Island MP Bob Seely has condemned planned strikes on Red Funnel ferries and called for government action to stop passengers from falling foul of industrial action on cross-Solent services.
Branding the effects of strike action by Unite members as ‘unacceptable’ Mr Seely is seeking amendments to the upcoming Transport Bill that would safeguard some services during industrial action.
He is calling for the legislation to compel cross-Solent ferry operators to maintain a minimum level of service during disputes – a similar obligation on the railways meant some services were still able to run during the recent rail strikes.
In letters to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and Ferries Minister Robert Courts, Mr Seely makes 2 further recommendations: the first, to grant the government legal powers to approve ferry timetables to help align the ferries with train timetables and other onward connections; and the second to require government approval for any future ownership changes of the Solent ferry operators.
Mr Seely said his suggested amendments would help to bring the operating standards of the ferries in line with that of railways and ensure Islanders interests are best served.
He said:
“The proposed strikes may be important to those planning them, but let’s think for a minute about the patients, the commuters, those trying to visit family and friends, or those wanting to take a break. There are lots of people who need – and rely – on these services so we need them to keep going.
“I understand that Red Funnel has committed to maintain some services through the planned strikes – which I welcome – but a legal obligation would guarantee vital services are maintained.
Article continues below this advertisement “We can’t have patients unable to access treatment, or commuters unable to access their workplace, and we can’t be turning visitors away. We need the government to step in and that is what I am asking them to do through the Transport Bill.”
Interfering with your travel plans is it Bob Bandwagon? Cant imagine you would pipe up otherwise……
Isn’t this what the Brexit Seely voted for all about? Well paid British jobs for British workers.
Now he’s whining that they (not to mention other British workers) are taking advantage of the leverage the inability of companies to hire cheap foreign labour gives them.
Good time to build a Tunnel is it not ?/ Tunnels never go on strike… never any cancellations due to staff illness.. open on Christmas day.. Come one, lets end the rip off ferry companies.. so Islanders can have freedom of travel.
Sad but true. I don’t want one but I don’t seen a via option. Ryde beach is near empty in a heatwave, why, because it is far too expensive to come to the island. We need the holiday trade to keep the island going, the NIMBY have killed and pushed out companies that were creating jobs/ tourism is all we have now and the ferry companies are killing that.
I agree Fred it’s now about time we stand firm against these ferry company and either build a tunnel or take control of the ferries
It is greed and excuse’s , the minute the ferries will not make a profit on a crossing they blame short of staff or Covid and cancel ferries forcing passengers to seek a later ferry filling it up just for profit
If they keep cancelling the ferries and putting up fares this will force passengers not too book the ferries
It will stop holiday makers coming to the island
” Tunnels never go on strike “, Did the Ferry go on strike ? No the people working it plan to go on strike.
A tunnel needs staff to operate just like a Ferry and they could go on strike, the Channel Tunnel is operated by staff, even self checkouts at supermarkets require staff, a tunnel requires staff if nothing else for safety reasons. If you wish to put a valid argument forward at least engage common sense first.
A Ferry company fit for purpose is the requirement and we Don’t currently have one, all services at present charge the earth appear to have little consideration for staff and run their vehicles into the ground and get away with it
Errm, the channel tunnel is a rail link, of, obviously, it has staff.
Bridges and tunnels that require a toll are mostly automated these days.
In any case, the bod in a toll booth would need half a day’s training and is easily replaced. Unlike mariners and train drivers.
Think before posting.
You are entitled to your opinion, so you believe a ” bod in a toll booth ” is easily replaced. You really have no idea if you believe the only staff required are ” an easily replaced bod”, in a tunnel under the sea for a few miles, no consideration for a breakdown of vehicle in tunnel or an electrical fault with lighting, car parking controls etc etc.
I do agree however that you really should ” Think before posting “.
As stated by Steven. The Dartford crossing has no staff.
If there is an emergency in the tunnel then the regular emergency services will respond.
If maintenance is required then contractors are used.
The point is that no staff are required for day-to-day running and so cannot be affected by strike action or staff shortages.
As Cal says, think before posting.
Dartford tunnle and dartford bridge have know staff
You number plate get’s flashed you then go on line to pay or call them to pay
Completely agree with you. the island itself needs billions worth of investment to keep it and its residents going. Shops are shutting left right and centre (not just Covid), residents are moving away and the population is decreasing which means less money for education, work, amenities, roads etc, most businesses won’t set up shop here as it’s not financially viable nor a reliable trade area. A fixed link will make this island a tourist destination again and people will want to come here, it’ll benefit the islanders more too, no booking ferries, no waiting for a ferry incase of an emergency needing to get on the mainland, people will be able to go to mainland hospitals without hassle or too much extra added costs etc win win
I now agree it is now time the islanders stood up to consider other alternatives like a tunnel
We built a tunnel uk to france
Living in a little dream world of his own!
We can’t have patients unable to access treatment. What rubbish they should be able to have the treatment on the Island not have to go to the mainland
Just how do you propose to fund all of the medical services and medical staff to fulfill your dream?
By paying National Insurance as per the law of the country…..
Problem is the vast swathe of the population that don’t pay anything into society, just take from it.
How about getting the benefit scroungers off their backsides and in work then they would pay NI and tax. Also there are lots of people in hospitals walking around with papers in their hands and not enough nurses. About time the NHS Trust managers got their act together
Comrade Seely asking HM Gov (his mates) to support and protect the firm with which he is associated.
Form a queue, cronies!
If we had enough army/navy send them in to do the job.
Once again Half a Sausage telling people what they should doing, without lifting a finger to actually change the situation himself. Another cheap headline grab.
Where’s that bridge?
meanwhile islanders demand more services and cheaper tickets, but get upset when the company state that they haven’t got the money to pay higher salaries, as they have had their income cut from islanders demanding cheaper fares and they have seen costs go up, as they are expected to run empty boats at night.
cannot have it both ways.
Completely off his trolley, isn’t he?
As ferry costs are extremely high for the average person..and it is the only means of transportation..I’m wondering why the government arnt subsidising to help islanders afford to travel .
Scotland operates masive subsidies for the ferries to its outer isles. Ironically all Scotlands money comes from Westminster, yet Westminster won’t subsidise ferries on IoW.
Why do people keep on about a fixed link it is never going to happen. Nobody wants to fund
something that affects a few people.
Even if they agreed we will never see anything for twenty years.
If you are not happy move to the mainland
These diatribes always remind me of rats in a sack; low quality arguments quite often backed up with non facts; if people could just be bothered to Google facts some of these threads could lead to intelligent discussions, not just talking about this one, but people are so blinkered and focussed on their own prejudices, that facts aren’t really important to their world view. And all the libelous references to brown envelopes being slipped with absolutely no proof it’s all so childish, immature and inaccurate. Makes you wonder how the island even operates at all with this level of interaction, month after grinding month.. Grow up!