ORGANISING YOUNG MEMBERS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2023 :: RMTnews 9 RMT recently held a reception in the Senedd Cymru Welsh Parliament to make Senedd members aware of RMT’s key policies on transport and employment rights. The reception was attended by Senedd members from a number of political parties and members of the rank- and-file RMT political committee. The event was also addressed by RMT regional organiser Brendan Kelly who also represents the union on the Wales TUC General Council. The union also held a constructive meeting with Wales transport minister Lee Waters to discuss mutual areas of concern. RMT activists held their first social for apprentices and graduates at London Underground and Transport for London by attending the open day of the Acton Museum Depot (right). They were joined by the RMT senior assistant general secretary Eddie Dempsey who regaled them with his knowledge of trains. Later, after decamping to the pub, they were joined by NEC member Carlos Barros and the general secretary Mick Lynch. At the museum, they got to have a look up close at the heritage of the London Underground, where they saw an accompaniment of historic rolling stock and buses that have served Londoners during the company’s 160 years. They also got to take a look at some of the restoration projects that are currently underway on 1930s rolling stock. The event was the first as part of the union’s campaign to organise apprentices. To begin with, the campaign is focusing its efforts on London Underground/Transport for London and Network Rail. The campaign itself has two aims, the first is to secure a higher standard of education for them that is done in-house as now both companies completely outsource their apprentice education after the closing of Network Rail’s training school. The second aim and the most important of the two, is the securing of apprentices onto permanent contracts and ending the current use of fixed-term ones. The use of fixed-term contracts currently allows management to exploit apprentices through the fear of not giving them permanent contracts at the end of their apprenticeship if they are viewed as troublemakers. This stops apprentices from seeking help from reps if they are having a problem. If you are an apprentice or graduate or know a member who is and would like to be involved in the campaign, then please contact RMT young members through their social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Alternatively, contact the email address YMchair@rmt.org.uk. CONFERENCE Each year young members get together for their annual conference which next year will take place in Wigan on February 23/24. The young members conference earlier this year in Hastings was one of the largest events ever held by young members. Conference is organised by the young members advisory committee which is elected at conference. There is also a young members course which is open to members under 30 years of age that runs alongside the union’s annual general meeting next year meets in Hull at the end of June 2024. For more information on all these events contact using the email address YMchair@rmt.org.uk Union launches campaign to organise apprentices and graduates ORGANISING YOUNG MEMBERS CAMPAIGNING IN WALES Pictured with RMT general secretary Mick Lynch are Senedd Labour members Mike Hedges, convenor of the RMT Senedd group, and Carolyn Thomas who also chair’s the Senedd Public Transport Cross Party Group.