DEBATING DISABILITY

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: april 2022 :: RMTnews 22 This year’s TUC disabled workers’ conference was a two-day online event which offered a packed agenda debating relevant issues such as reasonable adjustments, menopause, long covid, access to work reform and accessibility under attack from public transport cuts. There were also fringe events one of which was hosted jointly by this union and Free Our Unions, where reps and rank and file union members were asked to circulate an article concerning the effect on disabled workers anti-union laws. Delegates signed a statement opposing these laws and the repeal of relevant legislation and to provide a short video or statement why disabled people support both the right to strike and the repeal of anti-union laws. Fellow RMT delegates were guided through conference by our lead delegate Janine Booth and the fact that she also holds a seat on the TUC Disabled Workers’ Committee was hugely beneficial to us. Most motions on the agenda were straightforward and the committee’s attitude to recommend supporting was made clear throughout. Day one presented composite motion two which offered the opportunity to join Unison in using the disability employment charter to make a national disability strategy for disabled workers. The charter calls for numbers of disabled people working for organisations yet similar schemes have historically proved ineffective and tokenistic. As a result, Janine spoke against and the vote came back a dead heat, so not carried. However, a second vote was taken next day and, despite the chair being challenged for some questionable decisions, it was finally carried. Quite surprisingly, this contentious composite motion was the motion with the most votes to be taken forward to TUC congress. Most of our delegates felt this was a lesson in democracy to take away with us. Emergency motions are now being drawn up to take to branches ready for our own conference next month. A statement from TUC disabled workers’ committee concerning P&O ferries’ abhorrent treatment of their British staff had already been agreed calling for the government to bring back the ferry company into public ownership. Yet this point was omitted from the final draft but luckily sister Booth was able to deliver the statement in full. We were very well represented by speakers on various motions - moving, seconding, and speaking in support by Janine Booth, Nick Brown, and Colin Stewart. Being fully online was not best practice for everyone so perhaps in-person or hybrid should be looked at for next year. If eventful conferences are your thing, I’d look no further and I am already looking forward to next year. As Steve Hedley approaches the end of his second term as RMT senior assistant general secretary, he has taken the decision to retire from the union having given 13 years’ service, first as regional organiser for London Transport and subsequently as a national officer. Many members will have first-hand experience of Steve’s dedication and service to our union and our members for more than 33 years. Steve’s rail career was based in the engineering grades with British Rail Signal & Telecoms and later with Metronet on London Underground before his election as a full-time officer. During his time on the tools Steve was a true rank- and-file activist and leader and as well as representing members he led disputes and action from the front. His high-profile union activism even caused him to be blacklisted by the employers which was exposed in the High Court a few years ago. Despite the attacks of the right-wing press and media, he remained a high-profile voice for our members throughout his time of dedicated service to the union. His articulation of member’s causes both for individuals and at the negotiation table brought many advances and victories for our members. And of course Steve was renowned for his dedication in attending picket lines, actions and demonstrations up and down the country – wherever our members or workers needed support, Steve was there giving energy and encouragement. In recent years Steve has experienced some periods of ill-health due to a number of conditions and now at the end of another five-year term has reflected that it will be best to take a break from the stresses and strains of national office and dedicate himself to his family and other opportunities. He retires from full-time service with RMT with the best wishes of his colleagues and that of the entire membership who are grateful for his years of dedicated service. I personally wish Steve a long and happy retirement from RMT and wish him well in the next chapters of his life. RMT general secretary Michael Lynch STEVE HEDLEY RETIREMENT RMT member Gwen McNeil reports on the TUC disabled workers’ conference DEBATING DISABILITY