OBITUARIES

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2018 :: RMTnews 20 L ongstanding National Union of Seaman member Steve Stevenson passed away recently aged 94 after devoting all his life to campaigns for social justice. The son of a gasworks worker in Deal, Kent, Steve found himself in the army, landing in Sicily to fight their way through Italy. Returning to a civilian life he embraced the vision and hopes of the post war Labour government and embarked on his lifelong commitment to socialism. Returning to his home town of Deal after a spell in South Wales, during which he was involved as a local councillor, he took work as a steward on the Dover ferries beginning his membership of the National Union of Seaman as shipboard rep. During the miner’s strike the Mill Hill Miners Welfare Club in Deal became a lifeline to the families of miners with the support of Dover NUS, which was reciprocated when the same fate befell the seafarers during the strike following the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster in 1987 and Steve was a pillar of support to both. In April 1988 P&O sacked 2,000 strikers who refused to work unsafe ships. P&O Chairman Lord Sterling, in collusion with Thatcher and the High Courts, sequestrated the entire NUS funds in effect breaking the union. With funds running out and members blacklisted hardship became severe. By June 1989 a union recommendation to end the strike was narrowly accepted, with a promise that RMT (into which the NUS had now merged) would continue with the claim against P&O. In 1994 the strikers sent a delegation to RMT AGM and John Kay of Berwick upon Tweed, along with the Standing Orders Committee, arranged for Steve to speak at a fringe meeting. The case became a national campaign, part of which was a strong bond forged between Deal, the most southerly port on the east coast and Berwick upon Tweed the most northerly English port. Steve was accepted as an honorary member of Berwick Trades Council, establishing an ongoing relationship, with delegates continuing to support each other to this day. 4 0-year member and Finsbury park branch stalwart Chaganlal “Jack” Gautami recently passed away after a short illness. Before coming to work for London Underground, Jack worked in Kenya where he was part of the trade union and socialist movement. The government in Kenya often tortured and even murdered those involved in the labour movement. Jacks RMT comrades had such respect for him that many attended his funeral including the London Transport regional organiser John Leach and the senior assistant general secretary Steve Hedley. Jack will be missed and fondly remembered by all his family friends and fellow union members. “The Angels will be sure to get a bigger pay rise this year or there may well be a picket on the pearly gates. “Farewell Manor House Jack (Chaganlal Jadavji Gautami) you’ll be missed,” said Steve. Obituaries STEVE STEVENSON A FINSBURY PARK FAREWELL