ORGANISING THE EAST COAST

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: june 2021 :: RMTnews 14 The union has launched recruitment campaigns in the English ports of Grimsby and Great Yarmouth as there are a growing number of vessels operating in both renewables such as wind farms as well as the oil and gas industries. RMT national secretary Darren Procter said that offshore vessels operated daily in the ports including crew transfer vessels (CTV) servicing the oil and gas or renewables sector on the East Coast. There was also a number of fishing vessels within Grimsby port that were being used as guard vessels. “We had very positive dialogue with crews about what RMT is doing within the renewables sector explaining that we are having political engagement around licensing and campaign for the use of local labour, UK ports and the use of UK flagged vessels. “We spoke with some crew from Green Marine who all took membership forms and I am confident that they will all sign up to RMT. We also spoke with crew on Isle of Jura who all identified an interest and took away literature and application forms. “Through engaging with workers at the ports, we have established that there were a number of workers who were not currently members of any trade union and were unaware of any union being in active in the area. “We discussed political and industrial issues specific to the renewables sector and they were interested in the work the union undertakes on behalf of its members, with a number of workers taking membership applications and RMT literature away from the meeting,” he said. Darren has also been engaged with RMT’s sister union in Australia, the MUA and learned of a particular campaign whereby they used targeted social media to engage with potential members which is of very little cost and can target a specific location. Future activities are planned to increase membership via ship visits to the offshore supply vessels and crew transfer vessels/workboats which serve wind farms in East Anglia. These visits will also help the union identify vessels which may not be paying the National Minimum Wage or adhering to other applicable National Legislation whilst working on the UKCS. Activities are being arranged for: - July 5 2021 - August 2 2021 - September 6 2021 - October 11 2021 The union has identified that these ports have enormous recruitment potential and is calling on local branches, regional councils and activists to assist in increasing membership, establishing a strong RMT presence as well as building intelligence on rates of pay and contract issues. ORGANISING: Regional organiser Gaz Jackson and Trace Strawther at Grimsby port ORGANISING THE EAST COAST RMT targets the east coast ports of Grimsby and Great Yarmouth for major recruitment campaigns