Staff at the RNLI’s inshore lifeboat centre in East Cowes have walked out in a row over redundancy terms.
As previously reported by OnTheWight, the charity intends to shift production of inshore lifeboats to Poole in Dorset by the end of 2027 and close the East Cowes site.
Around 70 people worked at the centre when the RNLI set out the plan last October.
A spokesperson for the charity said it would “continue to provide support to all our staff at the inshore lifeboat centre”.
Councillor joins the picket line
Earlier today (Tuesday), Councillor Karl Love, who represents East Cowes, stood with staff outside the gates and called the closure a “devastating event”.
He told the BBC,
“It’s quite devastating that one of the United Kingdom’s richest charities has turned away from the Island, leaving workers less able to transfer to other equitable jobs.”
Councillor Love added that people across the Island felt “dismayed by the events unfolding”.
He explained,
“Transferring to Poole is not an option for many, and our Island cannot afford to lose the skills, and not just within the workforce – their suppliers and other local businesses will all be affected.”
Union says the move to Dorset doesn’t work
Unite argues that relocating simply doesn’t stack up for its members, either “for their finances or their families”.
The union wants the RNLI to “negotiate a fair package” for staff who now face redundancy “after the organisation promised them a job for life”.
It said,
“The workforce at East Cowes do a highly skilled role supplying and maintaining lifeboats for over half of the 238 stations run by the RNLI across the UK.”
Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, described the charity’s conduct throughout the dispute as a “complete disgrace”.
She said,
“Expecting workers to relocate to a completely new area, without any financial remuneration or thought as to the impact on their personal lives is completely unfair.”
Members backed action in the ballot
Regional officer Jamie Major said members “had no choice but to take strike action, after receiving a strong mandate for industrial action, following the RNLI’s refusal to negotiate better redundancy terms”.
He said the charity should “give these workers, their families and the community the respect they deserve”.
RNLI defends its support package
As previously reported by OnTheWight, Ross Barraclough, chief engineer and technical director at the RNLI, said the charity had “engaged openly” with Unite and remained “focused on supporting our employees through this period of change”.
He pointed to “sincere efforts” to help staff, and he disputed reports that people would have to leave the area with nothing behind them. He said,
“Through formal consultation, employee forums, drop-in sessions, and one-to-one conversations, we have developed a comprehensive support package which goes above statutory requirement and compares positively across the charity sector.
“It includes voluntary redundancy, redeployment, relocation, and career transition support.
“We have also committed to guaranteed job opportunities in our Poole production facility for production employees, alongside financial and practical support for those who choose to relocate.”
Two more walkouts planned
Mr Barraclough added,
“As a charity we must ensure we are using our donors’ money wisely, and in most effective way so we remain financially sustainable for generations to come.”
Further strike action us planned for 19th and 25th August 2026.
Source: BBC
