Ferry strikes disruption

Ferry services to Yell, Whalsay, Skerries and Unst will be affected by industrial action by ferry mates with the first of a series of strikes due to begin on Wednesday.

Members of the Unite union voted in favour of industrial action in an long-running dispute over pay. They claim to have been unfairly treated in the most recent review of the “SIngle Status” pay review.

Following a union ballot 12 ferry mates have decided to refuse to act up as masters and may not work overtime to cover annual sick leave.

They will also strike each Wednesday morning from 6am to 9am from this week until 4th March 2015.

The council last week said the industrial action, in particular the weekly strikes, were likely to have a significant impact and today the SIC confirmed the following services will be affected: Yell Sound, Whalsay, Skerries and Bluemull Sound.  Bressay and Papa Stour services will operate as normal.

The SIC said the above information was subject to change at any time.