October 2023
REGIONAL NEWSLETTER
Issue 15
CONTACT US:
North East Region
Your North East Regional Council can be contacted at: NorthEastRegionalCouncil@rmt.org.uk And on our X (Twitter): @RMTNorthEast
KEEP FIGHTING: VOTE YES All TOC members should have now received their ballot papers. Papers must be returned by October 19th and EVERY vote is crucial. A yes vote provides your union with the leverage we need to help get a resolution for you and your colleagues. Look at our recent victory on London Underground: staff were faced with similar attacks but we achieved a massive success in winning them the pay and conditions they deserved. This was entirely due to those members voting YES and being prepared to take action to achieve what we are battling for. RMT are in continued talks with the RDG fighting for: A decent pay rise; To protect your terms and conditions; and job security. But due to the draconian anti-trade union laws in this country we must re-ballot members every 6 months. It is vital we win or we cannot fight against what is coming. We must achieve a 50% turn out and 40% of that must be yes for us to put on lawful industrial action. The government know that we still have the public on our side, therefore they are trying to force workers to come in by attempting to introduce minimum service level bills. These haven’t made it through into law yet, but it is only a matter of time if the Tory government get their way The RMT have put documents and proposals to TOCs, but it is up to them to respond and show goodwill in attempting to achieve an offer that can be put to the membership. That is why we must stand firm. You must vote YES. We may well have a new, more receptive government in eighteen months: but we cannot let that last eighteen months count for nothing. We know it is difficult – but it is called the struggle for a reason. Do not let employers tell you we have not achieved anything. Without this year of industrial action, the fourteen TOCs would have destroyed your terms and conditions long ago, and pushed through thousands of job losses. They would have closed every single ticket office a year ago, then followed that up with similar draconian cuts to catering, fleet engineering, train crew and every other grade. Your action has made a difference, but they want your job, and remember a percentage pay rise is worthless if you are unemployed six months down the line.
Keep the pressure on. You deserve a fair deal. Don’t let ANYONE tell you otherwise. RETURN YOUR BALLOT PAPER VOTE YES UNITY IS STRENGTH
If you have not yet received your ballot paper, contact ballot@rmt.org.uk and one will be sent out to you immediately - don’t delay!