Smoking on RFA Vessels

Our Ref: HSR/1/19
Head Office Circular: NP/328/21
27th August 2021
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
ALL SHIPPING BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

SMOKING ON RFA VESSELS

Further to Circular NP/278/21, dated 28th July 2021, I can report that a meeting between the Lead Officer, RFA Convenor and National Executive Committee (NEC) took place on 25th August.

Your NEC, at its meeting on 26th August, resolved as follows:

We note that the meeting took place between the lead officer RFA convenor and NEC, additionally the verbal from the National Secretary around this emotive issue has allowed for greater understanding in this matter.

We therefore instruct the General Secretary to:

1) Ensure we have as much information as possible about meetings that took place to discuss this issue, representations made to the RFA and information regarding a legal challenge made by the ARMY and seek a further, more detailed legal opinion. The collation of all information to be gathered by Friday 3rd of September

2) To seek a meeting with the commodore regarding this important matter

3) To compile an indicative survey of our members regarding this issue including whether they are prepared to take industrial action

4) To raise this with our parliamentary group.

In addition to the above and to ensure that we receive regular reports at least every 4 weeks, and all documentation including quarterly minutes is to be kept on file especially with our concerns surrounding “one Navy”.

This separate file should be used by way of offering greater support to our convenor and improving communication to RFA members in a timely manner with input from the convenor, the ANS and the National Secretary.

Members Branches and regional councils to be informed.

I am acting in accordance with this instruction and will keep you advised of developments.

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary