Svitzer Terminals Ltd

18th June 2024

 

Dear Colleagues

 

I am writing to update you in relation to a number of matters relating to your employment with Svitzer Terminals Ltd

 

Firstly, we have seen an increase in membership, which is in part due to concerns surrounding your current terms and conditions of employment and a difference of interpretation by current management since the TUPE in 2023 which differs to previous practices whilst employed by Solent Towage.

 

In addition to your terms and conditions of employment we are also aware of health and safety concerns within your workplace and a lack of dialogue regarding rates of pay and conditions of service negotiations in the absence of collective bargaining that covers you and your colleagues.

 

To address the above matters we will be looking to establish recognition with your employer through a statutory process and in an effort to ensure that we have a collective voice, we need to ensure that all members are pro-actively encouraging all employees to join the RMT union.

 

To have an effectively organised workplace we need to ensure that we maximise our membership and develop a collective strength that allows us to negotiate with your employer to protect and progress your terms and conditions of employment.  If your colleagues are as concerned as you about changes to employment practices and a differing interpretation of your terms and conditions of employment, they should be in the RMT and standing alongside you because standing alone and complaining never changed anything.

 

RMT members should also start to talk about and identify potential industrial representatives and health and safety representatives to represent your interests.

 

RMT Union Structure

 

All members within RMT are organised into geographical branches, and within the maritime sector there are 16 branches nationally.  All members at your employer have been placed into Southampton shipping branch.  Your branch is the hub of the union and you can attend meetings which are held physically and virtually to discuss organising activity and various reports and send resolutions that can be discussed and voted upon.  You will receive communication directly from the branch about upcoming branch meetings and activity.

 

Your branch secretary is Gareth Jameson and the branch can be contacted via email at southamptonshipping@rmt.org.uk

 

As a union we want to be visible to our membership, effectively negotiating improvements and Pro-actively organising through an active membership and we would encourage all members to become actively involved through your branch, our structures and various conferences.

 

Contact Details

It is vital that all members ensure that your details are kept up to date so that we can effectively communicate with our membership, if you or a colleague is not receiving text, emails and RMT news by post then please contact 08003763706 to update your details.  

 

We will be in contact with you in the coming weeks to update you on the above and your union will be writing to your employer to seek a meeting to discuss the current interpretation and application of the sickness / absence clause within your terms and conditions.  To establish the strongest argument and identify past practices we will be seeking evidence of the previous application by your previous employer to present to the current management team and i would encourage you to discuss this amongst yourselves and compile any documentary evidence to support the previous practice.

 

 

Yours Sincerely 

 

Darren Procter

RMT National Secretary