Displaying items by tag: Historic strike

26th April 2023

Northern Lighthouse Board Workers Vote for 'Historic' Strike Action

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.

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Shannon Foynes Port Information

Shannon Foynes Port (SFPC) are investing in an unprecedented expansion at its general cargo terminal, Foynes, adding over two-thirds the size of its existing area. In the latest phase of a €64 million investment programme, SFPC is investing over €20 million in enabling works alone to convert 83 acres on the east side of the existing port into a landbank for marine-related industry, port-centric logistics and associated infrastructure. The project, which will be developed on a phased basis over the next five years, will require the biggest infrastructure works programme ever undertaken at the port, with the entire 83 acre landbank having to be raised by 4.4 metres. The programme will also require the provision of new internal roads and multiple bridge access as well as roundabout access.