Launch of the RMT Maritime Manifesto

Circular No: NP/012/15

TO ALL SHIPPING AND OFFSHORE BRANCHES, REGIONAL ORGANISERS, REGIONAL COUNCILS, & COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES.

Our ref: S1/1/15

23rd January 2015

Dear Colleagues

Launch of the RMT Maritime Manifesto

Further to circular no. NP/264/14 of 10th December 2014, please find attached a copy of the RMT Maritime Manifesto setting out the union’s proposals for increasing jobs and training for UK seafarers, ahead of this year’s General Election campaign.

The RMT Maritime Manifesto and the report into maritime training and employment the union commissioned from Cardiff University will be launched in Westminster next week on:

Wednesday 28th January 2015, 4-6pm, Strangers Dining Room, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA

RMT members attending the launch should go to St. Stephen’s entrance (marked X on the map below) from 3.15pm to go through security which can be busy on Wednesdays. Please assemble in Westminster Hall from where we will walk the short distance to the venue. Any members running late can request directions to Strangers Dining Room from security staff in Westminster Hall.

The event will start just after 4pm, with RMT Parliamentary Group Convenor John McDonnell MP making some introductory remarks and introducing speakers in the following order: RMT General Secretary Mick Cash; Rt Hon. John Hayes MP (Shipping Minister); Professor Helen Sampson (report author); Gordon Marsden MP (Shadow Shipping Minister); Nautilus General Secretary Mark Dickinson and RMT National Secretary Steve Todd.

Speeches will run 4-5pm and the second hour 5-6pm will be an opportunity for RMT seafarers and officials to discuss the Maritime Manifesto with parliamentarians and to impress upon them the need for the next Government to adopt RMT’s proposals for increasing jobs and training for UK seafarers. Drinks and food will be provided from 5pm.

The venue has a maximum capacity of 100 (standing) and attendance will be treated as a legitimate use of Branch funds. Shipping Branches are encouraged to send delegates to attend the launch of this report.

A copy of the Cardiff University report will be circulated on Monday and you will be kept updated on any other developments ahead of this important event.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash
General Secretary