DISABLED MEMBERS MEET

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may 2022 :: RMTnews 20 Delegates from up and down the country met at the mechanics institute in Manchester last month for the 2022 national disabled members’ conference. Chaired by Scotland’s finest, Davie O’Donnell, we were all made to feel very welcome and put at ease, whether this was our first conference or we had been involved in the disabled movement within the union since its inception. We were fortunate to have RMT general secretary Mick Lynch to address conference and heard a very honest and open account of what the future could look like, particularly within the rail industry. Words like ‘streamlining’ and ‘modernisation’ are often double-edged swords and it sounds like this will very much be the case moving forward. Of course, the truly awful treatment of P&O workers was discussed, as well as the blatant law-breaking arrogantly admitted by CEO Peter Hebblethwaite, when quizzed by MPs recently. Delegate also heard Dennis Queen from Manchester Coalition of Disabled People, who is a well-known face locally and has been a fantastic ally to transport workers when faced with disputes in that part of the country. It’s refreshing to hear the support this coalition offers people of all ages and with any impairment: they help with benefit entitlement and employment opportunities, and advise local authorities on matters from accessibility to inclusivity and everything in between! After closing day one’s session, we made our way to Tony Wilson Way for a social event complete with some local neurodivergent poets performing some of their work. It was a fantastic end to a full- on but really enjoyable and productive day. Next day delegates joined the striking cleaners’ picket line at Piccadilly station. We helped give out leaflet and gave vocal support to the cleaners’ fight for decent pay. Day two of the conference involved delegates debating issues and making important decisions. Conference heard reports from the Disabled Members’ Advisory Committee and the TUC Disabled Workers’ Committee. We agreed a plan of DISABLED MEMBERS MEET Newly-elected assistant secretary Gwen McNeil Gwen McNeil and Janine Booth report on RMT’s annual disabled members’ advisory conference