3 May 2024
RMT Press Office:
Seafarers at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) will take strike action on May 19 in a row over pay.
RFA have implemented a one-year deal of 4.5% which is wholly unacceptable to RMT members.
RMT members work 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.
Up to 500 RFA seafarers are prepared to take action unless a negotiated settlement can be reached.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "RFA members have had enough of being treated like second class seafarers for the vital work they do.
"Management have been intransigent throughout and have failed to make any improved offer that is close to satisfying our members expectations.
"RFA need to 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 have tried to come to a negotiated settlement with management but now we have no choice but to take strike action."
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