28 February, 2008

SHETLAND’S coastguard station should remain operational on 6 March when around 700 union members working for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency go on strike across the nation.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) yesterday (Wednesday) overwhelmingly voted for strike action for the first time in their history in a dispute over pay.

The union said that pay levels at the MCA had fallen way behind those of other emergency services with many staff earning little more than the national minimum wage.

MCA chief executive Peter Cardy said he was saddened by the union's action and that contingency plans were now in place.

Last night a local source said that at present it was hoped the MCA station in Lerwick would continue to be operational.

The one-day stoppage will hit emergency and 999 distress calls in addition to the operations of 19 UK rescue co-ordination centres, which control search and rescue operations and task lifeboats, helicopters and other rescue teams.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said coastguards were the forgotten emergency service. "This unprecedented vote and move to strike action illustrates the depth of anger amongst staff who provide a vital emergency service,” he said.

"This is not a step which our coastguard members have taken lightly. The government's policy of holding down public sector pay increases below the level of inflation is creating disputes across the civil and public services.

"In MCA pay levels are so low that watch assistants have needed a special pay rise to bring them up to the level of the national minimum wage.

"The government cannot continue to ignore the men and women who ensure the safety of shipping in British waters and who save lives through their professionalism in co-ordinating search and rescue operations."

Mr Cardy said: "I had hoped this strike could be avoided by our engagement with the trades unions. I have made it very clear to them that I want to keep talking about a longer term pay settlement to this dispute.

"I am unable to discuss such a long term agreement until the strike action ceases. Safety at sea is the MCA's key priority and by our contingency plans which are now in place I can reassure the public that an emergency response for those at risk will not be compromised by industrial action."