Unite the union confirmed that it has secured a 4.5% pay deal for its membership at Orkney Ferries.
The union successfully negotiated the above inflation wage increase for around 30 outer north and inner isles workers. Back pay will also be lifted from single to double time for all staff training that has taken place involving workers since April 2024.
Unite has further secured a commitment by Orkney Ferries to revisit triple time for sickness and vessel refit cover by the end of October 2024. The company will also look at the increased number of staff since April in order to assess whether this is allowing staff to take time off in order to deal with fatigue.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
“The Orkney Ferries wage deal will provide a welcome boost to our membership providing a vital service. It clearly shows why it pays to be a member of Unite in the Orkney Islands. It’s another win for Unite in improving the jobs, terms and conditions of our members.”
Unite members cover a range of roles including engineers, passenger and customer services assistants along with chefs. Orkney Ferries operates the inter-island ferry services in the Orkney Islands.
Shauna Wright, Unite industrial officer, added:
“Unite has delivered another important wage win for our members at Orkney Ferries. Around 30 members will receive a decent wage rise along with Unite securing a number of commitments from Orkney Ferries to look at enhancing a number of their working practices in the interests of workers.”
