ANGRY busworkers, members of the RMT, yesterday demonstrated outside London United’s Hounslow bus garage, as part of their fight for trade union recognition.
Since joining the RMT transport union, management at six garages run by United and its parent company, Transdev, have refused to recognise the RMT trade union, preferring instead to work with reps from the Unite union.
The RMT members converged on the garage to demand equal rights, as accorded to the Unite trade union.
They are demanding management adheres to ACAS and TUC regulations and cease the alleged practice of harassing RMT members and honours their right to the union representation of their choice.
The placard-carrying protesters won tremendous backing from fellow bus workers and motorists who honked their horns in support as the RMT members blew their own horns and waved flags, shouting: ‘Our union, our choice!’
RMT organiser Steve Hedley told the assembled workers: ‘We must make it clear: we have not recruited Unite members. Their members left and then joined RMT.
‘If someone is being sold down the river, then they’ll join a union that fights for them and not the management.’
Hedley added: ‘If today’s action brings any intimidations or threats to our members here, then we will be looking at a ballot for industrial action.’
Peter, a busworker from Fulwell garage, told News Line: ‘We are after recognition of our union. By being here today we are showing that many of us want a better deal for workers.
‘We have been stampeded over for the last 25 years. That is why garages across London are unhappy with the Unite leadership and some have decided to join the RMT. It is their choice.’
