CROSSWORD EDITORIAL

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: april 2023 :: RMTnews 30 Send entries to Prize Crossword, RMT, Unity House, 39 Chalton Street, London NWI IJD by May 10, 2023 with your name and address. Last month’s winner is Chris Krudy. Please supply bank account details and sort code to receive your prize quickly. Last month’s solution... ACROSS 1 Nonconformity (10) 8 Go back over again (7) 9 Give birth (5) 10 Avoid (5) 11 Nonsense (7) 12 Leave voluntarily (6) 14 Health union (6) 16 Cleanliness (7) 17 Trio (5) 19 Laxative 5) 20 Jewelry (7) 21 Extremely pleasing (10) DOWN 1 Inflexibility (13) 2 Egg-shaped (5) 3 Egg dish (6) 4 Stand (7) 5 Confident (4,9) 6 Desire (4) 7 Female pheasant (6) 12 Reuse (6) 13 Small bomb (7) 15 Return to normal (6) 17 Pulsate (5) 18 Boundary (4) £50 PRIZE CROSSWORD DEALING WITH SEXISM Dear editor, The recent Kennedy report revealed the appalling extent of sexism, harassment and bullying that has taken place in the TSSA. The appropriate response from RMT would be to express solidarity with those on the receiving end of this behaviour, and also to consider whether we as a union have a problem with this and what we could do about it. Instead, our National President used his column to assure us that RMT is in “contrast” to TSSA, his evidence being that we have large and lively equalities conferences. But the existence of such conferences does not mean that there is no sexism in RMT. At these conferences, at other meetings, on courses, and in conversations among ourselves, RMT women repeatedly report instances where they have been treated in a way that is unacceptable in a union that aspires to equality. Sometimes, an incident may be serious enough for the woman involved to make a formal complaint, but many who do are then disappointed by the union’s response. So, let’s respond to the Kennedy report with some long-overdue self-examination and solidarity with women members, rather than saying: move along, nothing to see here. Janine Booth M erseyrail members are in shock at the recent passing of stalwart stations rep Dave Sumner. Dave was a highly popular Station Retailer at the busy Orrell Park station in North Liverpool. He was an RMT health and safety rep, and had recently along with his fellow RMT reps on the Emergency Covid Committee, been awarded "Team of the year" by the company, in recognition of their work in keeping members safe and the railway running during the pandemic. Dave was an active member of Central & North Mersey branch for decades. His dad, Don, was a signaller at Warrington Power Box and also a strong union man. Dave served for many years on the Stations Company Council and was in the thick of things in all of our industrial struggles. He was well known and highly popular with the regular passengers at the station as well as colleagues, as could be seen by the many warm tributes paid to him on social media. Dave was always there for his stations members when they needed help and advice, he was respected and well-liked by all. His infectious laugh and warm character will be sorely missed by all his comrades at Merseyrail.   LETTERS MERSEY LEGEND PASSES Dave pictured Centre on the march with the RMT in London with recently retired Branch Chair Peter Creaby on the left and John Tilley