15 August 2024
RMT Press Office
RMT members at Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) will be taking strike action tomorrow (Friday August 16, 2024) following strike action by sister trade union Nautilus UK today (Thursday August 15, 2024) who work as RFA officers.
The strike action is going ahead after the Ministry of Defence demanded that both unions suspend strike action without any further proposals and only vague commitments to settling the dispute.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch called on the MoD to stop prevaricating and settle the dispute after RFA officers in Nautilus UK joined strike action for the first time in its history.
“It is disappointing that after initially positive talks that the MoD has retreated into a bunker mentality and refused to settle this long running dispute over low pay.
“The RFA’s own website boasts that the RFA is ‘fully integrated into operations around the world and provides vital support on everything from high-tempo combat and counter-piracy campaigns, to disaster relief and emergency evacuations’.
“If the RFA believes that RFA operatives are as ‘highly trained and working to the same standards as other military personnel’ then it should be reflected in what they are paid.
“RMT remains ready to enter into meaningful talks as ever,” he said.
Ends
Notes to editors: There will be picket lines at the following locations:
Portland Port from 7.30am onwards
Plymouth (Devonport Albert Gate) from 8am onwards
Birkenhead (Camell Lairds) from 8am onwards
Unity House
Tel: 020 7387 4771
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