CONDOR FERRIES PROTEST

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2019 :: RMTnews 14 RMT took its SOS 2020 campaign to the from council- owned Portsmouth International Port recently to call on politicians and the public in Portsmouth, Poole and the Channel Islands to demand that Condor Ferries’ new owners deliver fair employment practices. Currently Ukrainian seafarers working on the Condor fleet for two-month periods are still being paid below the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for a 12-hour working day, seven-day week living on the ship and without trade union or pension rights. Brittany Ferries and US- owned investment fund Columbia Threadneedle have agreed to buy Condor Ferries in a deal that could be worth up to £300 million. The Condor Ferries’ contract with the Jersey and Guernsey governments for lifeline ferry services from Portsmouth (freight) and Poole (passengers) to the Channel Islands expires in 2021. The union is demanding that the new contract must improve jobs and service levels through direct employment and recognition for UK maritime trade unions. RMT is also calling for an end to seafarer exploitation in the maritime supply chain to the Channel Islands and more jobs for local ratings on Condor routes as well as binding targets for training UK ratings over the life of the next contract. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that the new owners must work with UK and French maritime unions and the Channel Island governments to deliver a new contract that increases and improves jobs and services across Condor’s operations. “Only 15 per cent of the 80,560 Ratings jobs in the UK shipping industry are held by UK seafarers and the vast majority are foreign nationals being exploited by crewing agents currently used by companies like Condor to work onboard for months on end for sub-NMW pay,” he said. Condor’s current majority shareholder, Australian bank Macquarie Group rack up millions in dividends whilst passenger numbers fell 25 per cent on its watch. Channel Island businesses, including Tesco, Co-op, Iceland and Waitrose rely upon Condor’s freight services and 95 per cent of everything consumed on the Channel Islands arrives from council-owned Portsmouth International Port. CONDOR FERRIES PROTEST RMT calls on new owners to employ fair and safe work practices