Ferry staff at Red Funnel walk out over pay
Staff at ferry firm Red Funnel have begun a number of 24-hour strikes
Up to 120 workers have walked out in a row over pay and conditions affecting crossings between Southampton and the Isle of Wight.
It is the first of twelve days of action between now and the end of August.
The action could have an impact on Cowes Week.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Pay and out of pocket expenses are so bad at Red Funnel that staff are using food banks to survive. It’s horrendous, especially when workers doing the same jobs on the same stretch of water are earning nearly £4 an hour more.
"There is no justification for Red Funnel and its owners, who have billions in the bank, to pay such disgraceful wages.
Unite will fight them every step of the away until there is a decent pay offer".
Fran Collins, Chief Executive at Red Funnel, said: "It is incredibly disappointing that, despite our fair and reasonable offer, Unite members have chosen to strike.
"We value all our colleagues and are keen to recognise their contribution to the company.
"However, pay increases must also be considered in line with what the business and its customers can sustain to ensure we can continue to provide lifeline services to the Isle of Wight, protect the Island economy and ensure a sustainable future for our business in its 161st year.
This claim is in relation to 2022 pay and should have been settled by January 2022.
We are pleased that pay claims for all other colleagues have already been settled for 2022.
Our offer of 4.5% (and 6.3% for 6 ranks) is fair and reasonable and aligns with our industry.
"We are sympathetic to the current cost of living challenges but reiterate that they did not play a part in our pay talks".