RMT SINKS RFA SELL-OFF

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2011 :: RMTnews 8 RMT has welcomed the decision by the government to abandon plans to privatise the Royal Navy supplies lifeline – the Royal Fleet Auxiliary – and to retain the current, directly delivered model for this vital service. In a House of Commons debate secured by RMT parliamentary convenor, John McDonnell made representations against the cuts proposed as part of the governments Strategic Defence and Security Review. John applauded the work of the RFA. He told parliament that the service not only serves as a supply line to the Royal Navy but also demonstrates unrivalled technical expertise through training, the deployment of ships in peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts around the world, and in efforts to combat piracy and drug smuggling. He also emphasised the vital role that RFA played in sustaining UK maritime skills. The RFA now employs 2,300 UK seafarers and is the largest single employer of UK ratings. John received support from former Labour minister Kevan Jones who asked the Minister about the Value for Money report which he believed demonstrated that there was no case to privatise the RFA. Support was also received from Conservative MPs who were alarmed at the threat to the RFA. Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for Defence Andrew Robathan said that a market-testing exercise revealed “no enthusiasm was expressed for either acquiring the existing RFA flotilla – in whole or in part–or assuming both the capital and operating risks. “On that basis, therefore, there is insufficient evidence in favour of changing the current RFA business model, which has served us well for a number of years,” he said. RMT general secretary Bob Crow welcomed the dropping of plans to privatise the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. “We hope that this is now the end of the matter and this union, through its parliamentary Group, will be watching closely to ensure that there is no reneging on the pledges that have been given to this vital, life line service to the Royal Navy by the government,” he said. However RMT pointed out that it remained the case that jobs and vessels were under threat as a result of the defence review and the union will step up its fight to protect both the crew and the capacity of the RFA. RMT national secretary Steve Todd said that no more time and money should be wasted looking at the privatisation of the RFA. “This latest exercise only confirms what the previous review said – that the Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a top-notch service providing excellent value for money and should be left to get on with doing its job. “RMT is concerned that money that could have been used protecting jobs and vessels has been wasted on another round of market testing and our priority now is to hold back planned cuts at the RFA,” he said. The union is also arguing for the retention of the existing RFA fleet. Under the Strategic Defence Security Review, the Ministry of Defence plans to withdraw from service one tanker, the Bayleaf, a landing ship auxiliary, Largs Bay, and an auxiliary oiler replenisher, Fort George. The union has already advised the RFA that it will not tolerate any compulsory redundancies. As part of the RMT campaign the union will be distributing postcards that members can use to lobby their MPs on the issue. A Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship has disrupted a group of pirates operating in the West Indian Ocean during a recent patrol of the waters between the Somali Coast and the Seychelles. RFA Fort Victoria was alerted to a suspicious vessel in the area and intercepted the suspected pirate boat - which was identified as a whaler often used by pirates in the Indian Ocean. RFA Fort Victoria commanding officer Captain Rob Dorey said: “The combined actions of all onboard have saved merchant ships from being pirated and made the area just a little safer,” he said. RFA Fort Victoria is part of the counter-piracy mission Operation Ocean Shield and escorts UN and World Food Programme Shipping. Union staves off Royal Fleet Auxiliary privatisation but vows to fight job cuts at the RFA RMT SINKS RFA SELL-OFF ROYAL FLEET AUXILLARY SHIP DISRUPTS PIRATES