Launch of RMT SOS 2020 campaign – Time to Save UK Seafarers

Circular No: NP/222/16

TO ALL BRANCHES AND REGIONAL COUNCILS.

Our ref: S1/1/16

20th September 2016

Dear Colleagues

Launch of RMT SOS 2020 campaign – Time to Save UK Seafarers

Further to circular no. NP/012/15 of 23rd January 2015, building on the RMT Maritime Manifesto released ahead of the 2015 General Election campaign, the union is launching a major campaign to reverse the decline in UK seafarers since the 1980s.

The SOS 2020 campaign is aimed at politicians, trade unions, seafarer communities and the general public. It demands action from Government and industry to address the ageing workforce, inferior employment and equality rights, lack of Ratings training and de-regulated shipping registers which are driving the crisis in seafarer jobs and skills in the UK.

If training and employment for UK Ratings do not increase before then, 2020 will see the retirement of thousands of UK Ratings and officers currently working at sea, exposing our island country to the negative economic, social and security effects of a maritime skills deficit. That will happen if we do nothing and doing nothing is not an option.

The SOS 2020 campaign will be officially launched on:

Wednesday 12th October 2016, 4-6pm, Dining Room A, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

The venue has a maximum capacity of 50 (standing). Food and refreshments will be provided. Attendance will be treated as a legitimate use of Branch funds and members, especially Ratings grades are encouraged to attend the launch of this campaign.

You will be kept updated with further developments ahead of this important event.

Yours sincerely
 
Mick Cash
General Secretary