(Image: IOW County Press)

Workers employed by Red Funnel, which operates ferries between Southampton and the Isle of Wight, are preparing to take militant strike action over pay. Members of Unite the Union, who make up 20% of Red Funnel workers, argue that the pay offer from the company is far below the inflation rate in the actual cost of living, currently running, the union says, at 11.7% and rising.

Talks broke down as Red Funnel brazenly declared to workers that they are not going to take the current cost-of-living crisis and inflation into account. They say that the negotiation is limited to 2022 pay, thereby dismissing the situation, and give the reason as being that discussions have been ongoing for six months under different criteria and conditions. The workers, who are essential workers providing connectivity between the island and the mainland, working hard throughout the pandemic and recognised for their contribution, are being mistreated despite their contribution to the wellbeing of all citizens on the island.

Unite first presented its 16% pay claim in December last year. Company intransigence blocked any settlement, which otherwise could have been agreed by the start of this year. Instead, Red Funnel management offered just 4.5%, rising to 6.3% for roles within the collective bargaining unit. This simply ignores the workers' claim in favour of the property rights of the owners of the company's capital.

The eleven 24-hour strike dates announced by the union are August 1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 17, 19, 23, 26 and 29. Major island events taking place during some of those dates include the Ventnor Fringe Festival, Cowes Week and the Summer Bank Holiday period.

Red Funnel responded to the announcement by threatening strike-breaking actions, saying they expect to continue sailing on those dates, but with a revised timetable.

"We expect to keep sailing on these dates, albeit to a revised vehicle ferry timetable. Our Hi-Speed Red Jet service is expected to operate as scheduled," said Leanna Lakes, Operations Director at Red Funnel. "Now that we have dates in hand, we can proceed to finalising an updated timetable, which we intend to share by Wednesday, July 13."

"I am incredibly disappointed that members have voted for strike action," said company CEO Fran Collins. "We are keen to recognise and reward all colleagues, particularly during these uncertain times, however we must be realistic in terms of what the business can afford to ensure we continue to provide lifeline services for our customers, promoting the long-term success of the Island economy."

All workers concerned with the rights of all stand in solidarity. Recognising the rights of all includes supporting those relied upon during the pandemic, who took great risks to ensure safe connectivity between the island and the mainland. Workers cannot afford to allow companies like Red Funnel, which accumulate large profits, to withhold just pay settlements in line with rising inflation.

Citizens of the island have long known that the ferry routes connecting the island to the mainland are the most expensive in the world. Red Funnel enjoys a lucrative monopoly position over the route, and exorbitant profiteering via cartel price-fixing has been the way of the Isle of Wight ferry companies for many years, since privatisation handed them direct control. People need to be empowered as a new authority exercising control over these routes. The ships should come under public ownership and control within the Isle of Wight.

(Sources: Unite the Union, On the Wight)

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