Motion text
That this House notes the imposition of a below inflation pay settlement for merchant seafarers in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) in 2023-24; expresses concern that RFA seafarers’ pay has fallen thirty-six per cent behind inflation, alongside cuts to pensions, wider employment conditions and crewing levels since 2009-10; highlights the findings of the RFA’s own private consultants that the RFA pays lower than the market average in the ferries, deep sea, cruise and workboat sectors; notes that RFA seafarers work four-month tours at sea but are not entitled to leave parity like the majority of the shipping sector, and is concerned by RFA seafarers’ work-life balance; further notes that RFA crew carry out 67% of Royal Navy (RN) tasking on top of their own work; understands that RFA seafarers are certified to Maritime and Coastguard Agency standards, which provides the RN with greater operational flexibility; believes the RFA does not have enough civilian seafarers should the RN’s operational needs require full deployment of the RFA fleet; supports the trade union rights of civilian merchant seafarers in the RFA organised by the RMT and Nautilus who have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action in a pay dispute with the RFA; and calls on the Government to intervene to assist in settling the RFA pay dispute and to tackle seafarer recruitment and retention problems in the RFA and in the RN.
Signatures (14)
The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.
Morris, Grahame
Labour
Signed on
20 May 2024
Edwards, Jonathan
Independent
Signed on
21 May 2024
Nichols, Charlotte
Labour
Signed on
21 May 2024
Johnson, Kim
Labour
Signed on
21 May 2024
Whitley, Mick
Labour
Signed on
21 May 2024
Shannon, Jim
Democratic Unionist Party
Signed on
21 May 2024
In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.
Mearns, Ian
Labour
Signed on
21 May 2024
Corbyn, Jeremy
Independent
Signed on
21 May 2024
Lewell-Buck, Mrs Emma
Labour
Signed on
21 May 2024
McDonnell, John
Labour
Signed on
23 May 2024
Maskell, Rachael
Labour
Signed on
23 May 2024
Smith, Cat
Labour
Signed on
24 May 2024
Foy, Mary Kelly
Labour
Signed on
24 May 2024
Webbe, Claudia
Independent
Signed on
24 May 2024
There are no withdrawn signatures for this motion.