The impact of forthcoming strike action by Red Funnel staff has been revealed, as the cross-Solent ferry operator confirms its temporary timetable for 12 dates – but there will be no change to the Red Jet timetable.
It is now known that a 2-boat service will be in operation on strike days – 27th July and the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 9th, 11th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 23rd, 26th and 29th August. This means that there will be 1 boat every 90 minutes, much like the winter timetable.
During strike days the first sailing of the day from East Cowes will be the 07:30, with sailings running every hour-and-a-half until 21:00. There will then be a 23:59 sailing and a 01:30 sailing the next morning.
From Southampton, the first ferry of the day will be the 06:00 then every 90 minutes until 19:30. There will also be a 22:30 and a 23:59 sailing.
Red Funnel say that the transportation of fuel, medical supplies and food is of most importance, as well as ensuring those crossing the Solent for medical appointments can continue to do so. It will operate a normal 3-boat service at other times.
The company has confirmed that strike action will have no impact on its Red Jet timetable and it anticipates running this service as normal – which at the moment means several cancelations several times a week due to a shortage of crew.
Fran Collins, Chief Executive at Red Funnel, has said:
“Our priority is continuing to provide a lifeline service and ensure the Isle of Wight remains connected. This includes the transportation of fuel, medical supplies and food, ensuring passengers can travel for work, education and essential medical appointments.
“To provide certainty for our customers, the revised timetable is based on a 50% reduction in some key roles. The revised timetable will come into effect on strike days only and we will be proactively contacting all passengers affected.
“While almost 50% of the dates within the 27 July – 29 Aug period will see no changes, the other dates will see our average of 19 daily round trips reduced to 12 round trips. We’re confident that this frequency will still enable us to keep the island connected and supplied as normal, however, as necessary should we encounter instances where critical transport needs to be prioritised, we will action as appropriate.”
For the full timetable see https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/en/isle-of-wight-ferry/timetables/.
Passengers booked on affected sailings will be contacted in due course.
I support their right to strike over poor wages and working conditions. Let’s hope they are willing to refund people’s fares who can’t travel on the days their striking.
If you are in a job in this austerit times and paid non wage or above then well done and if you strike you should loose your job. Staff demand pay increases without a single thought as to the cost incurred everywhere within a business, higher salaries means higher fares.
Or take your business to Red Jet or Wightlink. If passengers boycott Red Funnel, then maybe they might start running a full service. Along with mainland railway staff, it should be nice weather for sunbathing. Beats working for a living.
Red Jet is run by Red Funnel so what planet have you been on
Whilst the staff may deserve better pay and conditions, does striking really worry the shareholders and management.. ??? I’m not sure it does .. but Bob will now jump in an sort this .. his strongly worded letter is being mailed right now .
How the actual f#*k is this allowed to happen to a vital link we all rely on ..absolutely disgraceful..something has to be done about this level of BS
More bad language on the Isle of Wight
They could always go and work for P&O!
Somehow think Fran Collins is living in dream land. And as for a lifeline service get your facts right Fran as you are not the only ferry operator.
Blimey! that is a better service than was operating on Sunday!
Oh, I see!
So the ‘Management’ of Red Funnel can plan ahead and introduce an ‘emergency timetable’ during a period of strike action, but, on a day-to-day basis they cannot manage any form of ‘reliable’ service due to unforeseen circumstances or staff sickness/shortages!
oh don’t forget the tecknical reasons…boat not full so fill up the next one bullsxit
Good! Totally back the Red Funnel staff. Shame it will affect islanders but hopefully disrupt a few holidays and turn people off coming here and help shut down a few airbnbs.
Selfish remark. You want to live in the dark ages ie 70s Labour?. You wilfully want to ruin/affect people’s holiday, a pathetic view.
Sounds like the 80% of staff who aren’t union members are exercising their right to carry on working….
Totally disgraceful! Those that work for RF earn more than so many other workers on IoW and now they are happy to be so selfish and affect those that commute for work purposes or those that might need to travel to hospital appointments, funerals, or other essential appointments. Shame on them! They should be lucky they have a job and that they’ve been offered any form of pay rise at all!
The Great majority are on minimum wage so all these people you say are on less must be being underpaid. Please let the authorities know who these employers are as they are breaking the law or are you spouting more BS
If you’re in catering or hospitality then the going rate is minimum wage. It’s because no education and minimal training is required. If you’re able to venture into higher pay bracket, go for it, if you’re unable to, you really need to suck it up. Straws are available from near the coffee machine…
I agree with them! It’s the staff who run Red funnel! They are always so busy and I’ve noticed when I go back to mainland sometimes the customers aren’t happy?? It’s not the staffs fault! I’ve never had a problem with them at all always on time, I go back once a month to see my mum, if I’m early they always let me on an earlier ferry. Good luck guys XX
Maybe it’s about time a Bridge or Tunnel was built.
How many lives will be lost due to persons unable to get to the Hospital in Southampton.
Probably none, your tunnel/bridge pie in the sky scheme is not the answer to anything unless you can give facts not assumptions to your comment.
Good Rf staff.
yes people should stand up to these company’s ,who can live on minimum wage its not enough. People moaning on here its not going to be that bad, sod cowes week its overpriced anyway and only for the well off
oh for fs thats never going to happen why after decades this is still talked about..
I hope they get the pay rise they deserve , they might look like chefs cleaners & other service people but they are trained for if there was anything that can go wrong like the ship sinking , it is not much to skim of the shareholders profits in which would be paid to the local staff , But on the positive side Less tourists for locals to be able to enjoy our beaches less congestion on the roads with lost people less pollution & less littering happy days for those that like the quieter life on the island
I hope the staff get the pay rise they deserve considering the staff are also trained for emergency’s , the shareholders reside in other parts of the world & it would not be much taken of the shareholders profits & with the staff getting the pay rise they are local people that would spend it in the local economy as to being filtered out of the country for shareholders , on the plus being an islander I like it to be quieter here on the island
that’s damaged an already crap company…shitelink must be rubbing their hands..show us the money…