Political representation

RMT hits back at Tory multi-millionaire Goldsmith's attack on London Transport workers’ travel concessions

It has been reported today that Conservative mayoral candidate Zak Goldsmith whose wealth is estimated at between £200-£300 million, would consider taking away travel concessions of TfL workers.

Goldsmith  said he would use the 'saving' to pay for more BTP. Ironically it is Tory cuts which are the biggest threat to police numbers.

In my role as RMT union’s LTRC Political Officer, I was instructed to contact mayoral candidates standing in the London 2016 elections. This was to determine which one of the candidate supports key union policies and our members best interests. For obvious reasons and as stated, the Tories and any party (considered) opposed to socialist principles were not contacted. 

The questions incorporate RMT active Parliamentary Groups pursuit of a progressive transport and employment agenda based on the following principles:

Rail Worker's from across the country will join a lobby of Parliament on 26th November 2014 to oppose the exploitation of workers through the use of umbrella companies, and also to highlight the safety concerns of those working alongside an increasingly casualised contractor workforce.

The day will include a demonstration in Old Palace Yard opposite Parliament starting at 10.45 – 12.00 noonafter which workers will go into the Houses of Parliament for a lobby and rally at 12.45pm – 2.00pm in Committee Room 14

Speakers at the rally include:

Mick Cash - RMT General Secretary

RMT POLITICAL FUND BALLOT
YOUR UNION - YOUR VOICE

The law say that that all unions must have a separate Political Fund if they want to spend money campaigning on issues that have a political content. The Political Fund is made up by deducting money from member’s union subscriptions. This is known as the “political levy” and amounts to just £3.12 a year, or 26p a month.

John McDonnell MP has led the "Future Government funding for Transport for London and station staffing levels" debate at Westminster Hall. Several MPs spoke in the debate in support of a properly staffed tube network.

John McDonnell leads RMT's Parliamentary group of Labour MPs, which has a track record of fighting for RMT members and the wider trade union movement, putting down early day motions, lobbying and hosting meetings and a number of other important activities.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow warns of hard year of campaigning and action ahead in New Year message.

"No one should be under any illusions. 2014 will be a tough year for Britain's workers as the Government ratchets up its attacks on workers rights and public services. Cuts are set to escalate and only militant and coordinated action across workplaces and communities can stop the bulldozer of austerity

Hackney MP Diane Abbott has asked a question in parliament during Prime Ministers Questions enquiring how cutting more than 700 jobs will raise living standards for ordinary Londoners.

London Underground has announced that they plan for 950 jobs to go, with all ticket offices closing and most station staff having to reapply for jobs.

Abbott who is a member of the RMT parliamentary group said:

At a pre TUC Rally on Sunday lunchtime in Bournemouth, RMT General Secretary Bob Crow will ramp up the call to the trade union movement to support the creation of a “new party of labour” to challenge head on the pro-business, anti-worker agenda of the three main political parties, Tory, Labour and Liberals.

The call comes in the wake of the decision by the GMB union to make serious cuts to its Labour affiliation levels, a decision which has sparked off a major debate in the trade union movement about the future of working class political representation