Ferry officers move to pay strike ballot
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N International hauliers face a summer of disruption on the ferries after a union moved to a strike ballot as the latest step in a pay dispute with P&O.
Nearly 600 members of the seafarers' union Numast could be launching a series of strikes within the next two months (from 21 June).
The dispute affects five P&O ferry companies which provide services across the English Channel, the North Sea, the Irish Sea and around Scotland.
A Numast spokesman says the members involved are all officers, adding: "They are responsible for the safe navigation and operation of the ferries. The ships could not run without them because they are highly skilled people."
Numast has been negotiating since before Christmas but says the company refuses to budge from its offer of pay increases of 1.2-1.4%. A workto-rule will be considered along with strike action.
Around half of the officers are employed by P&O Stena Line which operates the short-sea crossings, most of which are used for freight transport.
Numast says it has offered to go to arbitration to settle this dispute.
A spokeswoman for P&O Stena Line says discussions are continuing with the union: "We will be meeting them again in two weeks time when we hope to resolve the situation."