✊ Fighting for Recognition: RMT at Skills


On 20th August 2025, I attended a key meeting at RMT Unity House with Assistant General Secretary Darren Ireland, Regional Organiser Gaz Jackson, and our NEC representatives. The focus was clear: defending the rights of Medilink drivers following the transfer of the contract from CT4N to Skills.

🚍 A Unionised History

The Medilink service has always been unionised.

First under UNISON when it was operated in-house by NUH.

Then under RMT when the service was outsourced to CT4N in 2014.

Now, with Skills taking over the contract, we are determined this long tradition of union representation will not be broken.


⚠️ The Challenge

Skills have stated they do not currently recognise any trade unions. Worse still, they are seeking to impose new contracts on drivers, undermining terms and conditions protected under TUPE. This is unacceptable and sets a dangerous precedent for all public sector contracts.

✊ The RMT’s Response

At our meeting, the union made it absolutely clear:

We will not back down.

We are launching a dedicated recruitment and organising campaign at Skills.

Our AGS will be writing to Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, the contracting body, to express our deep disappointment at the stance Skills has taken.

If Skills refuse voluntary recognition, we will move forward with a CAC statutory recognition claim.


💡 Why It Matters

This isn’t just about Medilink. It’s about setting a precedent. If employers can use TUPE transfers and contract changes to strip away union rights on public services, the door opens for union-busting across the board.

By fighting back now, we protect not only Medilink drivers but every bus worker, every public sector worker, and every union member facing outsourcing in the future.

📝 A Call to Action

If you’re a driver at Skills — join the RMT today.

If you’re already a member — talk to your colleagues and encourage them to join.

Solidarity wins when we stand together.


📧 Contact: nottsderby@rmt.org.uk
📱 07775 585558
🌍 Join here: www.rmt.org.uk/join

We will not stop until union recognition is restored at Skills.

#RMT #UnionStrong #Medilink #TUPE

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

50 Years of Data Shows Bus Workers Face Higher Death Risks — This Is a Bus Safety Issue

A newly published study analysing more than 50 years of data from Transport for London workers has revealed something that should stop the industry in its tracks: bus workers face significantly higher risks of death from respiratory disease, cardiovascular illness and lung cancer compared with office-based staff. This is not about isolated incidents. This is long-term occupational risk. The study examined a cohort of more than 117,000 transport workers and found that bus and London Underground employees experienced higher all-cause mortality as well as increased respiratory, cardiovascular and cancer deaths when compared with office workers. The findings cover workers employed between 1960 and 2010, with follow-up through to 2021, making it one of the most comprehensive long-term studies of transport workers ever conducted. The headline figures are stark. Bus workers were found to have: 44% higher respiratory mortality risk 30% higher cardiovascular mortality risk 2.48 times ...
Read more

When Net Zero Goes Wrong: A Regulatory Blind Spot in Domestic Solar and Battery Schemes

Like many households, we wanted to reduce our energy costs and our carbon footprint. In 2024, we entered into what appeared to be a sensible, regulated arrangement: a long-term solar and battery lease linked to a licensed UK energy supplier. The scheme promised predictable costs, professionally installed renewable technology, and ongoing technical monitoring and support. On paper, it looked like exactly the kind of consumer-facing innovation the UK needs to support the transition to net zero. What followed has exposed a serious regulatory gap. A system installed — then taken out of reach A solar PV system and battery were installed at our home. Initially, we were able to monitor the system through the manufacturer’s app, allowing us to see solar generation, battery charging and discharging, and grid import and export. This visibility matters. It is how households understand whether systems are operating safely and efficiently, and how they manage energy use. In 2025, an engineer acting...
Read more