News / Tugmen accept revised deal
Tugmen at the port of Sullom Voe have accepted a compromise deal negotiated between their union and Shetland Islands Council.
During a mass meeting on Monday morning the men voted in favour of a deal that will save the local authority £750,000 annually.
Under the new deal 12 men will take voluntary redundancy and the remaining 36 will retain a three shift system running three tugs with a fourth tug being operated by a stand by crew on an overtime basis.
The deal was hammered out during October after the men had voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action only the month before.
The council, as port operator, is under intense pressure to reduce cost as traffic declines while at the same time operating a safe harbour and still making a profit from the operation.
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