Disabled people and members

The newly-formed RMT Disabled Members' Advisory Committee met for the first time on 14 June. This is a summary of its discussions.

TUC Report

RMT sent its largest ever delegation to the TUC Disabled Workers' Conference in May. Our motion on keeping guards on trains was passed unanimously. Several of our delegates contributed well to the debates. There will be a report in the next RMT News.

Yesterday saw RMT's first ever Disabled Members' Conference, held in London.

Although quite small (9 delegates, plus union officials), the important thing was that it took place at all, especially as rank-and-file members had pushed for its creation against the wishes of the union's national leadership. Now it is established, it will grow from year to year, as the union's other equalities conferences have done.

TUC Disabled Workers' Committee, Conference and Manifesto

Campaigning

We have set up campaign working groups to get more work done on key issues:

• Employment Support Allowance / Personal Independence Payments
• Access to Work
• Precarious Contracts
• Cyber Bullying
• Access to Public Transport
• Disability History Month

I will be convening the working group on accessible transport

Keep the Guard on the Train

Greetings Comrades. 
Earler this year, our union the RMT lost one of our brightest upcoming stars.

He touched every part of our work including Youth, Black liberation struggle, Reparations. 

Contact me: j.booth@rmt.org.uk

1. Disabled People Against Cuts held a week of action to coincide with the Paralympic Games. During the week, DPAC attended our Southern Rail picket line. Disabled campaigners have compiled a report alleging that Southern's plans to remove guards breach the Equality Act in making its services less accessible to disabled passengers.

2. I have spoken about disability issues at several branch meetings, in our region and beyond, and am happy to speak at more.

On 19 May 2016, TUC Disabled Workers' Conference hosted the Labour Party's Disability Equality Roadshow. Shadow Minister for Disabled People Debbie Abrahams introduced herself and the roadshow's aims, then listened as delegates told her what we want. Various policy areas were discussed, with an introduction from a member of the TUC Disabled Workers' Committee and contributions from delegates.

​I introduced the segment on public transport, making the following points:

• TUC Manifesto for Disability Equality is gaining support: unions are encouraged to endorse it and promote it
• We will press the Labour Party to endorse the Manifesto and include its demands in its own manifesto
• There is a model article about the Manifesto for trade union journals.

Updates on ongoing work