A VOICE FOR RETIRED MEMBERS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may 2022 :: RMTnews 24 RMT’s first in-person retired members’ advisory conference took place against the backdrop of the Manchester Mechanics’ Institute’s magnificent stained-glass windows - which among other unions illustrate the work of the union’s predecessors the National Union of Railwaymen and the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. “Since last year pensioners in our country have been affected regretfully more or less the way we thought we were going to be treated,” newly elected conference president Tony Donaghy said in his opening address. “It’s even worse I think”. He called for retired members to “express our solidarity with all the workers in the transport industry who are in struggle at the moment” - pointing to the all-grades ballots at Network Rail and 15 Train Operating Companies as well as sackings at P&O Ferries. “We’re all members of an excellent union and that union fights for its members. We’re a part of RMT and we have to look upon ourselves to campaign.” NEC member Joe Kirby told delegates: “What P&O did at the behest of DP World was chop the hands off our members. “The way things are going, that campaign has evolved somewhat, and we’re looking at a Fair Ferries campaign.” Top of the agenda was the Tory government’s attack on the state pension “triple lock” - which is designed to increase pension payments by the highest of the increase in average earnings, the increase in living costs or inflation. But in response to soaring inflation and in a breach of their own election promise, the Tories have ditched the triple lock this year and instead imposed a 3.1 per cent increase. Tony Donaghy said: “Of course as you’re all aware the triple lock is no longer a triple lock - it’s a double lock. “We’re faced now with a new situation of heating. The saying used to be that pensioners and people in poverty have to choose whether they heat or eat, and the situation we’re in exacerbates that,” he said. Delegates unanimously endorsed a motion calling for the reinstatement of the triple lock and pushing for RMT to step up its campaigning on these issues. Oliver New, London Transport retired members, described the current state pension age as “woefully low, disgustingly low”. “It’s become even more relevant because of the huge cost of living crisis. We all need to be fighting on several different fronts, and for us part of that is going to be demanding justice on pensions,” he said. Frank Murray, London Transport retired members, said: “If we were to get the 10 per cent [in accordance to high inflation], that is what we should be getting, but instead it’s been suspended and we’re getting 3.1 per cent.” Noel McDonnell, Manchester and North West retired members, said: “This 3.1 per cent is not even honest. With the freezing of the tax allowance a lot of people are paying extra tax this year”. Delegates called on the union to consider supporting the renationalisation of energy companies. A further resolution called for the NEC to raise the alarm over energy companies pressuring customers to “go digital even though millions of pensioners do not have access to the internet”. Kate Byrne, London Transport retired members said: “We’re not going to get satisfaction with the energy prices unless we start nationalising the energy companies again”. A VOICE FOR RETIRED MEMBERS Retired RMT members call for a campaign for decent pensions in the current standard of living crisis