Bob told the packed branch meeting: “The union is its membership – it’s not just an administrative body in London - and it’s a pleasure to be invited here to meet you all. These badges come with thanks on behalf of the whole union.” Photographs were taken as Bob presented each member with an RMT badge.

Arriva Cross Country Train Manager (Guard), Andy Davidson receives his 25-year badge from Bob Crow

First Great Western Fleet Operative, Richard Cox receives his 25-year badge from Bob Crow

Network Rail Mobile Operations Manager and Signallers' Area Council Rep, Gerry Davidson receives his 10-year badge from Bob Crow

First Great Western, Bristol Temple Meads Station Staff Rep and delegate to the RMT Women's Advisory Committee, Jenny Gray receives her 10-year badge from Bob Crow

Network Rail Signalling Manager (Wessex), Jim Roussell receives his 25-year badge from Bob Crow

Network Rail Infrastructure Maintenance, Weston-super-Mare P-Way member and Union Learning Rep, John Bebbington receives his 10-year badge from Bob Crow

First Great Western, Bristol Temple Meads Station Staff member, Martin Lee receives his 10-year badge from Bob Crow

RMT Bristol Rail branch Secretary, Glen Burrows was presented with a set of whisky tumblers engraved with the union logo by Bob Crow on behalf of all the Bristol rail branch members

Glen is retiring from the railway shortly, but will represent members at the RMT Special General Meeting taking place next Friday, 6 November in Doncaster to decide on rule changes. Glen has served Bristol Rail branch members as Secretary since 2005 and before that as Chair and Assistant Secretary. As well as being elected onto the (Sectional/Divisional) Council for Station/Retail grades members employed by Wessex Trains and First Great Western Trains, Glen has been our branch delegate to Bridgwater Trades Union Council, the South West TUC, the RMT South Wales & West of England Regional Council and to several RMT Annual General Meetings.

The General Secretary also spoke about the economic situation and said employers are on the attack everywhere, their main motive being profits.

He said: “We are seeing wages go down as unemployment increases. There will be mass unemployment for at least another five years, with one in five young people unemployed. All three main political parties have roughly similar policies. Trades unions are, therefore, crucial in the fight to defend working class people. Workers must make demands for wages, jobs, housing, pensions, student grants and higher taxes for the rich, and be prepared to fight for them."

Bob Crow: "Our parents and grandparents fought for a better deal for working people, and we are seeing things they fought for being destroyed. Unless we fight back, the future for our children is bleak.”

He also urged full support from rail workers for the postal workers in their current dispute over Royal Mail modernisation to defend jobs and conditions against privatisation. “Royal Mail and the Government want to smash the CWU, which, like the RMT is a fighting union. It’ll be us next, so we must make sure the CWU wins this dispute.”

On the situation at Wessex Connect, where the company is imposing a union (UNITE) on the workforce, the majority of whom are in the RMT, he said: “It is a disgrace. Wessex Connect workers should have the right to choose their union. The RMT will not desert our members there.”

The meeting was also addressed by Mike Newport, Area Delivery Representative, Bristol CWU, who thanked the Branch for their support and gave details of forthcoming picket lines, where visiting supporters are much appreciated. Mike said: “ deliveries get later and later, and 50-60,000 jobs have gone – and they call that “modernisation”. He spoke about the legal challenge from the CWU to the scab workforce at Western Approach Business Park, Severn Beach. He finished by asking for financial support for the CWU through donations and workplace collections.

Branch Chair, Chris Davidson, thanked Bob Crow and all those receiving badges for attending, and invited everyone to join him at a buffet served after the meeting.

GLEN BURROWS,
BRANCH SECRETARY