RMT Disabled Members

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 reforming it
  • POA's motion on mental health discrimination (oppose) - the Committee can not support the Time To Change campaign, as it is run by Mind, which collaborates with the DWP
  • Community's motion on sustainable supported employment (decision deferred) - the motion proposes promoting a particular company as 'best practice' for the employment of disabled people - we need more information before endorsing this

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 space be allocated for the use of conference attendees.

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.

The government's consultation on transport accessibility has extended its deadline to Wednesday 22 November. Anyone can submit their views.

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 for All

At this year's RMT AGM, I spoke in favour of a resolution from the union's Disabled Members' Conference calling on the union to adopt the social model of disability. The resolution was passed unanimously. This is what I said.

At this year's RMT AGM, I spoke in favour of a resolution from the union's Disabled Members' Conference calling on the union to carry out an accessibility audit of its premises and activities. The resolution was passed unanimously. This is what I said.

Statement by the TUC Disabled Workers' Committee to TUC Disabled Workers' Conference, 18 May 2017:

There will be a general election on Thursday 8 June. Whatever the circumstances under which it was called, it is an opportunity for voters to either reaffirm or change the government.

Forthcoming TUC Disabled Workers' Conference, 18-19 May

The Committee agreed:

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 wishes of the union's national leadership. Now it is established, it will grow from year to year, as the union's other equalities conferences have done.