SOS 2020 event - Hull 31st August

Circular No: NP/0131/19

TO ALL BRANCHES AND REGIONAL COUNCILS.

Our ref: S1/2

25th July 2019

Dear Colleagues

Save Our Seafarers 2020 Event in Hull – Saturday 31st August

Further to circular no. NP/0127/19 of 23rd July 2019, I am alerting you to the details of an SOS 2020 event that is being held in Hull next month:

Saturday 31st August, 11am-4pm outside Hull Maritime Museum HU1 3DX

The event will press home the SOS 2020 campaign demands for reform of the shipping industry to boost Ratings’ jobs and training, and to strengthen safety standards and all merchant seafarers’ terms and conditions for the long term:

1. Equal rights in employment, equality & immigration law for UK seafarers
2. ‘Cabotage’ protections for UK crew and ships based on the Jones Act
3. Statutory targets to train thousands of UK Ratings
4. Improved safety standards in UK shipping
5. Protect the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s Merchant Seafarers from privatisation

Local and national press coverage of P&O’s shameful use of exploitative contracts for Portuguese and Polish Ratings working on ferry services from Hull will also be a focus for this event and will again show to the public, politicians and the wider trade union movement that RMT is the only trade union fighting to end these disgraceful employment practices.

Members from across the country, particularly in Shipping Branches are strongly encouraged to attend the SOS 2020 event in Hull. The cost of attendance, including accommodation, 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