SIGNALLING GRADES MEET

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2023 :: RMTnews 16 The 89th national organising conference for signalling and operations grades meeting in Newcastle last month discussed the fight to defend members wages, terms and conditions. RMT assistant general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that the government had clearly planned to deal with the cost-of-living crisis by suppressing wages for all workers. “By taking strike action over the last year RMT members have led the way where other sectors have followed by resisting effective pay cuts,” he said. He outlined the fact that the union needed to pull together as an all-grades union in order to defend the interests of the membership. “We have seen a government committed to banning strike action by introducing minimum service levels. “However, for signal workers you either withdraw your labour or you do not it’s as simple as that,” he said. He said that the coming battles were about defending the very existence of the union in the rail industry. “We need to retain our membership in the signalling grades in order to prevent the employers from continually attacking your pay and your terms and conditions. “We need to stick together and fight together,” he said to a standing ovation. Steve Shaw of national executive committee said that the union had been through the largest ever consultation of the membership regarding the current national dispute. He called for members who work for Network Rail to think about standing for the national executive committee in order for your voice to be heard. Mark Bellenie gave a full report of the work of the National Operations Council including the fact that it had negotiated record numbers of regrading cases which had led to an uplift in wages. Bob Cross, Stockport and District gave a report of the organising committee focusing on retention and mapping exercises for workers covered by the conference. “This exercise needs to be carried out in even the most organised areas as well as attending inductions at signalling schools,” he said. Conference also called for the union to negotiate a payment for training new and promoted signallers in the workplace. Mark Beresford, Bedlington said that it was not just about money as Network Rail needed to take training seriously. Steve Loeber, Colchester and District warned that T3 Possessions were being converted at short notice into Line Blockages allowing trains to pass through. “This practice is putting signal staff under undue pressure and the issue should be raised as a health and safety matter,” he said. AJ Yates of the National Health and Safety Council reported that there was currently no common process for T3 Possessions and trials were taking place. Delegates also called for the re-establishment of first aiders in signalling locations. Paul Kemp, Surrey and Hants warned that first aid SIGNALLING GRADES MEET Signallers discuss the battle for justice at work, re-grading and safety