STENA WARNED OVER WAGES

RMTnews :: june 2006 :: www.rmt.org.uk 14 RMT opens Slater Mews The chair of RMT’s parliamentary group John McDonnell MP opened the union’s new accommodation annex at Maritime House, south London recently. The new accommodation block, named after former seafarer’s union general secretary Jim Slater, will allow RMT members visiting London to take advantage of affordable rooms. Mr McDonnell recalled that Jim was one of the most popular and effective leaders of the National Union of Seamen, which he led between 1974/86. He said the NUS leader was a tower of strength and solidarity for the mineworkers union during their great strike. Under his leadership, the NUS moved towards a union that was responded to the membership and became increasingly democratic in its development of decision making and policy. Jim was also an environmentalist before his time. He was at the forefront of the campaign against the dumping of nuclear waste at sea and played a leading part in securing the eventual ban on this activity. He was also closely involved in the anti-apartheid movement and a campaigner against the fascist Pinochet regime in Chile. “It is fitting that this building will be known as Slater Mews, in memory of the man and his tireless activities on behalf of his members,” he said. To book a room contact Denise Craig at RMT on 020 7529 8840 or email d.craig@rmt.org.uk For further details see page 28. The union’s shipping and docks conference in Hull heard how Stena intended to break its national agreement by paying Polish crew aboard the Stena Seatrader at rates below those paid to UK ratings when the vessel begins operating between Holyhead and Dublin in July. Delegates unanimously called on the RMT executive to begin an emergency campaign “at all levels” to defend the port agreement, including urgent approaches for assistance to sister unions through the International Transport Workers’ Federation. “We have an agreement with Stena that sets out the rates that must be paid to ratings working out of Holyhead, and we expect them to stick to it,” RMT national secretary Steve Todd said. The Irish Sea has become the latest battleground in the struggle to stop shipowners replacing organised crews with low-cost labour, and Stena are now breaking their pledge that they will not join the ‘race to the bottom’ in seafarers’ pay. The introduction of low-cost crew to Holyhead has been seen by the union as the thin end of a massive wedge which threatens to undermine the jobs, pay and conditions of ratings at Holyhead and beyond. “The nationality the seafarers aboard the vessel is irrelevant, but they must be paid the rate for the job agreed between the company and the union,” said Steve. There is massive anger among the crews of the Explorer and Adventurer, the two Stena vessels already operating out of the port, and RMT has already received calls to start balloting for strike action. “Stena should understand that we will take the necessary steps to defend our national agreement, and that RMT will back industrial action by our members if it becomes necessary,” Steve Todd said. STENA WARNED OVER WAGES Ferry operator Stena warned to stick to pay agreement on Holyhead operations or face the prospect of a strike ballot MEWS: John McDonnell MP, Jim’s widow Moira Slater, Ken Gill and Bob Crow open Slater Mews. SHIPPING