Disabled people and members

Everyone knows that London Underground is woefully inaccessible to disabled people and others. A major programme of physical improvements to stations would increase access and create jobs. But access also means staff.

For example, RMT supports the continuing use of boarding ramps to enable access for mobility-impaired passengers to London Underground trains. This must be properly risk-assessed and have a safe and effective system of work, and requires adequate numbers of staff on every station to use the ramps.

The Following motion was Agreed by the RMT Executive to submit as the union’s resolution to TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference.

We note that autism is a neurological spectrum condition. Our society - including our workplaces - causes various difficulties to people on the autistic spectrum (diagnosed or undiagnosed), and to people caring for autistic people. Problems include: bullying; imposed changes to work routines; sensory overload; and difficulty getting time off or fixed hours when needed.

The Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers Union with the Workers Education Association ran the third autism course today. The course has trained fifty union reps who are now much better equipt to deal with difficulties and issues that people on the autistic spectrum may face.

John McDonnell MP was due to speak at the course as he has done previously, however he was unable to attend. Instead he recorder this video.

More courses will be run soon as they have been very popular.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow has written to members regarding the Transport Select Committee's inquiry into the effectiveness of legislation relating to transport for disabled people. The London Transport Region's Executive Commitee member Janine Booth has already commented - highlighted below. Members are encouraged to do so to. Contact details are at the bottom of the article.

Letter from Bob Crow

This is a synopsis of the report given by the London Transport Region Executive Member Janine Booth to the London Transport Regional Council Meeting on 29th November 2012.

To get more details please try and attend your branch meeting or regional council - your rep should have more information too. Alternatively this site has lots of information and material for workplaces in the London Region.

LTRC RESOLUTIONS

PMAs

From London Transport Region's Executive Member Janine Booth

TRAINING COURSES

RMT is running weekend courses at the Doncaster National Education Centre, as follows:
Women's training, 16-18 November and again in 2013
Black & Ethnic Minority training: early 2013
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender training: mid 2013
The union also plans a week-long Equality At Work course.

RMT has developed a two-day Disability Awareness course, which will be offered to regions.

WOMEN

This article is about an important Employment Tribunal decision regarding a claim of disability related discrimination. The claimant, a London Underground ticket office worker, won the tribunal and following appeal.

"Appeal by Respondents against ET's findings on disability related discrimination, reasonable adjustments and unfair dismissal. No error of law found in ET's reasoning or decisions on these claims. Given their findings of fact, they were held to be entitled to find in the Claimant's favour and their judgment was held to be sufficiently reasoned. Appeal dismissed."

Continue reading to see the case in full.

TAXI UNION RMT today demanded that Olympics chiefs take a fresh look at their transport arrangements for the entire games period and that they factor in the crucial role that could be played by London’s existing fleet of licensed taxis

The “Get Ahead of the Games” site talks about the disabled accessing public transport but excludes the one vehicle that is fully "on demand" and disability ready, the London Taxi.