Guest 745- Registered: 27 Mar 2012
- Posts: 3,370
#1
I see in the Dover rag that the R M T union is opening an office in Dover.
And apparently the labour party have turned up to support them.
I don't understand why bob crow would support labour, considering bob has tried to get the best deal for his workers,
and the labour party has lowered the wages of British working class.
Funny old world.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#2
kieth,its been open for a week to 10 days or so its old news.in attendance was dovers ex mp gwyn prosser and clair hawkins prospective labour mp.bob crowe done the honours of reopening the second floor after it was brought back from john shirly,it also had a refit to suit the rmt needs.
Guest 745- Registered: 27 Mar 2012
- Posts: 3,370
#3
I just don't see the connection in a union fighting for workers wages.
And a labour political party responsible for the mass sacking of British workers
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#4
the rmt has always had an office in snargate street, as brian says they have simply extended further into the building.
i think it is now force of habit that unions finance a party so out of touch with their traditional support.
Guest 745- Registered: 27 Mar 2012
- Posts: 3,370
#5
I don't think the R M T do give labour money Howard ?
I may be wrong ??
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#6
the rmt union has nothing to do with mass sackings of british workers kieth,nor has any other union.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#7
they do kieth,cant say how much because I haven't the figures to give you.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#8
i thought all unions gave money to red ed's party keith unless i have been misinformed by press reports.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#9
howard,there are red unions and blue unions,both sets give money to the polictical partys.thats without the private doners.
Guest 745- Registered: 27 Mar 2012
- Posts: 3,370
#10
Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
#11
Perhaps you would prefer another derelict boarded up building than have those horrible Union people running the building, they have even had the cheek to put a illuminated sign on it showing there is life inside, how dare they!!
Audere est facere.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#12
The RMT do not give to a political party,I am in the TSSA union,but when I saw Bob Crow in Dover 2 or 3 years ago he don't mess about.He says it like it is and with passion,not everyones cup of tea.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#13
bob crow comes across as someone not to get on the wrong side of, very traditional some might call him a dinosaur but membership of his union has risen greatly under his leadership.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#14
kieth,no need to reread your #3.
Guest 745- Registered: 27 Mar 2012
- Posts: 3,370
#15
Post 11
Martin
I would prefer no union contributed money to the labour party,
They don't deserve the hard earned cash of working people
Nor should rich lobbying groups be supporting the conservative party
Unions that work democratically in the interest of there membership, are doing the job they are being paid to do, I have no problem with that.
Alec Sheldon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,037
#16
As far as I knew the Union has always been there. The NUS (National Union of Seamen) owned the whole building when I first came to Dover in 1970. Sir Tom Yates (NUS Secretary) had a penthouse on the top floor.
Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,321
#17
Yes Alec, my wife was Wally Wilcox's secretary in the early 70's.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#18
As an ex active member of the N.U.R(now RMT) to inform further,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
The building has always been there previously as sais it was the NUS building, but when the NUS got itself into financialy difficulties it amalgamated with the then Nur To become the R,MT(I voted against this, )
The NUS owned most of the building, but a lot of it wasn't in use,
it also at one point had a private tenant in the building, but later chose to stop this agreement.
The RMT then decided it wanted to look at selling off some buildings and at one point dover was under threat, but thankfully that didn't happen.
Talks went on with other unions including the UCW union to look at how building share could take place but this fell through.
Of course Bob Crow(with who I served on a national negotiating board for approx. 15 years) has always been a radical lad(to put it mildly lol)
even as the Asst gen secretary I recall many a discussion with him in his office at unity house (Euston) on the use of the labour party.
Once Jimmy knapp stood down Bob crow got himself elected and soon moved to stop monies going to the labour party, and stop giving money to any MP that doesn't support the views of the membership of the RMT and work in there interest
The RMT had sponsored many MP's but this all stopped and those that supported the union got support, those that didn't got nowt!!
Bob is your old style lefty(im sure he wouldn't mind me saying that)
but without doubt he fights for the workers, and has solid support
Hes probably outdated in todays society, but you will see in London where hes strong he still can affect a lot of people
but seeing how the working conditions of staff under bob have improved goes a long way for bobs commitment to the cause.
Of course where we talk about left and right, bob is and always has been on the far left of the political set up, and makes sure everyone knows it, and born around Deptford hes often seen watching millwall lol
I watched them play the gills once, and chatted to him with his usual cloth cap lol
Bobs a nice guy and very sincere, and will always fight your corner,
Johns correct that hes not everyones cup of tea, but that has always been the problem on the railways with having 3 unions
Aslef(for drivers) who sadly didn't understand that unions should look after each other rather than shaft others
as aslef often did, looking after only its own members
TSSA who shouted a lot, but had little in the way of real action and making a difference
I always recall a chat in dover priory ticket office with the then branch secretary of dover TSSA he was telling me
how his branch officials were all off out that night to a dinner out of branch funds, I said that would never be allowed
and nor should it under the RMT
his reply, well we going anyway
I said what would happen if your members found out you were using hard earnt dosh that way
no reply.
then theres the RMT always ready to discuss/chat/dispute/challenge/
also supporting other unions
Cor blimey I did go on
theres a short glimpse lol
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#19
excellent and informative post keith, your inside knowledge of what went on is an education.
Alec Sheldon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,037
#20
Terry Nunn wrote:Yes Alec, my wife was Wally Wilcox's secretary in the early 70's.
Terry
Old Wally Wilcox was a nice chap. I first met him when I worked on the Hovercraft in 1972. Went to his funeral a few years ago.
