“Refusing” Unite trade union recognition for RNLI staff at East Cowes’s Inshore Lifeboat Centre (ILC) has been condemned as “unbelievable, uncaring and totally out of step” with the charity’s ethos.
Karl Love, East Cowes’s independent county councillor (pictured above), has said the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)’s management is unwilling to do the “decent thing” of throwing staff a “lifeline of support”, amid controversial plans to close the Clarence Road site.
Moving operations to Poole
The RNLI is looking at plans that would see the consolidation of its lifeboat manufacturing into one location, ensuring the charity can remain “sustainable and fit for the future”.
This proposal would see the organisation’s inshore lifeboat production move from East Cowes to its manufacturing site in Poole from the end of 2027, putting Island jobs at risk.
Recognition of union refused
Unite claims the charity has refused to formally recognise the union in talks, with general secretary, Sharon Graham, denouncing the denial of a “fundamental right” for workers.
The row has led Unite to begin legal action, through the Central Arbitration Committee.
An RNLI spokesperson said that while the charity is rejecting Unite’s request, it is “listening and responding” to its people and that staff at the ILC are currently in consultation.
Love: The workforce deserves to be respected
Councillor Love said,
“The RNLI workforce is known for its dedication, compassion, care of life and empathy towards those in peril on the sea, but it appears the same values are not afforded by the RNLI executive managers to their own workforce who call on a different kind of lifeboat, Unite, for help in receiving proper highly skilled representation.
“After 200 years of lifeboat building in East Cowes and massive dedication, the workforce deserves to be respected, and this doesn’t look like respect. It looks like active prevention of a vital service to help others through this difficult time.”
Major: It is deeply disappointing
Jamie Major, Unite regional co-ordinating officer, said,
“It is deeply disappointing that an organisation such as the RNLI is choosing to go down this route of refusing to recognise Unite and deploying tactics to avoid giving its hardworking staff a voice.
“Unite has no choice but to begin the formal legal process to ensure our members have proper representation and leverage over what happens to their jobs, pay and conditions – especially given the current situation which has left these workers with huge uncertainty around their futures.”
RNLI: Members can be accompanied by Unite to individual meetings
The RNLI spokesperson said,
“The RNLI have carefully considered the request from Unite.
“In doing so, the charity took into account its existing support forum for staff which is involved and helping staff from the ILC.
“An additional 18 strong specific ILC staff forum has been created who have recognition independently.
“While we are rejecting the request from Unite, any RNLI staff from the ILC who are members can be accompanied by Unite at any forthcoming individual meetings.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
