Commitments will be met despite strike by some RFA members, Royal Navy insists
The Royal Navy has said it will continue to meet all its operational commitments despite members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary going on strike on Sunday in a dispute over pay.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said more than 500 of its members would walk out for the day in protest at a 4.5% pay rise.
It said the increase that was being imposed on the workers did not reflect the value and sacrifices that were being made by its members in the RFA.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "RFA members have reached their tolerance limit towards poor pay and conditions for UK seafarers despite the vital work that they perform.
"Management has remained inflexible throughout the negotiations and has failed to present an improved offer that meets our members' expectations.
"[The] RFA must acknowledge the gravity of the situation and avoid a crewing crisis by showing respect for the role and sacrifices of merchant seafarers, who play a crucial part in long deployments away from home on operations worldwide."
A Royal Navy spokesperson said the Senior Service was engaged with the union regarding the pay award.
"The Royal Fleet Auxiliary continues to provide crucial support to the delivery of operations in conjunction with the Royal Navy and our allies around the world," they added.
RFA vessels provide the Royal Navy with logistic and operational support.
RFA Cardigan Bay has been assisting the UK military's construction of a floating pier to help deliver aid supplies to Gaza.
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