Unite claims ferry services will be reduced by industrial action
Unite the union confirmed today that Orkney Ferries workers will take part in industrial action in an escalating dispute over pay. 
Over 20 outer north and inner isles Orkney Ferries workers represented by Unite will take part in a continuous ban on overtime starting from 00:01 on 28 August. 
The union claims that due to the ferries relying on the goodwill of workers to take shifts beyond their contracted hours and at short notice that services could be reduced by the industrial action.
The latest development in the pay dispute follows Unite’s membership overwhelmingly rejecting a two-year pay offer. Unite members have also reacted angrily to an enhanced ‘recall’ rate given for extra hours worked now being removed by Orkney Ferries. 
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Orkney Ferries must come back to the negotiating table with an enhanced offer or the overtime ban will last for months. This action will result in ferry services being reduced due to the intransigence of Orkney Ferries. 
 
 “Unite will fully back our members all the way workers in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
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: “The overtime ban will inevitably result in disruption to ferry services and delays for passengers but Orkney Ferries is directly responsible due to its failure to negotiate a fair deal for workers.
 
“Unite has repeatedly tried to resolve this pay dispute with management but they are doing their very best to make this situation harder to fix.
 
ENDS 
Notes to Editor
For media enquiries please contact Andrew Brady on 07810157922.
Email andrew.brady@unitetheunion.org 
Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members. The union is led in Scotland by Derek Thomson.