UNION SEEKS NEW RFA DEAL

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2024 :: RMTnews 5 R MT has met with the new Armed Forces Minister in the Labour government Luke Pollard MP to discuss the long- running pay dispute with Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the future of the RFA. The meeting took place following the latest day of strike action, carried out on the International Day of the Seafarer on June 25, with further action planned on July 26. However, the minister respected RMT members' decision to take industrial action over the imposition of the sub inflation 4.5 per cent increase in 2023-24 and it was made very clear that the new government is looking for a swift resolution to this dispute. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that the union will await an offer and unless a decent offer is submitted by the employer RFA members will take a third day of industrial action. “The meeting was a breath of fresh air, compared with the previous fourteen years of antagonism and neglect by the employer under the direction of the previous Tory government. “The Minister was categorically clear in his instruction to his officials that RMT and officers union Nautilus must be talking to the right people in the RFA, Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence over the coming weeks. “It was also clear that the Labour government is committed to working with the union and engaging constructively to recruit more Ratings in re-building the RFA,” he said. The Minister also confirmed that the RFA would be included in the upcoming Defence Review and the union will be putting together a comprehensive case for reforms that preserve the operational flexibility of the RFA fleet whilst improving fleet readiness. RMT national secretary Darren Procter said that RFA must acknowledge the gravity of the situation and avoid a crewing crisis by showing respect for the role and sacrifices of merchant seafarers. “The decline in the value of pay, pension scheme and the unequal leave ratio for a four- month tour is spurring a recruitment and retention crisis which adds to RFA members' workload. “It is positive to see an increase in RMT membership in the RFA, and I strongly encourage all RFA members to actively recruit any potential members to join RMT to develop our collective strength through increased membership,” he said. R MT has secured improved fair Olympic payments for Eurostar staff after intense negotiations and a ballot for industrial action. The continental rail company has agreed to significantly improve premium payments for staff working during the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games which means that the ballot of Eurostar members has ended and no dispute now exists between the union and the company. Initially, Eurostar proposed a shift-based payment system which RMT rejected for being divisive and insufficient. The union proposed a one-off post- Olympic payment, encompassing a broader range of employees including, Assistant Duty Control Managers, rostering/planning, and frontline contact centre roles. Eurostar will now provide a one-off payment of at least £650 to eligible employees, replacing the shift-based system. This payment will be made in the September 2024 payroll. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that this improved offer was a testament to persistent negotiations and the dogged determination of the membership. "We have secured a fair and adequate reward for their hard work during the upcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. "This one-off payment acknowledges the dedication of our members during this busy period and we remain committed to securing the best possible conditions for our members across all roles,” he said. DEAL: AGM delegates demand a pay deal for RFA members UNION SEEKS NEW RFA DEAL EUROSTAR MEMBERS WIN IMPROVED OLYMPIC PAYMENTS DEAL