Strike action ‘inevitable’, port says

LERWICK Port Authority chief executive Calum Grains says strike action at the organisation appears to be inevitable after a dozen workers rejected a new pay offer.

The shore workers, represented by the Unite union, are set to strike from Monday.

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”.

A new pay offer was rejected by Unite members this week.

Grains said in a statement on Friday that the port will remain operational during any strike, with measures in place to minimise any disruption.

“It is very disappointing that our latest offer has been rejected without any constructive proposals from Unite,” he said.

“We have offered to move shore staff onto a salaried remuneration to bring them in line with other departments and reduce working hours to improve work life balance as requested.

“Regrettably it appears strike action is now inevitable, despite the earlier offers made and our repeated efforts to find a solution which will continue.”