Invitation to attend online ETF meeting of Young Seafarers – 29th June

Head Office Circular No. NP/104/23

 

To all Shipping Branches and Regional Councils

 

16^th June 2023

 

Dear Colleagues

 

Invitation to attend online ETF meeting of Young Seafarers – 29^th June

 

The Maritime Transport Section of the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF) has contacted your Union to invite young RMT seafarer members to attend its first online meeting, on Thursday 29^th June. The subject is ‘green shipping’ and industry experts will give a number of presentations on issues affecting our members, such as protecting seafarer jobs, green skills and a just transition for maritime workers.  

 

These are crucial issue for the future of our seafarer Ratings. Unions and governments are awaiting proposals from the International Maritime Organisation to amend the Seafarers Training, Watchkeeping and Certification (STCW) Convention and the ITF estimate that over 800,000 seafarers worldwide will need to update their training to operate and maintain low and zero emission ships. This will affect Ratings jobs across the shipping industry, where RMT either have or are seeking recognition. Your union is working to ensure that UK Ratings are offered decent training and good jobs covered by our collective bargaining agreement for the long term.

 

I strongly encourage seafarer members aged 35 or under to attend this event. RMT young seafarer members who wish to attend should register with the ETF here. The ETF’s draft agenda for this event is attached to this circular and should you have any questions in advance, please contact the National Policy Department at: d.crimes@rmt.org.uk

 

I would be grateful if you could bring the content of this circular to the attention of all members in your Branch.

 

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch

General Secretary