Report part 1: ETF Women's Committee meeting, October 2014 - The Committee and its Campaigns

Submitted by Janine on 23 November, 2014 - 18:16

An ETF Women’s Committee meeting consists of the elected Committee members, representatives of each sector (railways, civil aviation, etc), guests from affiliated trade unions, local women trade unionists (this time, from Antwerp port), and ETF staff. At the next meeting, we will be joined by the newly-elected young women’s representative. I have proposed that RMT arranges for our National Women’s Advisory Committee Chair, Becky Crocker, to attend the next meeting, in March 2015.

 

Women’s Health and Safety at Work

Report part 2: ETF Women's Committee meeting, October 2014 - Women Port Workers

Submitted by Janine on 23 November, 2014 - 18:03

Women Working at Antwerp Port

Having begun working as a receptionist in 1975, Monique Verbeeck is the first female secretary of the Belgian port union, BTB. She is also the ITF and ETF women port workers’ representative. Monique introduced a deputation of women union activists from the Port of Antwerp, who addressed the meeting and took us on a visit to the port.

A DHL worker told us that port working is no longer entirely a “man’s world”, although it is still male-dominated.

Report part 3: ETF Women's Committee meeting, October 2014 - Country and Sector reports

Submitted by Janine on 23 November, 2014 - 17:56

Country Reports

Spain

From 2007, the socialist government introduced equality legislation and a framework to demand action against sexism and harassment. But since then, the situation has been worsened by economic crisis, with equalities driven off the agenda, curbs on collective bargaining, crèches closed, and equality plans dropped.

There has been a “dualisation of the labour market”, a split between secure workers and precarious workers, who are harder to unionise.

Reps and Branch Officials Courses

Submitted by rmtlondon on 22 November, 2014 - 17:57

The following RMT Education courses will be taking place in our region in the near future. The introductory reps course is ideal for newly elected reps (all types) who have not completed their Stage One TUC or RMT course. It is also of great value to activists, who may wish to be a rep in the future and to help build a stronger workplace. All courses are funded by head office, so there is no cost to the branch or the region.

Local BNS/Roster Consultation Starts - Preferencing and 30 Min Talks

Submitted by Jared on 21 November, 2014 - 10:45

Local BNS/Roster Consultation starts at Rickmansworth.

The first group to begin the local BNS/Roster consultation is my own, Rickmansworth.
At the initial meeting LU confirmed that they agree with our reading of the BNS methodology, which means that if a CSS/CSM on a lone worked station is utilised in the ticket hall for 3 mins in any 15 min period then there should be a second member of staff in the ticket hall at that time.

Docklands Dispute Goes On Despite Legal Challenge

Submitted by rmtlondon on 18 November, 2014 - 02:03

TRANSFER OF DOCKLANDS LIGHT RAILWAY CONTRACT FROM SERCO TO KEOLIS/AMEY DOCKLANDS (K.A.D.) (DLR/15/10)

Further to my previous Circular No. IR/297/14, 7th November 2014, members will be aware it was the intention of RMT to conduct a ballot for industrial action over detrimental changes to terms and conditions as a result of Serco Docklands losing the DLR contract. RMT advised Serco of our serious concerns and the hope was that the Companies would appreciate that this course of action demonstrated members’ strength of feeling and would take steps to resolve the issues.

Interserve's Culture Of Bullying Leads To RMT Strike Ballot

Submitted by rmtlondon on 18 November, 2014 - 01:57

BREAKDOWN OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS – INTERSERVE (LUL SSL/BCV CONTRACT) (LUL/14/2)

Since Interserve took over the contract from Initial, things have seriously deteriorated for members. Your Union met with senior management on 5th November where we outlined a significant number of problems with the way they are dealing with their employees.

Mistreatment of Staff and Abuse of Power by Supervisors and Management