RMT to ballot Wightlink members after company puts 160 jobs at risk

The company has outlined plans to cut Deck Officer and Port Operator grades, close onboard retail overnight, and reduce crewing levels across vessels.

 

RMT believes these changes will make ships less safe, undermine vital services and heap pressure on loyal staff who have kept services running.

 

Despite being pressed directly, Wightlink management refused to give a commitment to “no compulsory redundancies,” instead suggesting they would “hope” to secure enough volunteers.

 

RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Wightlink’s proposals are an attack on jobs, conditions and above all on safety.

 

"Stripping out trained Deck Officers, cutting shore-side port roles and running ferries at minimum staffing levels is a recipe for disaster in one of the busiest stretches of water in the world.

 

"Our members have given years of dedicated service keeping the Solent moving and supporting island communities.

 

"To repay them with the threat of compulsory redundancy and worse conditions is completely unacceptable.

 

"RMT will stand shoulder to shoulder with our members at Wightlink.

 

"Unless the company withdraws these reckless plans and gives a clear guarantee of no compulsory redundancies, we will ballot for industrial action to defend jobs, safety and service standards across the Solent.”

 

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