Up To 50 Wightlink Jobs At Risk Amid Efficiency Drive

Ferry operator Wightlink has announced plans that could see up to 50 staff roles axed as part of a major review aimed at cutting costs and improving efficiency.

The company, which runs cross-Solent services between the Island and mainland, confirmed yesterday (Monday) that around 160 employees have been informed they are at risk under its new “Rostering and Operational Efficiency Project”.

A statement issued by the company to Isle of Wight Radio said:

"This project is needed to modernise and improve efficiency, so we have the right people in the right places at the right times.

"Like many businesses, rising costs and inflationary pressures are having an impact with our cost growth being twice that of our revenue growth over the past year. 

"To ensure we are able to continue investing in our people, our fleet and our ports, we are currently going through a 30-day consultation with our operational staff alongside our union the RMT. 

"The proposal may affect up to 50 roles but there are over 30 new vacancies in the proposed structure.

"We hope to deliver the proposal through a voluntary process, and the suggested changes include no reduction in sailings on any route."

Political Reaction

Isle of Wight MP Joe Robertson said he supports the idea of improving efficiency but raised concerns about the wider impact of the proposals.

“I support the principle of ensuring efficiencies in the delivery of ferry services but it is not clear that Wightlink can make redundancies without impacting their increasingly reduced services.

"If savings are made, we can be confident they won't be passed on to passengers.

"In any case, the main driver of high prices is the private equity ownership model whereby large profits are paid out to foreign shareholders.

"Private equity should not be operating lifeline transport services in an unregulated market.

"It doesn't happen anywhere else in the UK and the Island should be no different.

"Wightlink must do the right thing by all their staff and their families.”