Strike by Unite and GMB Workers Cammell Laird Shipyard

Our Ref: HSR/4/5
H.O. Circular NP/016/8
24th January 2018

ALL BRANCHES
ALL SHIPPING BRANCHES
ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague

STRIKE BY UNITE AND GMB WORKERS CAMMELL LAIRD SHIPYARD

RMT members who work on or about Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels currently in dry dock at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Liverpool should be aware that workers for Cammell Laird in the GMB and Unite unions are due to take industrial action in a dispute over pay on the 26th and 29th January 2018.

It is our understanding that the striking workers are responsible for all evacuation procedures on or about vessels in the shipyard. It is possible that were an emergency to occur during the two days of the dispute RMT members could be placed at risk.

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSW), Regulation 8(1) employers have a duty to establish procedures to be followed in the event of serious and imminent danger to persons at work such procedures are sometimes known as Worksafe Procedures.

Should you, as an individual, feel that as part of your duties you are placing yourself in serious or imminent danger during the dispute you should comply with your company’s policy as required by the MHSW. Attached to this circular is a pro-forma should you wish to record your concerns in writing to your management.

An RMT publication giving further details on ‘serious and imminent danger’ is available at:
https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/publications/serious-and-imminent-danger-booklet/

Yours sincerely
 
Mick Cash
General Secretary          

To……………………………………………………………………Line Manager

From…………………………………………………………………

Workplace…………………………………………………………..

ROYAL FLEET AUXILLARY DURING
INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY GMB AND UNITE MEMBERS

I am genuinely concerned for the safety of myself and others due to my belief that I may be placed at risk of serious and imminent danger by the absence of suitably trained and competent staff to carry out emergency evacuation. I believe that you have a duty to provide me with a safe system of work and I would ask that you ensure that the arrangements you have in place adequately protect my safety.

I would therefore request that I am allocated alternative duties for which I am trained and licensed for until such time as the procedures contained in the company’s procedure to protect against serious and imminent danger have been carried out and I believe that my safety is adequately protected.



Signed………………………………………………………………..

Date……………………………………………………………………