Wightlink ferry workers in Portsmouth could strike in row over pensions and conditions

Trade union RMT said it will ballot its Wightlink members for both strike action and action short of a strike.

However the firm, which operates service to the Isle of Wight from Portsmouth, said it was looking at ways to stay in business after huge falls in profit and passenger numbers.

The ballot of all grades – from seafarers to ticket office staff at Wightlink (Guernsey) and Wightlink Ltd – is over a proposal to close the firm’s pension scheme to existing members and its withdrawal flexible working practices.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: ‘Our members at Wightlink are angry and frustrated that the company are slashing their pensions and terms and conditions on this lifeline service in what is real kick in the teeth for loyal and hard-working staff.

‘It is a particularly bitter blow in light of the fact Wightlink that employees loaned 20 per cent of their salary and gave up terms and conditions for six months to allow the company to keep trading at the height of the pandemic.

‘Disgracefully, Wightlink has managed to find the funds to pay huge dividends to the various private equity owners that have been feeding off our members’ work for the last five years.

‘RMT is looking for the company to do the decent thing in the season of goodwill and make a responsible offer to settle this dispute.’

A statement from Wightlink said it was disappointed that the RMT has decided to ballot while consultations are still under way.

It said the company lost £20m in revenue due to a drop in passenger numbers caused by the pandemic – and that it was continuing to lose money as passengers were not returning.

Wightlink chief executive Keith Greenfield said: ‘It is my duty to ensure that Wightlink survives this crisis, however long it lasts.

SEE ALSO: Wightlink and Red Funnel urge people not to cross the Solent for coronavirus tests and risk infecting others

‘The company must manage our current costs and future financial risks to become a sustainable business and protect services and jobs.

‘This ballot for industrial action will damage the company and jeopardise our proposal to increase pension contributions for more than half of our colleagues.

‘Our proposal to colleagues includes changes to our pension system, flexibility in working patterns and changes to terms and conditions for future employees.

‘If we can reach agreement on all of these areas, we believe we will not have to announce any compulsory redundancies.’

He said that shareholders have taken no dividends since the start of the pandemic.

And the payment of 20 per cent of everyone’s salaries until the end of September 2020 would be deferred until profit levels again rose to 2019 levels.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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