PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL UNION OF SEAMAN STRIKE (22 May 2016)

That this House commemorates the 50th anniversary of the National Union of Seamen (NUS) strike for a 40-hour working week and an increase in monthly pay to £60 or around £780 by 2016 prices; notes that the stoppage lasted 47 days and involved over 26,000 seafarers on nearly 1,000 ships across the globe; further notes that regional NUS officials were subject to covert state surveillance during the dispute which was only concluded by the introduction of emergency legislation; recognises that NUS members who took strike action in 1966 achieved a shorter working week, better pay and democratisation of their union; notes that the NUS's successor, the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, continues to campaign for employment, equality and safety improvements for UK seafarers; is concerned that a 72-hour working week is legal for seafarers; is appalled that shipping companies in the UK pay seafarers as little as £2.25 an hour; and calls on the Government to remember the 1966 NUS strike through effective enforcement of the national minimum wage in the UK shipping industry.

Sponsored by:
Ian Mearns (Labour)