Northern Ireland

Further strike action by Rathlin Island ferry workers to take place this month

Ferry sailings between Rathlin Island and Ballycastle were cancelled on Thursday due to strike action
Ferry sailings between Rathlin Island and Ballycastle were cancelled on Thursday due to strike action Ferry sailings between Rathlin Island and Ballycastle were cancelled on Thursday due to strike action

FURTHER strike action by Rathlin Island ferry workers is to take place this month amid a dispute over pay and conditions.

Unite the Union last night said industrial action would be held on all Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays in January.

It comes after all ferry sailings between Rathlin Island and Ballycastle were cancelled on Thursday due to strike action.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham 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".

"It’s a scandal that the Rathlin Island Ferry workforce has not had an extra penny on their pay for three years," she said.

"Their employers have taken them for granted for too long.

"In the midst of a crippling living costs crisis, our members have been left with no alternative but take strike action - they simply can’t allow their pay to fall behind for another year."

Rathlin Island Ferry Limited, which runs the service on behalf of DfI, has advised passengers of the pending disruption on its website.