In the seas of Scotland and the Isle of Man, safety could be “compromised” after lighthouse workers voted for strike action amid a dispute over pay.

Members of the Unite the Union, commonly known as Unite, carried out a ballot with those employed by the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) in which 90.6% voted for strikes out of a 85% turnout.

The NLB is the General Lighthouse Authority (GLA) which is responsible for maintaining aids to navigation in Scottish and Manx waters. Such vital duties requires two Northern Lighthouse Vessels (NLV) which are based in Oban on the west coast.

As reported earlier this month, around 30 members of the union, including those working on the NLV's involving able seamen, base assistants, cooks and technicians have launched their support behind the action.

According to Unite, the NLB has offered a 2% rise following a pay freeze last year which the union branded as “insulting”. They described it as a substantial real-terms pay cut over two years.

Unite added that its members working for NLB, provide vital maintenance and operational support for more than the 200 lighthouses, beacons and buoys. 

This important work is to ensure that mariners on ships and vessels have safe passage in some .

In addition to the lighthouse tenders, NLV Pharos and NLV Pole Star based in Oban, this is where technical operations are also carried out and in Edinburgh is located the headquarters of the GLA service. 

STV News has more details on the pay dispute.