Crews strike at Secro NorthLink

The Hamnavoe remains tied up in Stromness this morning and will not be crossing the Pentland Firth today, on this, the first day of strike action by Serco NorthLink ferry crews who are members of the RMT union.

Sailings between Orkney, Aberdeen and Shetland are also affected as the industrial action gets underway in the run up to, and during the festive period.

General secretary of the RMT Bob Crow said today: “Despite gross intimidation by management of staff exercising their human right to withdraw their labour, the programme of strike action on Serco Northern Isles ferries, which began at midnight, is rock solid this morning.

“This fight is about safe staffing levels and the protection of skilled jobs and public safety in the teeth of outrageous profiteering. Serco should stop the threats and start talking.”