RMT TSSA Merger

RMT Council of Executives decision, 22 November: That we have received the letter from TSSA who have stated that they do not see the federation as a stepping stone towards a merger between our unions.

The General Secretary is to write to TSSA and reaffirm our position that we want one industrial union in the Transport Industry and our door is open for talks with the TSSA to achieve part of this aim.

The letter and the letter from TSSA to be sent to all Branches and Regional Councils.

That London Transport Regional Council note that talks with the Leadership of the RMT and TSSA has reached an apparent impasse.

This is amongst the Leadership.

There has been no rank and file campaign on this matter among either Unions membership in London.

That the LTRC Executive look into the possibility of meeting with LTRC RMT members and Tssa members in an effort to work closer together.

RMT Council of Executives decision:

That we note the correspondence from the TSSA dated 20th February 2012 on this matter where they state that they “see no further value in continuing merger talks at this time”.

We also note in the correspondence a proposal by the TSSA of a “creation of a federation that should also be opened to other similar sized transport unions”.

RMT Council of Executives decision:

That we note that a joint meeting of RMT and TSSA Executives has taken place.

The General Secretary is instructed that our negotiating team is to continue to engage in discussion with the TSSA on the possibility of a merger between our two organisations.

This Council of Executives is of the view that the time is now appropriate to discuss some fundamental items of principle.

Accordingly, our negotiating team and General Secretary in discussions with his counterpart are developed positions obtained on:

“TSSA and RMT held discussions on 4, 11 and 18 October 2011 concerning the possible merger and creation of a new union. These discussions have been wide-ranging and constructive as reported in our previous statements.

A number of differences between our two organisations have emerged as a result of these discussions and as previously reported in our last JOINT UNION STATEMENT ON RMT/TSSA TALKS – NO.6 (dated Wednesday 19 October 2011) further discussions are required.

Joint Union Statement On RMT, TSSA Talks – No. 6

“TSSA and RMT met again as planned on Tuesday 18 October 2011 for further friendly and constructive talks concerning the political strategies for a potential new union.

Statement 5: “TSSA and RMT met again as planned on Tuesday, 11 October 2011 for further friendly and constructive talks concerning the democratic structures of our respective unions. Our talks focussed on the workings of Annual Conferences, Executive Committees, Regional/Divisional and Branch structures.

Statement 4: “TSSA and RMT met again as planned on Tuesday, 4 October 2011 for friendly and constructive talks to discuss sectoral and geographical organisation of our respective union memberships and possible future opportunities for trade union organisation in the event of a potential merger in the transport, travel and offshore energy sectors currently represented by the two unions. It is clear that there are very substantial overlaps between our two unions in terms of industrial and sectoral organisation and in our existing structures as well as significant potential areas for growth and new organisational opportunities for a merged trade union in the sectors we organise.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow talks to RMTV about the possible merger with sister union TSSA.

Statement no.3: “TSSA and RMT met on Saturday/Sunday 17/18 September 2011 to discuss the structures, operations and cultures of both unions. We each delivered presentations on our membership, democratic structures, political affiliations, staff structures, officials and offices and took the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarifications.