RETIRED MEMBERS IN THE RULEBOOK!

29 RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2023 :: RMTnews F ollowing a lengthy consultation process between the union’s retired members advisory committee, the national executive committee (NEC) and annual general meeting (AGM) delegates the role of retired members has been officially adopted into the RMT rulebook. Under rule retired members are encouraged to be active in the union with a clearly defined remit and improved ability to participate in matters pertaining to retirement, recruitment and retention, organising and campaigning activities. The 2023 AGM also agreed alterations to the rule to ensure that retired members who have received their retirement benefit are considered ‘honorary members’ and allocated to a renamed ‘retired activists’ branch’. Retired activists can also hold the position of ‘membership officer’ within the appropriate regional council due to the position’s emphasis on organising, recruitment, and retention. The new rules do not prevent retired activists from attending their original branch, but they remain ineligible to vote and participate in union elections that require employment within the transport industry. Retired members enjoy an annual advisory conference which allows branches to submit motions which are germane to retired people. Resolutions are considered by the NEC and two resolutions are placed before the AGM for consideration. The union takes its retired activists seriously and the rule changes are designed to develop a stronger retired section so that RMT can campaign to improve the living standards and dignity which all working people deserve in retirement. Just because you have retired from work, it doesn’t mean that you can’t make a difference when it comes to tackling the many injustices which face retired people. RMT’s retired activist branches campaign on all fronts to improve the living standards of pensioners in the UK and internationally, so if you want to assist with these campaigns or just want to meet like-minded people, please contact the secretary of the retired activist advisory conference, Paul Norris, for your local retired activist branch. Paul can be contacted at p.norris@rmt.org.uk or on 020 7529 8806. RETIRED MEMBERS IN THE RULEBOOK BRANCH: South East retired branch meet regularly REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY RMT/NUS members past and present took part in the Sunderland Remembrance Day service this year.