Industrial Action Plan for RFA/RMT Members – 2023-24 Pay Dispute

Friday 4^th October and Tuesday 8^th October 2024 mark the Ninth and Tenth day of withdrawal of your labour, from 0001hrs to 2359hrs for RMT/RFA Members, with a day of Picketing planned in UK Ports and Yards.

It is intended to Picket and Demo at the following locations, PORTLAND, BIRKENHEAD, PORTSMOUTH and FALMOUTH (Subject to ship in Port):

1. PORTLAND:  Steward, Asst Nat Sec Mark Carden (4^th October); Steward, RFA Convenor Ian Parkin (8^th October). Ship Reps and Members from the Tidespring, Stirling Castle and Cardigan Bay. Meet at grassed land nr Roundabout and Ship Inn Pub, between Lerret Rd and Portland Beach Rd, DT5 1AL between 0800 – 1530hrs.
2. BIRKENHEAD: Steward, RFA Convenor Ian Parkin (4^th October) and Steward, Asst Nat Sec Mark Carden  (8^th October) Cammell Laird, Campbelltown Rd, Birkenhead CH41 9BP, 0800-1200hrs then 1300- 1530hrs, a picket line will be at Ships Gangways held by a maximum of two members on a rota basis, remainder of members to attend the Demonstration at the old Drinking Fountain opposite Cammell Laird entrance on both days of industrial action.
3. PORTSMOUTH 8^th October: Whale Island Way/Wharf Road on the Grassed land near Lok n Store warehouse & Voi Elec Scooter Park up, Portsmouth PO2 8EW – between 0730 – 1615hrs, Steward, Maritime NEC Member Ollie Longden.
4. FALMOUTH 4^th October: Steward, Regional Organiser Barry West 0800 – 1530hrs, A&P Falmouth TR11 4NR (this picket is subject to ship movements).

All OTHER - World Wide RFA Vessels that are Safely in a Port or on a Buoy, 0001-2359HRS (Local Time). Please withdraw your labour on the given days during the above times but do not picket outside the ships, unless you know the applicable local labour laws. All STWDs to report picket/demo times, locations and who is the Steward/Point of Contact to local Police on 101 or online, on 4^th October and 8^th October.

The wider RMT membership including commercial maritime, rail and road transport sectors are also asked to attend to show support on the RFA picket lines in the UK, along with trades councils through regional TUCs. The bigger the picket line, the better.

We work together in pursuit of a fair settlement of the RFA dispute and to broadcast a message of Unity Is Strength across the RMT and the wider trade union movement.

I applaud all those working to prepare for and to participate in another round of rock-solid industrial action by RFA members, who have delivered every time in this dispute. For years now, the RFA has taken advantage of your good nature and your solid work ethic, without giving RFA seafarers full reward or recognition of your work – withdrawal of your labour is the only option that the employer has left you.

I would also impress upon you the importance of registering your vote in the ballot of RMT RFA members to renew your union’s mandate for industrial action in the 2023-24 pay dispute. Use your vote by 10^th October to keep up the pressure for a fair pay settlement for our RFA Seafarers.

All members on Leave or living locally are strongly encouraged to join the UK pickets, with Family and Friends, to help get the message out to the wider public.

PICKET LINE Contacts

Bro: Mark Carden – 0773 3335355

Bro: Ian Parkin – 07878 747877

Bro: Ollie Longden – 07411 319796

Bro: Barry West – 07810 058497

Even at this late stage, if your Union receives an offer that we deem acceptable and worthy of your consideration in a ballot, the IA may be postponed.

Please see below information and answers to common questions asked regarding our coming Industrial Action Day:

1. RMT Industrial Action planned (Local Time) for all ships at your current global Port or secured to a fixed Buoy.
2. Withdrawal of labour means no cooking, no cleaning, no HEO, no watches etc etc from the given time to expiry. Let the potential new members pick the job up or join us in IA. Under ACAS rules, non-members can legally join the IA and down tools, as their employment contract contains the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the RMT.
3. Ships in Foreign Ports – to withdraw labour only, do not picket if you are not aware of the labour laws and legislation in port.
4. Please be aware RFA have the right to:

• Not pay anyone for that day of Action who participate.
• Not let them gain Leave.
• Not contribute towards Pension.
• Withdraw Food allowance and IEA for ships in Refit etc, but not withdraw Accom Allowance.
• Hardship Fund procedures in place and a register to be completed by onboard Reps/Stewards of members who participate at Pickets full Names and dates of Birth sent to Convenor no later than 48hrs after the final IA day.

5. This is the sacrifice that must be made, unfortunately to achieve a desired result.
6. No member is forced to strike, it is a strong recommendation that they participate, in order to maximise the impact of IA.
7. Onboard Reps to email the CO in open, honest and transparent dialogue,  cc Convenor in email if required RFAConvenor@rmt.org.uk or Ian.Parkin779@mod.gov.uk
8. Ships safety is paramount and all onboard personnel are to react to– EG, Moorings/Gangway to adjust due to tides or weather, Real Emergencies EG, Vessel Fire, Casualty, collision accident, Chemical/oil spill Marpol etc.
9. All Members on Leave who are available are to Picket at the following UK Ports are encouraged to participate, Portland, Birkenhead, Falmouth (subject to ships movements), Portsmouth.
10. NO Members are to Travel on the given date to join a ship or proceed on any non-Mandatory STCW Courses. Reach out to your Career manager via email (for proof purposes, also call them) to tell them that you are an RMT member and you are following a MTU instruction, you don’t mind travelling the day prior or after.
11. Minimum Standards, we accept that a given percentage of members onboard MAY participate, it is advisable that a Head Chef prepares his Weekly menu accordingly for simplicity for a potential new member to prepare and serve, with other CS members who are not participating. This also goes for HEO schedules. It is advisable that when WK and HEO lists are conducted Potential New members should be scheduled or arrangements should be made for potentials to cover safety routines on the given day, so RMT members can fully participate in the withdrawal of all labour.
12. Members should be aware that you are on ships articles during IA and the RFA Drug and Alcohol policy is still in force.

 

Expected location of RFA Vessels – 4^th October and 8^th October

 

*On both days, unless stated