August 2022
REGIONAL NEWSLETTER
Issue 4
CONTACT US: Your North East Regional Council can be contacted at N69a2e@rmt.org.uk
North East Region KEEPING STRONG, KEEPING TOGETHER
Wednesday 27th July saw members throughout our region standing strong on the picket lines once again. The support from the general public is becoming even more emphatic, and, as predicted, other workers are now deciding that they too want to protect their livelihoods. We are seeing massive votes for industrial action across a variety of sectors with more to come. The working class of this country is sick of being attacked by the 'elite', the same people who keep telling us we are greedy, whilst they themselves rake in record profits and preach the ineffable “do as I say not as I do.”
THE NORTH EAST CONTINUES TO FIGHT We must be prepared for more attacks. We have already had Grant Shapps disingenuously stating that we have rejected an 8% pay deal from Network Rail, when in fact it was nothing of the sort and their 'deal' came with more strings than a kite convention. We have had LNER try to impose annual leave on workers when a fellow Trade Union was out on strike. We have had our potential future Prime Minister Liz Truss stating that she wants to shackle unions further and dilute our ability to take lawful industrial action. They want us on our knees. But with unity and solidarity: we are stronger than they are. Talks are ongoing but these are being stalled by Shapps, who refuses to meet us across the table, and instead spends his time writing lies on social media about workers. Our region is doing us proud – it was heartening to see activity at Bedlington and particularly Scarborough, a station that will be massively affected by closure of their ticket office as it is a lifeline for tourists and those unfamiliar with the fragmented ticketing system. Keep fighting, attend your branch: get involved and fight for your future. Our next strike dates will be 18th and 20th August, and we hope to see you on the picket lines. Together we can win – UNITY IS STRENGTH!
DURHAM MINERS' GALA 2022 Saturday 9th July saw members from across the region descend on the 136th Durham Miners' Gala. After a forced hiatus thanks to Covid, the assembled throng were rewarded with a glorious summer day as they made the march towards the old racecourse. The RMT had a magnificent turnout and were met with deafening cheers as they arrived in front of the County Hotel accompanied by the RMT brass band, with local banners joined by comrades marching from London, Leeds, Manchester, and from all over Scotland. Banners were proudly held aloft by members from the nationwide equalities committees, alongside prominent members of the National Executive Committee. Our national President, Alex Gordon, led the way from New Elvet. Our General Secretary, Mick Lynch, gave a rousing speech outlining the national rail dispute, as the thousands in attendance chanted “RMT!”.
DAY OF ACTION We know that the train companies and government are looking to close all ticket offices, but so far, they have not made any public statements around timescales for this. However, we know that once they launch the public consultations, there’s just three weeks for members of the public to respond. Therefore, in the meantime we are looking to hold a day of action at stations around the region on Tuesday 23rd August. Can you help out at your local station? If so, please email c.iley@rmt.org.uk with times and point of contact so we can get campaign materials to you. Berwick Station have an event between 1000-1200 that day - let's get the region out there supporting our ticket offices and station staff.
REGIONAL CONTACTS NERC CONTACTS Martin McCleary - Lead Recruiter Tel: 07711 570848 berwickrail@rmt.org.uk Donald Graham - Org Unit Tel: 07753 748074 d.graham@rmt.org.uk Jessica Robinson - Women's Officer Tel: 07784 224412 jpleather89@gmail.com
REGIONAL OFFICES
We welcome contributions to this newsletter - if you would like to write an article, please contact any one of the officers above.
BRANCH EMAILS Bedlington: bedlington@rmt.org.uk Berwick Rail: berwickrail@rmt.org.uk Newcastle & Gateshead: newcastlegateshead@rmt.org.uk Newcastle Rail & Catering: newcastlerailcaterin@rmt.org.uk North East Shipping: northeastshipping@rmt.org.uk Darlington: darlington1@rmt.org.uk Teesside: teesside@rmt.org.uk York: yorkdistrict@rmt.org.uk North York Moors: north.moorsRail@rmt.org.uk Hexham: hexhamrail@rmt.org.uk
Thomas Steels House 49a Thorne Road Doncaster DN1 2EX Tel: 01302 760694 North East Shipping Office Unit 17 Cookson House River Drive South Shields NE33 1TL Tel: 01914 561308
Branch meeting dates will be communicated in local depots - if you have any concerns, please contact your branch representative.
SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: @RMTunion Facebook: www.facebook.com/RMTunion
RMT MEMBERS' HELPLINE: 0800 376 3706