Wightlink has agreed a five-year pay deal with the RMT and Nautilus unions, which will see Wightlink staff receiving inflation-proof pay rises with increases particularly weighted to support lower paid staff.
An increase of 0.3% above RPI as measured in October 2014, with a minimum increase of £475 for full time employees which will be applied pro rata for part time staff, will come into effect in January of next year, increasing to £525 for 2016.
In January 2017, an increase of 0.2% above RPI as measured in October 2016, with a minimum increase of £575 for full time employees which will be applied pro rata for part time staff, reducing down to an increase of 0.1% above RPI in January 2018, with a minimum increase of £625 for full time employees which will be applied pro rata for part time staff. The minimum amount will increase to £675 in January 2019.
Wightlink employs 400 permanent staff, rising to 600 in the summer, of whom around 200 live on the Isle of Wight.
Chief Executive, Russell Kew, says:
“Our staff have highly responsible jobs, making sure that our customers and ships are safe, and that we operate a reliable and punctual service to and from the Isle of Wight. It is right that we should reflect their work and give them the security of a long term pay agreement. We will continue our constructive dialogue with the unions in the months and years ahead.”
RMT Wessex Regional Organiser Mick Tosh comments:
“I am pleased we have reached this agreement which, I believe appropriately values the considerable contribution our members make to the running of the services Wightlink provide and demonstrates the benefit of continuing dialogue between the RMT and Wightlink.”
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Lisa Carr of Nautilus adds:
“This agreement confirms the importance of our members in securing the future of Wightlink’s service to and from the Isle of Wight”.
Photo: Ben Rue
