Case Studies Flashcards
What is the RMT
An insider sectional group acting as a transport industry trade union, working for better pay and conditions for transport workers.
(National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers)
How does RMT work?
Negotiates contract with transport companies on behalf of members, lobbies government for legislative protection of workers
Organises and conducts strikers,
Affiliated with Labour Party, and has put up candidates for elections previously and supported other parties when in members interests
What are successes of RMT!
Improved safety standards on offshore oil platforms, trains and ferries
Secured bonuses for workers during 2012 Olympics
Helped bring cases forward for injury and wrongful termination e.g. £55,000 for member who lost tip of finger in an industrial accident
What are failures of RMT?
Govt has removed a number of guards from trains, which RMT has opposed due to fears of safety, its strikes in 2023 were unsuccessful as they did not receive an improved offer for pay awards.
What is “Just Stop Oil”
A promotional outsider group that want to end the govt’s licensing of fossil fuels and preventing further production of fossil fuels, to reduce human caused emissions
What means do just stop oil use?
Just stop oil use non violent forms of civil disruption to generate media attention in hope of public support
For example:
In November 2022, activists shut down M25,
Have disrupted sport events such as an Everton game where an activist tied himself to a post, threw orange confetti at Wimbledon 2023
June 2024 activists arrested for using orange paint on stone henge
As of December 2023, Met Police claimed to have spent £20mill on JSO protestors
What are successes of just stop oil?
- Have raised awareness: can tell exactly how much, people were already aware of issue, but certainly brought attention, a 2024 paper showed those award of JSO were more likely to engage in activities like donating to pro climate charities or volunteering
- In Labour manifesto to not lisence new oil and gas production
How has JSO been unsuccessful
Creating social division on something that actually unites many people
As of 2024, nearly 80% of Uk citizens were concerned for the environment, 70% for net zero
According to a survey, 68% of public disapproved of JSO’s methods.
Labour has not commited to ending production of oil or gas, was it worth it?
