22 Jul 2005 UPDATE: Union wins recognition at English Channel ferry operator in precedent-setting ruling  more >>

03 Mar 2005
Trade union rights at Hoverspeed Limited

Express your reprouval to the anti-union policy taken by Hoverspeed Limited at its high-speed ferry services operating in the UK. 

03 March 2005 

Trade union rights at Hoverspeed Limited  

We have been advised that the UK Merchant Navy Officers’ Union, NUMAST, has launched a campaign to combat the perceived anti-union policies within the Hoverspeed Limited ferry fleet.  For more than three years NUMAST has been seeking representational rights for its members - Merchant Navy officers - employed on Hoverspeed’s high-speed ferry services operating in the Channel from the ports of Dover and Newhaven. 

Hoverspeed is part of the US owned multinational Sea Containers, whose headquarters are in London.  Hoverspeed, under the direction of its Managing Director, Mr Geoffrey Ede, has opposed trade union involvement and frustrated NUMAST’s attempts to negotiate for and to represent its members in the company.

NUMAST has now lodged a formal application for statutory recognition with the UK Central Arbitration Committee and seeks the support of the ITF’s Seafarer Affiliates.  You are requested to e-mail the company and let them know that we consider that freedom of association and the right to organise for collective bargaining are fundamental human and trade union rights and, as such, non-negotiable.  You are also requested to call on Mr Ede to respect the legitimate wishes of the workforce and recognise NUMAST.

The e-mail addresses for Mr Ede and his HR manager are as follows:

geoffrey.ede@hoverspeed.com

sue.stevens@hoverspeed.com

Please find below suggested e-mail text  (and please send copies to both NUMAST mdickinson@numast.org and the ITF whitlow_jon@itf.org.uk). 

Yours fraternally

Jon Whitlow

Secretary
Seafarers Section

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Suggested e-mail text:

Dear Mr Ede

Trade Union Rights 

We have been advised by NUMAST of the perceived anti-union activities of your company Hoverspeed. On behalf of my union and its membership we urge you to respect the legitimate rights of the Merchant Officers employed on Hoverspeed vessels operating from Dover and Newhaven ports.  They have expressed a wish to be represented by NUMAST, the British Merchant Navy Officers’ Union and you should respect those wishes. 

Kind regards 

YOUR NAME

YOUR POSITION

YOUR ORGANISATION

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