Coastguard work to rule

SHETLAND coastguard announced on Monday that they will maintain an emergency rescue service on Wednesday, despite supporting the national day of action against government plans to cut public sector pensions.

A spokesman for the local branch of the PCS union said local coastguard officers fully supported the strike, but feel they can not leave the islands and surrounding seas without emergency cover.

Instead they will only provide distress and safety cover for vessels and persons at sea or on the coast between 8pm on Tuesday and 8pm on Wednesday. All routine duties will be suspended.

The spokesman said: “Despite the successful community campaign to keep Shetland coastguard station open, our jobs, terms and conditions are not safe as public services are being slashed.

“Everything we have worked for is under threat: our pay is frozen while inflation soars, we are being told to pay higher contributions for a smaller pension and to work longer, and this government has ripped up civil service redundancy terms.”