Marxist. Trade Unionist. Socialist-feminist. Author. Poet. Speaker. Tutor. RMT ex-Exec. Workers' Liberty. Autie. Bi. PUFC fan.
Goings-on at committees, conferences and other stuff that Janine attends
– report by Janine Booth, RMT nominee on the Committee Flexible working and reasonable adjustments The TUC has been advocating what it calls ‘flexible working as a reasonable adjustment’ for disabled workers. What it means by this is the right … Read more
This was the first full meeting of the committee elected in March. It elected Dave Allan as chair (a formality as he is the disabled workers’ representative on the TUC General Council); and Annie Galpin as co-chair. Implementing Disabled Workers’ … Read more
Accessible Transport I will be convening the committee’s accessible transport working group, which will also include Elane Heffernan (UCU), Colleen Johnson (NEU) and Austin Harney (PCS). We already have a campaign plan, which will now be updated. The Committee agreed … Read more
The Rail Tram and Bus (RTB) Union’s Victoria branch has around eight thousand members, three quarters of whom work on the V Line (state-wide railway), Yarra Trams or Metro Trains Melbourne. On 22 August, I visited the union’s office. … Read more
Disabled Workers’ Conference decisions We considered how to best carry out the decisions of the TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference. We agreed that the most effective way to do this was by establishing working groups on various policy areas. Committee members … Read more
Today, I was a panellist at at evidence session organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Autism, discussing autism and employment. There were several ‘witnesses’, mostly employers and representatives of charities. Some were autistic, some not. The APPGA will publish … Read more
Published in Solidarity 468 Disabled transport workers discussed issues from workplace representation to the role of charities at their two-day RMT conference in Southend on 26-27 April. This was only the second annual RMT Disabled Members’ Conference, after the union’s … Read more
1. TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference, 24-25 May, Bournemouth Motions – The Committee agreed to to support all motions and amendments, except: Unison’s amendment to Unite’s motion on Universal Credit (oppose) – the motion opposes UC; the amendment wants to change this to … Read more
TUC DISABLED WORKERS’ CONFERENCE 2018 Venue accessibility: We noted our success in getting the TUC to change the conference location to an accessible venue. We looked at the detailed access statement for the venue, and I asked that a relaxation … Read more
The fourth meeting of RMT’s Disabled Members’ Advisory Committee was the best-attended yet. The Committee continues to grow in size, and all members attended the meeting and contributed to our lively discussions. We confirmed that at our last meeting, … Read more
The government’s consultation on transport accessibility has extended its deadline to Wednesday 22 November. Anyone can submit their views. RMT has made a submission and leafleted everyone at the recent Disabled People’s Summit asking them to submit evidence in support of retaining … Read more
RMT’s Disabled Members’ Advisory Committee met for the second time on Wednesday 13 September. 1. Committee membership We welcomed new members to the Committee, and completed the election of our Liaison (conference arrangements) Committee. 2. Guest speaker: Transport … Read more
RMT’s delegation to the European Transport workers’ Federation Women’s Conference comprised Mary Jane Herbison, Michelle Rodgers, Lorna Tooley and Janine Booth. The conference was, unfortunately, squeezed into a short time on a single day. It still managed to do its … Read more
This is the report I gave to ETF Women’s Conference about the previous four years campaigning against violence against women … The 2013 ETF Women’s Conference decided that opposing violenece against women transport workers would be one of its priorities … Read more
Forthcoming TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference, 18-19 May The Committee agreed: not to postpone the Conference due to the general election, by 7 votes to 2 to host a voter registration stall at the Conference (the deadline to register in time for … Read more
Yesterday saw RMT’s first ever Disabled Members’ Conference, held in London. Although quite small (9 delegates, plus union officials), the important thing was that it took place at all, especially as rank-and-file members had pushed for its creation against the … Read more
pic: Committee co-Chairs, Sean McGovern and Janine Booth Campaigning We have set up campaign working groups to get more work done on key issues: Employment Support Allowance / Personal Independence Payments Access to Work Precarious Contracts Cyber Bullying Access … Read more
Click the attached file to scroll through Janine’s report on the work of the ETF Women’s Committee. This report was presented to RMT Women’s Conference on 4 March.
Jean-Louis Colson (on the right of the photo) from DG-MOVE – the European Commission’s Directorate General on transport – outlined the Commission’s work on women and transport, and the consultation it is currently running. For the Commission, the main ‘challenge’ is … Read more
COUNTRY REPORTS France – Women trade unionists have been concentrating on increasing women’s involvement in the unions, and on campaigning against violence against women. At Gare du Nord railway station, African women cleaners are often sexually assaulted by male bosses. … Read more