Marine / Port strike over as pay deal agreed
Unite says the agreement will boost wages by up to 38 per cent
THE UNITE union has confirmed that its members working at Lerwick Port Authority have ended strike action following a pay deal.
The union said the deal will boost wages by up to 38 per cent.
The dispute revolved around pay, pension contributions and work-life balance, and around a dozen workers – including engineers, electricians, joiners and general operatives – went on strike on 20 June.
Unite said the deal will enhance the hourly wage for semi-skilled workers from £10.41 to £14 per hour, and for skilled workers from £11.62 to £16 per hour.
The pay deal will also increase the pension contributions for Unite members by the employer.
Unite said a new 12-month working rota has also been agreed which aims to cut working hours and to support the work-life balance of union members with a reduction in hours worked.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This fantastic deal will ensure that key workers at Lerwick Port will get a pay increase worth up to 38 per cent. It will help to bring the workers into line with industry standards.
“This success has only come through the brave stance our members have taken, and their efforts have been rewarded with a deal which delivers better jobs, pay and conditions across the board.”
John Clark, Unite industrial officer, added: “We are delighted to secure significantly better pay, terms and conditions for our members.
“The average pay rise of approximately between 34 and 38 per cent is a timely reminder that Unite will support workers who have been taken for granted over a number of years. The successful negotiations have ensured that our members are now brought into line with the national agreements within their respective trades.”
Lerwick Port Authority chief executive Calum Grains said: “We welcome that the industrial action has been cancelled, with the employees involved resuming work from Tuesday 19 July on the vital services that we’ve continued to provide to our port customers.”
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