BEN NEVIS COLLISION REVEALS SAFETY THREAT

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: february 2022 :: RMTnews 11 R MT has called on the government to reverse a pay freeze imposed on seafarers working on the Pacific Nuclear Transport Ltd (PNTL) fleet. PNTL seafarers have been hit with the zero per cent public sector pay freeze for 2021-22, despite the importance of their jobs to national security and the environment. Crews are contracted to work up to 18 weeks at sea transporting nuclear waste from Barrow to Australia, via Japan. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that PNTL crew have continued shipping radioactive waste thousands of miles during the pandemic and are rewarded with a pay freeze by this Government, just as the cost of living crisis and rampant inflation descend on working class households. “PNTL has paid out £8.6million in dividends in the last two years and pay rise is clearly affordable, the Government must reverse this attack on PNTL seafarers’ pay. “We will not accept public ownership being used as a smoke screen for blatant cost cutting off the backs of RMT members and we will fight tooth and nail against this egregious attack,” he said. RMT has warned of commercial pressures undermining safety last month after the Ben Nevis offshore supply vessel collided with a Valaris drilling installation. The previous owner of the Maltese-flagged Ben Nevis was caught out by maritime regulators in Aberdeen and Rotterdam for failing to pay seafarers wages, and at poverty rates. Now the new owner has been involved in an incident which reflects a safety culture underpinned by commercial pressures. The Valaris installation was damaged and lives were endangered, as the vessel was knowingly operated in contravention of procedures and good maritime practice. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that commercial pressure is driving this dangerous behaviour. “We have repeatedly called on industry and government to address the issues around commercial pressure otherwise operators will continue to drive down standards, especially on health and safety, as well as pay, crewing levels and fatigue across the contractor supply chain. “Looking at the platform supply vessel network we see consequences such as extended voyages of two months or more onboard, poverty pay, and in this case non-compliance with basic safety standards in order to win profitable contracts in the North Sea. “The industry supply chain principles have to be strengthened, or reputable vessel operators employing domestic crews with proven safety standards and decent pay and conditions will continue to be undermined by this disgraceful race to the bottom. “With that we will see the potential seriousness of these incidents increase,” he said. BEN NEVIS COLLISION REVEALS SAFETY THREAT Union warns that commercial pressures are driving down safety standards in order to win contracts REVERSE PACIFIC NUCLEAR TRANSPORT FLEET PAY FREEZE