SEAFARERS have torpedoed the Tory government’s commitment to boost defence spending by the end of the decade after suffering a 30 per cent real-terms pay cut over 14 years.

Nautilus International members at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) criticised the government today after overwhelmingly voting for industrial action for the first time in its history last month.

RFA vessels provide the Royal Navy with vital logistic and operational support including humanitarian operations around the world.

Nautilus’s director of organising Martyn Gray said: “If the Prime Minister is serious about supporting the UK’s defence capabilities, he would commit to restoring RFA pay to pre-2010 levels and avoid industrial action.

“The skilled mariners who support the defence of our nation deserve a decent pay rise now, not distant promises.”

He said PM Rishi Sunak should prioritise dealing with existing challenges over poor pay, morale and recruitment and retention instead of his “ambitious target” for boosting defence spending by the end of the decade.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at the RFA also voted for industrial action over pay earlier this month.

Up to 500 civilian merchant seafarers rejected a “totally unacceptable” below inflation one-year pay offer of 4.5 per cent from management, the RMT said. 

General secretary Mick Lynch said: “They are extremely angry about the pitiful pay rise they were offered and frustrated at management’s refusal to even contemplate an improved offer.

“We will now consider our next steps and try to come to a negotiated settlement with management along with our sister union Nautilus who represent officers, who have also voted for industrial action over the past week.”

The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for comment.