British Transport Workers Join US Teamsters Protest At National Express AGM

Representatives of RMT and Unite will be joining a 20 strong delegation of US Teamsters at a protest against union-busting outside the AGM of global transport giant National Express, tomorrow 9th May at 2pm at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG.

Coach and bus operator National Express has faced growing protests from US bus drivers who have accused the company of "anti-worker, anti-union" policies.

Members of the Teamsters union, which represents more than a million transport workers across the US, and the British trade unionists, recently held a "rally for respect" outside the firm's Birmingham headquarters.

National Express, the second-biggest operator of school buses in the US, stands accused of disciplining and sacking workers involved in union activities, as well as putting union activists under surveillance. In a letter to be delivered to the company's bosses, Teamsters president Jimmy Hoffa said that the company "continues to violate the wishes of workers who wish to form a union and engage in collective bargaining." Mr Hoffa said that the company's policies meant workers were being deprived of "decent working conditions and respect."

National Express has a history of reward for failure in the UK, despite throwing back the keys when their franchise collapsed into chaos on the East Coast Main Line they continue to hoover up valuable public contracts. The company is headed by former Tube Lines chief Dean Finch – another company embroiled in spectacular failure on London Underground at public expense.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said;

“RMT stands shoulder to shoulder with our comrades from the Teamsters in their battle against the union-busters from National Express and we are pleased to be able to able to be able to join with them at their protest in London tomorrow."

“These global transport companies need to wake up to the fact that the trade union movement is acting internationally to challenge their anti-workers policies and their profiteering at public expense.”

> RMT National News

Thursday, 19th February
RMT members at Northfields fleet maintenance depot servicing Piccadilly line trains are taking four days of strike action this week following a breakdown in industrial relations.
Tuesday, 17th February
Maritime union, RMT has welcomed an overwhelming vote for strike action by seafarers employed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) after management could not even demonstrate that it was complying with minimum wage legislation.
Tuesday, 10th February
RMT is demanding a new law to safeguard transport workers in Scotland against a sharp rise in assaults, ahead of a meeting with MSPs in Holyrood.
Wednesday, 4th February
Outsourced cleaners on the Docklands Light Railway will strike alongside a protest at Transport for London’s Board meeting today, intensifying pressure on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to honour his pledge to bring cleaners back in-house.
Saturday, 31st January
RMT welcomed London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway services being brought under Great British Railways on Sunday but insisted outsourced workers must not be left behind.