Coastguard strike talks continue
AS UK Coastguard staff take to the picket lines across the UK today, it appears that no further headway has been made in resolving the long-term pay dispute that has lead to industrial action.
In a bid to avoid today's strike – the second walk-out of Operations Room and Marine Office staff – a meeting was held yesterday between Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Chief Executive Peter Cardy and Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) MCA Section Secretary Paul Smith.
In a letter to Union members, Mr Smith detailed that although the meeting was 'cordial' and focussed on a 'vision for the future' for the Agency and the Coastguard in general terms; it provided 'little scope' for reassurances that 'the issues of today will be addressed'.
Mr Smith continued: "These issues are important and something that we need, and want, to be involved in.
"Nevertheless, it provides little scope for providing any reassurance that the issues of today will be addressed. Indeed, a discussion on the Treasury framework for pay over the next three years provides no means to address these issues."
The long-term pay dispute arose as MCA staff are furious by the results of wage comparisons with equivalent positions in other emergency services which show the Coastguard severely lacking.
In one example a Coastguard Watch Assistant – who undergoes nine months training and exams and whose role actively participates in search planning and other duties in response to 999 calls – earning only the national minimum wage.
They are also angry at being expected to stomach a pay cut in terms with pay rises averaging just 2.5% for many the most experienced staff receiving pay increases of less than 1%.
With the MCA acknowledging the pay differences, but at a loss to its financial resolution, pressure is now being put on the Government for assistance.
Mr Smith advised Union members that he has written to both the Secretary of State, Ruth Kelly MP and her Minister for Shipping, Jim Fitzpatrick MP, regarding the dispute and understands that the issue is due to 'be taken up in parliament in the near future'.
He added: "We will meet with Peter Cardy again, but we also want to talk about how we can deal with the issue of comparability for the work that you do today, not just what opportunities there are for tomorrow."
It is hoped that a solution to the pay-dispute can be found before further planned strike action scheduled to take place in two weeks time – from 8pm on April 23 to 8pm April 24.
MCA spokesperson Julia Gosling commented on the dispute: "MCA employees are public sector workers and their pay must be consistent with other public sector workers.
"Public sector pay settlements help to anchor wage settlements across the economy. The Bank of England considers pay restraint across the economy to be key to maintaining low and stable inflation."
She continued: "We have had extensive talks with the Treasury and put forward our business case to secure the best deal possible for the 2007/08 settlement.
"Within this settlement some people have secured a 7%, with the majority of people receiving an increase of 3%. The pay envelope we must operate within was outlined to PCS in the context of CSR '07. Overall, the pay budget for this year would increase by 2% with pay increases for staff in post of between 1.5% and 4%."
Ms Gosling added: "The range of functions carried out by staff holding apparently similar roles in different emergency services varies enormously and it would be misleading to draw direct comparisons between them."
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Weather for Stornoway
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
