ON BOARD THE SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january/february 2025 :: RMTnews 21 R MT national secretary Darren Procter, regional organiser Kathy Mazur and Harwich International Port union representatives Robin Wallace, Dean Galloway and Chris Wilcocks met with company representatives in the port recently to discuss terms and conditions and other issues concerning the membership at the port. Kathy operated as lead officer for the port, but the responsibility has been handed to Darren Procter. She thanked the Harwich reps for the great work they put in with her over the past three years. RMT national secretary Darren Procter recently made a visit to members working on the Royal Research Ship (RRS) Sir David Attenborough, a research vessel owned by the Natural Environment Research Council and operated by the British Antarctic Survey for the purposes of both research and logistic support. The RRS Sir David Attenborough is one of the most advanced polar research vessels in the world with a crew of 28 and up to 60 scientists. The ship replaces a pair of existing vessels, RRS James Clark Ross and RRS Ernest Shackleton. The latest vessel is named after broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough. This multidisciplinary research platform is transforming how ship-borne science is conducted in the polar regions and provides scientists with state-of-the-art facilities to research the oceans, seafloor, ice and atmosphere. The commissioning of the RRS Sir David Attenborough was part of a major government investment in polar infrastructure which will keep Britain at the forefront of world-leading research in Antarctica and the Arctic. This £200 million commitment represents the UK governments’ largest investment in polar science since the 1980s. Darren’s visit was designed to update all members employed onboard, provide information and create discussion amongst those working onboard about terms and conditions any other issues including the role members can play within the union. “I am calling upon every member to make their workplace an organised workplace that gives them and every member a voice and an ability to shape the progression of your terms and condition of employment. “RMT has been in negotiations with the employer, who has identified honestly about the difficulties in attracting seafarers to work onboard the vessel. “We remain in dialogue with the employer to get an offer that is acceptable to members and will provide updates as we seek progress on rates of pay and any concerns that have been raised,” he said. ON BOARD THE SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH Union organises on research ships operated by the British Antarctic Survey HARWICH MEETING