britain’s violent railways · shines the spotlight on british transport police figures that have...

ISSUE NUMBER 9, VOLUME 21

Essential reading for today’s transport worker

OCTOBER 2018

www.rmt.org.uk

BRITAIN’SVIOLENTRAILWAYSINSIDE THIS ISSUE

STOP TICKET OFFICECLOSURES PAGE 8

CHARTING ASEAFARER REVIVAL PAGE 12

WINNING AT WORKPAGE 16

BODMINBOUNDPAGE 28

Cover Picture: A still from RMT’s ‘Unguarded’ campaign film

Oct2018.qxp_RMT 12/10/2018 16:47

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RMT News is compiled and originated by National Union of Rail, Maritime &Transport Workers, Unity House, 39 Chalton Street, London NW1 1JD. Tel:020 7387 4771. Fax: 020 7529 8808. e-mail [email protected] Theinformation contained in this publication is believed to be correct but cannotbe guaranteed. All rights reserved. RMT News is designed by BighandCreative and printed by Leycol Printers. General editor: Mick Cash.Managing editor: Brian Denny. No part of this document may be reproducedwithout prior written approval of RMT. No liability is accepted for any errorsor omissions. Copyright RMT 2016

This month’s RMT Newsshines the spotlight onBritish Transport Policefigures that have revealed ashocking increase in violenceon Britain's railways.

The figures, backed up byhard evidence released byRMT in a survey of guards,show a huge surge in sexualassaults, violence androbbery. They reveal that allcrime in the area served bythe Northern franchiseincreased by nearly 20 percent.

At the 330 unstaffedstations on Northern routes,protection for passengers andthe train driver at stations iscurrently provided by theguard. Northern is planningfor at least 50 per cent ofservices to have no guardswith many lines and routescompletely unstaffed.

Removing the guard willresult in a cocktail ofdangers where passengersand the driver are moreexposed to crime and anti-social behaviour whiledisabled and older passengersare denied access to thetrain. That is exactly whatour members have beenfighting to stop and I thankeach and every one of youwho have been involved inthat on-going campaign.

RMT has also revealedthat reported incidences ofviolence have increasedacross London Overgroundby nearly 50 per cent in thepast year - a shocking figurethat should force MayorSadiq Khan to halt theplanned ticket office closuresimmediately.

Adding even more weightto RMT’s case is the RailAccident InvestigationBranch’s (RAIB) report into apotentially fatal incident atPeckham Rye last year alsoreinforces the case for asafety-critical guard on-board all trains.

A London Overgroundservice, operated by ArrivaRail London, came to a stopdue to a fault just beforereaching Peckham Ryestation. Having spoken to theservice controller, traintechnicians and the signallerthe driver was givenpermission to beginevacuating the train assistedby a member of station staff.

However the evacuationwas abandoned when it wasclear that passengers weredisembarking from the trainvery close to the live electricconductor rail – this was adriver-only operation servicewhere a guard on boardcould have played a criticalrole in avoiding thispotentially lethal situation.

Once again we urge theTory government and theirprivate rail contractors topull back from their recklessand ideologically drivenpursuit to close ticket offices,hack back staffing levels andthe safety culture on ourrailways and to supportRMT’s call for a guardguarantee on our trains.

Safety and proper staffing,whether on rail, buses, ships,road or offshore, remains thistrade union’s watch words.

contents

When you have finished with this magazine give it to a workmate who is not in your union.

BRITAIN’SVIOLENTRAILWAYS

Page 4

STRIKE ACTION AT NORTHERN ANDSOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY

Page 5

SCOTRAIL ACTION

Page 6

ROCK SOLID PICCADILLY LINE ACTION

Page 7

ASSAULTED LUL MEMBER WINSEMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL

Pages 8

HALT LONDON OVERGROUND TICKETOFFICE CLOSURE

Page 9

PARLIAMENTARY COLUMN

Page 10

RMT AT TUC

Page 12

CHARTING A SEAFARER REVIVAL

Page 13

ORGANISING AND WINNING

Pages 14

RAILWAY REVIEW

Page 16

WINNING AT WORK

Page 18

IN ORKNEY

Page 21

WALKING IN WATFORD

Page 22

THE BALLADS OF CHILD MIGRATION

Page 23

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Page 28

BODMIN BOUND

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CROSSWORD

EDITORIAL

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RMT members remained solidand determined in thecontinuing fight for safety onNorthern Rail and SouthWestern Railway as new BritishTransport Police figures revealeda shocking increase in violenceon Britain's railways.

The figures, backed up byhard evidence released by RMTin a survey of guards, showmassive increases in sexualassaults, violence and robbery.

The BTP figures show that allcrime in the area served by theNorthern franchise increased to7,611 offences in the year andviolence against the person hadincreased by nearly 20 per cent.

The statistics include 382serious assaults, 809 commonassaults, two firearm offences,167 sexual crimes including 100sexual offences against females,and 1,522 instances of theft ofpassenger property:

At the 330 unstaffed stationson Northern routes, protectionand assistance for passengersand the train driver at stationsis currently provided by theguard who is on all trains.

Northern is planning for atleast 50 per cent of services tohave no guards with many linesand routes completely unstaffed.

RMT general secretary MickCash said that the shockingfigures were nothing short ofcriminal negligence on the partof those rail companies thathave axed guards and de-staffedstations in the drive for profits.

“RMT has warned that theywould be turning our railwaysinto a criminals' paradise and

they have ignored us and thoseprivate rail companies should behanging their heads in shame.

"No one knows better theimpact on passenger safety and

security than front line staff andit is frankly disgusting thatoperators like Northern andSWR, where RMT members arestriking for safety again, have

ignored the warnings andploughed ahead with theirdangerous and toxic plans toaxe guards on their trains.

"The de-staffing of Britain's

STRIKE ACTION ATNORTHERN AND SOUTHWESTERN RAILWAYRMT calls for immediate halt to de-staffingplans as violence on Britain's railways soars

Carlisle

Workington

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RMT launched an indefinite banon overtime and rest dayworking on Abellio Scotrail thismonth after members votedoverwhelmingly for action in adispute over equality and justicefor all grades over rest dayworking payments.

Following the ballot resultRMT's lead officer GordonMartin attended an Avoidanceof Disputes meeting with thecompany but regrettablyScotrail refused to change itsposition.

RMT general secretary MickCash said that the dispute wasabout equality and justice acrossgrades in the Scotrail workplace.

"It cannot be right that the

company seem to value onegroup of workers over another.Their approach to the rest dayworking payments, where theyhave only offered driver gradesenhanced arrangements isnothing short of discriminatory.

"A driver working rest daysis no different than any othermember of front line staffworking rest days and eachmember is giving their rest timeback to help the company tohelp run a service to passengers.

"All staff should be treatedequally and fairly and that is allthat the union is calling for. Weremain available for furthergenuine and meaningful talks,”he said.

SCOTRAIL ACTIONLOBBY: Demanding a guard guarantee at the launch of thenew ARN Class 195 and 331 units at the Edge Hill Train

Care Centre

Guildford

Blackburn

violent and dangerous railwaysgives a green light to themuggers, sexual predators andracists and should be halted andreversed immediately,” he said.

The SWR action wasannounced in the wake of a newballot which took place underthe terms of the latest wave ofTory anti-union laws where anoverwhelming 88 per cent ofmembers voted to continue withthe current action in defence ofsafety, security and access,proving that staff remain rock-solid in the campaign for a safeand accessible railway for all.

RMT also said that the newNorthern trains unveiled inLiverpool earlier this monthwere long overdue – but theyhad to be run safely withproperly trained guards.

As the new Class 195 and331 units were run out for thefirst time at Edge Hill, RMTcampaigners lobbied to demandthat profit-hungry operatorArriva guarantees a safety-critical guard on every train.

“The North is desperate forthese new trains, but railpassengers across Britain arealso clear that they need guardsaboard to keep them safe andaccessible.

“These new trains areconfigured to operate with a

guard, but the company wouldrather run them without – andno wonder, because fewer staffmeans less cost and more profit.

“RMT has campaigned foryears for investment in newtrains, but it is just as importantto invest in the safety-trainedstaff to operate them properly,and poll after poll has shownthat rail passengers agree withus.

“The government has liedthrough its teeth about theimpact of driver-only trains onaccessibility, and our disputewith Arriva could be settledtomorrow if the company gaveus the same guard-guarantee wehave already established withother operators,” said Mick Cash.

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Strike action by drivers onthe Piccadilly Line was

absolutely rock solid across alldepots last month as theworkforce stood firm against anaggressive and bullyingmanagement culture that hasreduced industrial relations onthe line to a shambles.

The dispute is over acomprehensive breakdown inindustrial relations, abuse ofprocedures and the reneging onkey safety and operationalimprovements promised bymanagement after previousrounds of industrial action.

RMT general secretary MickCash said that driver memberswere fighting for respect andjustice in the workplace and asafe and supportive workingenvironment on London'scrucial Piccadilly Line.

"The shutdown of the serviceis entirely down to an LUmanagement hell-bent onconfrontation regardless of theimpact on nearly 800,000

passengers a day on the maintube artery out to HeathrowAirport.

"The attitude of tubemanagers on the Piccadilly Linehas been deliberatelyprovocative and obstructive andit is that stance, including the

back-tracking on operational,staffing and safetyimprovements agreed afterprevious rounds of action onthe line that led to the currentdispute in the first place.

"The ball is firmly inmanagement's court now but

our members are sick and tiredof being mugged off withbogus promises ofimprovements to the currentdire industrial relations climatethat never actuallymaterialises,” he said.

RMT has revealed anastronomical waste of

nearly £16 million on a systemmeant to enhance staff rosteringbut which has left dozens ofLondon Underground stationsdangerous and unstaffed.

The union learned through afreedom of information requestthat the system called RCT –Rostering and Coverage Tool –was introduced to replace themethod used by which staffwere allocated duties.

LUL went ahead with theRCT despite strongrepresentations from RMT andmany managers who said that itwas not cost effective, notneeded, and simply wouldn’twork.

In August LUL announcedthat the RCT project was to bepermanently withdrawn.

This has taken place againsta back drop of stations on adaily basis having no staff –sometimes for whole traffic

days – because of a generalfreeze on overtime andfarcically slow recruitment ofstation staff .

The RCT was also linked tothe mass job losses of vitalstation administrators. RMT isdemanding that the positionsare re-instated.

RMT general secretary MickCash said that despite RMT repsand managers pointing out froma very early stage that the RCTwas a waste of money that

wouldn’t work, LUL bossesploughed ahead with thisexpensive failure.

“Instead of wasting publicmoney on useless andunnecessary systems, LUL wouldbe better served investingmoney – in this case nearly £16million – on ensuring allstations are staffed throughoutthe day and ensuring membersof the public have the safeservice they deserve,” he said.

ROCK SOLID PICCADILLY LINE ACTION

MILLIONS LOST ON TUBEROSTERING SYSTEM

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A London employment tribunalfound this month that a LondonUnderground supervisor in theLeytonstone area was unfairlydismissed after he was raciallyabused and days later violentlyassaulted and hospitalised by agang of up to 20 youths.

The verdict was a damningindictment on LondonUnderground and itsoccupational health (OH)department. No support wasgiven to the member in hisordeal right from the startdespite clear policies includinga workplace violence policy thatsupposedly supports staff.

Evidently upset and angryafter his ordeal managersdecided that he would be a“danger“ and medicallydismissed him because “he was

a danger to his colleagues andLUL customers”.

The ET judge heavilycriticised these LUL managersand OH doctors forexaggerating the significance ofthe member’s upset and usingprocedures against him.

He was also very critical ofthe appeal manager and ruledthat the member did not receivea fair appeal procedurally nor asubstantive appeal against thedecision to dismiss.

The tribunal was also criticalof OH’s role in this shockingdecision as he was only everseen once by OH doctors whosuggested that the member wasfit to return to work withadjustments at the end of hisGP certificate.

The “advice” that supported

the dismissal was based on thedismissing manager’s notes ofthe case conference via emailby a different OH doctor whohad never met the member.

The ET judge was notconvinced by the LULmanager’s evidence on thewitness stand when they triedto explain away why theydidn’t merely refer the memberback to OH.

The ET judge was alsoconfused as to why the appealmanager had tried to set himselfup as a medical health expert incoming to his decision based onhis own assessment of themember’s mental health.

RMT is now seeking re-instatement and calling onLondon Mayor Sadiq Khan todirectly intervene before

January’s remedy hearing aboutthe case which reveals a deepmalaise inside the workings ofLUL management.

RMT general secretary MickCash said that the member hadbeen through a horrible andextremely distressing 18 monthsand it was time was returned tohis workplace.

“This is another shockingabuse of London Undergroundstaff by management against amember of staff who was thevictim of a horrific assault.

“Instead of supporting staff,managers sought to victimiseand sack a frontline workerwho had been assaulted at atime when we see a epidemiclevels of anti-social behaviourand attacks on staff,” he said.

RMT said that the RailAccident Investigation

Branch’s (RAIB) report thismonth into a potentially fatalincident at Peckham Rye lastyear wholly reinforced theunion case for a safety-criticalguard on-board all trains.

On November 7 last year, aLondon Overground servicefrom Dalston Junction toBattersea Park, operated byArriva Rail London, came to astop shortly before reachingPeckham Rye station.

A faulty component on thetrain had caused the brakes toapply, and the driver wasunable to release them. Therewere about 450 passengers onthe train at the time. Havingspoken to the service controller,

train technicians, and thesignaller the driver was givenpermission to begin evacuatingthe train assisted by a memberof staff from Peckham Ryestation.

However the evacuation hadto be abandoned when it wasrealised that passengers weredisembarking from the trainvery close to the still liveelectric conductor rail.

The RAIB report points outthat the primary cause of thisscenario was ‘task overload’ and‘stress’ for the driver brought onby having to simultaneouslycommunicate with control roomstaff whilst also dealing withgrowing passenger unrestcaused by the delay.

The RAIB also points out

that the fragmentation on therailway, combined withinexperienced and over-workedstaff, was a significant factor inthe communication breakdownon the night.

RMT general secretary MickCash said that it defied beliefthat a group of profit hungry,private train-operators and theirpolitically motivated puppetmasters at the DfT and otheragencies continue to peddle themyth that driver-only operationis a safe procedure.

“It was pure luck that therewasn’t a major tragedy atPeckham Rye last Novemberand anyone who leaves safetyto chance on our railwaysshould have no place in theindustry.

“It goes without saying thathad there been a safety-criticaltrained guard on-board thistrain, not only would they havebeen able to calm the frustratedand angry passengers but theywould also have been able toassist with a safe and orderlyevacuation, having first ensuredthat the current to the live railhad been switched off.

“Once again we urge theTory government and theirprivate rail contractors to pullback from their reckless andideologically driven pursuit tohack back staffing levels andthe safety culture on ourrailways and to support RMT’scall for a guard guarantee onour trains,” he said.

ASSAULTED LUL MEMBER WINSEMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL RMT demands London mayor takes action overappalling sacking of assaulted tube staff member

PECKHAM RYE INCIDENT REPORT BACKSUNION CALL FOR A GUARD ON ALL TRAINS

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RMT held a day of action acrossthe capital this month againstplans to axe 51 LondonOverground ticket offices.

The union revealed thatreported incidences of violenceagainst the person haveincreased across the operationby a staggering 47.1 per cent inthe past year - a shocking figurethat the union said should forceMayor Sadiq Khan to halt theplanned closures immediately.

Whilst a recent TFL boardreport confirms “measures havebeen put in place to deal withthe upward trend inviolence/serious public orderoffences seen on some railmodes, most notably LU, DLRand the LO networks”, the unioninsisted that these services lackguards and the rise in crime hassurged since the ticket officeclosure programme wasimplemented despite unionopposition.

Having reviewed all theLondon Overground stations,RMT also found that the mainpoint of refuge and safety was

the ticket office or the staffcabin.

These areas have a panicbutton, landline, CCTV, first aidsupplies and a secure lockabledoor. The union said thatclosing them would be an act ofcriminal negligence by TfL.

RMT general secretary MickCash said that the violent crimefigures the union released forthe London Overgroundoperation were truly shockingand certain to get even worse ifthe proposed closure of 51 ticketoffices went ahead.

"RMT has warned for yearsthat cuts to staffed serviceswould turn the transportnetwork into a thugs andcriminals paradise. We havenow witnessed the surge incrime on the Underground andwith violent crime on transport

HALT LONDONOVERGROUND TICKETOFFICE CLOSURE RMT calls on Mayor to halt ticket office closure plansfollowing nearly 50 per cent shock increase in violent crime

Willesden branch

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RMT’s fringe meeting at the Labour Partyconference in Liverpool in September wasentitled “rail public ownership - what will itlook like and when will it arrive?”Speaking ahead of the conference andRMT’s meeting John McDonnell, theShadow Chancellor and honoraryPresident of the RMT ParliamentaryGroup, answered part of this question bytelling the media that rail nationalisationcould happen within the first five year of aLabour Government. Asked whether the whole rail networkcould be publicly owned in one five-yearterm John said “I think that’s possible.That’s why we’re working through thedetail now of how that can be done. If youlook at what’s happened over time, anumber of these franchises have beenhanded back anyway.”

“I think we are in a situation now where Ithink that is certainly possible. We want toget to within the first term of a Labourgovernment an integrated railway system.”To the backdrop of the proudly displayedRMT Liverpool 5 and Central and NorthMersey branch banners, John’scomments were endorsed by Labour’sShadow Secretary of State for TransportAndy McDonald MP. To the packed-outstanding room only meeting Andy showedhis great command of the transport briefwhilst exposing the failings of ChrisGrayling. He set out Labour’s vision forrail which would not only be publiclyowned but also integrated as one nationalrailway ending the damagingfragmentation of the system. Andy alsosaid that the new rail structure wouldmean Britain’s nations and regions wouldhave a real say in the running of therailway.Following Andy’s contribution, Marsha deCordova MP, the Shadow Minister forDisabilities and Labour MP for Batterseastressed the need for rail to be accessiblefor all and attacked the Tories cuts tofunding in this area. Marsha, whose seatcontains South Western Trains, paidtribute to striking guards and emphasisedthe need for a guard on every train to helpensure an accessible railway. Marsha was followed by Emily Yates ofthe rank and file passenger group, theAssociation of British Commuters, who

have done so much to expose the failingsof the privatised railway. Emily gave apowerful presentation on how underprivatisation passengers were ignored bythe powers that be and passenger justicewas needed through giving passengers areal voice over the decisions that affectedthem.Next up was Ian Mearns, Labour MP forGateshead and Chair of the RMTParliamentary Group, who in a passionatespeech said rail public ownership’s timehad come and Labour meant what it said.He emphasised that RMT had one of themost effective parliamentary groups atWestminster which was strengthened bythe fact that the entire Labour frontbenchtransport team were in the unionsParliamentary Group. RMT general secretary Mick Cash closedthe speeches with a wide-rangingcontribution which angrily denouncedprivatisation and emphasised that apublicly owned railway under Labourmust also be properly funded and notstarved of funds in same way British Railwas. Mick also emphasised that no railworker must be left behind and called foran end of outsourcing and contracting outon the railway as part of Labour’sprogramme for public ownership. Mick also paid tribute to striking RMTguards and to loud applause attackedthose Labour politicians in the North whowere not doing enough to help resolve theDOO dispute.In fact, support for the RMT in its DOOdisputes was expressed by all thespeakers and as well as Labour Partydelegates a number of RMT membersattended the meeting including RMTGuards whose contributions to thedebates were warmly applauded by thedelegates who were clearly in solidaritywith striking guards.The meeting was expertly chairedthroughout by local MP and RMTParliamentary Group member Dan Cardenwho was able to ensure numerousquestions were taken and answered toround off a highly successful event.

Parliamentary Column

RAIL PUBLICOWNERSHIPIN FIVEYEARS

services in the capital out ofcontrol it is grossly negligent toclose ticket offices which areoften the only places of saferefuge available on the network.

“I am calling on Mayor ofLondon Sadiq Khan to opposethis retrograde plan forwholesale closures in thestrongest possible terms. Ticketoffices play a crucial role attrain stations.

“London needs to greet itspassengers, visitors and touristsnot with a machine, but awelcoming and friendly ticketoffice who can provide a fullrange of services.

”This is just the latest attackon a properly staffed, safe,secure and accessible railway forall and RMT is determined tohalt these plans in their tracks,”he said.

A campaign page on theRMT website athttp://bit.ly/2QNLYkE allowssupporters to send an e-maildirect to London TravelWatchopposing the station closures.

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TUC delegates this year markedthe 150th anniversary of thefirst time trade unionists cametogether nationally to agree ona common programme for thetrade union movement.

The century and a half ofhistory has seen substantialprogress but the core fight forworkplace, social and economicjustice remains as relevanttoday as it would have been allthose years ago.

A traditional warm up washosted by the National ShopStewards Network in thebeautiful Mechanics Institutebuilding, a venue steeped withthe history of the labour

movement.It was an opportunity for

RMT general secretary MickCash to set out the union’s stallfor Congress, laying in to theTransport Secretary’s plannedpay assault on RMT membersthe length and breadth of therail industry:

"Chris Grayling has made itcrystal clear that he intends totry and impose a nationwidepay cap on RMT memberslinked to the bogus CPI inflationfigure.

“Any such move would robworkers of thousands of poundsacross Network Rail, the trainoperating companies and quite

possibly London Undergroundas well.

"The CPI measure Grayling ispromoting doesn't even takeinto account the cost of a roofover your head and if heseriously thinks that ourmembers are going to take thehit to their pay for hisincompetence and the greed ofthe train companies he has gotanother coming.

“RMT will be mobilising anational campaign to smash thepay cap which will include theuse of co-ordinated industrialaction if required to protect andenhance our members pay andconditions,” he said.

His contribution to the rallywas warmly received and asCongress assembled, RMTdelegates were on theconference rostrum as thedebates got underway.

Mary-Jane Herbisonseconded the motion onwomen’s rights in theworkplace:

“Recent coverage of theMeToo campaign has brought tothe forefront the day-to-daystruggle of women in oursociety. This unspoken problemhas been going on for decades.

“I work in a male-dominatedindustry. I’ve had to endure“banter” and inappropriate

RMT AT TUC RMT delegation attends 150th TUCCongress meeting in Manchester

Oct2018.qxp_RMT 12/10/2018 16:47


11

comments. I am strong enoughto answer back butunfortunately there are plentyof others who suffer in silence.RMT will work with companieswe negotiate with to eradicatethis epidemic in ourworkplaces,” he said.

In a major debate on BrexitMick Cash gave a stark warningthat the TUC’s carefullychoreographed plans to lever themovement in behind a secondreferendum would let the Toriesoff the hook and ease thepressure on them for the votethat really matters - an earlygeneral election.

"The Tories will absolutelylove it if we support thisstatement. It gives them the getout of jail card they are cryingout for.

It lets them off the hookbecause the issue becomes notwhat sort of Brexit we want butwhether there should be asecond referendum.

“It lets them off the hookbecause what they are terrifiedof is not a people's vote but ageneral election.

“We should be calling forone thing and one thing only,an urgent general election thatreturns a socialist Labourgovernment led by JeremyCorbyn and John McDonnell

"We don’t need a so-calledpeople's vote, we need anational vote that will sweepthis rotten Tory government outof power,” he said.

Although RMT’s position wasdefeated on the Congress floorthe union successfully shiftedthe whole terms of the debateand attracted widespreadcoverage for RMT’s principledand consistent position on theEU.

President Sean Hoyle set outthe union’s position in the RMT-led debate on maritime andoffshore safety.

“As we mark the 30thanniversary of Piper Alphawhere 167 workers lost theirlives as a direct result of thecompany failures it remains thecase that no one has ever beenheld liable and those responsiblehave got away scot free.

“There is a clear linkage tothe Grenfell fire and the cause

and effect as set out by MattWrack from the FBU earlier. Weneed to call out these killers forwhat they are and we need tomake sure that the human faceon these disasters is neverforgotten,” he said.

The very final motion takenby the Congress was RMT’s onthe national fight overGrayling's rail pay cap whichwas unanimously accepted.

Mick Cash moved theemergency motion and at theclose of the debate warmlywelcome the show of supportand solidarity from across thetrade union movement in thefight for pay justice for Britain'srail workers.

“Today's vote will put fuel inthe tank for the national payfight that lies ahead,” he said.

RMT was pleased to have theopportunity to host a fringemeeting on reparations withguest speakers including JudyRichards – Co Chair of theGlobal Afrikan Congress UK andDavid Comisssiong – BarbadosAmbassador CARICOM.

Glenroy Watson from theFinsbury Park branch spoke forthe union:

“We are still paying for thecrimes committed. It’s here andit’s now. We must stop thecontinued exploitation ofnations who are still beingdenied the right to development.One form of enslavement hasended and another has startedin a different name,” he said.

Mary-Jane Herbison

Sean Hoyle

Glenroy Watson

Mick Cash

Oct2018.qxp_RMT 12/10/2018 16:47

RMT members and conferencedelegates attending the union’sstanding- room only maritimefringe at Labour Partyconference in Liverpool thisyear heard impassioned supportfrom speakers for RMT’sprogramme for reviving thefortunes of all workers in theUK maritime sector.

The packed-out meeting sawthe union’s SOS 2020 campaignfully supported by each speakerand detailed contributions fromthe floor chimed with RMT’sprescription for reversing thedecline in UK ratings.

Tackling chronic injusticeslike pay discrimination andavoidance of the NationalMinimum Wage received fullsupport from shadow transportsecretary Andy McDonald MP,who pledged to continueworking with the union on amaritime manifesto forgovernment that will “see theCarter Report from May 2010 asthe basis for legislation toprohibit nationality-based paydiscrimination in the shippingindustry.

“No longer will we acceptshipowners and crewingagencies manipulating loopholesand undermining CollectiveBargaining Agreements toemploy foreign seafarers onlower rates of pay,” he added.

That pledge extended to areview of training and the

Tonnage Tax, as well ascabotage laws, which would re-balance taxpayer support infavour of UK-based ratings.Early adoption, by the currentgovernment, of the LegalWorking Group on Seafarersand the National MinimumWage’s recommendations forapplication and enforcement ofit for seafarers on UK-UK andUK to offshore energyinstallations was also demandedby transport secretary ChrisGrayling’s opposite number.

The joint campaign of RMT,SIPTU and Nautilus against lowcost crewing in the Irish Seawas also fully supported by allspeakers, with the likes of IrishFerries, Seatruck and P&O puton notice over the changes toemployment, equality andimmigration legislation thatLabour would enact on enteringgovernment.

RMT general secretary MickCash condemned governmentand industry inaction overemployment and training rateswhich now see UK seafarersholding only 15 per cent overthe 65,200 ratings jobs in theUK shipping industry.

He also spelt out thedisastrous effect that freedom ofmovement in the EuropeanUnion has had on employmentrates for UK and EU seafarers,with Brexit a clear opportunityto break the neo-liberal

stranglehold over crewing andemployment practices in theshipping industry.

RMT national secretaryDarren Procter also highlightedthe specific cases of low payand exploitation of foreignseafarers working from UKports, reinforcing the need formeaningful action to stop thisrace to the bottom and for UKratings to be trained andemployed again in thethousands, especially in formermaritime strongholds likeLiverpool.

With TUC north westregional secretary Lynn Collinsin the chair pushing thediscussion along effectively,Nautilus general secretary MarkDickinson committed to workwith RMT and Labour on aneffective maritime manifesto

that represents the interests ofall seafarers being underminedby de-regulated competition forwork in the UK merchant navy.

In a passionate contribution,Chair of the RMT parliamentarygroup, Ian Mearns MP remindedthe audience, RMT’s proposalsshow what is needed to reviveUK ratings and how it can beachieved. This will be a hardroad to travel but with the rightpolicies on the table anincoming Labour governmentwould sweep away the years ofinaction and stagnation, to thebenefit of the seafarers of todayand tomorrow.

Lynn Collins concluded themeeting by saying that theseafarers’ fight for justice wasthe whole Labour movementsfight.


12

CHARTING A SEAFARER REVIVAL RMT holds Labour Party fringe campaign meeting tostem the decline of UK seafarers in maritime sector

SOS: from left to right RMT national secretary Darren Procter, Nautilus Internationalgeneral secretary Mark Dickenson, shadow Labour transport secretary Andy MacDonald,TUC North West regional secretary Lynn Collins, Mick Cash and RMT parliamentarygroup chair Ian Mearns MP.

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13

RMT member Chris Cuomo haswon the prestigious TUCorganising award for 2018 forhis hard work organisingcleaners and other workers inhis region.

Chris has been therecruitment officer for theunion’s South East RegionalCouncil for over eight years andin that time membership hasincreased by over 20 per cent toaround 7,170 members.

With Chris’s hard work theregion has achieved this steadyincrease due to a growth inmembership and improvingorganisation across most of thecompanies the union organisesin not because of any greatincrease in the employment ofrail and shipping workers.

In fact train operatingcompanies in the region areleaving many posts vacant.

Chris works for GoviaThameslink Rail on traindispatch and customer care atKings Cross station and is aunion rep representing membersof all grades in disciplinary andgrievance hearings.

He has made recruitment apriority for all 17 branches inthe region working withworkplace reps and activistsemphasising the need for branchreps to be recruiters andorganisers.

An important part of thiswork includes mappingexercises and checkingmembership records with stafflists and sending thisinformation back to reps so theycan encourage workers to get

the protection of their tradeunion.

He also draws up theregional council’s annual planfor recruitment, retention andorganisation as well as advisingbranches on their plans.

This includes day schools forbranch officers to formulatestrategies suitable to theircircumstances.

Chris is most well-known forhis persistent work organisingcleaners, some of the mostvulnerable workers in thetransport sector.

Train and station cleaners areoften employed by outsourcedcompanies and come from allover the globe and often do nothave English as a first language.Some do not even have unionrecognition and, as a result,very low rates of pay.

Chris played a leading role inthe regional campaign to securesignificant pay rises at two traincleaning companies Wettons,which clean Southeastern trains,and Churchills, which clean GTRThameslink and Southern trains.

RMT had recognition at bothcompanies but a low density ofmembership. With Bill Patersonof the union’s organising unit,Chris visited all the workplaces,depots and stations to drawmore workers into activism,identifying potential reps andorganising special meetings,including night meetings, toexplain the campaign for betterpay.

Chris says that retired RMTmembers also played a key rolein organising and recruiting

workers due to their invaluablelong experience in trade unionactivism.

As a result membership atWettons increased from 30 percent to over 60 per cent andChurchills members hip alsoincreased significantly.

RMT balloted Wettonsmembers who votedoverwhelming for industrialaction resulting in a noticeablechanges in attitude from thecompany and its clientSoutheastern trains. As a resultunion reps were able to securereal improvement in paywithout action and membersvoted to accept the deal.Unfortunately a similar balloton Churchills fell foul of theTories new draconian anti-unionlaws as the turn-out did notreach new required thresholds.

Chris was also a prime moverin setting up an annualorganising conference forcleaning workers as othergrades already enjoy by movinga motion at his own station andassociated grades conference. Healso runs workshops on the

recruitment of outsourced andagency staff setting out theirrights at work and how to goabout campaigning for tradeunion recognition.

He also represents thesevulnerable workers atgrievances and disciplinaryhearings. He represented amember on a zero-hour contractwith the STM agency of itsrefusal to grant him leave.

He took this case through thegrievance procedure and thenon to a employment tribunalwhich forced the company topay compensation.

Chris says that he has afairly simple approach torecruiting members whichappears to be very effective.

“I talk to workers about theirissues and the benefits of tradeunion membership and if I seesomeone I don’t recognise I askthem if they are in the unionand if not why not,” he smiles.

That simple message has paidoff dividends and is stillincreasing membership in hisregion.

ORGANISINGAND WINNINGRMT member Chris Cuomo wins theTUC organising award

ORGANISER:Chris Cuomopicks up hisaward from TUCgeneral secretaryFrances O’Grady

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REVIEWGovernment

‘root and branch’railway review

another attempt todistract from growing

franchising chaos

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RMT has warned that an‘independent’ review totransform Britain’s railwayslaunched by Transport SecretaryChris Grayling last month wasjust another desperate effort tokick the continuing rail chaosinto the long grass.

Keith Williams, a formernon-executive director ofTransport for London andBritish Airways chief, is to leadwhat the government claimswill be the most significantreview of rail sinceprivatisation.

Working with a ‘challengepanel’ of experts, Mr Williamswill consider how to ‘improvevalue for money for passengersand taxpayers’ whilst ruling outrenationalisation.

The last large-scale review ofthe railways by Sir Roy McNultywas published in 2011 whichdemanded wholesale job cuts,de-staffing, ticket office closuresand sell offs.

The Tories will also use anyreview to oppose calls forreturning operation of trainsback into public control, whichis a key Labour policy.

Mr Grayling was forced toanswer accusations from Labourthat his decision to end theVirgin Trains East Coastfranchise early was a bailoutworth £2 billion.

VTEC, a joint venturebetween Stagecoach and Virginbegan operating in March 2015,agreeing to pay the government

£3.3 billion to run trains until2023, but the contract wasended prematurely after theyfailed to achieve revenuetargets.

A report by the CommonsPublic Accounts Committee backin April also found thatpassengers were paying theprice for the “broken model” ofrail franchising.

The committee claimed thatthe Department for Transporthad “failed to learn the lessonsfrom previous failings” on theEast Coast route.

The government also cameunder fire after it revealed thatrail commuters face an increaseof up to 3.2 per cent in the costof season tickets next year.

Mr Grayling warned that alower inflation measure canonly be used to set fareincreases if it is also used tocalculate pay rises on therailway in order to slash wages.

RMT general secretary MickCash said that you didn't needto bring in forensics to work outthat it was just another attemptby the Tories to try and coverup the privatised chaos onBritain's train franchises.

"It won't work as it's clearlya desperate stunt by agovernment clutching at strawswhich is ideologically opposedto the British people owningand running their railways.

"The only solution to thecurrent rail franchise shamblesis an end to private greed and a

return to public ownership. RMTwill be stepping up the fight tokick the spivs off the tracks, thestrategy for the future supportedby 70 per cent of the Britishpeople,” he said.

Labour shadow transportsecretary Andy McDonaldagreed and warned thatpassengers did not need areview to explain to them thatthe franchising system is“broken beyond repair”.

“I can tell the prime ministernow that no amount oftinkering will change the factthat rail franchising has failed,does not deliver and never will,”he said.

The union is calling for anend to the £50 billion privatisedrail rip off because the twentyfive years of privatisationdoesn’t need another so-called‘independent’ review, it neededabolishing.

University of Essexresearchers said that theprivatised system was highlyfragmented and inefficient –leading to huge losses andhigher fares. Any new honestassessment would simply showpoor performance, overcrowdedtrains, high fares and soaringprofits.

RMT said that the reviewwould not be in any way beindependent and it will rule outpublic ownership on politicalgrounds and chaired by a Cityfigure who would be pro-bigbusiness and private profit tohis core.

The union said that far frombeing a root and branch reviewthe whole exercise was apolitical stunt by a Conservativegovernment ideologicallywedded to a private sectormodel rigged to ensure thatpublic subsidies can be siphonedoff to shareholders – robbingpassengers and starving thenetwork of much neededinvestment.

Passengers can expect abarrage of spin around longerfranchises, shared risks andlearning lessons from the pastbut the bottom line will remain– that Britain's railways have anopen door policy to overseasoutfits looking for a fast buck atthe taxpayers’ expense.

Private companies know thatas new rolling stock aredeployed and commuters areforced to travel even longerdistances, the potential for aguaranteed income for littleeffort is still as safe as housesunder the racket of railprivatisation. If they get theirsums wrong they can just throwback the keys and walk away.

Mick Cash said that the £50billion robbed from our railwaysby privatisation would havebeen enough to invest inmodernised infrastructure andfleet, safe staffing, reliabilityand affordable fares.

“We don't need anotherreview kicking the issue into thelong grass we need to kick thespivs and speculators off thetracks for good.

“The true nature of ourprivatised railways is that it is asystem of corporate welfareunderwritten by the taxpayer.Franchising is fundamentallyflawed and unsustainable, as theEast Coast debacle has shown.

“The railways should bepublicly owned, safe, secure andaccessible for all and not avehicle simply for privategreed,” he said.


15

CHAOS: Transport Secretary ChrisGrayling, who has previously insisted: "Idon't run the railways" launches majorreview of Britain's railways.

LNER: David Horne, former boss offailed rail franchise Virgin TrainsEast Coast (VTEC) and nowmanaging director of nationalisedoperator London North EasternRailway (LNER) at Kings Crossstation in London.

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WINNINGATWORK RMT works hard to getyou the best possiblepay settlements,opposite are just somethat your union has won this year

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ORKNEY FERRIESA pay award of 1.5 per cent forthe 2018, a non-consolidatedpayment of £650 per employee,a pay award of 10 per cent in2019 and d commitment to apay award of at least RPI in2020 adding up to 11.5 percent.

ABELLIO SCOTRAIL A two-year pay deal to increasethe salaries of operationsdriving grade posts by four percent from April 2018 and by 2.5per cent from April 2019, or RPIpercentage figure for January2019, whichever is the higher.

HARWICHINTERNATIONALPORT An increase of 3.1 per cent onbasic pay rates and variabilitypayments, effective January2018.

AXIS CLEANINGSUPPORT SERVICES(ARRIVA RAIL NORTHCONTRACT) A 4.16 per cent increase for daycleaners, 3.55 per cent for nightcleaners and 3.4 per cent forsupervisors.

GREATER ANGLIAA 3.6 per cent increase for allRevenue Protection, Retail,Train Presentation, Conductor,HQ, Ops & Yard Supervisors andShunter Grades.

CROSS COUNTRYAn increase of 3.85 per cent onbasic rates of pay and dynamicallowances across all relevantgrade groups or a minimumincrease of £1,085, effectiveJune 2018.

LEADECAn increase of 3.4 per cent toall hourly rates, effective April2018. A reduction in the baseworking week from 37.5 to 37with no loss of pay, this isequivalent to a further 1.3 percent.

ARRIVA TRAINSWALESA 3.3 per cent pay increase forall grades effective July 2018.

SCOTRAILA two-year pay deal to increasethe salaries of General Gradedposts by four per cent fromApril 2018 and by 2.5 per centfrom April 2019, or RPIpercentage figure for January2019), whichever is the higher.

AXIS CLEANINGSUPPORT SERVICES(ATW CONTRACT)A 5.2 per cent increase for traincleaners and train cleaningsupervisors

STAGECOACHCHESTERFIELDDEPOTAn increase of 2.4 per cent,effective 6th May 2018 and afurther increase of 2.4 per cent,effective from the May 2019anniversary date. The averageincrease is also applicable toholiday and sick pay rates.

DHL PRESTON BROOKA two per cent increase onbasic rates of pay and shiftpremiums backdated to April2018. A reduction in theworking week with no loss ofpay from 45.5 hours to 44.5hours per week, equivalent to a2.2 per cent increase. Increasein bank- and public-holidaypayments from time-and-three-quarters to double time

BOMBARDIERWILLESDENJUNCTION A 2.5 per cent increase on allrates of pay 2018 andallowances to be uplifted in linewith the increase.

SOUTHEASTERN (ON-BOARD MANAGERS)

A 3.25 per cent increase onall rates of pay 2018

SERCO CALEDONIANSLEEPERAn increase of three per centand a non-pensionable, one-offpayment of £500.

MTR CROSSRAIL An increase of two per cent orFebruary 2018 RPI + 0.25 percent, whichever is greater. Anincrease of two per cent orFebruary 2019 RPI whichever isgreater. All allowances willincrease in line with this.

THALES GTSA two per cent increase in 2018and a 2.5 per cent increase in2019

INTERNATIONALCURRENCYEXCHANGE (ST.PANCRASINTERNATIONAL)An increase of 3.5 per cent tobasic rates of pay effectiveMarch 2018.

ISLE OF MAN STEAMPACKETA four per cent to basic rates ofpay from January 2018

PETERSON (UK) LTD(HEYSHAM PORT)A four per cent increaseJanuary 2018, a three per centincrease for 2019 and a furtherthree per cent from January2020.

WINDERMERE LAKECRUISESAn increase of 3.5 per cent onbasic rates of pay effectiveFebruary 2018.

FORTH PORTSA three per cent for all towagecrew from January 2018 and anincrease to the call-out paymentfrom £235 to £242. A three percent for all dockgate staff andresponsibility payment willincrease by three per cent.

MAERSK RALEIGHAn increase of 2.5 per cent forall ratings from February 2018and an additional seven daysleave.

FORELAND SHIPPING(GUERNSEY) LTD

A new three-year pay dealwith a guaranteed minimumfloor of 2.3 per cent for theperiod 2018 to 2020 inclusiveand compensation payment willbe made for all crew travel daysin excess of four days perannum.

PORT OF DOVERCARGO LTDA one-year deal of a 2.3 percent increase, effective January2018.

STAGECOACH EASTMIDLANDS (EXLINCOLNSHIRE ROADCAR)An increase of two per cent in2018.

NATIONAL EXPRESSPOOLE DRIVERSAn increase of two per cent in2018

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Orkney RMT members welcomedRMT general secretary MickCash and national secretaryDarren Procter to the Orkneyislands along with a regularvisitor regional organiserGordon Martin last month.

After travelling across thePentland Firth the first port ofcall was Stromness where SercoNorthlink Ferries membersattended a meeting on-boardthe M.V. Hamnavoe.

All the visitors addressed awell-attended meeting dealingwith a range of topics includingthe on-going SOS 2020Campaign, encouraging morehealth and safety reps on-boardthe vessels and the upcomingunnecessary tendering processthat the members are about togo through again.

Other issues including theunderstaffing of the cateringdepartment and the impact thiswas having on the workloadexpected from our memberswhich could have health andsafety implications. It wasagreed that this would bebrought to management’sattention immediately.

Several members werepresented with long servicebadges and the general secretarythanked them for their loyalty

to the union and stressed theimportance of collective andorganised support to and fromthe membership.

Mick Cash also gave aninterview to the local radiostation, Radio Orkney,mentioning that a meeting withOrkney Ferries management andthat the union would bepushing for much neededinvestment in new vessels toimprove working conditions,reliability and a better servicefor the local communities.

He was asked about therecent 11:5 per cent pay risethat RMT members fought forand received which, he said, wasan investment in staff, and nowthe union would like to see aninvestment in new vessels. Theupcoming Scottish governmentdecision to put the NorthernIsles Ferry Service (NIFS)contract out to tender wasdiscussed.

He said that the union wouldlike to see the NIFS in publichands like the CalMac serviceon the Western Isles. This was amore efficient and cost effectiveway of operating lifeline ferryservices.

A meeting was also convenedon board the Earl Thorfinnattended by RMT members from

several of Orkney Ferries fleet tohear national secretary DarrenProcter of the importance of afunctioning health and safetysystem, including reps on-boardships.

Mick Cash also congratulatedall the members on their recentpay rise which showed theimportance of a strong andactive RMT presence in theworkplace. Aberdeen Shippingbranch chair Tommy Causbyinvited all to the branch’ssecond meeting on Orkney inKirkwall that evening which waswell attended.

RMT regional organiserGordon Martin broughteveryone up to date oncontinued efforts to recruit andorganise the workforce ofPentland Ferries, a local anti-union ferry operator. Inroadshave been made but not as

quickly as the union would like.Several members were alsopresented with long servicebadges, these included a 40 yearand a 25year and several 10yearawards. The GS thanked thesemembers for their loyal andcontinued support for the union.

The union has significantlyincreased its membership onOrkney recently including theexcellent 100 per centmembership on Orkney Ferries.This was reflected in the twowell attended workplacemeetings and also the branchmeeting and the union wouldlike to thank all the localmembers for their contributionand participation in making thetwo days a success. AberdeenShipping branch would like tomake a yearly meeting onOrkney a regular part of itscalendar.

INORKNEY Aberdeen Shipping branch secretary Keith Whytereports on a recent visit to members in Orkney

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"Supporting the provision ofquality welfare services forseafarers and their dependants"The Merchant Navy WelfareBoard (MNWB) was establishedin 1948, although itspredecessors date back to 1927.Membership of its Council camefrom the ship owners, seafarers'trade unions, nautical charitiesand Government. Originally,funding was provided by theGovernment via levies on Britishship owners employing the manynon-domiciled seamen. TheBoard has, for 70 years, been aforum where those whoseinterest is the welfare ofseafarers can work harmoniouslytogether. This work continues toevolve recognising the changesthat affect both serving andretired seafarers. The Board exists primarily tosupport its Constituent Memberswhich includes the Chamber ofShipping, Nautilus Internationaland RMT and 43 maritimecharities including Apostleship ofthe Sea; The Marine Society;

Nautilus Welfare Fund; RoyalAlfred; Sailors Society;Shipwrecked Mariners Society;Trinity House plus others ofvarying sizes including somelocal to a specific port includingthe Seamen’s Welfare Fund ofGibraltar.There is evidence that theindividual needs for thosereceiving support are increasing.At the same time there remainsan on-going need to supportport-based welfare services forworking seafarers.

PORT WELFARE COMMITTEES (PWC)With effect from 2018 the Boardadministers two other nationalseafarers’ welfare boards(Gibraltar Seafarers’ WelfareBoard (GSWB) which wasformerly a PWC), and theFalklands Port Welfare Boardalongside 15 PWCs within theUK.The fifteen UK PWCs (andGSWB) remain an essential andintegral part of the Board's work.

The contribution, made bymembers, allows the Board and,importantly its Constituents, tobetter understand issues thataffect seafarers locally, nationallyand internationally. The PWCs cover the entirecoastline of the United Kingdomwhilst the GSWB covers Gibraltar.Each comprises representativesof organisations concerneddirectly, or indirectly, with thewelfare of seafarers visiting theports, or those locally domiciled.Members are drawn from variousbackgrounds, including maritimecharities, port authorities, porthealth authorities, maritime tradeunions and ship owners(commonly represented by theshipping agents).A very significant aspect ofPWCs is that of enhancing localnetworking. Meetings offer anexcellent opportunity formembers to better network andunderstand each other's rolesand responsibilities within themaritime community. This can beinvaluable in times of crisis or

even, for example, when tryingto resolve access problems to aparticular berth.

SEAFARER SUPPORTIn a funding partnership with ITFSeafarers’ Trust, Seafarers’ UKand the RN&RM Charity, theBoard operates the SeafarerSupport welfare referral servicefor the entire maritime charitysector (Merchant Navy, RoyalNavy and fishing fleet). Thecombined website, helpline andonline search engine serviceprovided by Seafarer Supportdirects and where appropriate,transfers enquirers to welfareorganisations best suited to help.MNWB staff welcome enquiriesvia telephone on a Freephonenumber 0800 121 4765 or via thewebsitewww.seafarersupport.org. Theonline search facility called the‘Maritime Charities Welfare Guide’is embedded into the SeafarerSupport website.

MERCHANT NAVY WELFARE BOARD

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rmt protect

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21

Watford does not immediatelyconjure up images of a ruralidyll but look closer and there isThe Ebury Way, a 3.5-mile railtrail running betweenRickmansworth and Watford.

RMT South East regionaladmin manager StewartCameron and his brother-in-lawand RMT LUL rep LaszloRollinger are big fans of theEbury Way and both rememberwatching steam trains runningalong the line to and from apaper mill when they were bothat junior school.

“As kids this was a forgottenworld with railway tracks andbridges we used to mess aboutin for whole summers,” Stewartreminisces.

Today, acting as a ‘greencorridor’ for wildlife and wellaway from the bustle of nearbytowns, it passes through anamazing variety of habitats,including open common land,scrubby wood, wetlands andwater.

One of the highlights isCroxley Common Moor, a 100-acre nature reserve whichprovides habitat for wildflowersand many bird species includingthe green woodpecker. A strollacross the moor, whichcommonly provides grazing forcattle, brings you to the banksof the tranquil River Gade

where kingfishers are a commonsight.

The route crosses three rivers;The River Colne, River Chessand River Gade as well as theGrand Union Canal.

The path’s origin as theWatford and RickmansworthRailway endows it withgenerous width and gentlegradient making it ideal forfamily cycling. It forms part ofNational Cycle Network Route61 which runs between Windsorto the south-west and Ware tothe north-east.

The characteristics ofabandoned railways—flat, long,frequently running throughhistorical areas—are appealingfor various reasons.

By bike it is a 30-minuteride, though for the moreadventurous it forms part ofroute 61 of the National CycleNetwork which runs west toUxbridge and Windsor andbeyond, and from WatfordRoute 6 goes from London tothe Lake District.

The surface has beendesigned to be easy going for allusers including wheelchairs,with many accessible entrypoints along the way.

*If you have a favourite railwaywalk let RMT News know and e-mail: [email protected]

RMT south east regional office manager Stewart Camreon with his son Connor and RMTLUL rep Laszlo Rollinger

RAILWAY WALKS

WALKING IN WATFORD The Ebury Way offers country strolls throughlakes and fields shared by walkers and cyclists

Grand Union Canal

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Two former RMT executivecommittee members JimGray and Gerry McCannwere presented with their40-year badges back inMarch this year by RMTgeneral secretary Mick Cashat the Scottish regionalcouncil belatedly publisheddue to a local difficulty.

Next month a collective ofbrilliant and respectedmusicians and singers are takingto the road to tell the movingstory of Britain’s forced childmigrants.

Around 100,000 Britishchildren were sent overseaswithout their parents andwithout consent. Thesemigration schemes were aimedat children believed to be'deprived of a normal familylife', that's to say orphans andchildren living in poverty.

The songs in this concertwere recently heard as part of amajor BBC Radio 2dramatisation of MichaelMorpurgo’s book Alone on aWide Wide Sea.

They include an all-star castwith award-winning folk artists:John McCusker, Michael

McGoldrick, Boo Hewerdine,O’Hooley & Tidow, Chris While,Julie Matthews, John Doyle, JezLowe, Andy Seward and AndyCutting and narrated by BarbaraDickson.

Forced child migration is alittle known and dark part ofthe history of Britain, sentoverseas to places includingAustralia and Canada with thepromise of finding a better life.Some did but many othersfound only hardship, abuse andloneliness. The Ballads of ChildMigration is a tribute to thosechildren.

After each concert there willbe a short Q&A session wheremembers of the audience canask questions of the performersand other experts about childmigration.

THE BALLADS OF CHILD MIGRATION

This tour is supported by the Arts and Humanities ResearchCouncil, and is produced by 7digital – the digital music and radioservices company that also produced the BBC Radio version ofAlone on a Wide Wide Sea.November 2018Monday 12 – Folk In The Barn, Gulbenkian, CanterburyTuesday 13 – Saint James Church, Clerkenwell, LondonWednesday 14 – Corn Exchange, CambridgeThursday 15 – The Albert Hall, NottinghamFriday 16 – Floral Hall, SouthportTickets available from www.ticketline.co.uk / 0844 888 9991

“One of the pre-eminent song collections of recent times,poignantly re-telling one of the most important stories to haveemerged from these islands” Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2

AYRAWARD

A tribute to a lost generation of children sentabroad from 1869 to as recently as 1970

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This October is Black History Month, itis also known as African-AmericanHistory Month in the U.S., is an annualobservance in Canada, the UnitedKingdom, the Netherlands and theUnited States. It began as a way forremembering important people andevents in the history of the Africandiaspora. It is celebrated annually in theUnited States and Canada in February,as well as in the United Kingdom, theNetherlands and Republic of Ireland inOctober.

Black History Month kicked off with astrong message from Jeremy Corbyn,Leader of the Labour Party saying thathe was proud to lead a party that putsequality at its very heart and has a richhistory of championing for equal rightsand opportunities for all.

This year we had our 25th anniversaryof our Black and Ethnic MinorityMembers Advisory Committee[B&EMMAC] Conference and wecontinue to see our members fight hardfor improved representation and alouder say on union decisions thataffect them which is as it should be.

We in the RMT have a long record ofdefending activist when they comeunder attract from whatever direction. 2years ago, Manuel Cortez's GS ofTSSA publicly accused Jackie Walker, ablack Jewish activist, writer and formerVice-Chair of Momentum of being aracist, for not agreeing with any of theInternational Holocaust RemembranceAlliance [IHRA] definition example.Jackie was invited to speak at ourBlack & Ethnic Conference and an AGMresolution was passed seeking todefend Black activists unjustlyostracised in the national media.

Marc Wadsworth, anti-racistcampaigner, founder of Anti-RacistAlliance and anti-racist campaignsinvolving murdered teenager StephenLawrence was expelled from theLabour Party on 27th April 2018 forbringing the party into disrepute. Markchallenged Right Wing Labour MP Ruth

Smeeth at the launch of the Chakrabartiinquiry into allegations of anti-Semitismand other forms of racism in the LabourParty saying that she was working “Hand in hand with a Telegraphjournalist” and like many other RightWing Labour MP’s the real objectivewas to damage Corbyn. Mark has acrowd funding page to help support hisdefence. :https://uk.gofundme.com/justice4marca

Recently along with local reps, NECmembers and the SAGS/AGS we havebeen campaigning to keep our ticketoffices open on London Overground.Arrival Rail London and Transport forLondon held a public consultation ontheir plans to close 51 of the 62 staffedticket offices.

Staffed ticket offices are vital on our railnetwork as ticket vending machinessimply do not offer the range of ticketsmany passengers need, oftenovercharging people in the process.Station staff in ticket offices alsoregularly provide a point of humancontact for passengers improvingsafety and enabling disabledpassengers to travel with confidencewe must do everything in our power tofight these plans.

The National Executive Committeemembers have continued to visit asmany picket lines as possible, aroundthe country during our various disputesand the feedback I’m receiving from ourheroes on those picket lines isheartening. I’m sure the NEC willcontinue to be as visible as theypossibly can in the future and thankyou very much for all the cakes wehave been greeted with along the way[not that we needed them].

[Steve Biko 18th December1946-12September 1977]

In Solidarity

Sean Hoyle

President’s column

BLACK HISTORY MONTH


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BIRMINGHAMAWARDS

Gerald Wilkes25 year badge

Ian Stokes 40 year badge

Mark Solloway40 year badge

Prince Allen40 year badge

Michael Windle40 year badge

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Oct2018.qxp_RMT 12/10/2018 16:48


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BIRMINGHAM RAILNOMINATES

STEVE SHAWFOR RMT PRESIDENT

EAST KENT BRANCH SUPPORT

STEVE SHAW EOR RMT NATIONAL PRESIDENT

WORKINGTON BRANCH NOMINATED

STEVE SHAW FOR PRESIDENT

CARDIFF RAIL BRANCHNOMINATES


CARDIFF RAIL BRANCHNOMINATES

MARK ARMSTRONG FOR NEC SOUTH WALES & WEST OF ENGLAND

REGION

LINCOLNSHIRE ROADCAR BRANCH NOMINATES

MICHELLE RODGERS FOR RMT PRESIDENT

NEWCASTLE AND GATESHEAD BRANCH NOMINATES

STEVE SHAW FOR RMT NATIONAL PRESIDENT

WARRINGTON AND DISTRICT BRANCHNOMINATES

STEVE SHAW FOR RMT NATIONAL PRESIDENT

NORTH STAFFS BRANCH NOMINATES

STEVE SHAW FOR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

LEAMINGTON SPA BRANCHNOMINATES

STEVE SHAW FOR RMT PRESIDENT

AYR BRANCHNOMINATES


NUNEATON BRANCH NOMINATES


ORPINGTON BRANCH NOMINATES


ABERDEEN NO1 BRANCHNOMINATES


NORTH STAFFS BRANCHNOMINATES


CHILTERN LINE BRANCH NOMINATES


EIRE SHIPPING BRANCH NOMINATES


ABERDEEN SHIPPING NOMINATES


ABERDEEN SHIPPING NOMINATES

GORDON MARTIN FOR REGIONAL ORGANISER - SCOTLAND

REGION 1

CARMARTHEN BRANCH NOMINATES


ASHFORD NO 1 BRANCH NOMINATES


CROYDON NO1 BRANCH SUPPORTS


PICCADILLY & DISTRICT WEST BRANCHSUPPORTS


LIVERPOOL 5 BRANCHSUPPORTS


DOVER SHIPPING BRANCH SUPPORTS


NEASDEN BRANCHSUPPORTS


OFFSHORE ENERGY BRANCHNOMINATES

MICHELLE RODGERS FOR RMT NATIONAL PRESIDENT

DORSET RAIL SUPPORT


CREWE NO1 BRANCHNOMINATES


SWINDON RAIL BRANCHNOMINATE


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SWINDON RAIL BRANCH NOMINATES

MARK ARMSTRONGFOR RMT NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

WIGAN BRANCH NOMINATE


WAKEFIELD AND HEALEY MILLSNOMINATES


DERBY RAIL & ENGINEERING BRANCHNOMINATES


WOLVERHAMPTON BRANCHNOMINATES


BLACKPOOL AND FYLDE COAST BRANCH SUPPORTS


BLACKPOOL AND FYLDE COAST BRANCH SUPPORTS

STAN HERSCHEL FOR RELIEF REGIONAL ORGANISER NORTH

NEWCASTLE AND GATESHEAD BRANCHNOMINATES


NOTTS & DERBY BUS BRANCH NOMINATES

MICHELLE RODGERSFOR

RMT NATIONAL PRESIDENT

NOTTS & DERBY BUS BRANCH NOMINATE

ANDY BUDDS FOR RELIEF REGIONAL ORGANISER (NORTH )

SOUTH WEST MIDLANDS BRANCHNOMINATES


HOLYHEAD NO1 BRANCHNOMINATES


HOLYHEAD NO1 BRANCHNOMINATES

STAN HERSCHELFOR RELIEF REGIONAL ORGANISER

WALTHAM CROSS AND DISTRICT BRANCH NOMINATES


LU ENGINEERING BRANCH NOMINATES

MICHELLE RODGERS FOR

RMT NATIONAL PRESIDENT

LEWISHAM, SOUTHWARK AND DISTRICTBRANCH

NOMINATES MICHELLE RODGERS

FOR RMT PRESIDENT

EDINBURGH NO1 AND PORTOBELLO DISTRICTBRANCH

NOMINATES MICHELLE RODGERS

FOR RMT PRESIDENT

NEWCASTLE RAIL & CATERING BRANCHNOMINATE


STOCKPORT & DISTRICT BRANCH SUPPORTS

MICHELLE RODGERSFOR RMT PRESIDENT

SALISBURY NO3 BRANCH SUPPORTS


BASINGSTOKE BRANCH NOMINATE


LONDON TAXI BRANCH NOMINATED

MICHELLE RODGERS FOR PRESIDENT

EUROPEAN PASSENGER SERVICES BRANCHNOMINATES


KINGS CROSS BRANCH NOMINATES

STEVE SHAW FOR

RMT PRESIDENT

GREAT NORTHERN RAIL BRANCH NOMINATES

STEVE SHAW FOR

RMT PRESIDENT

LONDON AND ORIENT ENGINEERING BRANCHNOMINATES


COLCHESTER AND DISTRICT BRANCH NOMINATES

STEVE SHAW FOR

RMT PRESIDENT

GLASGOW SHIPPING BRANCH NOMINATES


CARLISLE CITY BRANCHNOMINATES

STEVE SHAW FOR

RMT PRESIDENT

ST PANCRAS BRANCHNOMINATES

STEVE SHAW FOR

RMT PRESIDENT

EUSTON NO1 BRANCHNOMINATES

STEVE SHAW FOR

RMT PRESIDENT

WATERLOO BRANCHNOMINATES

STEVE SHAW FOR

RMT PRESIDENT

MARCH & DISTRICT BRANCHNOMINATES

STEVE SHAW FOR

RMT PRESIDENT

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CAMBRIDGE BRANCHNOMINATES

STEVE SHAW FOR

RMT PRESIDENT

GLASGOW 5 BRANCHNOMINATES

STEVE SHAW FOR

RMT PRESIDENT

POOLE & DISTRICT BUS BRANCHNOMINATES

STEVE SHAW FOR

RMT PRESIDENT

BRIGHTON AND HOVE CITY BRANCHNOMINATE


RMT PRESIDENT

WIMBLEDON BRANCH NOMINATE


RMT PRESIDENT

DOVER DISTRICT GENERAL GRADES BRANCHNOMINATES


RMT PRESIDENT

MANCHESTER SOUTH BRANCHNOMINATE


RMT PRESIDENT

NEWCASTLE RAIL & CATERING BRANCHNOMINATE


RMT PRESIDENT

WISHAW & MOTHERWELL BRANCH SUPPORTS


PORTSMOUTH BRANCH NOMINATES


WISHAW & MOTHERWELL BRANCH NOMINATES

GORDON MARTIN FOR REGIONAL ORGANISER, SCOTLAND

(REGION 1)

WISHAW & MOTHERWELL BRANCH SUPPORTS

STAN HERSCHEL FOR RELIEF REGIONAL ORGANISER - NORTH'

INVERNESS BRANCHSUPPORTS

MICHELLE ROGERSFOR RMT PRESIDENT

BRIDGEND LLANTRISANT AND DISTRICTBRANCH

NOMINATES STEVE SHAW

FOR RMT PRESIDENT

PRESTON NO 1 BRANCH SUPPORTS


EAST SUSSEX COASTWAY BRANCHNOMINATES


EAST LONDON RAIL BRANCHNOMINATES


THREE BRIDGES BRANCHSUPPORTS


SOUTH LONDON RAIL NOMINATING


BIRMINGHAM ENGINEERING SUPPORTS


CARDIFF NO 7 BRANCHNOMINATING


CAMBRIAN BRANCHNOMINATES


PADDINGTON NO 1 BRANCHNOMINATES


BLETCHLEY AND NORTHAMPTON BRANCHNOMINATES


WOLVERTON BRANCHNOMINATED

STEVE SHAWFOR

RMT PRESIDENT

MORDEN & OVAL BRANCHSUPPORTS

MICHELLE ROGERSFOR RMT PRESIDENT

STERLING BRANCH NOMINATES


OFFSHORE ENERGY BRANCH NOMINATE


RMT GLASGOW SHIPPING BRANCH SUPPORTS

GORDON MARTIN FOR REGIONAL ORGANISER FOR SCOTLAND

NEWCASTLE RAIL & CATERING BRANCH NOMINATE


BARROW IN FURNESS NO1 BRANCH SUPPORTS


LONDON, ANGLIA AND MIDLANDS TRANSPORTBRANCH

SUPPORTS STEVE SHAW

FOR RMT PRESIDENT

WAKEFIELD AND HEALEY MILLS SUPPORTS


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You can pick up a ride on theBodmin and Wenford Railway(BWR) heritage line by changingplatforms from the national railnetwork at Bodmin Parkwaystation.

This direct rail connection isa great advantage for anyheritage line and is the life-blood of the railway accordingto signalling volunteer andformer RMT executivecommittee member DaveLetcher.

“Access to the Network Railmainline at Bodmin iscontrolled by a lever frame,under the supervision of NR'sLostwithiel signal box,” heexplains.

This allows for trains to be

brought directly in and out ofthe line which consists of twoparts. On leaving BodminParkway, the first 3 ½ mileroute crosses the River Foweyby a five-arch viaduct, and thenclimbs a steep gradient uptowards Bodmin Moor. The onehalt is at Colesloggett Haltwhich providing access tofootpaths through CardinhamWoods.

Upon reaching BodminGeneral station – theheadquarters of the railway –trains reverse to take the threemile trip to Boscarne Junction.This lies on the former Londonand South Western Railwayroute to Wadebridge andPadstow and the track bed now

forms the Camel Trail alongsidethe River Camel to the sea.

The railway aspires to extendalongside this foot/cyclepathtowards Wadebridge in thefuture and has the support ofNorth Cornwall District Council.

BWR publicity officer JimmyJames is another member of thehardworking and friendly teamthat keeps the wheels turning atBodmin. He explains how theBodmin Railway PreservationSociety was founded in 1984following the demise of freighttraffic from Wenford a yearearlier.

“Firstly the Bodmin Generalterminus was rescued from itsfate as a second hand furnitureshop and was beautifully

restored to its former glory asyou can see today,” he says.

He explains how the GreatWestern Railway opened itsbranch line to Bodmin Generalin 1887, and a year later ajunction line was opened toconnect with the Bodmin andWadebridge Railway whichopened way back in 1834.

“heritage services wereresumed in 1989 betweenBodmin General and BodminParkway and by 1996 theformer junction line was alsoreopened, with another newstation provided as BoscarneJunction,” he says.

A tour of the engine shedsalso reveals a hive of activitywith engines receiving

BODMIN BOUND The Bodmin and Wenford Railway isCornwall’s premier heritage railway line

CREW: left to right driver Ashley Helleur,trainee driver Will Marshall and firemanAdam Cox in front of their GWR 4200 Class2-8-0T heavy freight locomotive

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everything from an oiling to amajor overhaul and completerestorations.

Jimmy points out one squatbright green engine in thegloom among the othersundergoing repair.

“Alfred is one of the two ex-Port of Par Bagnall 0-4-0STs.Alfred and its older sister engineJudy were the inspiration forBill and Ben in the Thomas theTank Engine stories,” he laughs.

The steam train on dutytoday is a GWR 4200 Class 2-8-0T heavy freight locomotivebuilt in 1916 that used to haultrains of china clay from StBlazey to Fowey.

He introduces driver AshleyHelleur as probably theyoungest in the country. At 26he has been volunteering at theBWR for most of his life, takingup a driving role as soon he waslegally allowed to aged 23.

Ashley is an RMT rep who,when not driving steam trains,works for Great WesternRailways as a guard based atPar station. He encourages allhis workmates to join the unionfor all the industrial and legalbenefits RMT has to offer.

“Ultimately, you never knowwhen you might need the helpof the union and it’s aninsurance policy I wouldn’twant to be without,” he saysover the roar of the openfirebox in the cab.

He is currently showing histrainee driver Will Marshall theropes at the ripe old age of 31along with volunteer Adam Cox,aged 20, making up the team asfireman.

Their enthusiasm is infectiveand, in between carrying outtheir duties to keep the trainrolling such as shovelling coaland letting off steam, they talkabout their passion for theengines and the line itself.

It shows that the hard workand determination whichbrought this line back to life isstill at the fore and with talentand enthusiasm like this it has abright future.

For more information go tohttp://www.bodminrailway.co.uk

Pannier tanklocomotive 4612passes the signalbox at BodminGeneral station

RMT guards rep Ashley Helleur

At Bodmin Parkway

Dave Letcherat his signal

box

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ACROSS1 Determined (10).8 Area of land (7)9 Cravat (5) 10 Joint (5) 11 Shoulder piece (7)12 Elementary particle (6)14 Reintroduce (6) 16 Flammable liquid (7)17 Large artery (5) 19 Many-headed monster (5) 20 Died out (7) 21 Container (10)

DOWN1 Awareness beforehand (10)2 Edict (5)3 Long pin (6)4 Not knowing (7) 5 Intractability (13)6 Senile (4)7 Sculpture (6)12 Irregular (6)13 Too old (7)15 Desert (6) 17 Silly act (5)18 Singer (4)

The winner of lastmonth’s prize crosswordis Tracey Ensor, Telford.

Send entries to PrizeCrossword, RMT, UnityHouse, 39 Chalton Street,London NWI IJD by DateNovember 19 with your nameand address.

Winner and solution in nextissue.

Last month’s solution...

WIRRAL BRANCHNOMINATES


SOUTH EAST ESSEX BRANCHNOMINATES


WILLESDEN RAIL BRANCHNOMINATES


CENTRAL & NORTH MERSEY BRANCH SUPPORTS

STAN HERCHELFOR RELIEF REGIONAL ORGANISER NORTH

DONCASTER BRANCH SUPPORTS


BIRMINGHAM RAIL BRANCH SUPPORTS


NEWPORT IOW NO2 BRANCH NOMINATES


FELTHAM BRANCHNOMINATES


STERLING BRANCH NOMINATES


WARRINGTON AND DISTRICT BRANCHNOMINATES


WATFORD BRANCH NOMINATES

STEVE SHAW FOR

RMT PRESIDENT

£50 PRIZECROSSWORD

Crosswordsponsoredby UIA

Oct2018.qxp_RMT 12/10/2018 16:48

Oct2018.qxp_RMT 12/10/2018 16:48

britain’s violent railways · shines the spotlight on british transport police figures that have...

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