RFA seafarers back strike action
Overwhelming vote for strike action by seafarers
Maritime union, RMT has welcomed an overwhelming vote for strike action by seafarers employed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) after management could not even demonstrate that it was complying with minimum wage legislation.
Members at RFA voted by nine to one against the latest pay offer which clearly fell short of expectations based on their years of dedication and service.
Seafarers can routinely work up to 12 hours a day and there remains no clear or transparent formula setting out how pay is calculated against those hours.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that it was a scandal that RFA could not even work out its own pay rates.
“Years of real terms falling behind in pay have left RFA seafarers worse off, and management still cannot show if all of our members are even being paid at least the minimum wage for the hours they are required to work.
“The absence of a transparent system for calculating pay, combined with excessive working hours, has created an unsustainable situation.
“RFA members are proud seafarers and this latest slap in the face will only add to a deepening crisis, it is time for the RFA and the Ministry of Defence to get around the table with this union,” he said.
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