On Thursday 15 August 2024, members of Nautilus International at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) carried out a day of strike action for the first time in the organisation's history.
Vessels impacted by the strike were in the Far East, the Mediterranean as well as those in and around the UK.
The strike follows a period of action short of strike since 1 June 2024. In April, members voted overwhelmingly for action short of strike and strike action, expressing their deep frustration and anger at an imposed 4.5% pay offer for 2023/24. The pay offer falls far below the rate of inflation for the same time period and is compounded by the over 30% real-term pay cut members have faced since 2010, and a recruitment and retention crisis in the service.
Nautilus director of organising Martyn Gray said: 'Our members are fed up. For too long, the RFA, the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence have relied on the goodwill of our members to carry out essential operations.
'The pay offer for 2023/24 and the real-term pay cut of over 30% since 2010 has made this goodwill no longer tenable.
'The key message from our members is simple. They are overworked, underpaid and undervalued.
'The only way to solve this dispute is with a pay offer that recognises the high rate of inflation and begins a pathway to pay restoration.
'This strike will make history, but not in a good way for an already crippled RFA.
'Nautilus is committed to finding a resolution as quickly as possible, but we will not allow our members to be taken for granted any longer.'
Members maintained a presence near Cammell Laird shipyard, Birkenhead; Whale Island, Portsmouth; and Portland, Dorset.
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