RMT rallies members over Stena freeze-out

In a letter to union members, the general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union expressed disappointment with the ferry operator’s response to union concerns about deferred members being frozen out of Stena Line’s defined contribution pension scheme trustee board.
 

Stena Line’s chairman of trustees responded to RMT’s letter by stating scheme members should contact it directly about the issue.

As a result, the RMT has now urged members of Stena Line’s DC scheme to sign and send a letter it has written, outlining its concerns, to the company’s chairman. 

It calls for deferred members to be given the opportunity to stand for election as member-nominated trustees and for the issue to be discussed at the next trustee board meeting.

“As I am sure you will agree deferred members make up a significant proportion of the funds membership,” it says.

“Because of the risks involved with this type of pension arrangement, ie investment-based benefits rather than benefits linked to an individual’s salary, it is essential that these members are given the chance to participate in trustee decisions.” 

Crow is known for his tough stance on pensions and pay, having backed and led strike action on these issues during his tenure as general secretary.

Earlier this month RMT members at Caledonian MacBrayne Scottish ferries voted by almost nine to one in favour of strike action in a bid to protect pensions and workplace rights.

Commenting on the deferred members issue, a spokesperson for Stena Line said: “The trustees will consider this request as part of their normal business.”