CHANGE OF DATE SOS 2020 Portsmouth Demo NOW 02.03.18

Circular No: NP/027/18

 

TO ALL BRANCHES AND REGIONAL COUNCILS.

 

Our ref: S1/1 S2/5

 

9th February 2018

 

Dear Colleagues

 

CHANGE OF DATE SOS 2020 campaign – CONDOR FERRIES DEMO, Portsmouth International Port FRIDAY 2nd MARCH

 

Further to circular no. NP/025/18 of 7th February 2018, I write to alert all members and activists to a change of date for the SOS 2020 demonstration in Portsmouth against Condor Ferries.

 

The demonstration will now take place on Friday 2nd March, assembling 1330 at Portsmouth International Port, George Byng Way, Portsmouth PO2 8SP.

 

The date has been changed in order to maximise attendance. Delegates and international guests at the RMT Young Members’ Conference will also be asked to attend, including John Samuelsen, International President of the Transport Workers Union of America who will deliver a message of solidarity for our struggle against Condor from our brothers and sisters in the TWU.

 

Condor Ferries continue to exploit foreign seafarers, on rates of pay well below National Minimum Wage rates in the UK, Jersey and Guernsey. They have also blocked ITF inspectors from inspecting their vessels, even though the Condor fleet is registered under a Flag of Convenience (Bahamas). When Condor Ferries’ vessels were inspected in 2014, Ukrainian Ratings were being paid £2.40 per hour.

 

Condor’s contracts with the Governments of Jersey and Guernsey are coming up for renewal and the RMT demonstration will send a clear message to politicians that this exploitative and unpopular operator must be sent packing, with the next operator required in contract to recognise the RMT for collective bargaining purposes and, at the very least, to be a Living Wage employer. The Living Wage on Jersey is currently set at £9.75 per hour.

 

Leaflets, flags and other regalia will be distributed on the day. Shipping and offshore members and activists are strongly encouraged to attend this demonstration against a company that continues to discriminate against UK and Channel Island seafarers. The cost of attendance is a legitimate form of Branch expenditure.

 

I would be grateful if you could bring the contents of this circular to the attention of members in your branch and you will be kept updated with all further developments.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Mick Cash

General Secretary