IN ORKNEY

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: october 2018 :: RMTnews 18 Orkney RMT members welcomed RMT general secretary Mick Cash and national secretary Darren Procter to the Orkney islands along with a regular visitor regional organiser Gordon Martin last month. After travelling across the Pentland Firth the first port of call was Stromness where Serco Northlink Ferries members attended a meeting on-board the M.V. Hamnavoe. All the visitors addressed a well-attended meeting dealing with a range of topics including the on-going SOS 2020 Campaign, encouraging more health and safety reps on-board the vessels and the upcoming unnecessary tendering process that the members are about to go through again. Other issues including the understaffing of the catering department and the impact this was having on the workload expected from our members which could have health and safety implications. It was agreed that this would be brought to management’s attention immediately. Several members were presented with long service badges and the general secretary thanked them for their loyalty to the union and stressed the importance of collective and organised support to and from the membership. Mick Cash also gave an interview to the local radio station, Radio Orkney, mentioning that a meeting with Orkney Ferries management and that the union would be pushing for much needed investment in new vessels to improve working conditions, reliability and a better service for the local communities. He was asked about the recent 11:5 per cent pay rise that RMT members fought for and received which, he said, was an investment in staff, and now the union would like to see an investment in new vessels. The upcoming Scottish government decision to put the Northern Isles Ferry Service (NIFS) contract out to tender was discussed. He said that the union would like to see the NIFS in public hands like the CalMac service on the Western Isles. This was a more efficient and cost effective way of operating lifeline ferry services. A meeting was also convened on board the Earl Thorfinn attended by RMT members from several of Orkney Ferries fleet to hear national secretary Darren Procter of the importance of a functioning health and safety system, including reps on-board ships. Mick Cash also congratulated all the members on their recent pay rise which showed the importance of a strong and active RMT presence in the workplace. Aberdeen Shipping branch chair Tommy Causby invited all to the branch’s second meeting on Orkney in Kirkwall that evening which was well attended. RMT regional organiser Gordon Martin brought everyone up to date on continued efforts to recruit and organise the workforce of Pentland Ferries, a local anti- union ferry operator. Inroads have been made but not as quickly as the union would like. Several members were also presented with long service badges, these included a 40 year and a 25year and several 10year awards. The GS thanked these members for their loyal and continued support for the union. The union has significantly increased its membership on Orkney recently including the excellent 100 per cent membership on Orkney Ferries. This was reflected in the two well attended workplace meetings and also the branch meeting and the union would like to thank all the local members for their contribution and participation in making the two days a success. Aberdeen Shipping branch would like to make a yearly meeting on Orkney a regular part of its calendar. IN ORKNEY Aberdeen Shipping branch secretary Keith Whyte reports on a recent visit to members in Orkney