WOMEN ORGANISE IN DOVER

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: october 2017 :: RMTnews 18 D over Shipping branch has created a women’s committee to encourage the female members to participate within the union to have their voices heard. The committee met last month at the Dover shipping office with guest speakers Michelle Rogers and Kathy Mazur from the National Executive Committee along with Jess Webb the union’s equalities officer. The branch wants to create a similar group to run parallel for female members on opposite shifts. Dover branch secretary Lee Davison said that the union had a high number of female members within the branch and felt that creating these committees would encourage more integration and participation. “We are always looking at ways to improve the way we do things and the women’s committee is a step in the right direction," he said. R MT officials and union reps at Northlink Ferries – which operates ferry services between mainland Scotland and the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland – met in the union’s Aberdeen office last month to discuss issues at the company which is operated by international services company Serco. RMT national secretary Steve Todd said that regional organiser Gordon Martin and reps spent a very productive day discussing various organising matters and tactics. “We need to be ensuring that we continue to provide the very best possible service to our Northlink members during this period of uncertainty as to whether the on-going Scottish government review into ferry service procurement processes will lead to an in-house public sector operator or if the Northern Isles Ferry Service will remain in the hands of privateers. “RMT has made its position absolutely clear to government ministers and officials from Transport Scotland that no matter what the final decision is we will continue to defend the interests of our members on pensions, job security and terms and conditions. “I think that it's important that we reiterate this union’s principled position in demanding public ownership of lifeline ferry services in Scotland and following on from our high profile and ultimately successful Keep Cal-Mac Public campaign our latest demand is Nationalise Northlink Now! “I know that with the same determination and commitment from our members as witnessed in the West Coast of Scotland while fighting to save Cal-Mac from privatisation we will see the Northern Isles Ferry Service back in public ownership where it always should have been. “To this end it’s never been more important for those non- union members, to join RMT now. Why wait? it’s your terms and conditions, your pensions and your futures we are standing up for. “Members and non-members need to get the strength of the union around you and let’s be as one, all RMT members,” he said. over Shipping branch has created a women’s offf if ce with guest speakers Michelle Rogers and Kathy h fef male members on opposite shiftf s more integration and participation WOMEN ORGANISED IN DOVER ORGANISING AT NORTHLINK FERRIES ORGANSING: (left to right) regional organiser Gordon Martin, Northlink reps Keith Whyte and Bob Muirison, RMT national secretary Steve Todd and Northlink rep Tom Causby