A fortnight of strike action at AW Crewing has been called off after workers accepted an improved pay offer.

Almost 30 Unite members who make up the crew of the Cefas Endeavour - a government surveying ship based out of the Port of Lowestoft, Suffolk - were set to strike at Falmouth Docks from 28 September to 12 October in a dispute over pay and conditions. They had already walked out from 9 to 12 September, docking the ship at the Port of Lowestoft with no crew.

However, the upcoming industrial action has now been called off after workers were balloted on a new deal, which they have since accepted. They will receive a £3,200 consolidated lump sum backdated to 1 April this year, which works out as a 4.3 to 9.6 per cent pay increase for crew.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "These workers stood firm in their fight for better pay, which they have since won through undertaking industrial action.

"It is another example of the power of a union. It always pays to be a member of Unite."

The dispute between workers and the Guernsey and Isle of Man-based employer also related to conditions.

Staff didn’t work a fixed amount of days on board and could find out with just 72 hours warning how many days they would have to stay on the ship. They worked 12 hour shifts while and could sometimes be at sea for as many as 39 days in a row with no break, leaving them with no work/life balance and suffering from exhaustion.

They had asked for a fixed 28-day rotation to be put in place, so they could book leave with enough warning to ensure they are able to rest. AW Crewing has now confirmed it will do this, as well as reinstate workers' travel days from 1 October.

Unite regional officer Claire Lees said: "Conditions were a major part of this dispute, with worker burnout a significant issue. We are pleased to have resolved this dispute with significantly improved terms as well as better pay for our members.

"Any worker who wants improvements to pay and conditions should join Unite and encourage their colleagues to become members too."

ENDS

Notes to editors

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