect my mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, It has been a real struggle to be heard and to finally be removed from 4am shifts, and now I am under constant review! Living with a chronic condition is not the same as breaking a leg which heals after a few weeks or so and you're walking without crutches. Some managers are more understanding than others, so you take the rough with the smooth. Through being involved in the union, I have been able to learn about my rights to reasonable adjustments at work. My union rep and branch chair has been instrumental in fighting and negotiating alongside me. My own empowerment in successfully dealing with disability cases from a personal standpoint has equipped me to advise, support and represent other members. I would recommend members as well as reps attend the equality courses the union provides as they form an excellent basis of understanding equality matters in the union, in the workplace and in society. I am a passionate advocate for disability rights. I am an RMT lay tutor, member of the union’s National Advisory Committees of Women and of Black and Ethnic Minority Members, and Education Officer for London and Anglia Region. Our workplaces would be a lot better if there were more commitment to equality matters, including educating the workforce about neurodivergent conditions such as autism, ADHD or dyslexia to name but a few. If there were more understanding about invisible impairments such as gynaecological conditions, it would not be such an uphill battle. Remember: You are an invaluable part of the workforce, so do not allow anyone to discriminate against you or push you out. Never give up fighting for your rights and those of others. Unity is strength – you have the force of the whole union behind your case not just your local team! Never Suffer in Silence. Joy Division bass player Peter Hook unveils new artwork celebrating Cheshire village’s heritage NEW JOY: Image from L to R - Kelvin Briggs from Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group, Peter Hook, Artist Eamonn Murphy, Ros Lee from Waitrose, Sarah Morgan from Crewe to Manchester Community Rail Partnership, and Rebecca Styles from Northern. Front - John Kenny, Crewe to Manchester Community Rail Partnership. ALDERLEY EDGE ART FIGHTING AN UNSEEN BATTLE DISABLED MEMBERS SPEAK OUT