Ferry strikes suspended for now

FERRY STRIKES have been suspended as a “gesture of goodwill” to island communities, a union leader has announced.

Industrial action was planned on the OrkneyScrabster service and Shetland-Aberdeen service on December 23 and 30.

Staff walked out on Friday because of a dispute with ferry operator Serco, saying that jobs are under threat from cuts.

Bob Crow, general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, said progress had been made.

“Our members’ support in this campaign was clearly demonstrated on Friday by the stoppage on the Norlink ships,” he said.

“However, we have kept a dialogue going with the company and our members are also conscious of the affect that the action is having on island communities.

“We have now been able to make significant progress in discussions with Serco.

“We have asked the company for a number of assurances, which have been met, and, in an effort to make progress and as a gesture of goodwill to the island communities, we have agreed to a suspension of all action to allow further discussions.

“If we can’t make sufficient progress in those talks, we will have no hesitation in issuing notice of our intent to take action again immediately.”