STENA LINE UPDATE NOVEMBER 2024
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR NATIONAL SECRETARY Dear Colleagues,
I hope this publication for Stena Line members provides you with a comprehensive update on several matters of importance to you and your colleagues employed onboard the vessels and within the ports. I would like to focus on how we can continue to develop our organising activity and encourage more members to become actively involved in the union. Our democratic structures are what sets us apart from other trade unions and as your elected national officer it is important to me that we continue to improve and develop our work and effectively address your workplace concerns whilst progressing your terms and conditions of employment. We have seen several new reps elected to various positions across the Stena network and we will soon commence industrial representative elections for all seafarers (except for those who were elected in 2024) to take up positions from the 1st of January 2025. We also have vacancies within the ports due to recent departures, a promotion and a resignation. Filling these representative positions is fundamental to ensuring we progress your terms and conditions of employment. This will give an opportunity to individuals to get involved and make a difference. Being a part of RMT should not be viewed as an
insurance policy, it is a mechanism reliant upon 2-way communication to raise and address issues of concern to you and your colleagues. We should be organised in such a way that if a workplace injustice takes place, you are ready to stand together as a collective to protect each other and seek improvements to your terms and conditions. Whilst significant improvements have been made in some areas, I acknowledge that there are still areas of concern and we need to continually seek improvements not just to pay, but also to terms and conditions, policies and procedures, welfare facilities and your working environment. There is no magic wand to address these matters instantly but myself and your elected representatives will continue to present quality arguments to your employer and seek the necessary improvements. I believe in a union that is present in the workplace and is seen by the rank-and-file membership on a regular basis, and whilst I make every effort to visit all ports and vessels, I am conscious that I have been seen in some locations more than others and will look to address this over the next few months. I conclude in asking all members to take the time and effort to discuss how the union could be more effective in your workplace and encourage those not currently a member of the RMT to join you and the overwhelming majority of your colleagues in becoming a member of RMT.
Regards, Darren Procter