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
Daniela Zlatova of Bulgarian transport trade union FTTUB gave an impressive account of the union’s efforts and achievements in involving women. FTTUB : has 10,500 members includes 86 trade union bodies in transport and telecoms has 9 women out of … Read more
Election of co-Chair: Sean McGovern, the Disabled Workers’ representative on TUC General Council, chairs the Committee. I was re-elected unopposed as co-Chair for another year. Action on Resolutions from Disabled Workers Conference In carrying out the decisions of the … Read more
INTRODUCTION/CONTEXT The opening address stressed the importance of women workers organising in a male-dominated industry and the context of women’s struggles in a time of austerity and terrorism. There was a minute’s silence for the victims of terror attacks. ATU (Romanian … Read more
WHAT IS THE ETF? The European Transport Workers’ Federation, linking transport trade unions across Europe. RMT is one of several UK affiliates. Its Women’s Committee includes nominees from various countries and sectors. I am a member of the Committee for … Read more
Updates on ongoing work ‘You don’t look disabled’ briefing for union reps on ‘invisible/hidden’ disabilities, available here. Disability Labour contact details are here. Seminar on ‘Equality and mental health in an age of austerity’ – report online here. Griffiths v DWP appeal … Read more
Janine will be reporting on the work of the ETF Women’s Committee at RMT Women’s Conference in Scarborough.
First part of a three-part report from the meeting of the Europen Transport Workers’ Federation’s Women’s Committee in Berlin, 12-13 October 2015. Women’s health and safety at work The Committee is compiling a training module about women’s health and safety at … Read more
The final part of my report from the European Transport Workers’ Federation’s Women’s Committee meeting held in Berlin on 12-13 October 2015. Mid-term women’s conference. The Committee’s work is organised around 4-year terms: we are currently in the 2013-17 … Read more
LUL Fit for the Future Stations Equality Impact Assessment Disability discrimination cases in LUL Employers’ disability policies Proposed employment policy on Autism RMT training Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) UK Disability History Month UN to investigate UK government Access to … Read more
Alexander Kirchner, Chair of German transport trade union EVG, spoke at ETF Women’s Committee on 12 October 2015. His two key points were: 1. EU Fourth Railway Package This package of proposals is driven by the European Commission to promote … Read more
Protest at Oakwood station On Monday 21 September, Transport for All held a protest at Oakwood station (pictured), highlighting the significant increase in lift failures making stations inaccessible to wheelchair users. Protesters emphasised their opposition to London Underground Ltd’s cuts … Read more
1. Protesting against attacks on disabled people. The Tories are intensifying their assault on disabled people’s rights, particularly access to benefits. I will be circulating information about protests and other events in and around London. Please look out for these … Read more
Report from the 2013 TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference, published in Solidarity 287, 29 May 2013 This year’s TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference roundly condemned government attacks on disability rights, and pledged action against cuts in jobs and benefits. Meeting in London … Read more
UPDATE ON PREVIOUS ISSUES Shadow Report to the United Nations: still being prepared, as there is a lot of material to fit into a limited space. Challenging myths and prejudice around disability and benefit claimants: Our proposal (from our last … Read more
Country Reports Spain From 2007, the socialist government introduced equality legislation and a framework to demand action against sexism and harassment. But since then, the situation has been worsened by economic crisis, with equalities driven off the agenda, curbs on … Read more
Women Working at Antwerp Port Having begun working as a receptionist in 1975, Monique Verbeeck is the first female secretary of the Belgian port union, BTB. She is also the ITF and ETF women port workers’ representative. Monique introduced a … Read more
I was an RMT delegate to TUC Congress in 2006. Here are links to my blog posts at the time: TUC Blogging Held Captive While The Enemy Invaded Warming Up or Selling Short? Assaults At Work Monday morning – Pensions … Read more
I attended TUC Congress 2005 as an RMT delegate – and blogged! Here are the links to my posts: Off to the seaside TUC Congress: (nearly) live reports – Monday morning Monday afternoon Live(ish) from TUC Congress – speaking out … Read more
The TUC Disabled Workers’ Committee elected two co-Chairs for 2014/15: Sean McGovern and Janine Booth. Disabled Workers’ Conference 2014 – Resolutions We looked at all the resolutions passed by Disabled Workers’ Conference in May. A document containing these resolutions will … Read more
This is my personal report on the RMT AGM, which was also published in ‘Solidarity’ newspaper, and on Stroppyblog. Rail and transport union RMT held its annual general meeting from 28 June to 2 July, against a backdrop of employers … Read more