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Strike action hits Scrabster ferry service





NorthLink Ferries Hamnavoe
NorthLink Ferries Hamnavoe

RMT union members are striking over proposed cuts to staffing levels on the route between Caithness and Orkney by MV Hamnavoe operator Serco Northlink. The next scheduled sailing will depart Stromness on tomorrow at 9am to arrive in Scrabster at 10.30am.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “Despite gross intimidation by management of staff exercising their human right to withdraw their labour, the programme of strike action on Serco Northern Isles ferries, which began at midnight, is rock solid this morning.

“This fight is about safe staffing levels and the protection of skilled jobs and public safety in the teeth of outrageous profiteering. Serco should stop the threats and start talking. “

The protest comes after the union voted by nine to one to press ahead with strike action as a result of Serco Northlink’s plans to reduce services between Caithness and Orkney and axe jobs. Union members are also likely to strike on December 21 and 28.

The RMT said it has received confirmation of the company’s intention to slash jobs with the threat of compulsory redundancies – a threat that Serco Northlink denies.


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