Coastguard Strike Action

You may have read that Coastguards  around the country have been going on strike over the closure of Coastguard Rescue Centres.

The strike action by full time Coastguards has been going on for sometime and relates to the Operations Rooms not the Volunteer stations like ours here in Swanage.

Whilst many people think some of us are full time Coastguards almost everything we now do for the Service is voluntary.

Further Industrial Action

http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/newsandpublications/press-releases.htm?id=E1B53C0D2F1CF3CF&m=3&y=2010

Sadly on Monday and Tuesday certain staff of the MCA will take part in Industrial Action over their continued pay claim.

Coastguard Rescue Officers (us!) will not be taking part in this action.

Business as usual

Twice today I was stopped in town asking if we were on strike this weekend!

Can I just confirm that the Industrial Action by our colleagues in the Rescue Co ordination Centres does not involve any Coastguard Rescue Officers.

We all remain on call and will be doing our normal patrols and duties over the weekend.

Members of the public are reminded to continue to dial 999, and ask for Coastguard if persons are seen in trouble or you are in trouble yourself at sea or along the coast.

Another Strike

Sadly this weekend some of our colleagues in the Operations Room who belong to the PCS union will be taking industrial action over their long standing pay dispute.

Plans are in place to cover 999 calls and emergencies on the VHF radios, however this weekend sees the start of the summer holidays and this will no doubt put pressure on the system.

Coastguard Rescue Officers are not affected by this action and remain on call and available to respond to any maritime emergency.

The MCA have issued the following

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is reminding holiday makers and boat users to look very carefully at their plans and precautions in advance of a strike called by the Public and Commercial Services Union which will affect Coastguard Stations around the UK this weekend (18th – 20th July).

Sad Day .....part 2

At 07.00 tomorrow morning (11th April) many staff in the Coastguard operations rooms around the country will again walk out on strike over their pay.

This strike will last 24 hours until 07.00 Saturday12th April

Plans are again in place in ensure the safety of the public, 999 calls will be answered as normal.

We again confirm that Coastguard Rescue Teams remain on call during this period and are not part of this strike action.

A little bit of confusion

This morning when I turned the television on, the news started saying the Coastguard were on strike and then throughout the day the various pictures the media showed must have really confused the public who was actually on strike.

So here is a little guide to help those slightly confused.

NO - The RNLI is a charity, who's crews are volunteers, other than being called by the Coastguard to maritime

incidents there is no connection to the MCA.

NO - Coastguard Rescue Teams, we are volunteers as well, although we are part of the MCA (Coastguards) this dispute has nothing to do with us and we remain on call.

NO - Coastguard, RN and RAF helicopters have remained on call, Coastguard helicopters are under contract from Bristows and CHC the crews are not Coastguard Officers.

YES - The staff in the Operations Rooms (19 of them around the country) and some staff at the HQ in Southampton were the ones on strike.