PRESIDENTS COLUMN

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: september 2008 :: RMTnews 33 Your union believes that trades councils, the voice of trade unions in the community, should have the right to a voice at the annual Trade Union Congress conference. That is why RMT made a successful call for a rule change at this year’s Trade Union Congress meeting in Brighton to give the annual conference of trades councils the right to submit a motion to Congress from next year. It is clear that working people and their organisations require unity to defend themselves and improve their lot. Indeed, in the workplace the level of often decided whether we can win a battle or not. In the wider community trades councils can organise and support those trade unions in struggle with practical assistance and solidarity. Trades councils are, after all, part of the TUC and organise in a similar federal way as the TUC does nationally. RMT activists right across the country are active in their trades councils to give support to other unions and keep other unions informed of the problems faced by transport workers. I witnessed this two-way support recently during a visit to the Feltham branch that includes members fighting South West Trains’ plans for job cuts and booking office closures. Battersea and Wandsworth trades council immediately offered to give practical help by mobilising trade unionists to leaflet stations to stop this latest threat to the health and safety of rail workers and passengers. My branch, Finsbury Park, is affiliated to two trades councils, Hackney and Waltham Forest, enabling RMT to assist other unions in struggle and I myself gained invaluable experience as part of the Hackney trades council. Many of our leading activists cut their teeth in the trades council movement and because of these grass roots experiences RMT was proud to propose a motion calling for a wider recognition of the role trades councils play and giving them a greater voice at TUC. The union’s motion pointed out that trades councils in Wales and Scotland already have the right to submit motions to their respective national congresses. It is also in line with rights already enjoyed by the TUC’s equality conferences Trades councils are our movement’s community voice and they play a vital role in focusing trade-union energy on local issues affecting working people and their families and helping to build union strength. It makes sense for them to have a voice at Congress and this positive step should encourage more workers to get involved. I would recommend any RMT activist to get involved with their local trades council to get the message out into the community that working people do have a voice. If you want to get involved contact your branch secretary to find out what is going on in your area, you never know your motion might be discussed at TUC next year. Finally, I would like to welcome Michael Craig as the elected member of the Council of Executives from OILC branch. I know he will make a great contribution representing offshore members alongside existing shipping and general grades. President’s column UNIONS IN THE COMMUNITY WIN A VOICE AT CONGRESS New RMT T-shirt available ‘Never mind the bosses Join the RMT union’ Just £15 each Available through Unity House and on the RMT webshop Sizes: Men S to 3XL Women cap sleeve XS to L Women non-cap sleeve S to XL It is suggested you order one above your normal size