STOP THE CUTS!

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/aug 2025 :: RMTnews 23 Delegates meeting in Cardiff at the union’s disabled members’ conference called for a campaign against the government’s proposed benefits’ cuts that will have a massive effect on disabled people. Delegates were welcomed to the busy conference by Roger Fowler of the host branch Cardiff Rail. The longstanding member of the disabled members’ advisory committee told delegates that this was his last conference as he was retiring from the industry. RMT assistant general secretary John Leach said that disability was a core issue for the union and that a current review of the organisation’s training programme will ensure it has its rightful place. “Our work on disability is essential. Of course, more could always be done, but the union is fully committed to driving things forward,” he said. He then explained that while the Labour government had made progress in partially bringing the rail network under state control there were still many workers in the industry that remain in the private sector. “Changes to employment legislation and anti-union laws have not gone far enough and we are also heading for a moment of reckoning with the government over pay. “After our three-year industrial fight, we could be back there again,” he said. Guest speaker Ben Golightly of Disabled People Against Cuts Swansea explained that his organisation was working with the local trades council and union branches as they face sweeping cuts in the wake of the government’s Spring Statement. He said that there is much to be learned from unions as the way the government intends to implement some benefit cuts was like how bad employers attacked workers’ rights. “If you signed on for benefits later then you will be worse off and receive worse treatment than those already receiving benefits. What we take from the unions is ‘an injury to one is an injury to all’,” he said. Sophie Ward gave an update on two key campaigns, violence and assaults and ending outsourcing and an update on ticket offices and how, despite RMT’s successful campaign against the closure of ticket offices, some companies were reducing services and the impact that this has on disabled people and access to rail travel. Guest speaker Rhianydd Williams, equality and policy officer Wales TUC, ran a session based around “disability and ‘hidden’ impairments in the workplace toolkit”. Adrian Morgan, Neasden called for the union to take immediate action over the lack of public information screens, audio announcements or visual updates on Chiltern Railways. “We need to protect the rights of disabled passengers and ensure that on-board accessibility is upheld across all train operators,” he said. Stef Ilic, Hull Rail outlined the problems that Network Rail’s new drug and alcohol policy would create for workers in the industry. He told conference that the poor wording could mean that even if a worker is using a prescribed drug they could face charges of gross misconduct. He said that this could happen if they are screened for drugs and the medication that they are using is not on an approved list. Conference backed the call for the union to take the drugs and alcohol policy up with Network Rail to ensure clarification and that members will not be adversely affected. Colin Stewart, Plymouth No 1 made a rousing appeal to delegates to get the union behind a broad campaign against the government’s proposed welfare cuts. Devika Edwards, Waterloo explained the detrimental effects these cuts will have on disabled people. “Benefits such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and the Limited Capability for Work Amount can be a lifeline for households with disabled people in them and can enable people who receive PIP to work. “Cutting disability benefits would have a catastrophic impact on disabled people, undermining their ability to participate fully in society,” she said. STOP THE CUTS! RMT disabled members call for broad campaign against benefits cuts Disabled member delegates with RMT assistant general secretary John Leach