HARWICH MARITIME

HARWICH MARITIME RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: sept/oct 2025 :: RMTnews 9 Harwich maritime branch secretary Stuart Morrison opened the first meeting of the new branch which covers seafarers, dockers, security workers and those working in the renewables industry such as wind farms. He said that it had been a long-term aim to create an RMT branch that covered all grades working at the port which added up to around 200 workers. He thanked RMT regional organiser Kathy Mazur and RMT national secretary Darren Procter for their assistance in creating the industrial unity required to represent all workers at Harwich international port. This includes workers at Stena Brittanica, Subsea, OCS and at Mitie security as well as the RRS Sir David Attenborough, one of the most advanced polar research ships in the world operated by the British Antarctic Survey out of Harwich (see page 21). He also pointed out that a member of the branch, Peter Martin, had recently attended the union’s annual general meeting in Glasgow cementing the branch into the work of the union. Darren Procter said that the union was more than an insurance policy if you got into trouble at work but also a vehicle to improve conditions at work in a real way across all grades of maritime worker. “Whether you are on ship or on shore we need to build that unity and pull together to defend and improve your conditions. “That means identifying key issues to campaign around, engaging with the employer and, if necessary, write to your NEC and demand action,” he said. Branch members identified some priorities during the debate including the growing problem of aggressive passengers on the car decks, particularly from those who had been drinking. Other issues included addressing mental health issues and other health and safety matters to be taken up. Darren presented members with long service awards starting with long-serving Harwich Shipping branch secretary Stuart Morrison who received his 40-year badge. “Stuart has been a stalwart of this branch for many years and it is in no small part down to his work that we have such a unified maritime branch today,” he said. He also presented Steve Catamole with his 25-year badge and David Wilkinson with his 10-year badge. New branch covers all grades working at Harwich port David Wilkinson receives his 10 year badge Stuart Morrison receives his 40-year badge Steve Catamole receives his 25 year badge