The NLB maintains 208 lighthouses across Scotland and the Isle of Man.Ī UK Government spokesman said: “Public sector pay strikes a careful balance between recognising the vital importance of public sector workers, while delivering value for taxpayers and avoiding higher prices in the future.”Ī spokesman for the NLB said: “We sympathise with the cost-of-living pressures our staff face, but Northern Lighthouse Board is bound entirely by UK Government pay policy. “We are demanding that the Scottish Government intervene and apply pressure on the UK Government to resolve this dispute or it is in danger of remaining in troubled water.” “This is largely down to the UK Government, who finance the NLB, not providing the extra finances required to make a better offer to our members. The reality is that talks with the NLB have run aground. She said: “The strike action by our NLB members is historic and the first in a generation. In April, workers backed industrial action by 91pc on a turnout of 87pc.Īlison MacLean, the union’s industrial officer, urged the Scottish Government to apply pressure on UK ministers. The union has said the NLB’s two vessels will be docked at Oban, with picket lines in place around their base in Gallanach Road until noon on Tuesday. “We will continue to push the boat out in defence of our members, and they will have our full support in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.” “With energy costs, inflation and interest rates climbing to heights not seen for decades, a 2% offer just doesn’t cut it. What’s on offer is a brutal, real-terms pay cut. Sharon Graham, the Unite general secretary, said: “Unite’s NLB members have been left with no option but to take a stand.

The workers maintain and operate Scotland’s lighthouses, beacons and buoys at sea. The Unite union, which represents the seafarers, base assistants, cooks and technicians, blamed the UK Government for the dispute, claiming the NLB has been forced to offer a 2pc pay increase while other public sector workers are offered significantly more. Lighthouse workers responsible for safe shipping off the British coast have launched their first ever strike in a dispute over pay.Ībout 40 people employed by the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) in Scotland will stop work at noon on Monday at the start of 24 hours of strike action.

Strike for apple download