Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Inflation Rates Circular

Circular No. NP/097/10/MC

18th May 2010

TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL ORGANISERS, REGIONAL COUNCILS, & COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES.

Dear Colleagues,

Inflation Rates Circular

The April rates of RPI and CPI were published by the Office for National Statistics on the 18th May 2010. The next publication date is the 15th June 2010. The April 2010 retail prices index rate is 5.3%. This is up from 4.4% in March. The Government’s preferred measure of inflation, CPI, is at 3.7%, up from 3.4% in March.

There most significant changes came from:

· clothing and footwear where prices, overall, rose by 2.2 per cent between March and April this year but rose by only 0.2 per cent a year ago; this was mainly due to garments and, in particular, women’s clothing.
· food and non-alcoholic beverages, mainly due to the food component where upward effects were widespread rather than from one particular food group. Reports have suggested that the closure of European airspace as a result of the Icelandic volcano had a limited impact on food prices in April.
· alcoholic beverages and tobacco where prices, overall, rose by 2.1 per cent between March and April this year (driven by the increases in excise duty that came into force towards the end of March) but were unchanged a year ago

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, May 7, 2010

Keep the Train Safe- Keep the Guard on the Train- Pat Sikorski (AGS) To attend Waterloo Campaign Meeting


To advise that a Special Branch Campaign Meeting has been arranged for the 27th May 2010 to discuss the campaign by this Union to Keep the Guard on the Train.

Special Meetings have been arranged around the Country, where Pat Sikorski (Assistant General Secretary) will be updating Guards members on this important issue where we have seen Scot Rail Train Operating Company renew the attack on the Guards and we could see more of this by more Train Opertaing Companies who have their Franchises up for renewal by 2015.

The Waterloo Campaign Meeting has been arranged and will cover all Branches from the London End which include:

Feltham

Waterloo

Surrey Hants

Wimbledon

This is an important meeting and hope that Guards Members from these Branches can attend and listen to the update from the AGS.

It is happening now and affects all GUARDS------Together we can stop this attack on yet another Grade Group...
Address: Hole in the Wall Public House
(5 minutes Walk From Waterloo Station Exit5 from Station)
15-30 Start

Saturday, May 1, 2010

40 Year Membership Branch Presentation


Owen Ming retired from BR and SWT after over 40 years service, he was presented with the 40 year RMT Membership badge and Medal at the last Branch Meeting, Branch Chairman Bill Read said it was an honour to present this and thanked Owen for his loyal contribution to both the NUR and the RMT, and wished him all the best in his retirement.