Office workers in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency strike over poor pay.
following the offer of a paltry 2.5% pay increase, well below inflation levels, 700 Rescue Co-ordinators backed by the Public and Commercial Sevices Union have taken strike action against real-terms cuts to already poor pay. The workers, who participate in search planning in response to 999 calls, demand a rise of £3000 from their current base salary of £12,500, which is barely above the minimum wage. According to an internal investigation by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which was then rejected by the MCA, Coastguard workers are paid around £4,500 less than counterparts in other emergency services.
The current action follows on a five day strike earlier in March, which the PCS report enjoyed strong public support. It was the first such action in the organisation's history.
The strike ends at midnight tonight.
