RONNIE MORAN OBITUARY / AWARDS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may/junel 2024 :: RMTnews 28 A requiem mass was held in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire on 27 February for Ronnie Moran, a stalwart of the National Union of Seamen and RMT Glasgow Shipping branch. Bro. Moran began his working life as a plumber for his local council before going to sea as an Engine Room rating on ships sailing to South America. Following the demise of UK ratings on the UK-flagged deep-sea fleet, Ronnie worked for Caledonian-MacBrayne in the ferry industry on the west coast of Scotland, then for Sealink and Stena between Stranraer in southwest Scotland and Larne in Northern Ireland. Ronnie was an NUS activist, organising support for the miners during the 1984-85 strike and joining NUS picket lines in Dover in the 1988-89 P&O strike. Ronnie’s commitment to trade unionism continued after formation of RMT in 1990 supporting Timex workers on strike in Dundee in 1993 and defending sacked Liverpool dockers in 1995-96. Following disillusionment with Blair’s New Labour government Bro Moran stood as a candidate for the Socialist Labour Party in Scottish parliamentary elections in 1999. Ronnie attended RMT Biennial General Meetings and AGMs as Glasgow Shipping Branch delegate on several occasions. In 2000 he became the Secretary of the new RMT Glasgow Shipping branch, ensuring it played a full role in RMT’s Scottish regional council and Glasgow trades council as well as supporting the Morning Star newspaper and Scottish TUC events. As a member of Stranraer Port Committee, Ronnie negotiated to defend RMT members’ jobs following introduction of the High- speed Sea Service in 1996. In 2003, when Stena closed Stranraer as a ferry port, Ronnie was redeployed to the Harwich-Hook of Holland route. While there he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Ronnie fought the debilitating condition with tremendous courage, integrity and support of his wife Irene and their daughters. While he retained mobility, Ronnie visited Cuba with an RMT delegation to May 1 celebrations in Havana in 2006. This memorable event, along with visits to Humanite festival in Paris and Festa do Avante! in Lisbon inspired Ronnie to join the Communist Party. Ronnie tirelessly supported the Scottish Cuba Solidarity Campaign taking the Cuba stall to RMT AGMs as long as his health allowed. Ronnie also supported the International Brigades Memorial Trust and worked with sculptor Frank Casey, RMT Glasgow Shipping branch committee and Glasgow City Council to raise funds and secure a site for a memorial ‘Blockade Runners to Spain’, which stands near the statue of ‘La Pasionaria’ on the banks of the Clyde near Glasgow Central Railway Station. The monument is an appropriate legacy to Ronnie Moran - a Seafarer, Internationalist, trade unionist and communist. Rest in Peace, Comrade. Stuart Hyslop T he Chris Kefford Award for 2024 was awarded to Pete Mullins of Chester branch who has contributed to the catering grades conference for many years as an active member in the workplace. From left to right: conference president Mandy Evans of Swansea 1, Pete Mullins, NEC member David Goard, Plymouth branch vice president Craig Mills and Reading branch vice secretary Roland Hamsworth. L ong-serving member Edward (Ted) Harris finally received his certificate and 50-year badge from RMT general secretary Mick Lynch after 60 years’ service to the union. Ted spent many years working for British Rail and the Grove Park mess room where he worked has been named the ‘Ted Harris Lounge’ in his honour. OBITUARY RONNIE MORAN (5 May 1952 – 15 Feb 2024), RMT Glasgow Shipping branch CHRIS KEFFORD AWARD 60 FOR TED