What the Regional Council is doing to improve RMT organisation on London Transport, to recruit, retain and involve members
On Wednesday 21st October the Bakerloo branch recruitment and retention team hit the Oxford Circus group, dishing out the latest newsletter, badges, keyrings and other goodies. We got to talk to people about the upcoming ballot for strike action and signed two new members up to the RMT.
This resolution, submitted by Stratford no.1 branch and seconded by TfL no.1 branch, was passed unanimously by the October 2009 meeting RMT's London Transport Regional Council.
This branch / Regional Council endorses and will carry out the following strategy for defending stations and revenue jobs:
1. London Underground is currently pursuing several policies which lead us to believe that the company intends to cut stations and revenue jobs within the next few years, including:
A very successful two day bus reps course took place in central london on Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th September. The ever increasing numbers of london busworkers choosing to join RMT will be very well served by this enthusiastic, determined and self-motivated group of volunteers. We wish them well as they return to their workplaces and start defending and representing our members.
The following article has been published in the PCS (civil service trade union) activists' magazine. PCS is interested in working to unionise cleaners, and believes that it can learn from our efforts with London Underground cleaners.
London calling: the divided city
A living wage campaign for Underground cleaners continues despite successes last year, says RMT London Transport regional council secretary Janine Booth
London busworkers met at the Bulstrode public house in Hounslow on Monday 20th April 09. The meeting was a very lively affair with many important topics being discussed. There was a debate on the proposed RMT London Busworkers' Charter. The charter contains the aspirations and objectives of London's RMT busworkers and include the demand for the re-nationalisation of the London Bus network, recognition of RMT on the London bus network, pay parity with Tube drivers (currently £40,073), terms and conditions parity with underground workers and joining the TfL pension. Other points include the provision of toilet facilities at every terminus and turning point, free staff gyms at garages, decent canteen provision at all garages, and for staff passes to be valid on all National Rail services.
Training for reps and branch officers on recruiting and retaining RMT members.
Venue: Unity House, Chalton Street.
Venue: ex-Services Club, Harvey Road, Leytonstone - map here.
A short workshop for RMT reps and activists, giving you the skills and knowledge you need to ensure that strike action is as effective as possible in your workplace.
Attendance: Janine Booth, Vaughan Thomas, Josie Toussaint-Pinnock, Dean O'Hanlon, Carol Foster, Becky Crocker, Steve Hedley, Olly New, Clara Osageide
Apologies: Brian Haughian, Andy Littlechild, Malcolm Taylor, Joanne Parry, Linda Wiles, Paul Putland, Paul Jackson, Dave Rayfield, Brian Munro, Unjum Mirza, Glenroy Watson, Frank Curtis
CORRESPONDENCE Various correspondence noted and passed round. Agreed to: - arrange for new banner to be made - circularise branches asking if they have banners and recommending that they do!
This strategy was agreed at the January meeting of the Regional Council.
The recession makes union membership even more important for all ordinary people in Britain.
However many people are not aware of what a union is let alone the importance of a well-unionised workforce for pay, conditions and job security. Some non-members, particularly, may think union membership is an unnecessary expense. Active recruitment is now even more important than ever. It is in the interests of the whole workforce that RMT has the biggest possible membership
By Glenroy Watson, Finsbury Park branch Chairperson
Welcome to the 2008 Annual Report of one of the biggest and most active branches on London Underground, if not the whole RMT union.