Press release from John McDonnell MP ...John McDonnell, supported by the Trade Union Co-ordinating Group, presents his Private Members' Bill to parliament today which if adopted would significantly improve unions' ability to defend their members and would be the first step towards the full restoration of trade union rights.

After coming first in the Private Members' Ballot and in consultation with the trade union movement and leading trade union lawyers, John McDonnell MP is sponsoring the "Lawful Industrial Action (Minor Errors) Bill" to tackle the increasing practice by employers of using minor technical errors in the balloting process - which have no material effect on the outcome - to take unions to court in order to prevent them from taking industrial action.

TRANSPORT UNION RMT today slammed what it described as “the ConDem’s budget for the rich” – warning of widespread community and industrial resistance once people realise the full scale of the impact of the Government’s cuts plans for public services and the true cost for jobs and standards of living.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

Press release from John McDonnell MP ...

As one door closes another one open: John McDonnell tops the poll in the Private Members' Bill Ballot.

John McDonnell MP has been drawn first in the Private Members' Bill Ballot today and has opted for a Bill to tackle abuse of trade union ballots by employers.

John McDonnell said:

RMT has issued a call for trade unionists and socialists to unite behind John McDonnell’s bid to secure enough nominations to stand in the Labour Party leadership contest and to use his campaign as an opportunity to begin the fightback against the ConDem government’s all-out assault on public services and living standards.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“John McDonnell leads the RMT group in parliament and no MP has done more to fight against attacks on jobs, public services and workers rights. John is a tireless worker on behalf of trade unionists and the communities that will be there in the front line of the ConDem attack and he is the perfect alternative to the assorted candidates from Continuity New Labour.

John McDonnell, convenor of RMT's Parliamentary group, is standing in the election for Labour Party leader. Unlike the other candidates, John has consistently supported our union and others in our campaigns for public ownership of public services, the repeal of anti-union laws, and many other issues. John is a principled socialist, and his candidacy asserts that Labour should represent, rather than betray, working-class people.

The first hurdle John has to overcome is to get 33 MPs to nominate him in order to even get ont he ballot paper. Here are two things you can do to help this, without even moving from where you are sitting now!
1. Email Owen Jones o.p.jones@gmail.com and ask him to add your name to the list of John's supporters.
2. Email your Labour MP (and any others!) urging him/her to nominate John. You can find your MP's details here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/

From the Labour Representation Committee ...

The left and trade unions have started organising a broad coalition against the incoming coalition government and its plans to cut public services, jobs, pensions and benefits. There is no popular mandate for cuts and, as in Greece, any attempt to impose them will be firmly resisted.

John McDonnell MP, LRC Chair, said:

From Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary ...

In the final days before the General Election I would remind you of the stance taken by the Conservative Party with regard to protecting workers health, safety and welfare. The Tories have repeatedly diminished workers rights when in power and were responsible for the harshest erosion of protection via their sustained attacks on trade union legislation during the 80s and 90s.

As requested by RMT's campaign committee, I wrote the following letter to Labour Parliamentary candidates in and around London (or at least, the ones I could find email addresses for!):

As you may know, London Underground, under the leadership of Tory Mayor Boris Johnson, plans to cut 800 station staff jobs, and to severely cut ticket office opening hours.

RMT and London Underground's other trade unions strongly oppose this plan, as we believe it will:
- endanger passengers
- reduce customer service

URGENT GENERAL ELECTION CIRCULAR from Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary

From tonight the RMT will begin telephoning canvas sessions from Unity House for John McDonnell, RMT Parliamentary Group Convenor.

The RMT is supporting Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition candidates in the general election. To make sure there are the best votes possible – and also to discuss with as many people as possible about the need for a working class alternative to all the main parties – we are asking all RMT members in London to help out in the last two weekends of the election campaigns. There will be leafleting, stalls, and canvassing.

To help in Walthamstow for Nancy Taaffe contact sarahsachseldridge@socialistparty.org.uk

To help in Greenwich with Onay Kasab contact onaykasab162@yahoo.co.uk

The Regional Council AGM passed the following resolution, composited from resolutions and amendments from Camden 3, Neasden and Stratford no.1 branches ...

This Regional Council applauds Bob Crow and those officials and members of RMT who have pledged their personal support to the Trade Unionists and Socialist Coalition at the next general election.

The following resolution, submitted by Neasden branch, was composited with other resolutions and passed at the February meeting of the Regional Council ...

This regional council applauds Bob Crow and those officials and members of RMT who have pledged their personal support to the Trade Unionists and Socialist Coalition at the next general election.

Click '1 attachment' / file name to download the 'Brown Book', which sets out the rights of health and safety representatives.

On a personal note, the reason that I have posted this today is that the 1977 regulations, which gave these rights to safety reps, were brought in by Labour Secretary of State for Employment Albert Booth, my uncle, who sadly died this morning.

The Regional Council Executive submits the following resolution to the February meeting of the Regional Council.

This Executive Committee suggests that the LTRC organises a Special Meeting to discuss the standing of candidates, in any forthcoming Council/General Elections, under the umbrella of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition. Branches should be asked to submit the names of any candidates who may want to stand.

The Regional Council Executive endorsed this resolution on behalf of the Regional Council at its meeting on 9 February 2010.

This Regional Council has been informed that Diane Abbot MP supported the former Mayor Ken Livingstone’s policy to privatise the East London Line. Also she did not sign the Early Day Motion regarding the issue.

If this is true then Ms Abbot has broken the policy of this union and the principles of our Parliamentary Group.

This resolution, submitted by Camden 3 branch and amended by Stratford no.1 branch, was passed unanimously by the November meeting of the Regional Council.

In an important initiative aimed at shifting the political debate away from the cuts and pro-business agenda of the three main parties, transport union RMT is convening a conference on the “Crisis in Working Class Representation” in London on Saturday, 7th November 2009.

Venue: Institute of Education, Bedford Way, London (nearest tube: Russell Square)

Click here for more details.