Coastguard staff are staging the first strike in their history.
Coastguard staff are staging the first strike in their history.
The Public and Commercial Services union said up to 700 Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) employees would walk out for 24 hours from 0700 GMT.
The Public and Commercial Services union said up to 700 Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) employees would walk out for 24 hours from 0700 GMT.
The strike will affect emergency calls and operations at 19 UK search and rescue co-ordination centres, but not staff who are sent out to emergencies.
The strike will affect emergency calls and operations at 19 UK search and rescue co-ordination centres, but not staff who are sent out to emergencies.
The strike follows protests about what staff say is "poverty pay". Managers say they are bound by pay constraints.
The strike follows protests about what staff say is "poverty pay". Managers say they are bound by pay constraints.
The MCA said contingency plans would be put in place to ensure public safety is not compromised.
The MCA said contingency plans would be put in place to ensure public safety is not compromised.
Coastguards provide a vital emergency service. It is a scandal that pay rates are so low Mark Serwotka,PCS union
Coastguards provide a vital emergency service. It is a scandal that pay rates are so low Mark Serwotka,PCS union
Managers will also be drafted in to answer calls and perform other duties.
Managers will also be drafted in to answer calls and perform other duties.
Peter Cardy, chief executive of the MCA, insisted Mayday calls, automatic distress calls and 999 calls would still get through despite the strike.
Peter Cardy, chief executive of the MCA, insisted Mayday calls, automatic distress calls and 999 calls would still get through despite the strike.
He said: "It is true that the coastguard salaries are lower than those in comparable emergency services - but the work is different."
He said: "It is true that the coastguard salaries are lower than those in comparable emergency services - but the work is different."
The union wants coastguards to get another £3,000 on top of their current base pay of £14,000 a year.
The union wants coastguards to get another £3,000 on top of their current base pay of £14,000 a year.
STRIKES AT MCA CENTRES PortlandSolentDoverLondonThamesYarmouthHumberLiverpoolHolyheadMilford HavenSwanseaFalmouthBrixhamBelfastForthClydeAberdeenStornowayShetland
STRIKES AT MCA CENTRES PortlandSolentDoverLondonThamesYarmouthHumberLiverpoolHolyheadMilford HavenSwanseaFalmouthBrixhamBelfastForthClydeAberdeenStornoway
The union's pay co-ordinator Geoff Lewtas told the BBC: "It is a scandal, quite frankly, that an organisation that's got such great importance as the fourth emergency service, is running its operation with its permanent staff paid on shoestring wages.
The union's pay co-ordinator Geoff Lewtas told the BBC: "It is a scandal, quite frankly, that an organisation that's got such great importance as the fourth emergency service, is running its operation with its permanent staff paid on shoestring wages.
"It's because they are on poverty pay in many cases, and because their pay isn't on a level with workers in similar situations providing emergency services, such as the police, ambulance and fire."
"It's because they are on poverty pay in many cases, and because their pay isn't on a level with workers in similar situations providing emergency services, such as the police, ambulance and fire."
Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS union, said its members did not take the decision to go on strike lightly.
Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS union, said its members did not take the decision to go on strike lightly.
"They feel let down and betrayed by a refusal to pay them the same as other emergency services and by below inflation pay rises which are cutting their pay in real terms," he said.
"They feel let down and betrayed by a refusal to pay them the same as other emergency services and by below inflation pay rises which are cutting their pay in real terms," he said.
"Coastguards provide a vital emergency service and ensure the safety of shipping in British waters.
"Coastguards provide a vital emergency service and ensure the safety of shipping in British waters.
"It is a scandal that pay rates are so low."
"It is a scandal that pay rates are so low."
The MCA says it is bound by government rules on public sector pay.
The MCA says it is bound by government rules on public sector pay.
Are you a coastguard? Do you agree with the strike action? Have you ever needed the coastguard? Send us your comments using the post form below:
Are you a coastguard? Do you agree with the strike action? Have you ever needed the coastguard? Send us your comments using the post form below:
