Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2023 – Royal Fleet Auxiliary

RMT CALLS STRIKE ACTION – SUNDAY 19^TH MAY 2024

 

Our Ref: SH/0001/RFA

3^rd May 2024

 

Dear Colleagues 

 

Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2023 – Royal Fleet Auxiliary

 

In my previous correspondence I advised you that RMT Assistant National Secretary Mark Carden and your RFA Convenor Ian Parkin had scheduled a meeting with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary to discuss potential improvements to the 2023/24 pay award. 

 

Unfortunately, at the meeting nobody attended from either the Treasury or the Cabinet Office and as there was no senior representative present from the government, the RFA advised your union that it did not have the authority to improve the 4.5% increase which was imposed on members last year. The RMT were also advised that the RFA believed that the 2023/24 negotiations were now closed and should not be reopened.  

 

The RFA were happy to discuss areas of their budget where they could source extra money, such as unclaimed Travel Vouchers and the Shared Bonus Scheme, however, it became clear as this conversation progressed that any additional revenue would be considered as a ‘one-off’ and not consolidated into members’ pay. It is the unanimous opinion of your representatives that any improvements in the pay award would have to be consolidated into members’ pay. 

 

Nothing formal was tabled at this meeting and it ended with the RFA inviting the RMT to another meeting on 7^th May 2024. However, they have been unable to confirm whether or not a senior government representative will be attendance at the next meeting. Should no one from either the Treasury or the Cabinet Office attend the meeting on 7^th May, then these talks may be meaningless and a waste of everyone’s time and effort.     

 

We have also had a meeting in Parliament with Lord West (Former First Sea Lord) who showed understanding and support of the RFA predicament. We advised how critical a situation RFA is in with recruitment and retention. He was quite candid in his assessment of the Ministry of Defence and agreed to start briefing his colleagues, newspapers and the shadow cabinet. 

 

In the absence of any improved offer or firm proposals, we have no choice but to escalate this dispute. It is our firm belief that we must apply pressure on the RFA to provide RMT members with a square deal that meets our aspirations.The National Executive Committee believe that the Ministry of Defence are not taking the situation seriously and that we must now take industrial action.

 

Therefore, the National Executive Committee is instructing all members to take the following strike action:

  

• If your ship is in port DO NOT TURN TO for any duty that commences between 00:01 hours and 23:59 hours on Sunday 19^th May 2024.

 

 

I urge all members who can, to take part in this action and stand firm together. You and your colleagues deserve better and now we must take a stand to demand better. 

 

Since this dispute began, the union has always been available for talks to resolve this entirely avoidable dispute, and we continue to remain available to find a meaningful resolution. 

 

I will write to members again with all further updates.

 

UNITY IS STRENGTH

SUPPORT THE ACTION

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary