Strike averted

A strike was averted after Woolwich ferry workers secured a new deal yesterday (January 29), convincing operator Marine Briggs to abandon threats to long-standing agreements.

As UNITElive reported earlier, the ferry workers, which included 26 Unite members working as electricians, crew and road traffic teams, unanimously voted in favour of strike action after management threated to reinterpret sick pay policy. Pay disparities were also rife among the workforce, as well as was the use of agency staff.

Briggs Marine has agreed to honour the existing sick pay policy and reduce the use of agency staff.  The deal will also see members receive a 2.2 per cent pay increase on basic pay and other allowances.

A joint working party will also be set up to deal with the pay disparities that have arisen since the service was transferred to the private sector.

“This is a great result for our members and is a testament to their resolve in the face of an unjust attack on their livelihoods,” said Unite regional officer Onay Kasab. “They were not prepared to rollover and accept their employer’s attempts to tear up their rights and won significant concessions as a result.”

“We have shown that through negotiation and determination, we can win,” he added.“Unite will continue to work with Briggs Marine in a spirit of cooperation to keep ferrying passengers over the river Thames between Woolwich and Greenwich.”