RFA Lyme Bay workers strike over pay

Workers on board RFA Lyme Bay, currently on the Rock, have taken strike action at the dockyard regarding pay.

Lyme Bay has been back and forth from Gibraltar since she was placed on heightened readiness several weeks ago. 

Workers are employed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary but it's not clear whether they are employed from Gibraltar or elsewhere. 

Under placards reading 'Fair Pay for RFA,' around 25 members of staff have been pictured in front of Lyme Bay at the dockyard. They're represented by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport workers. 

Yesterday was their first day of strike action, with another planned for the 16th April. The RMT union says members will continue to ensure the safety of the vessel is maintained during strike days. 

The workers have taken action after rejecting a pay offer from their employer. The union argues staff work up to 12 hour days but there is no clear or transparent formula setting out how pay is calculated against those hours. 

RMT says its members play a vital role in supporting the Navy in some of the most dangerous working conditions, but have faced years of below par pay and unresolved concerns about conditions. The union says the MoD and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary need to make a long term improvement to these two things, including ensuring national minimum wage compliance if they are serious about retaining staff. 

GBC has asked the MoD about the action and whether it will impact RFA Lyme Bay's operations.