UK MCA braced for strikes

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

29 Feb 2008

Coastguards and surveyors working for the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency are set to go on strike over pay during the next week or so. The two union representing most of the MCA's employees have secured large majorities in ballots for strike action. In response Peter Cardy, Chief Executive of the MCA said: "I am very saddened by this result and the planned strike. I had hoped this strike could be avoided by our engagement with the Trades Unions, I have made it very clear to them that I want to keep talking about a longer term pay settlement to this dispute. I am unable to discuss such a long term agreement until the strike action ceases. Safety at sea is the MCA's key priority and by our contingency plans which are now in place I can reassure the public that an emergency response for those at risk will not be compromised by industrial action."Both Prospect and PCS Unions have rejected the MCA's 2006 and 07 pay deals and are acting on what they see as a lack of progress on pay negotiations. The MCA says it wants to negotiate a long-term pay settlement that moves towards significant increases in pay for surveyors and coastguards.