Disabled people and members

Discrimination against disabled workers continues, and RMT is organising to oppose it

Report: RMT Disabled Members' Advisory Committee, 15 November 2017

The government's consultation on transport accessibility has extended its deadline to Wednesday 22 November. Anyone can submit their views. RMT has made a submission and leafleted everyone at the recent Disabled People's Summit asking them to submit evidence in support of retaining guards on trains. Details on how to submit are here.

Report: First Ever RMT Disabled Members' Advisory Committee Meeting

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.

RMT Disabled Members' Conference

Delegates to the 2017 RMT Disabled Members' Conference

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

Report: TUC Disabled Workers' Committee meeting, 16 March 2017

TUC Disabled Workers' Committee co-Chairs, Sean McGovern and Janine Booth

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

Disability Officer's report to September Regional Council meeting

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.

Disabled Workers Tell the Labour Party What We Want for Public Transport

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: