Ferry crew set for industrial action in the New Year

Shipping union RMT have confirmed that members on Orkney Ferries will be taking industrial action in a dispute over pay in January.

The union’s national executive committee has instructed all RMT members at Orkney Ferries to take part in industrial action from Wednesday, January 3. Members are instructed to not work any call-back, not work any overtime, and to work to the job description only.

RMT members voted by around 80% for strike action with an even higher number backing action short of a strike.

In a strongly worded statement RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The pig-headed attitude of the company has forced us to put on this action following an overwhelming vote by our members and the employers need to sit up and take note. The staff on these routes will not sit back while their standard of living is undermined by the company and their anger and frustration was fully reflected in the ballot result.”

Steve Todd, RMT national secretary said: “Our members have spoken and Orkney Ferries now need to show that they are listening. RMT’s executive has confirmed a programme of industrial action and we expect the company to start taking this dispute seriously. The ball is firmly in the companies court and RMT remains available for serious talks.”

A spokesman for Orkney Islands Council said in response: “Strike action from the RMT will undoubtedly present a high risk of service disruption and cause us a considerable challenge. We recognise the union position and remain committed to positive dialogue, but this has to be within the budget that the company has no choice but to work within.

“We have made it clear that we are unable to close the pay gap until there is a fair ferries settlement from the Scottish Government for Orkney’s internal ferries service. The unions are fully aware of this position and we have been working with them to bring the link between fair ferries funding and fair pay to the Scottish Government’s attention. We have not yet received the outcome of the ballot by the other unions, RMT are the only one to have announced action so far.

“The Scottish Government’s draft budget for 2018/19 announced on Thursday by the Scottish Finance Minister does not contain any extra money for the provision of the internal ferries service in Orkney. The council will continue to press the need for fair ferries funding with the Scottish Government during the period of negotiation on the draft budget.”