RMT PLEDGES TO FIGHT JOB CUTS AT ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: november/december 2010 :: RMTnews 14 R MT is mobilising a national political and public fight against cuts and privatisation plans at the Royal Navy’s supplies lifeline – the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) – as a consequence of the ConDem Government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review. Hundreds of jobs and three vessels out of the current sixteen servicing the naval fleet are under threat. An internal memo circulated to staff by RFA Commodore Bill Walworth says “SDSR for the RFA means we will lose a tanker, probably Bayleaf, a Landing Ship Dock Auxiliary (LSD-A), probably Largs Bay, and an Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher (AOR) probably Fort George. “These are likely to occur by April 2011, however we will be regenerating Fort Austin [another AOR],” it says. RMT has also been alerted that separate and secretive discussions over the possible privatisation of some or all of the RFA’s services including fuel transports, ammunition supplies and troop movements on behalf of the Royal Navy, are taking place behind closed doors. Trade newspaper Lloyds List says that a number of leading private sector shipping outfits are eyeing up the RFA, with Denmark’s Maersk widely seen to be in pole position. RMT is warning that axing jobs, and flogging off what is left of the RFA to private companies, would threaten the reliability and security of this vital lifeline to our naval vessels around the world as the drive for profits and cuts would override the quality of service. The MoD would also lose direct control of the most essential element of the Royal Navy’s support structure. RMT general secretary Bob Crow warned that there would an angry backlash against any attempt to compromise national security by embarking on the reckless gamble of cash-led cuts and privatisation to this essential lifeline to UK naval crews all around the globe. RMT national secretary Steve Todd said that hundreds of skilled merchant seafarers, serving the Royal Navy in war zones around the world and at home, face the possibility of being slung on the scrap heap if these ill-conceived cuts and privatisation plans are bulldozed through. “That would be a disgraceful kick in the teeth to brave seafarers who have played a vital role in conflict after conflict with many paying the ultimate price with their lives. “RMT is seeking an urgent meeting with the Commodore to establish the full facts on where the defence review leaves the RFA and the political and public fight back starts now,” he said RMT PLEDGES TO FIGHT JOB CUTS AT ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY THE ROYAL NAVY LIFE LINE SOUTHAMPTON SHIPPING BRANCH NOMINATES MARK CARDEN ASSISTANT NATIONAL SECRETARY USE YOUR VOTE. NORTH EAST SHIPPING PETER HALL FOR THE ASSISTANT NATIONAL SECRETARY’S POSITION. OFFSHORE ENERGY BRANCH NOMINATES AND SUPPORTS MARK CARDEN FOR ASSISTANT NATIONAL SECRETARY SHIPPING/OFFSHORE, A CANDIDATE FOR CHANGE MANCHESTER SHIPPING SUPPORT PETER HALL FOR THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT NATIONAL SECTARY GLASGOW SHIPPING BRANCH SUPPORT PETER HALL FOR THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT NATIONAL SECTARY HUMBER SHIPPING BRANCH SUPPORTS THE RE-ELECTION OF PETER HALL FOR ASSISTANT NATIONAL SECRETARY AND SEEKS SUPPORT FROM SHIPPING AND OFFSHORE MEMBERS AND BRANCHES OBAN SHIPPING BRANCH SUPPORT PETER HALL FOR ASSISTANT NATIONAL SECRETARY EIRE SHIPPING BRANCH SUPPORTS PETER HALL FOR RE-ELECTION AS ASSISTANT NATIONAL SECRETARY DEDICATED,EXTREMELY COMPETENT,COMMITTED AND THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB LIVERPOOL SHIPPING BRANCH SUPPORTS PETER HALL FOR ASSISTANT NATIONAL SECRETARY AND URGES ALLS MEMBERS TO VOTE FOR PETER AS THE MOST EXPERIENCED, COMMITTED CANDIDATE DOVER SHIPPING BRANCH SUPPORTS PETER HALL FOR ASSISTANT NATIONAL SECRETARY