Navy lifeline under renewed threat in ConDem Government cuts plan
MARITIME UNION RMT today pledged to mobilise a national political and public fight against any plans to privatise the Royal navy’s supplies lifeline – the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) – as a consequence of the ConDem Government’s cuts-driven spending review this autumn.
Briefings to RMT officials last week confirmed that MOD staff have been told to examine options to privatise all or part of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary which supplies fuel, food stores and ammunition to the naval fleet. Private companies have been asked to price up elements of the current RFA functions.
RMT is warning that the flogging off of the RFA to private companies would threaten the reliability and security of this vital lifeline to our naval vessels around the world as the drive for profits and cuts would override the quality of service. The MoD would also lose direct control of the most essential element of the Royal Navy’s support structure.
RMT has also pointed out that a value for money review of the of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary just three years ago concluded that the service was first rate and that there was no need to review it again until 2020.
Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said:
“The government should be under no illusions. RMT will mobilise a political and public campaign on a massive scale to fight off any moves to privatise the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. There is no doubt there will be angry backlash against any attempt to compromise national security by embarking on a cash-led sell off of this essential lifeline to our naval crews all around the globe. We are putting the ConDem Government on notice – if they move in to flog off all or part of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary they will have one almighty fight on their hands.”
Steve Todd, RMT National Maritime Secretary, said:
“Thousands of skilled merchant seafarers, serving the Royal Navy in war zones around the world and here at home, face the possibility of being slung on the scrap heap if this ill-conceived privatisation idea is bulldozed through. That would be a disgraceful kick in the teeth to brave seafarers who have played a vital role in conflict after conflict with many paying the ultimate price with their lives. RMT is monitoring developments closely but we are sending out a clear signal today that any privatisation move will be stopped in its tracks.”