RMT conference prepares for battle


Jared Wood, Neasden RMT political officer and conference delegate

RMT delegates attending their annual conference have no illusions about the attacks they face across the industry and the fightback necessary to defeat them.

In shipping, road freight, bus services and rail, members are united by the common attack by employers to protect profits at the expense of pay, conditions, safety and services to the public.

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, giving the annual report spelt it out clearly: “We are in the fight of our lives. On all these fronts the RMT is fighting back and will continue to do so. The shocking Beecroft report shows just how much further the bosses and the Tories want to go, with the right to hire and fire at will. We need to mobilise for the TUC demonstration on 20 October to ensure it becomes the springboard for the mass movement that can end the brutal austerity drive.”

Over 40 delegates attended the large National Shop Stewards Network fringe meeting. The discussion was around the challenge we face to build the fight against all cuts and to campaign for a one-day general strike to unite the opposition and anger of the trade unions, youth, unemployed, pensioners and wider community.