Implications of and Union Response to EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

24 May 2018

Circular No. NP/95/18

Dear Colleagues,

Implications of and Union Response to
EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

I write further to previous circulars.

As you will be aware, the union has taken steps to comply with the introduction of the GDPR from 25th May 2018 for our internal data and membership processes.

The GDPR also of course places responsibilities on the employers with whom we negotiate and on RMT representatives. It is therefore necessary to discuss with employers their plans to apply the GDPR and what implications this has for our members and RMT representatives. It is also necessary for the union to ensure our reps our briefed on the new arrangements.

As you will be aware, the NEC recently considered this issue and made the following decision:

“That we note the union is already taking steps to comply with the introduction of the GDPR from 25th May 2018 for our internal data and membership processes. We further instruct the General Secretary to raise this issue with employers with whom we negotiate to discuss their plans and also to ensure our reps our briefed on the new arrangements.”
Accordingly I’m carrying out this decision. I can also advise you that the Labour Research Department has published a number of helpful guides. Here are links to their documents which can be accessed using the logon “rmt” and the password “pot427”

“Preparing for the new data law” (Labour Research, April 2018)
https://www.lrdpublications.org.uk/publications.php?pub=LR&iss=1916&id=idp6096

“Data protection: what new rights do we have at work?” (Labour Research, April 2018)
https://www.lrdpublications.org.uk/publications.php?pub=LR&iss=1916&id=idp22775376&sterm=&chk_archive=

with more detail available in this booklet (March 2018)
https://www.lrdpublications.org.uk/publications.php?pub=BK&iss=1915


As instructed, I am also writing to employers on this subject.

Yours sincerely,

 

Mick Cash
General Secretary