News shared by Holly on behalf of Red Funnel, in her own words. Ed
Fran Collins, Chief Executive at Red Funnel is disappointed members have voted for strike action. This follows Unite the Union members, representing 20 per cent of Red Funnel colleagues, receiving ballot papers to determine appetite for industrial action.
At this stage, Unite has not communicated dates for strike action; however it is obliged to give two weeks’ notice ahead of any action.
Impact to customers
Red Funnel has confirmed that any customers with bookings between 5th-19th July will not be impacted by industrial action.
This negotiation is in relation to 2022 pay and Red Funnel was keen to implement this uplift in January 2022, following trying to initiate discussions with Unite in October 2021.
Discussions ongoing for six months
Unite the Union did not present its initial 16 per cent pay claim until December 2021 and discussions have been ongoing since this point. This pay claim should have been settled for the start of 2022, so whilst the business is sympathetic to today’s inflation levels, they are not relevant to this pay claim.
Red Funnel has offered 6.3 per cent for roles within the collective bargaining unit, and 4.5 per cent for all other roles, above many recent pay settlements within the same sector.
Collins: Prepared robust contingency plans
Fran Collins, CEO at Red Funnel, said,
“I am incredibly disappointed that members have voted for strike action. Our priority, as always, is to ensure that the Island remains connected and that we continue to provide the lifeline services that so many rely upon.
“We have prepared robust contingency plans to ensure essential services are maintained and to minimise disruption as far as possible.
We will issue a revised timetable by Tuesday 12th July and we will contact all customer directly affected by any changes. We can confirm that customers with bookings between 5th-19th July will not be affected by industrial action.
“We are keen to recognise and reward all colleagues, particularly during these uncertain times, however we must be realistic in terms of what the business can afford to ensure we continue to provide lifeline services for our customers, promoting the long-term success of the Island economy.”
