RMT: Orkney Ferries Faces Industrial Action

The members of UK’s National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers working for Scottish ferry company Orkney Ferries will be taking industrial action in a fight for pay justice.

The union’s National Executive Committee has instructed all RMT members at Orkney Ferries to take part in the industrial action which will take place on January 3, 2018.

According to the union, the members were instructed not to work any call-back, not to work any overtime, and 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.

“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,” Mick Cash, RMT General 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,” Steve Todd, RMT National Secretary, said.