Industrial Manslaughter

Our ref: HSR/2/11

Head Office Circular: NP/37/23

23^rd February 2023

To: the Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

ALL SHIPPING BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague,

 

INDUSTRIAL MANSLAUGHTER

 

I have received correspondence from the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) in respect of the above and Families Against Corporate Killing (FACK) following your National Executive Committee (NEC)’s decision to affiliate.

 

The ITF noted that in regard to a resolution calling for support of the development of a global campaign for legal reforms around corporate manslaughter legislation, the feedback it gathered from affiliates was that existing laws in the different jurisdictions were generally sufficient. It therefore decided not to pursue this any further and regards the resolution as having been fully implemented. It has, however, committed to assist affiliates with litigation on a national level and has offered its assistance should the RMT consider pursuing legal action.

 

At its meeting on 9^th February 2023, your National Executive Committee (NEC) noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety sub-committee:

 

We note the correspondence received from ITF and FACK (Families Against Corporate Killing). 

 

We note that FACK do not have a mechanism for affiliations – therefore we instruct the General Secretary to make a financial donation of £500 to FACK to support the important work they do in uniting families in one strong voice to demand an end to work-related deaths and directing bereaved families to sources of legal help and emotional support.

 

In relation to correspondence received from ITF we note the work that that they have been doing in actioning the resolution, “Industrial Manslaughter”, passed at their 2018 Congress. We note from this that although in UK which has the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, no transport related cases have been found to have been brought against companies – although prosecutions can be bought under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. 

 

Branches and Regional Councils to be notified.

 

I am acting in line with these instructions.

 

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members. 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary