Promotion to Chief Engineer, Portsmouth to Fishbourne Route – Wightlink Ltd

Our Ref: SH/16/1

15^th May 2024

 

Dear Colleagues 

 

Promotion to Chief Engineer, Portsmouth to Fishbourne Route – Wightlink Ltd

 

Referring to my previous correspondence, in which I advised you that Wightlink are in breach of their procedures; specifically, the Company Safety Management System which details the promotional route from Engineer Officer to Chief Engineer.

 

The union’s negotiating team met with Wightlink to discuss this matter. Your union outlined its position that the Company Safety Management System should not have been unilaterally changed by management and that as a result of these changes RMT members have been disadvantaged when seeking promotion. The company did not agree with your union and stated that it was only right that Wightlink employed who they wanted. Following this meeting, the company have now employed another Chief Engineer without advertising the post internally.

 

The union’s National Executive Committee has again considered the matter and noting that the ballot matrix checks are now complete, I have been instructed to commence an immediate ballot of all Chief Engineers and Engineers members on the Portsmouth to Fishbourne Routefor industrial action. 

 

Consequently, on Wednesday 22^nd May 2024 the independent scrutineer will send a ballot paper to your home address. I urge you to complete and return your ballot paper in the freepost envelope provided as soon as you receive it. 

 

In the ballot you will be asked to vote for both strike action and industrial action short of a strike – I urge you to vote ‘YES’ to both.

 

MAKE SURE YOU USE YOUR VOTE

 

If you do not receive your voting paper, or know of a colleague who has not received it, please call the freephone helpline on 0800 376 3706, RMT Head Office on 0207 387 4771 or e-mail to request a replacement.

 

 

VOTE ‘YES’ FOR STRIKE ACTION AND 

VOTE ‘YES’ FOR INDUSTRIAL ACTION SHORT OF A STRIKE

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary