Cancer – a workplace guide

RMT has created a publication that offers workplace guidance around Cancer, an insight into statistics, case studies, explanatory notes and identifies where further information can be found on this sensitive issue. If you would like copies sent to your vessel or branch then please get in contact and we will ensure these are distributed accordingly.

Risk assessments

As a union we are keen to know what level of involvement our members have when risk assessments are taking place within your workplace. We have seen too many occurrences in ports around the UK, particularly with deaths in the Irish Sea ports and we need to ensure that where we have recognition in ports we are driving an agenda for greater workforce engagement on health, safety and welfare matters. All too often we hear stories of an individual manager taking it upon themselves to carry out a risk assessment without input from those who it affects in the port. Risk assessments are there to control the risks and employees input is essential. Without your input, the input of the local health and safety representative and an approach that bypasses those working in the port for views there will be little or no impact other than to put a tick in a box.

When it comes to health and safety we should be taking an approach to improve the health and safety culture in every port for the better.

For more information on risk assessments get in contact with Jonathan Havard in our Health and Safety department (j.havard@rmt.org.uk) or your respective lead officer or regional office.

Potential members

It is the responsibility of every member within your workplace to encourage any individual who is not currently a member of RMT to join your trade union.

At a time when all port workers are struggling with the current cost of living crisis it is essential that we have maximum membership numbers within your port.

If you are aware of potential members on your shift, speak to them and explain why it is important to protect each other and be a part of the collective voice.

Port worker – Maritime grade or General grade?

Within RMT members are categorised into two main grades, General grades and Maritime grades. Within Maritime there are 16 branches and within General grades there are 200+ branches. Why is this important, and what is the difference?

The majority of port workers are organised by ‘general grades’ branches due to their workplace originating from a British Rail background. This is something that is currently being discussed as part of a wider discussion on Maritime organising. There are some current anomalies whereby workers within the same workplace are in different branches, some in the local Maritime branch and some in the local General grades branch.

If you, your colleagues or your branch have an opinion on this you should seek to discuss this within your workplace, with your branch officials, your National Executive Committee member, your regional organiser or your lead officer.