Ferry workers on the service to Rathlin Island, some six miles of the Antrim coast are to continue strike action this month over a dispute on pay and conditions.

At the weekend, the Unite the Union announced industrial action would be held in January with sailings cancelled on all Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Details of the affected sailings with dates are listed on the operator's (Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd) website. Afloat also adds, the continued disruption includes tomorrow, 10 January which is among 12 days in total nominated with cancelled sailings. The website however states that crew will continue to provide emergency cover to the Island community during the industrial action.

The announcement of further strikes, follows the cancellation of ferry sailings last Thursday on the Rathlin Island (White Church) - Ballycastle Harbour route which can take 25 minutes by fast-craft and 40 minutes by car-ferry. 

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary had called on the Department for Infrastructure to "intervene and ensure workers on the ferry service receive a cost of living pay increase and avoid further disruption".

The Irish News has more to report.