NO TO WATERING DOWN MARITIME SAFETY

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: sept 2014 :: RMTnews 7 R MT will oppose the scrapping of ferry safety measures imposed after the Herald of Free Enterprise sank in 1987 killing 193 people (right). A consultation document put forward by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) proposes revoking the requirement for watertight emergency lockers on the open deck, as well as the weighing of cargo to make sure ships are not overloaded. They would be removed as part of the government's so- called Red Tape Challenge initiative to save just £360,000 per year across all UK operators and ports. The Chamber of Shipping has also seconded at least one official to the Department of Transport to cut maritime regulations in order to save shipping companies over £3 million over the next decade. RMT is strongly opposed to all four revocations, which have never been raised by industry with the maritime unions, as they will undermine safety in ports and on-board ships and represent a threat to passenger, seafarer and dock safety, particularly in the short sea ro- ro ferry industry. RMT national secretary Steve Todd said that the MCA propose to remove the legal requirement to provide emergency equipment lockers on the open deck which is a clear diminution of maritime safety standards. “The removal of the requirement for recording the load on passenger ferries will have a disproportionate effect on Scottish Ferries, where six out of the 12 UK ports found by the MCA to operate weighbridges are located. “There are around 100 non- UK and 20 non-EU ferries licensed to operate in the UK ferry industry and removing this regulation is a threat to the safety of seafarers and passengers working and travelling on them respectively,” he said. RMT attacked the “sickening hypocrisy” of train company First Great Western for laying on additional travelling chef services for politicians and dignitaries attending the NATO summit in Newport just weeks before axing the service for the travelling public in November. Earlier this month FGW provided a travelling chef and an additional first class carriage on their regular 13.15 intercity service from London Paddington to Cardiff. Travelling chef is one of the last full in-train meal services available and provides breakfasts and other meals, served at the seat in first class and available at the café for other passengers. Although this train does not normally have a travelling chef provided, it appears that FGW were expecting 'VIP customers' travelling to the NATO summit in Newport, South Wales. The union has launched a public and political campaign aimed at saving the service. Postcards in support of the RMT campaign have been flooding in, urging MPs to sign Early Day Motion 270. RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash said that the double standards of FGW directors, who intend to scrap the entire meal service but wish to make a good impression on visiting NATO dignitaries, will be lost on no one. “If the service is good enough for NATO and Western leaders, it is good enough for the rest of us. “RMT has made it clear that we will fight to defend these services with every means at our disposal, that means an all- out publicity, political and industrial campaign that nobody will be able to ignore. “The union wants these plans withdrawn and assurances from the company and the government that catering services, guards and in-house maintenance arrangements will be protected when the new fleet of Intercity trains is introduced,” he said. NO TO WATERING DOWN MARITIME SAFETY FIRST GREAT WESTERN’S NATO HYPOCRISY FGW lays on travelling chef service for NATO summit in Wales weeks before they plan to scrap it