13 July, 2007

NORTHERN isles MP Alistair Carmichael is to try and break through the current stalemate in the coastguard pay dispute by meeting shipping minister Jim Fitzpatrick MP next week.

Around 700 members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) who work for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) started industrial action on 25 May.

The coastguard staff are working to rule, cutting down on administrative tasks to impact on management rather than frontline services, but little progress has been made since the dispute began.

Mr Carmichael fears that if the dispute lasts any longer employees may step up their action, which could affect rescue operations.

Last month he called on former Prime Minister Tony Blair to “knock some heads together” to resolve the situation.

Mr Carmichael said he will meet Mr Fitzpatrick on Tuesday to try and move things forward. “It is vital that the government understands how important the coastguards are for island communities,” he said.

“I have invited other MPs representing coastal constituencies to the meeting, so that we can impress upon the minister the need to resolve this dispute as soon as possible.

“The coastguards do crucial work and local people recognise the enormous value of this. I intend to leave the minister in no doubt that unless he makes sure this dispute is sorted out lives will be put at risk.”