NorthLink crews vote for strike

Crew on Serco NorthLink Ferries have have voted for strike action, in a row over jobs and conditions.

According to the RMT Union, management at Serco NorthLink Ferries have been informed that a dispute situation now exists, with members  delivering a “massive mandate for action.”

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: “Serco are fully aware that we will not accept attacks on our members jobs and conditions and what is now an all-out attempt to bulldoze through redundancies, cuts to core staffing numbers and the casualisation of these skilled shipping grades. This ballot result, in the face of this deliberately provocative action, shows that our members are prepared to fight for their future livelihoods. The result will now be considered by the RMT executive.”

In response, Stuart Garrett, managing director of Serco NorthLink Ferries, said: “NorthLink Ferries were advised of the outcome of the recent ballot today and remain hopeful that dialogue between the employer and the RMT, which has been on-going since 18th October, will continue with the objective of avoiding industrial action.”