Merchant Navy Day 2017

Circular No: NP/128/17

TO ALL BRANCHES AND REGIONAL COUNCILS.

Our ref: S7/8/17

2nd August 2017

Dear Colleagues

Merchant Navy Day 2017

Further to circular no. NP/162/15 of 1st September 2015, Merchant Navy Day this year is Sunday 3rd September. In support of this important day, RMT Regional Offices, Shipping Branches and Branches are asked, where possible to fly the Red Ensign over the weekend commencing Friday 1st September.

RMT fully support Merchant Navy Day. Your union’s role in organising and campaigning for UK Ratings is essential to the future of the Merchant Navy itself and this annual celebration is a good chance to pay tribute to our merchant seafarers, past and present.

As part of this year’s Merchant Navy Day, the Mayor of Sunderland, Cllr Doris MacKnight has invited RMT members to join Sunderland City Council in flying the Red Ensign for Merchant Navy Day on Friday 1st September 2017. For those wishing to attend, please arrive at the Civic Suite of the Civic Centre, Burdon Road, Sunderland, no later than 9.45 am.  The flag will be raised outdoors, therefore please dress appropriately for the weather. Upon conclusion of the ceremony, refreshments will be served in the Civic Suite. Please confirm your attendance, for hospitality purposes no later than Wednesday 23 August 2017 by tel: 0191 561 1330/1342 or email: mayor@sunderland.gov.uk

Regional Offices and Shipping Branches, in particular, are asked to participate by flying the Red Ensign over the weekend 1-3rd September. RMT is a trustee of Seafarers UK, which organises Merchant Navy Day. For those who require one, Seafarers UK recommend the following supplier of Red Ensign flags: Hampshire Flag Company of Waterlooville; Tel 02392 237130; Web www.hampshireflag.co.uk Prices for a Red Ensign range (by size) from £28 to £45.71 and the cost is a legitimate form of Branch expenditure. Alternative suppliers can be found here: www.flaginstitute.org  

On 2nd September, in conjunction with the RMT SOS 2020 campaign, your union is holding two simultaneous events to coincide with Merchant Navy Day weekend:

•    South Shields – 10.30am at South Shields High Street NE33 1BT, under the Metro bridge.

•    Portsmouth – 8am at Portsmouth International Port, George Byng Way, PO2 8SP and 11am, at Guildhall Square PO21 2AB.

You are encouraged to attend these events which demonstrate our shared commitment to securing the future for UK merchant seafarers in the domestic and international shipping industry. 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 further developments.

Yours sincerely
 
Mick Cash
General Secretary