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Talks fail on coastguard dispute Talks fail on coastguard dispute
(about 1 hour later)
Coastguards around Wales are starting a second day of strike action after talks to resolve the dispute over insurance cover ended without resolution.Coastguards around Wales are starting a second day of strike action after talks to resolve the dispute over insurance cover ended without resolution.
Teams across south and west Wales are refusing to answer calls.Teams across south and west Wales are refusing to answer calls.
Five hours of "full and frank" talks were held between the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and coastguard members in Fishguard on Thursday.Five hours of "full and frank" talks were held between the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and coastguard members in Fishguard on Thursday.
Although progress was made, rescue workers said they had not received the assurances they need to return to duty.Although progress was made, rescue workers said they had not received the assurances they need to return to duty.
The coastguard officers are demanding that the MCA puts a more adequate insurance cover in place for them, to protect their livelihoods should any of them be permanently injured, or killed, while on duty.The coastguard officers are demanding that the MCA puts a more adequate insurance cover in place for them, to protect their livelihoods should any of them be permanently injured, or killed, while on duty.
The row started over the case of Fishguard volunteer Brian MacFarlane, who claims he was not given fair compensation when he lost his main job after being injured in a rescue four years ago.The row started over the case of Fishguard volunteer Brian MacFarlane, who claims he was not given fair compensation when he lost his main job after being injured in a rescue four years ago.
Certainly the point of trust between the coastguard rescue officers and the MCA has been taken on board John Davies All we ask of the MCA is that they protect us if we are injured or protect our families if we are killed Mark James
The MCA said it had paid Mr MacFarlane "substantial amounts".The MCA said it had paid Mr MacFarlane "substantial amounts".
On Thursday, the Fishguard team withdrew its services, following action taken by Broadhaven and Penrhyn coastguards.On Thursday, the Fishguard team withdrew its services, following action taken by Broadhaven and Penrhyn coastguards.
Teams on Gower and from Porthcawl to Chepstow also joined the action, which is backed by teams in south west England and Scotland.Teams on Gower and from Porthcawl to Chepstow also joined the action, which is backed by teams in south west England and Scotland.
The MCA said contingencies were in place and that other services, including the RNLI, were still operating so lives were not at risk.The MCA said contingencies were in place and that other services, including the RNLI, were still operating so lives were not at risk.
Fishguard station officer John Davies said that Thursday's talks had been constructive. Mark James, Coastguard Rescue Officer for Mumbles said that the meeting had been "positive in that at least the MCA finally accepted that the existing arrangements weren't fit for purpose".
"Certainly the point of trust between the coastguard rescue officers and the MCA has been taken on board," he said. He said the issue was long term permanent disability cover and death cover.
"We hope that what they take away will lead to a conclusion to this dispute in the near future. But until we get something concrete on paper, the situation regarding going out on duty remains as is." "We were disappointed that the delegation that came down from the MCA didn't really have anything to offer us, they came to listen, when really they should have been listening for the last six months since this issue was first raised at a conference in October last year," he said.
"All we ask of the MCA is that they protect us if we are injured or protect our families if we are killed.
"I think the biggest message that came out was that maybe the MCA has lost the trust of coastguard rescue officers around the coast - they need to rebuild that."
'Concerns''Concerns'
During the meeting, rescue officers drafted up a document summarising their issues, which both sides have now taken away to discuss before another meeting.During the meeting, rescue officers drafted up a document summarising their issues, which both sides have now taken away to discuss before another meeting.
The MCA's chief coastguard Peter Diamond said that further investigation was needed.The MCA's chief coastguard Peter Diamond said that further investigation was needed.
"We have had a long and very constructive meeting. We have listened and discussed the concerns and requirements of the coastguard rescue officers at Fishguard," he said."We have had a long and very constructive meeting. We have listened and discussed the concerns and requirements of the coastguard rescue officers at Fishguard," he said.
"We are taking away these requirements and these concerns for further discussion and investigation at the headquarters of the MCA.""We are taking away these requirements and these concerns for further discussion and investigation at the headquarters of the MCA."
The officers are technically part-time employees of the MCA for the period they are called out, but all hold regular employment and see themselves as volunteers.The officers are technically part-time employees of the MCA for the period they are called out, but all hold regular employment and see themselves as volunteers.
The dispute also involves crews from the Severn area of England and the Solway sector in south-west Scotland. Altogether 21 crews out of 378 in the UK are taking action. The dispute also involves crews from the Severn area of England and the Solway sector in south-west Scotland. Altogether 21 crews out of 378 in the UK started the strike action on Thursday.