Overview

• Wightlink has begun a 30-day consultation with the RMT on staffing changes as part of its Rostering and Operational Efficiency Project.
• The company says inflationary pressures have pushed costs to grow at twice the pace of revenue over the past year.
• Up to 50 roles, mostly operational, are at risk, with no planned reduction in sailings and the potential for about 30 new vacancies through a voluntary process.
• The RMT says management would not guarantee no compulsory redundancies and warns it will ballot for industrial action unless the proposal is withdrawn.
• The union describes the plan as a “recipe for disaster,” alleging it could ultimately threaten around 160 jobs and include cuts to Deck Officer and Port Operator grades, reduced crewing, and overnight closure of onboard retail.