GR Direct - Sony - Save up to £500
Sunday 27 July 2025
 16.6°C   W Moderate Breeze
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

Marine / Potential strike action at port is ‘extremely disappointing’, LPA chief says

The Unite union says a dozen workers are ready to strike from 20 June

Photo: John Coutts for Lerwick Port Authority

FULL strike action is looming at Lerwick Port Authority, according to the Unite union.

It says around a dozen of its members are ready to strike in a dispute over pay, terms and conditions from Monday 20 June.

But Lerwick Port Authority chief executive Calum Grains said the development was “extremely disappointing” as a proposal is with Unite and a meeting is confirmed for next week.

The strike is an escalation from the current overtime bans, and the union claims the action from key shore staff will bring operations at the port to a “standstill” impacting cruise liners and oil and gas vessels, as well as the general shipping.

Unite members are demanding that they are paid the same rate as that paid at other UK ports and are in dispute about “other proposed detrimental changes to basic pay, overtime and pension contributions”.

Talks are still ongoing with the port and there is a hope from the union that the threat of a strike will secure a positive outcome.

Grains said the port remains “committed to finding a resolution with our staff”.

“With contingency measures in place, we continue to make every effort to minimise any effect on our customers,” he said.

Speaking on Wednesday, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite will not allow Lerwick Port Authority to treat these workers as a second class workforce, paying them less than port workers around the UK. The Authority can afford to pay decent rates for the job. We won’t tolerate any further attacks on our members’ pay and conditions.

“Our members have their union’s full support in this fight to be paid the rate for the job.”

John Clark, Unite industrial officer, added: “Our members are rightly angry and frustrated at the glacial pace of talks with the company.

Become a member of Shetland News

 

“For the first time in many years, they have decided to take all-out strike action along with the ongoing overtime ban which will bring the port to a standstill. There are active discussions with Lerwick Port but so far nothing meaningful has emerged from this.

“We hope that the imminent strike action will concentrate the minds of management and that they will finally give our members what they deserve.”

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:

  • Removal of third-party ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 

Sign up
for our Newsletters

Stay in the loop with newsletters tailored to your interests. Whether you're looking for daily updates, weekly highlights, or updates on jobs or property, you can choose exactly what you want to receive.

Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

  • Removal of third-party ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.