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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.  

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