This has been an extremely long and drawn out process but now the company have seen sense and recognise RMT members' clear and overwhelming desire to be represented by RMT, who have been campaigning long and hard for recognition with this company with substantial efforts being made both at a local and national level to achieve this.

Recently, for the three Dover ships, Maersk Dover, Maersk Dunkerque and Maersk Delft, RMT had been employing the services of ACAS to independently verify levels of membership, to prove the necessary level to trigger statutory recognition. RMT had taken this route as the preferred option to pursuing a formal CAC claim which can be extremely long and drawn out. Initially recognition was sought for the Deck and Engine room ,as the on board catering services are technically employed by a separate company which is owned by Maersk. Thanks to RMT pressure the company conceded recognition for all ratings, not just in Dover but also the two ships out of Birkenhead.

Substantial and determined efforts have been made over the last few years to get recognition at Norfolk line with many recruitment visits by Assistant National Secretary Peter Hall and local Dover representative Malcolm Dunning. In addition to this, National Secretary Steve Todd has been pursuing this matter at the highest level to bring it to a satisfactory conclusion. Now that recognition has been won the process begins of drawing up a formal Collective Bargaining Agreement and organising representation on board and shore side.

RMT members must be congratulated for their patience in what was has been extremely long, frustrating process for all involved. Now RMT can get on with the business of representing members with the company and make a real difference to their pay and conditions.