Workers' Liberty

Activists from half a dozen RMT branches met recently to discuss problems within the union and how to get it to fight more effectively for members.

While recognising that RMT is better than many other unions, the discussion identified several problems - an unwillingness to stand up to the anti-union laws, a particular example being the cancellation of the London Underground rule books dispute; the bureaucracy being out-of-touch with members and workplaces; and a tendency to dip into strike action then quickly back out.

The meeting was by no means all about criticism. Rather, it spent most of its time talking about how to maximise the impact of the forthcoming Metronet strikes, as well as covering other important current issues such as ticket office closures and Network Rail harmonisation.

The follow-up will be a practical 'workshop'-type meeting on refusal to work on safety grounds. The legal right to lay down tools when you fear for your safety is one of the most powerful weapons that rail workers have in our fight for decent conditions at work. While employers continue to risk our - and passengers' - safety with their cost-cutting, refusal to work can have an immediate impact without torturous balloting, and can win quick and important victories.