Red Funnel staff will be balloted this month as to whether or not to take industrial action over pay conditions at the cross-Solent operator, which could lead to strike action during the summer holidays.
It’s understood that 20% of the workforce, that are part of Unite the Union, could walk out on strike no earlier than late July – just as the busy Summer holidays begin.
Red Funnel says they tried to initiate pay negotiations in October last year so that they would be able to implement 2022’s salary uplift on 1st January 2022. However, Unite the Union did not present its initial 16% pay claim until December 2021.
In response to their initial pay claim and subsequent discussions, Red Funnel has made an offer of a 6.3% increase in pay for all employees in a number of roles, regardless of whether they are in the bargaining unit or not.
The roles being offered a 6.3% rise include services assistance, customer advisors, stores operatives, cabin attendant and Signature Lounge assistant. Other roles have been offered a 4.5% pay rise.
Fran Collins, Chief Executive at Red Funnel, has said:
“We are disappointed that our pay offer, which is positively aligned with our wider industry, has been rejected. We continue to engage in discussions with Unite the Union regarding the pay claim for 2022 to secure a resolution and recognise our teams with a pay increase.
“Within 7 days’ time, ballot papers will be issued to Unite the Union members – representing 20% of Red Funnel colleagues. This ballot is to determine the members’ appetite for industrial action, which may or may not include strike action.
Article continues below this advertisement “The pandemic had an enormous impact on our revenues, and like many other businesses, we continue to face challenges particularly at a time when fuel costs are up 70%. We are very proud of the work our colleagues undertake daily in connecting the Solent, and we’re keen to recognise their commitment and dedication. We are pleased that pay claims for all other colleagues have already been settled for 2022.
“We must make sustainable decisions so that we can continue to provide lifeline services for our loyal customers, keeping the Island connected and supplied. We are fully committed to doing all we can to ensure maximum travel choice and connectivity for island residents, visitors and businesses.”
Simples – give them the pay rise they’re asking for and pass that cost onto the customer.
Hahaha will we even notice?
Disgruntled workforce? I wonder why that could be. Perhaps it’s because their staff are fed up with being treated badly by the company or maybe its because the bosses were conspicuous by their absence during the pandemic and some of them are still working from home. They are already cancelling ferries and Red Jets due to shortage of critical personnel so perhaps they should look at the reasons for this
wouldn’t affect me with the amount of disruption red funnel and red jet have already caused for me. Its typical all this is always about we don’t get paid enough just another way of causing more issue and effects the island and people wanting to travel the most.
Wow I would have jumped for joy if I had got a 6-3 per cent increase!!!!
If they give them the rise we will end up paying more for everything that comes over by ferry, as well as extortionate travel ….
Totally ridiculous I got a 2 per cent pay rise but I would rather work / pay my own way than sponge off of society…..
Read the whole story NOT all staff are offered 6.3%
Correct, she should change her name to ‘ miss me me me me ‘.
We are fully committed to doing all we can to maximise profits for our shareholders more like.
Who would notice if there was a strike as most of the staff seem to be constantly off sick
judging by the cancellations.
“keeping the island connected and supplied”
FAIL.
Build a bridge. I’d happily pay £10 to cross each way and I’d still be saving money. No staffing issues then nor being held to ransom.
Surprised you’ve not had the obligatory ‘If you don’t like it move to the mainland’ comments. Unfortunately people say it will bring crime etc that they don’t believe is already here, Too many nimby’s stuck in the 18th century on this island and don’t see that most of the islands around the uk have some form of fixed link and are thriving, not dying like us.
5 years ago it was going to be £30 each way if a bridge was built so can’t see that £10 each way would ever happen. Keep dreaming
even still £30 is rookie numbers compared to the disgraceful current ferry fares
The £10 would probably take you about a mile as the operators would have to claw back their building costs. The advantage would be that it probably would be a set charge instead of the constant changes of fees that all travel companies charge.
Why are people so quick to blame the staff when jets and ferries get cancelled, it has nothing to do with the staff that decision comes from the 2 ladies in top positions. Perhaps they do not have enough staff not the fact that staff go sick. These people worked all through the pandemic putting their health at work so give them a break and stop blaming them for Red Funnel failings.
If industrial action causes ANY delay or inconvenience to my booked holiday, I will switch allegience permanently to Wightlink. I don’t much like Wightlink, but I’ll have the satisfaction of depriving Red Funnel of revenue, and supporting their rival instead. I doubt I’m the only one who’ll switch. It’s the company’s decision whether to provide the service as advertised, or fail to do so.
Do you think they would actually give a sh*t? Really?
Depends if they want a couple of thousand pounds from me over the next five years, or if they’re happy to see that money go to Wightlink. Also depends whether anybody else (ideally EVERYBODY else) is also prepared to change. If we all voted with our feet, I reckon they’d give a damn, yes.
Oh no they wouldn’t.
Unfortunately there are thousands of new people ready to take your place.
We should build a tunnel,
Not to the mainland,
But, to Jersey.