SOS 2020 campaign – CONDOR FERRIES DEMO, Portsmouth International Port Saturday 3rd March

Circular No: NP/025/18

 

TO ALL BRANCHES AND REGIONAL COUNCILS.

 

Our ref: S1/1 S2/5

 

7th February 2018

 

Dear Colleagues

 

SOS 2020 campaign – CONDOR FERRIES DEMO, Portsmouth International Port Saturday 3rd March

 

Further to circular no. NP/022/18 of 2nd February 2018, I write to alert all members and activists to the SOS 2020 demonstration against Condor Ferries continued exploitation of foreign seafarers on lifeline ferry routes from southern England to the Channel Islands.

 

The demonstration will take place at Portsmouth International Port, 0715 Saturday 3rd March *PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL ASSEMBLE AT 0715*.

 

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.

 

UK National Minimum Wage Rates

 

 

Age Group	April 2017	April 2018
National Living Wage (25+)	£7.50 p.h.	£7.83 p.h.
NMW (21-24)	£7.05 p.h.	£7.38 p.h.
NMW (18-20)	£5.60 p.h.	£5.90 p.h.
NMW (16-17)	£4.05 p.h.	£4.20 p.h.
Apprentice NMW	£3.50 p.h.	£3.70 p.h.
Accommodation Offset*	£6.40 per day	£7.00 per day

 

 

 

Jersey NMW	April 2017	April 2018
National Min. Wage (16+)	£7.18 p.h.	£7.50 p.h.
Trainee Rate (Year 1)	£5.39 p.h.	£5.63 p.h.
Trainee Rate (Year 2)	£6.28 p.h.	£6.56 p.h.
Accommodation Offset*	£11.22 per day	£11.73 p.d.

 

 

Guernsey NMW	April 2017	April 2018
National Min. Wage (18+)	£7.20 p.h.	£7.75 p.h.
NMW (16-17)	£6.50 p.h.	£7.05 p.h.
Accommodation Offset*	£9.42 per day	£10.71 p.d.

  

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, including to delegates at the RMT Young Members Conference being held in Portsmouth 2nd-3rd March.  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