Photo: Clydesite/Chris Farmer
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RMT Union Welcomes Scrapping of RFA Privatisation
However, steps up campaign to save jobs...
MARTIME UNION RMT today welcomed the decision by the Government to abandon plans to privatise the Royal Navy supplies life line – the Royal Fleet Auxiliary – and to retain the current, directly-delivered model for this vital service.
In the House of Commons yesterday, during a debate secured by RMT Parliamentary Convenor, John McDonnell, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Andrew Robathan): said that following a market testing exercise:
“….no enthusiasm was expressed for either acquiring the existing RFA flotilla-in whole or in part-or assuming both the capital and operating risks. On that basis, therefore, there is insufficient evidence in favour of changing the current RFA business model, which has served us well for a number of years.”
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:
“RMT welcomes the ruling out of plans to privatise the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. We hope that this is now the end of the matter and this union, through its Parliamentary Group, will be watching closely to ensure that there is no reneging on the pledges that have been given to this vital, life line service to the Royal Navy by the Government.
“However, it remains the case that jobs and vessels remain under threat as a result of the defence review and RMT will step up its fight to protect both the crew and the capacity of the RFA.”
Steve Todd, RMT National Secretary, said:
“No more time and money should be wasted looking at the privatisation of the RFA. This latest exercise only confirms what the previous review said – that the Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a top-notch service providing excellent value for money and should be left to get on with doing its’ job for at least the next ten years. RMT is concerned that money that could have been used protecting jobs and vessels has been wasted on another round of market testing and our priority now is to hold back planned cuts at the RFA.”
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