9 April 2024
RMT Press Office:
Seafarers at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) have voted overwhelmingly to take strike action over pay.
RMT members working as civilian merchant seafarers onboard the fleet of Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessels which provide the Royal Navy with vital logistic and operational support including humanitarian operations around the world, have rejected a below inflation pay offer from management.
RFA have implemented a one-year deal of 4.5% which was totally unacceptable to RMT members.
Up to 500 RFA seafarers were balloted for strike action by RMT union, and we will now consider our next steps.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "This is a fantastic result and I congratulate every single one of our members who took part.
"They are extremely angry about the pitiful pay rise they were offered and frustrated at management's refusal to even contemplate an improved offer.
"This is a clear message from RMT members, and it is about time that RFA management and those in control of the purse strings, recognise the severity of the situation and respect the role and sacrifice of merchant seafarers and the crucial role that they play on long deployments away from home on operations around the world.
"We will now consider our next steps and try and come to a negotiated settlement with management along with our sister union Nautilus who represent officers, who have also voted for industrial action over the past week.
"However, we cannot rule out industrial action now that we have a 6-month mandate.”
END
Notes: There was a 90% 'Yes' vote on a 55% turnout. 49.49% voted 'Yes' of individuals who were entitled to vote.
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