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03 March 2005
Trade union rights at Hoverspeed Limited
We have been advised that the UK Merchant Navy Officers’ Union, NUMAST, has launched a campaign to combat the perceived anti-union policies within the Hoverspeed Limited ferry fleet. For more than three years NUMAST has been seeking representational rights for its members - Merchant Navy officers - employed on Hoverspeed’s high-speed ferry services operating in the Channel from the ports of Dover and Newhaven.
Hoverspeed is part of the US owned multinational Sea Containers, whose headquarters are in London. Hoverspeed, under the direction of its Managing Director, Mr Geoffrey Ede, has opposed trade union involvement and frustrated NUMAST’s attempts to negotiate for and to represent its members in the company.
NUMAST has now lodged a formal application for statutory recognition with the UK Central Arbitration Committee and seeks the support of the ITF’s Seafarer Affiliates. You are requested to e-mail the company and let them know that we consider that freedom of association and the right to organise for collective bargaining are fundamental human and trade union rights and, as such, non-negotiable. You are also requested to call on Mr Ede to respect the legitimate wishes of the workforce and recognise NUMAST.
The e-mail addresses for Mr Ede and his HR manager are as follows:
sue.stevens@hoverspeed.com
Please find below suggested e-mail text (and please send copies to both NUMAST mdickinson@numast.org and the ITF whitlow_jon@itf.org.uk).
Yours fraternally
Jon Whitlow
Secretary
Seafarers Section
________________________________________
Suggested e-mail text:Dear Mr Ede
Trade Union Rights
We have been advised by NUMAST of the perceived anti-union activities of your company Hoverspeed. On behalf of my union and its membership we urge you to respect the legitimate rights of the Merchant Officers employed on Hoverspeed vessels operating from Dover and Newhaven ports. They have expressed a wish to be represented by NUMAST, the British Merchant Navy Officers’ Union and you should respect those wishes.
Kind regards
YOUR NAME
YOUR POSITION
YOUR ORGANISATION
____________________________________________
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Action Alert: Civil aviation workers in Indonesia | Action Alert: Civil aviation in Pakistan | Arrest of 200 trade unionists in Zimbabwe | Australian Govt new anti-union laws | Support Alaska Airlines Workers | Support Varig | Global Unions Statement on Millenium Goals | Solidarity: IAM and Boeing | Hurricane Katrina | Statement on ILO Convention 137 | Gate Gourmet Dispute at Heathrow | Discrimination of Argentinian cabin crew member | Indonesia: Cabin crew dispute | Terrorist attacks in London | Statement: Terrorist attacks on London | Murder of seafarers’ trade union organiser | 2004 Tsunami Disaster Information
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