Officers at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are continuing their historic strike action today, Friday 20 September, for three days, ending on the first day of Labour Party Conference.
This is the third period of strike action since 15 August, when officers staged the first ever walkout in the 120-year history of the service.
The strike follows a real term pay cut of over 30% since 2010 with a 4.5% pay offer imposed in November 2023, despite members from both maritime trade unions rejecting the offer.
Across 20, 21 and 22 September picket lines and demonstrations will take place in Birkenhead & Portland.
Nautilus director of organising Martyn Gray said: 'Labour have ended public sector pay disputes in the NHS, railways and others, but the proud merchant seafarers of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are yet again being forced to the picket line.
'The RFA is currently facing a recruitment and retention crisis, our members are undertaking more complex operations, traditionally reserved for the Royal Navy, with less pay and fewer people.
'The RFA is overworked, underpaid, and undervalued. This is not sustainable.
'This strike action isn’t just about a single year’s pay rise, this is about setting a foundation upon which to rebuild the sustainability of the RFA.
'Despite ongoing discussions between unions and the Ministry of Defence, no new offer has been made.
'Put simply, this is not good enough. We will not stand for more dither and delay. Until a new pay offer is made that reflects the pay erosion, the recent high rate of inflation, and presents a pathway for the future; we will continue to take action.
'If the new Government is serious about supporting the nation’s defence, they must bring this dispute to an end with a fair pay offer for the RFA.'
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