Unite the union is balloting Orkney Ferries workers on industrial action in an escalating dispute over pay.
Unite represents around 30 outer north and inner isles workers who have rejected several offers from Orkney Ferries. The latest offer overwhelmingly rejected amounted to a basic four per cent increase.
The ballot will open on 15 July and closes on 5 August, if workers vote for industrial action strikes could begin from the end of August.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
“Our members play a vital role in keeping this essential service operating. Orkney Ferries must stop trying to suppress workers’ wages and deliver a decent pay offer.
“Unite will fully back the Orkney Ferries workers in their campaign for fair pay.”
The workers 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.
Paula Buchan, Unite industrial officer:
“Despite Unite’s best efforts, Orkney Ferries is refusing to improve its offer which has left the union with no option but to ballot our members for industrial action.”
In 1987, Orkney Islands Council assumed responsibility for the inter islands’ ferry services, and in 1995 Orkney Islands Shipping Company changed its name to Orkney Ferries Ltd.
There are 10 vessels in the fleet serving 13 islands destinations, carrying over 82,000 vehicles and undertaking around 320,000 passenger journeys annually.
