RMT BALLOTS FOR FAIR PAY AT RFA

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may 2019 :: RMTnews 10 R MT activists held a noisy and colourful demonstration outside the SNP spring conference in Edinburgh last month which highlighted on- going RMT campaigns on rail, maritime and offshore energy issues to the over 2,000 delegates. With the SNP firmly in power at the Scottish Parliament delegates to their spring and annual conferences are by now well used to RMT being in attendance to highlight the clear failings in their party’s much vaunted Fair Work agenda and the union was, for the most part, made very welcome by delegates who clearly understood it was trying to secure fairness in the workplace. Many political discussions took place between RMT members and SNP delegates with firm agreement in place that the government’s warm words on Fair Work were continuing to fail to deliver for workers and their families. RMT argued that, although employment law is not at the present time devolved to the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish government could do more to encourage employers to recognise trade unions and put more fair work principles into their procurement practices for government contracts on the ferry and rail sectors and to use their influence with oil companies and contractors to end the race to the bottom in the offshore and maritime sectors in general. RMT regional organiser Gordon Martin said that the SNP annual conference would take place in Aberdeen in October this year and it is a far larger event. “RMT will be there again campaigning with vigour on behalf of members while fiercely defending our independent political, industrial and organising strategy,” he said. R MT is balloting nearly 700 workers at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary – the Royal Navy supply lifeline – for industrial action in a fight for pay justice. Despite repeated efforts by the union to reach a negotiated solution, employers have instead opted to impose a 1.5 per cent increase, undermining the living standards of a crucial group of workers who have seen service in major trouble spots, including the Falklands and the Gulf, at huge personal risk. As well as announcing the balloting timetable - which will run for nearly two months due to members being on-board ship on tours of duty and unable to register a postal vote that complies with the Tory anti- union laws – RMT is also launching a “Fair Pay for RFA” campaign to mobilise public and political support for a group of workers who are crucial to the safety and security of the nation. In a referendum ballot of members over the derisory offer 95 per cent voted to oppose, signalling the strength of feeling amongst the workforce as we now move to into a formal industrial action ballot. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that it was a disgraceful that Royal Fleet Auxiliary members, staff delivering the supplies life-line to the Royal Navy that is crucial to our national safety and security, have had a derisory pay increase imposed on them which doesn’t even keep pace with the cost of living. “That amounts to a pay cut in real terms and is wholly unacceptable and that is why we are now moving to a formal industrial action ballot. “RMT will not stand by while RFA staff are denied basic pay justice and the union is launching a “Fair Pay for RFA” campaign which will give the public a chance to show their support for this essential group of workers. We remain available for genuine and meaningful talks,” he said. RMT BALLOTS FOR FAIR PAY AT RFA SNP LOBBY