SOS 2020 campaign – actions and merchandise

Circular No: NP/053/17

TO ALL BRANCHES AND REGIONAL COUNCILS.

Our ref: S1/1/17

4th April 2017

Dear Colleagues

SOS 2020 campaign – actions and merchandise

Further to circular no. NP/036/17 of 9th March 2017, I write to update members on the union’s actions as part of the SOS 2020 campaign and associated merchandise.

Following confirmation from ITF Inspectors that Streamline Shipping continue to operate the Cyprus registered MV Daroja between Aberdeen and the Northern Isles, with basic pay as low as £2.56 per hour, an RMT SOS 2020 protest against this ongoing exploitation of seafarers is being organised for Aberdeen Port on Friday 21st April. Further details of this important demonstration will be circulated shortly.

As previously notified, your union continues to prepare for an SOS 2020 Day of Action, Thursday 18th May in Poole, to highlight sub-minimum wage pay at local employer Condor Ferries and to protest against the continued undermining of jobs, training and skills for domestic seafarers across the UK and European shipping industry.

The first stage of the Day of Action will be to leaflet delegates attending an event for European Maritime Day 2017 at Poole Lighthouse Arts and Conference Centre, 21 Kingland Rd, Poole BH15 1UG. RMT members and activists are asked to mobilise for this and to arrive at the venue from 8am.

The second stage of the Day of Action will be a demonstration against low pay and the exploitation of seafarers, outside the head office of Condor Ferries, also in Poole: Condor House, New Harbour Road South, Hamworthy BH15 4AJ.

The costs of attending the SOS 2020 protest in Aberdeen and the Day of Action in Poole, including accommodation are legitimate forms of Branch expenditure.

The range of SOS 2020 merchandise has also been increased.

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