Black and ethnic minority members

TfL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Trade Union Engagement Forum, 9 June 2021

Report from Janine Booth (RMT)

After a long break, the Forum met on Teams on 9 June 2021. Janine Booth and Glen Hart attended on behalf of RMT. ASLEF, TSSA and Unite were also present, but other TfL unions were not. This forum is separate from the collective bargaining machinery, but more sharing of information between them would be helpful.

RMT's London Transport region welcomes the news that the Home Office has rescinded the order to deport young, black, autistic man Osime Brown following his conviction under the unfair and racist 'joint enterprise' law.

It is important for trade unions to recognise and challenge injustice outside the workplace as well as in it. So when the union's disabled activists raised Osime's campaign, we agreed a resolution backing Osime and sent it to our National Executive.

Bakerloo News is the newsletter for workers on the Bakerloo Line.

Please download it to read the latest news from the Bakerloo branch. You also print and distribute it in your workplace.

In this edition:

• Vote yes for action to stop cuts
• Queen’s Park drivers resist bosses’ job cuts plan
• Why vote yes?
•  RMT women organise
•  Our target: cleaning in house by 2022
•  RMT BEM Conference

Bakerloo News is the newsletter for workers on the Bakerloo Line from bakerloo branch activists.

In this edition:

• ABM cuts cleaners’ sick pay, risking virus spread
• Sodexo threatens to cut canteen job cuts
• Outsourced workers: fight back!
• No Zoono? No Service!
•  SRT update
•  Disciplined for challenging racism? 
• Black and ethnic minority members mee
•  Centre Group update

Please download the newsletter to read it. You can also print it out and distribute it in your Bakerloo Line workplace.

On the 54th anniversary of the union defeating the colour bar at Euston station rail union RMT said today that the campaign against racism remains an absolute priority. ‎

On August 15 1966 the colour bar at Euston station was finally defeated when West Indian guard Asquith Xavier was allowed to start work after initially being refused a job.

British Railways had announced, after negotiations with local leaders of the National Union of Railwaymen, that no grade would in future be closed on racial grounds anywhere in the London division.

Terms of reference / forum functioning

• The RMT equality audit is attached and can be downloaded to read and share.

Mick Cash, General Secretary and Michelle Rodgers, President:

George Floyd’s death is an indictment of entrenched racism within state forces. Racism has always and continues to inflict injustices on the black communities, not only in the US but also globally and in the UK.

Now is not the time for silence - we must shout our anger in the call for justice. The State must not be a tool for the expression of racism and hatred.

As trade unionists we stand united against state racism. No to silence, no to police brutality. Justice for all. Unity is strength.