Deep-Sea Update April/May 2025
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR NATIONAL SECRETARY Dear Colleagues,
It has been a busy few months since we last produced an update for our members within the deep-sea sector. These updates show our committment to putting a greater emphasis on engagement with our members and to provide improved visibility of your union within your sector. As your elected national secretary, I am seeing a positive response to improved communication which varies from courtesy phone calls, shipboard visits, publications, employer specific updates and employer specific zoom calls. Whilst internet installation onboard vessels have presented an opportunity for greater engagement at some companies, some vessels within our deep-sea fleet are still problematic and something that we are continually raising on your behalf. At a recent meeting we also agreed to develop a podcast aimed specifically at members in your sector covering many areas of importance and discussion on your respective vessels and to identify the importance of members being familiar with your terms and conditions of employment, including policies and procedures. Irrespective of your employer all members should have an SEA and a CBA that lays out your terms and conditions of employment. As it stands some terms and conditions are laid out and updated better than others. This continues to be a key focus area of your unions activity within the maritime sector. As part of our ongoing organising within the sector we have identified several new representatives/ activists, and we must develop a training course/ workshop that allows us to discuss our key objectives and be better organised across the sector. Lastly, as part of our ongoing work we need to develop union policy that helps protect jobs, improves terms and conditions and be crystal clear to members and
National secretary Darren Procter (right) with Daniel Pugh aboard the Foreland vessel, Anvil Point
potential members of RMT what it is that we are campaigning for as a trade union within the deepsea sector. Should it be union policy that every deep-sea vessel on a UK Government contract is crewed with UK seafarers? Should it be union policy that we campaign for 1:1 leave across every deepsea employer where we have recognition? Should it be union policy that we campaign for a minimum clearly defined overtime rate when agreed roster patterns have been exceeded? Hopefully this presents you and your colleagues with an insight into our current focus and triggers discussion onboard your respective vessel. I hope you enjoy this publication and would ask that you assist your union by becoming actively involved in recruiting those not currently in the union to join up and ensuring that we have a rep onboard every shift of every vessel. Stay safe and let’s get better organised than ever before!
Regards, Darren Procter