Red Funnel Workers To Strike Over Cowes Week And Summer Holiday

Monday, 11 July 2022 11:46

By Oliver Dyer @olidyer

Red Funnel workers on the Isle of Wight will walk out over 12 days in July and August — including over Cowes Week and throughout the summer holiday, it's been confirmed.

Around 120 Red Funnel staff working on route will strike for 24 hours on July 27 and August 1, 3 and 5, in a row over pay.

It means the strikes will impact Cowes Week, which runs from July 30 to August 6. They will also walk out over the summer holiday on August 9, 11, 15, 17, 19, 23, 26 and 29.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

“Unite will not stand for Red Funnel’s disgusting treatment of these workers. Red Funnel’s owners are awash with cash.

"They can afford to pay and right the wrongs our members are subjected to. Our members are absolutely right to strike to end this injustice. Unite will be supporting them with its full force every step of the way.”

Staff have rejected a pay offer of 4.5 per cent from Red Funnel, increasing to 6.5 per cent for the lowest paid staff. Last week, Red Funnel said it was "disappointed" that members had voted for industrial action.

Unite says the customer service staff, shunters and ratings are increasingly struggling to pay increased rents. It claims some are turning to food banks and ‘making the most’ of onboard food allowances at work to keep bills down.

It says workers are often away from home for days at time and are only paid the hours they work onboard the ferry, with no overnight subsidies provided for food or other expenses.

The accommodation provided by Red Funnel is located within its Southampton headquarters. Unite claims there are no cooking facilities except a microwave, the accommodation has long standing problems with ant infestations and sleep is often disturbed by office staff coming into work.

Unite regional officer Ian Woodland said:

“Our members don’t want to strike but Red Funnel has left them with no choice. Red Funnel’s treatment of its workforce is the reason Cowes Week and Isle of Wight summer holiday plans will be disrupted.

"There is still time to end this dispute before strikes occur, but Red Funnel needs to come back with an offer that meets our members' aspirations.”

Last week, Fran Collins, CEO at Red Funnel, said:

“I am incredibly disappointed that members have voted for strike action. Our priority, as always, is to ensure that the Island remains connected and that we continue to provide the lifeline services that so many rely upon.

“We have prepared robust contingency plans to ensure essential services are maintained and to minimise disruption as far as possible. We will issue a revised timetable by Tuesday July 12 and we will contact all customer directly affected by any changes. We can confirm that customers with bookings between July 5-19 will not be affected by industrial action.

“We are keen to recognise and reward all colleagues, particularly during these uncertain times, however we must be realistic in terms of what the business can afford to ensure we continue to provide lifeline services for our customers, promoting the long-term success of the Island economy.”

The Red Jet passenger ferry makes a minimum of 21 crossings between Southampton and Cowes on Monday to Saturday and 15 on Sunday.

The car ferry makes at least 19 crossings daily between Southampton and East Cowes.

More from Isle of Wight News

Isle Of Wight Insurers Support For Mountbatten Enables Purchase Of Vital Equipment

NFU Mutual Agents and their staff at the Island office recently nominated local charity Mountbatten Isle of Wight to receive a donation of more than £6,500 from NFU Mutual’s national £1.92million ‘Agency Giving Fund’.
Island MP Criticises Government’s Budget For Increasing Pressure On Health And Social Care Providers

Joe Robertson, MP for Isle of Wight East, has taken the Government to task in the House of Commons for increasing pressure on health and social care providers.
Ajax To Northampton: Transfer Fee Agreed For Island Based Steam Railway Locomotive

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway (IWSR) is saying a fond farewell to one of its locomotives, which is chugging its way to a new home near Northampton.
Wootton Creek Water Quality Testing Program Launches

A water quality testing program, which began in July, has been initiated in Wootton Creek, with joint funding support from Wootton Bridge Parish Council and Fishbourne Parish Council.
Warning Issued Following Recent Reports Of Courier Fraud

Police are urging residents in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to remain vigilant following six reports of courier fraud in the last two weeks.
Freshwater Camp Road: Decision Made On 127-Housing Unit Proposal

A proposed 127-housing unit development next to Camp Road in Freshwater was rejected by the Isle of Wight Council yesterday.
Armistice Day And Remembrance Sunday Parade

The Isle of Wight Council will be represented at a number of services of Remembrance this weekend.
Newport's Barton Primary School Receives Uplifting Inspection Ratings

An Isle of Wight primary school at the ‘heart’ of its local community has received good ratings in all inspection categories.
Altered Tidal Energy Ventnor Proposal Set To Be Decided Upon

A bid to alter conditions for an approved onshore part of ‘England’s leading’ tidal energy project was discussed in detail by the Isle of Wight Council last night (Tuesday).
Southern Vectis November Community Fund Now Open

Southern Vectis is offering its support to local charities, schools, sports teams and events organisers this November, as part of a good causes initiative.
Prows Raised And Hearts Sunk: Floating Bridge Services Hit By Latest Issue

The Floating Bridge between East Cowes and Cowes is facing further issues today (Tuesday).
Government Confirms £20 Million Funding For Ryde

The Government has confirmed that millions of pounds allocated to Ryde via a new Town Board will finally be delivered.
Isle Of Wight NHS Trust Opens Doors To New Community Diagnostic Centre At St Mary’s

St Mary's Hospital has opened its new community diagnostic centre this week.
Appeal Launched To Identify Champagne Shoplifters In Ryde

Do you recognise these men?
Wootton Bridge Renewable Energy Park Plan Resubmitted

A contentious application for a renewable energy park near Wootton Bridge has been resubmitted to the Isle of Wight Council.
Island Planning Strategy Submitted To Secretary Of State

The Isle of Wight Council has reached a major milestone by submitting the Island Planning Strategy (IPS) to government.
Southern Water Unveils Plans For New Water Recycling Plant On Isle Of Wight

Southern Water is planning to create a new sustainable source of water for the Isle of Wight to help keep taps and rivers flowing, especially during a drought.
Campaign Group Condemns Wootton Bridge Palmers Farm Plans

Residents are up in arms as Palmers Road, a quiet residential area of Wootton Bridge, is threatened with an 833% increase in HGVs according to the applicants' own figures.
Yacht Fire Leads To Cowes RNLI Lifeboat Launching

Cowes RNLI lifeboat responded to a call to assist in dealing with a fire incident aboard a 36 foot yacht, with one man aboard. in the River Medina last (Saturday) evening – to assist Bembridge coastguard and other emergency crews.
Rookley Could Be Set For New Industrial Unit

An Isle of Wight village could get a new industrial and storage building providing 241 square metres of ‘much needed’ business space.

Recently Played

Only Girl

Rihanna
Download
Please Please Please

Sabrina Carpenter
Download
I Want It That Way

Backstreet Boys
Download

Isle Of Wight Insurers Support For Mountbatten Enables Purchase Of Vital Equipment
NFU Mutual Agents and their staff at the Island office recently nominated local charity Mountbatten Isle of Wight to receive a donation of more than £6,500 from NFU Mutual’s national £1.92million ‘Agency Giving Fund’.
Island MP Criticises Government’s Budget For Increasing Pressure On Health And Social Care Providers
Joe Robertson, MP for Isle of Wight East, has taken the Government to task in the House of Commons for increasing pressure on health and social care providers.
Ajax To Northampton: Transfer Fee Agreed For Island Based Steam Railway Locomotive
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway (IWSR) is saying a fond farewell to one of its locomotives, which is chugging its way to a new home near Northampton.
Wootton Creek Water Quality Testing Program Launches
A water quality testing program, which began in July, has been initiated in Wootton Creek, with joint funding support from Wootton Bridge Parish Council and Fishbourne Parish Council.

Red Funnel Workers To Strike Over Cowes Week And Summer Holiday

Share

More from Isle of Wight News

Recently Played