Orkney Ferries “remains willing to maintain an open dialog” with unions

Following Friday’s announcement that the union Nautilus is to ballot its Orkney Ferries members for industrial action, the company has said it remains willing to maintain an open dialogue with the unions.

In a statement released on Sunday, the board of Orkney Ferries Ltd said: “Following extensive discussions with all three unions representing the sea staff, which culminated in mediation talks involving ACAS , Orkney Ferries has been unable to reach agreement on current pay claims from the unions.

“We can confirm that the company has received formal notification of a ballot for industrial action from the Nautilus International union, whose members work as officers on the three ferries serving the Outer North Isles.

“A three-year pay deal, which came to an end in March 2012, meant that Orkney Ferries sea staff have been protected from the pay restraints and job cuts that have been applied elsewhere due to the global economic situation.

“The continuing squeeze on public sector funding means that the company, which is heavily subsidised by Orkney Islands Council, is unable to meet the aspirations of the unions. But the company remains willing to maintain an open dialogue with the unions.”