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      Orkney ferry dispute is over

      20 March 2018

      Image:Nautilus national ferry organiser Micky Smyth (pictured above, centre, with liaison officers Captain John Cowie, left, and Captain Davie Bruce, right).
      Nautilus national ferry organiser Micky Smyth (pictured above, centre, with liaison officers Captain John Cowie, left, and Captain Davie Bruce, right).

      The long-running Orkney Ferries pay dispute has finally been resolved after members voted overwhelmingly to accept a two-year agreement.

      The offer will see members receive a backdated 1.5% pay award for the 2017/18 financial year and a 10% increase for 2018/19.

      The deal will also include a £650 payment per employee and a commitment for a pay increase at least matching February’s RPI inflation rate for the 2019/20 financial year, along with a commitment to refining employment terms and conditions over the next calendar year.

      The offer was made at a meeting attended by national ferry organiser Micky Smyth with liaison officers Captain John Cowie, and Captain Davie Bruce, and representatives from the Unite and RMT unions.

      ‘This has been a long and difficult process,’ said Mr Smyth, ‘but it is pleasing that we have finally been able to work out an agreement that suits all parties – and one that allows us to look to the future to address the current disparity between salaries for our maritime professionals at Orkney Ferries and those serving with other ferry operators.

      ‘I’d like to place on record my thanks to the members who have been extremely patient with this process and who have been involved with the consultations every step of the way – particularly liaison officers John Cowie and Davie Bruce,’ he added.

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