Circular number: NP/210/10/MC
26th November 2010
To: - All Branches, Regional Councils, Regional Offices, Regional Organisers, Executive & HO Officers.
Dear Colleague,
Future public transport: “Nationalisation not Privatisation”
I am writing to invite RMT members to participate in an international open conference of fighting transport unions.
Transport workers’ unions will come together in London on Monday, 31 January, 2011 at the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London) to discuss the continuing liberalisation and privatisation of transport industries across Europe as a result of the policies of the European Union and the alternatives that we are fighting for.
The European Commission recently ‘re-cast’ its First railway package, to establish “a single European railway area”, demanding complete liberalisation of the rail sector. A Fourth package liberalising domestic passenger rail services is planned for 2011.
The EU drive to privatise lifeline ferry services has led to protests to defend ferry services from Greece, to Corsica, to Caledonian MacBrayne services in Scotland.
Corporate takeovers, such as Germany state railway Deutsche Bahn’s acquisition of Arriva, are creating EU-wide transport monopolies across the bus, rail and light rail sectors. Instead of rebuilding public transport through investment in ‘just transition’ to carbon-neutral systems with skilled jobs, the EU is privatising public transport.
‘Future public transport:“Nationalisation not Privatisation”’ is an opportunity to discuss the deepening political crisis in the public transport sector and how to resist the privatisation drive. If you wish to participate in this conference please contact Mick Carty on m.carty@rmt.org.uk
Yours sincerely,
Bob Crow
General Secretary
Waterloo Branch Represents all Grades at Waterloo, Vauxhall, Queens Town Road and Clapham Junction for South Western Railway, Select Service Partners/Rail Gourmet/Network Rail/ /ISS /Churchill Cleaners and Interserve. The RMT Represents all Grades.... It is your Union So come along to Branch Meetings and find out the latest News and have your say in running your Union.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Andy Gilchrist (RMT National Education Officer) is in attendance at Waterloo Branch
Andy Gilchrist (RMT National Education Officer) is attending Waterloo Branch on the 28th November 2010.
Andy will be addressing the Branch on the National Education program for the RMT, and also updating on courses that are available for Representatives at all levels and Branch Officials, and will also be updating the Branch on the future of the Rail Union Learning Program for members that want to attend relevant college Courses.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Rates Of Inflation Circular
Circular No. NP/176/10/MC
12th October 2010
TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL ORGANISERS, REGIONAL COUNCILS, & COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES.
Dear Colleagues,
Inflation Rates Circular
The September rates of RPI and CPI were published by the Office for National Statistics on the 12th October 2010. The September 2010 retail prices index rate is 4.6%. This is down from 4.7% in August. The Government’s preferred measure of inflation, CPI, is at 3.1%, with no change from August. The next publication date is the 16th November 2010.
The largest downward pressures to the change came from a variety of transport costs:
· air transport where fares fell by 27.8 per cent this year compared with a fall of 23.8 per cent a year ago. The largest downward effects came from long haul and, to a lesser extent, European routes
· fuels and lubricants where prices, overall, fell by 0.8 per cent between August and September this year but rose by 2.3 per cent a year ago, principally reflecting a fall of 1.1 pence per litre in petrol prices this year compared with a rise of 2.4 pence per litre a year ago
· falling second-hand car prices between August and September this year compared with price rises a year ago - there were reports of stock shortages leading to higher prices for second-hand cars during 2009
The largest upward pressures to the change in CPI inflation came from:
· clothing and footwear where prices overall rose by 6.4 per cent this year, a record rise for the August to September period. The largest upward effect came from women’s outerwear where prices rose sharply this year with the 2010 autumn season
· food where the largest upward effects came from meat and fruit. Meat prices rose by 0.3 per cent between August and September this year but fell by 1.2 per cent a year ago. The fall last year was a record for an August to September period. Fruit prices overall fell between August and September this year but by less than a year ago
As you can see the price of daily necessities such as food and clothing continue to rise at an alarming rate.
In pay submissions the RMT will continue to emphasise that your financial commitments have increased at a much greater rate than inflation and your living standards have suffered as a result.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Crow
General Secretary
12th October 2010
TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL ORGANISERS, REGIONAL COUNCILS, & COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES.
Dear Colleagues,
Inflation Rates Circular
The September rates of RPI and CPI were published by the Office for National Statistics on the 12th October 2010. The September 2010 retail prices index rate is 4.6%. This is down from 4.7% in August. The Government’s preferred measure of inflation, CPI, is at 3.1%, with no change from August. The next publication date is the 16th November 2010.
The largest downward pressures to the change came from a variety of transport costs:
· air transport where fares fell by 27.8 per cent this year compared with a fall of 23.8 per cent a year ago. The largest downward effects came from long haul and, to a lesser extent, European routes
· fuels and lubricants where prices, overall, fell by 0.8 per cent between August and September this year but rose by 2.3 per cent a year ago, principally reflecting a fall of 1.1 pence per litre in petrol prices this year compared with a rise of 2.4 pence per litre a year ago
· falling second-hand car prices between August and September this year compared with price rises a year ago - there were reports of stock shortages leading to higher prices for second-hand cars during 2009
The largest upward pressures to the change in CPI inflation came from:
· clothing and footwear where prices overall rose by 6.4 per cent this year, a record rise for the August to September period. The largest upward effect came from women’s outerwear where prices rose sharply this year with the 2010 autumn season
· food where the largest upward effects came from meat and fruit. Meat prices rose by 0.3 per cent between August and September this year but fell by 1.2 per cent a year ago. The fall last year was a record for an August to September period. Fruit prices overall fell between August and September this year but by less than a year ago
As you can see the price of daily necessities such as food and clothing continue to rise at an alarming rate.
In pay submissions the RMT will continue to emphasise that your financial commitments have increased at a much greater rate than inflation and your living standards have suffered as a result.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Crow
General Secretary
Friday, October 8, 2010
Referendum Result for Guards SWT (Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2009)
Our Ref: BR2/0001/SWT
11th October 2010
Dear Colleagues,
RATES OF PAY & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2009
SOUTH WEST TRAINS (GUARDS OPTION)
Further to my letter dated 22nd September regarding the above, the referendum has now concluded with the following result:-
Total Votes Cast... 412
Those Voting Option One... 289
Those Voting Option Two... 110
Those Voting Neither Option... 13
Spoilt Papers... 0
This result has now been considered by the General Grades Committee who have taken the following decision:-
“We note the outcome of the referendum ballot and instruct the General Secretary to inform the Company of our acceptance of Option 1. Relevant Branches and Regional Councils to be informed.”
I will inform the Company of our acceptance of the basic pay award option and ask that this is implemented at the earliest opportunity.
I would also like to thank members for voting in this referendum and to thank your representatives for their efforts in this matter.
Yours Sincerely,
Bob Crow
General Secretary
11th October 2010
Dear Colleagues,
RATES OF PAY & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2009
SOUTH WEST TRAINS (GUARDS OPTION)
Further to my letter dated 22nd September regarding the above, the referendum has now concluded with the following result:-
Total Votes Cast... 412
Those Voting Option One... 289
Those Voting Option Two... 110
Those Voting Neither Option... 13
Spoilt Papers... 0
This result has now been considered by the General Grades Committee who have taken the following decision:-
“We note the outcome of the referendum ballot and instruct the General Secretary to inform the Company of our acceptance of Option 1. Relevant Branches and Regional Councils to be informed.”
I will inform the Company of our acceptance of the basic pay award option and ask that this is implemented at the earliest opportunity.
I would also like to thank members for voting in this referendum and to thank your representatives for their efforts in this matter.
Yours Sincerely,
Bob Crow
General Secretary
Rail Union Learning Event
To advise all that a Rail Union Learning Event has been arranged by the Trade Unions, and this will take place on the 20th October 2010 at Waterloo, to download and view all the details on this event and to download the posters in both English and Spanish please click on the link below:
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Bob Crow (RMT General Secretary) is in attendance at Waterloo Branch on the 28th October 2010
Bob (RMT General Secretary) is in attendance at Waterloo Branch Meeting on the 28th October 2010, bob will adddress the Branch on Nation issues and will also be available to take questions from Branch Members.
If you can come along and listen to your elected General Secretary speak at your Branch Meeting.
RMT Secure SWT Staff 5.2% Increase
NEWS RELEASE
October 5 2010
Strong RMT union organisation secures South West Trains staff 5.2% increase setting the benchmark for the rail industry
RAIL UNION RMT today welcomed a 5.2% pay increase – without strings - secured by the union’s negotiators for all South West Trains staff saying that it proves the benefits of strong trade union organisation and sets a pay benchmark for the rest of the rail and transport sector. The 5.2% increase will hit staff pay packets from this week.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:
“At a time when the doom and gloom merchants in the press are repeating the Government line that everyone has to draw in their belts and accept cuts, job losses and austerity RMT has shown once again on South West Trains that strong union organisation delivers the goods.
“The pay award of 5.2% on South West Trains sets a clear benchmark for our negotiators and for the transport sector as a whole.
“Our members didn’t create this crisis, it was the bankers, and on the day when the return of the City bonus culture is back in the news with a vengeance we are sending out the clearest possible signal that working people don’t need to be bullied into paying the price for the greed and excess of the speculators.
“Strong union organisation is the only defence that working people have against the cuts and austerity onslaught – unity is strength.”
Yours sincerely
Bob Crow
General Secretary
October 5 2010
Strong RMT union organisation secures South West Trains staff 5.2% increase setting the benchmark for the rail industry
RAIL UNION RMT today welcomed a 5.2% pay increase – without strings - secured by the union’s negotiators for all South West Trains staff saying that it proves the benefits of strong trade union organisation and sets a pay benchmark for the rest of the rail and transport sector. The 5.2% increase will hit staff pay packets from this week.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:
“At a time when the doom and gloom merchants in the press are repeating the Government line that everyone has to draw in their belts and accept cuts, job losses and austerity RMT has shown once again on South West Trains that strong union organisation delivers the goods.
“The pay award of 5.2% on South West Trains sets a clear benchmark for our negotiators and for the transport sector as a whole.
“Our members didn’t create this crisis, it was the bankers, and on the day when the return of the City bonus culture is back in the news with a vengeance we are sending out the clearest possible signal that working people don’t need to be bullied into paying the price for the greed and excess of the speculators.
“Strong union organisation is the only defence that working people have against the cuts and austerity onslaught – unity is strength.”
Yours sincerely
Bob Crow
General Secretary
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