MORE than 500 seafarers at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are to strike tomorrow, despite efforts by their union RMT to find a settlement. 

The RFA have imposed a 4.5 per cent pay deal, but the union says this fails to reflect the value and sacrifices of staff in the fleet.

The civilian merchant seafarers work onboard vessels which provide the Royal Navy with vital logistic and operational support, including in humanitarian operations around the globe.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “RFA members have reached their tolerance limit towards poor pay and conditions for UK seafarers despite the vital work that they perform.

“Management has remained inflexible throughout the negotiations and has failed to present an improved offer that meets our members’ expectations.

“RFA must acknowledge the gravity of the situation and avoid a crewing crisis by showing respect for the role and sacrifices of merchant seafarers, who play a crucial part in long deployments away from home on operations worldwide. 

“We have made efforts to reach a negotiated settlement with management, but now we have no choice but take strike action.”