Wightlink staff set to strike as ferry firm makes cuts despite £6.5m government cash
WIGHTLINK staff are preparing for strike action after it was announced a £6.5m government cash injection will not avoid the need to cut costs.
The Treasury said the support package would “safeguard” lifeline services, providing islanders with access to hospitals on the mainland and essential supplies like food and medicine.
But while Wightlink said it would accept all state support and continue running a reduced service, the level of funding was “far smaller” than the operator’s current losses and would make no difference to the need to “create a sustainable cost base”.
Proposals by the company include making cost-cutting changes to pensions, introducing more flexible working patterns and new terms and conditions for future employees.
Following consultation with staff, the RMT union has now announced a raft of strikes from April over what it terms an “attack” on pensions and workers’ terms and conditions.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Senior management at Wightlink are exploiting the second wave of the crisis by trying to force through permanent contractual changes and pension cuts which my members have rejected.
“Wightlink’s loyal staff gave up pay and mucked in to see the company through the first wave of the pandemic.
“The union has been appalled by the cavalier attitude of the company to consultation over their plans.”
As previously reported by the A&T, Wightlink suffered a £20m revenue loss at the start of the pandemic, and with national lockdowns imposing a ban on all but essential travel, passenger levels are not expected to return to normal in the foreseeable future.
The operator confirmed it is continuing to lose money but would not reveal a figure.
Chief executive Keith Greenfield said: “This government support does not avoid the need for us to reduce our costs to survive the crisis and create a sustainable cost base which will avoid job losses.
“Wightlink has consulted with its employees on how to protect jobs and ensure it survives this serious financial crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
If proposals are accepted by staff, Wightlink has promised there will be no compulsory job losses.
Mr Greenfield continued: “We are disappointed the RMT has responded by announcing strike dates later in the year.
“We are calling on the union to call off its action to avoid the risk of compulsory redundancies and remain in contact with them to try and achieve this.”
Wightlink is currently running a two-hourly car ferry service between Lymington and Yarmouth on weekdays only.
The latest state support package was the second Wightlink has received; last Spring £10.5m was given to the company and an operator in the Isles of Scilly.
