REMEMBERING POLMONT

29 RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2024 :: RMTnews A memorial has been unveiled at Falkirk High Station by former RMT rep Gerry McGann to three rail track workers who were killed in Polmont tragedy in 1983 . The plaque remembers three men Ian Campbell, 25, Derek Gardiner, 21 and 47- year-old Gilmour Stillie who died while working on the main Glasgow to Edinburgh line over four decades ago. What began as just another work day for the three track maintenance workers on August 5, 1983 saw them on a stretch of line between Falkirk High and Polmont Station when they were struck and killed by an empty train travelling at speed. The track charge hand was thrown to the ground by the train but escaped without significant injury. Members should note that in accordance with the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (as amended) RMT is required to hold a review ballot at least every ten years in order that the union can retain its political fund. Your union is strongly recommending you vote yes. The ballot will give members the opportunity to vote on whether the union should be able to spend money for political purposes. The law says that the union must have a political fund to do this. RMT will therefore be balloting members on whether or not to maintain the union’s political fund. The ballot will take place between September 16 and October 21, 2024. The ballot will be a postal ballot and voting papers will be sent directly to members’ homes or to another address which the member has requested the union in writing to treat as their postal address. Civica will be acting as the Independent Scrutineer and will oversee the conduct of the ballot. Their address is Civica Election Services, The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London, N8 0NW. Any member who has changed their home address or wishes their ballot paper to be sent to a different address and has not yet notified the union, should contact the RMT Helpline on 0800 376 3706, or email info@rmt.org.uk records to show how much, if anything, was actually paid. We believe the three injured men returned to work on the railway after they recovered. Incredibly, George Buckby’s daughter, Dorothy, is still alive, and we spoke to her recently. Though only four at the time of the accident, she had clear recollections of her father being brought home, and the burns he suffered. He was seen by the local doctor, who attended every day to dress George’s face – at one point telling him ‘you’re a tough old devil, aren’t you?!’ Dorothy also recalled being told that a spark from a passing train had set the fire going. Evidently this was an unusual accident – but it was sort of thing that brought railway worker safety into the public eye, however briefly. The rest of the time it was down to unions like the NUR to push for improvements. The evidence from 100 years ago shows that this was at times a frustratingly slow process, as the railway companies wanted to avoid significant expenditure. Dr Mike Esbester is co-leader of the ‘Railway Work, Life & Death’ project (www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk. Twitter: @RWLDproject). VOTE YES IN THE POLITICAL FUND BALLOT! Any RMT member who has changed home address should notify the union to take part REMEMBERING POLMONT Pic: Michael Gillen