The RMT union has expressed its shock and disgust at what it says is Wightlink’s ‘reluctance’ to take up taxpayer support as members prepare for strike action over attack on conditions.
The union is currently in dispute with the company and has announced a raft of strike dates from April over an attack on pensions, terms and conditions. The union says it has been appalled by the ‘cavalier attitude’ of the company to consultation over their plans and the failure to take up financial support that could have mitigated the current situation.
On 15th January, the Treasury announced £6.5million to keep ferry services running between the mainland and the Isle of Wight. This is the second package of state funding for Wightlink and other lifeline operators during the pandemic.
Footage has emerged online of Wightlink CEO, Keith Greenfield, describing the £6.5m pot as “…numbers I don’t recognise from the scheme details I’ve seen” and that it is “unclear” how Wightlink and other Solent operators can access this support.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash has said:
“Senior management at Wightlink are exploiting the second wave of the crisis by trying to force through permanent contractual changes and pension cuts which my members have rejected.
“Wightlink’s loyal staff gave up pay and mucked in to see the company through the first wave of the pandemic and now they see the employer turning their nose up at public funds to maintain the supply chain and links to emergency NHS treatment during a second, deadlier wave of Covid-19.
“This is no way to run a lifeline ferry service in a time of deepening crisis and I urge the employer to take up unconditional financial support from the taxpayer and then get back around the negotiating table with RMT.”
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In response, Wightlink has said:
“Wightlink is accepting all available Government support. However, the level of such funding is far smaller than our current losses and does not avoid the need for us to reduce our costs to survive the crisis and create a sustainable cost base which will avoid job losses.
“Wightlink has consulted with its employees on how to protect jobs and ensure it survives this serious financial crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The proposal covers changes to pensions including a substantial improvement in pension provision for the majority of our employees. The proposal also avoids compulsory redundancies which have occurred in other ferry operations.
“We are disappointed the RMT has responded by announcing strike dates later in the year. We are calling on the RMT to call off its action to avoid the risk of compulsory redundancies. We remain in contact with them to try and achieve this”.
those going on strike really should be grateful they actually have jobs and are not facing financial ruin as so many are, whose own businesses are destroyed because of covid.
selfish is an understatement – sacrifices are being made across the whole country and these lot are crying about next to nothing.
sack the lot and get staff in who are in need of a job and who will get on with it.
PRICK
Clearly a bitter and selfish employee
Clearly uninformed Wightlink manager or Shareholder whose so far up their own arse you don’t realise or give a toss as to why the Wightlink Staff feel like they’ve been stabbed in the back.(and not next to nothing).
And no I’m not a Wightlink Employee, But I got the Facts before I Shot my mouth off
like a Gatling gun with a hair trigger.
clearly a member of society that knows exactly what is going on in the world and now is not the time for you lot to be crying over your situation. There is also a recession looming and unless we decide to start travelling on wightlinks services, then there will be lay offs, as there will be a reduction in ticket revenue.
is that too difficult for you to understand – you do not operate, you do not get any ticket revenue, no money to pay wages, jobs get cut, customers all travel on the Hovercraft. Pretty simple, bit like you.
Getting people in ‘who need a job’ is exactly why employers can sh*t on their employees from a great height. We need people who WANT to work in a safe, respected and mutually beneficial environment.
It’s not Victorian England anymore.
and it is not an employees market anymore either – it is an employers market again, as jobs are disappearing fast. The ceo should make a note of the ring leaders, have a restructure and get rid of them.
That comment just shows how little you know
incorrect karl – your lack of substance in your post shows how little you know.
Unless you are a Lemming why would you join the militant RMT. They are carrying on as if
we still live in the 1970’s, let’s use the workers for our own political end and stop them working.
Especially when the leader of the RMT earns more than the prime minister disgusting.
So does the CEO of Wightlink!
I thought Mick Cosh was off with stress
Ill have 1 of there jobs then I’m just about to be made redundant. Yes its shit there making changes but there are a lot of people worse of. Me for one.
those employees seem to think that a final salary pension scheme will be kept going, when it is your ticket prices that go to fund the deficit in that scheme. They are closing it, as it is not sustainable anymore. They will offer new employees the default money purchase scheme. Wightlink are one of the last companies to still have a final salary scheme.
They need to realise that it means higher ticket prices, just to keep paying into the scheme – if it closes, then the liability is reduced over time and less need to increase ticket prices, further, just to cover this.
wightlink are changing the structure to match the new working world, post covid – get used to it, or get another job.
oh and cry me a river, stop whining and get on with your jobs.
The High ticket prices feed the share holders and the arrogant Management. Not the member of staff who get their hands dirty,or go backward and forward across a Choppy Solent.
so, are the staff paid in coupons for food then or what.
staff are paid from ticket revenue also, unless of course wightlink has its own magic money tree somewhere. it is simple enough – get to work and stop whining.
Wightlink conveniently forget about the one and half million pounds profit they made every MONTH in 2019 – none of which got put by for a rainy day or a pandemic.
That all went on operating costs before government support was applied for – work it out for yourself, it isn’t that difficult.
hi I wondered if anyone could help what pension scheme do Wightlink use now it was Stenalines I have an old sealink one that was frozen but need to change my address thankyou Paul
you will need to contact wightlink and ask who the trustees of the final salary scheme are, or if they will provide you with the name of the scheme actuaries, so that you can have your details updated.
Why you are delightful leeches.
It’s not only Wightlink that are taking advantage of 3 lockdowns…..Hermes are slashing the rates they pay their couriers because, as they are delivering twice as many parcels, they are earning twice as much money. This regardless of the fact that obviously with all the increased parcel traffic Hermes are raking it in and then have the audacity to snatch from the couriers as well! These companies are just faceless money investors who have no respect for loyal workers. Their only aim is to stick their greedy snouts in the trough and suck it dry.
difference is..hermes are making more money and paying less ..that is out of order, however, wighlink are on state subsidy, which covers bare operating costs only..different situation
Wightlink’s loyal staff…really
all of those staff members would ditch the job in a heartbeat if they came into enough money – they are only loyal, as long as they need the money