Dear colleagues,

The RMT continues to be committed to providing its full range of services and benefits to our members. In response to the global health crisis it has been necessary to make some difficult decisions regarding the delivery of the service in order to protect our members, lay officials, staff and officers.

Following the meeting of the National Executive Committee on 17th March 2020, the broad approach to the measures we will be implementing was outlined in Circular No. MF/27/20 distributed on 17th March 2020 and is available to members online.

Please read this circular carefully as it may assist you when dealing with member enquiries.

RMT Offices

With effect from 17th March 2020, all RMT offices were closed to members and visitors.

Staffing levels at RMT offices are gradually being reduced as provisions are made for them to work from home, utilising available technology. Subject to any new government advice, while offices will eventually be closed, provisions are being made to ensure they are accessible by staff and Regional Organisers as required. This will enable access to files and the handling of incoming post.

While post to Head Office and Maritime House (Clapham) is being accepted at the present time, we will be redirecting Head Office post to Maritime House for processing and secure storage.

Outgoing post from RMT offices will be limited from Thursday 19th March 2020. Should specific arrangements be required for hard copy mailings, these will be identified internally to determine the best approach.

The RMT Freephone Helpline (0800 376 3706) will continue to operate, but the hours have been revised to 9.00am to 5.00pm (Monday to Friday) and 09.30 to 4.00pm on Saturday.

Calls to RMT office numbers are being redirected to mobile numbers in order to continue the provision of membership services and will be restricted to regular office hours i.e. 9.00am to 5.00pm (Monday to Thursday) and 9.00am to 4.00pm (Friday).

Please be advised that phones are being diverted to staff members' personal mobile devices as a result of implementing these measures as quickly as possible. To protect staff members' private numbers, the Union has asked that they set their phones to withhold their number (caller ID). Should they need to call you back, an incoming call on your device may display 'No Caller ID', 'Private Number' or 'Unknown Number'.

Please do accept these legitimate calls and staff will identify themselves accordingly, performing the regular security checks using our database in the normal way.

Communications

Going forward, communications from the RMT will be sent by email. The wider structures, including Branches and Regional Councils, have been encouraged to use email wherever possible to ensure that matters are progressed more efficiently. Bearing in mind we will be adapting to new approaches to the provision of services, emailed communications to the Union should include sufficient detail to address the issue.

Methods of Working

To some extent, we are all in uncharted territory and we will be adapting to new approaches to the day-to-day work we usually undertake. These revised arrangements will no doubt highlight both difficulties and solutions as time passes. Rest assured we will be working through any difficulties in order to deliver our services.

Developments & Notifications

In order to keep all members abreast of ongoing developments, the Union will continue to send notifications by text and email, as well as posting updates on our official website (www.rmt.org.uk).

I would encourage everyone to keep up to date with any announcements the Union makes and ensure that this information is communicated to your fellow members where possible.

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash
General Secretary