OFFICERS and seafarers at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are to stage fresh strikes in an escalating pay dispute.

Members of both RMT and Nautilus International unions have announced three consecutive days of strike action later this month.

The strikes by RMT members will begin on September 23, during Labour’s annual conference.

They have taken five stoppages since the dispute began under the previous Tory government.

Nautilus members will walk out from September 20, with the union saying it was a “marked escalation” from two one-day strikes held in recent weeks.

The union said RFA employees have suffered a “real-terms” pay cut of more than 30 per cent since 2010, and have rejected an imposed 4.5 per cent pay rise of 2022/23.

Nautilus international director of organising Martyn Gray said: “Since Labour has come to power, it has ended several ongoing public-sector disputes, except for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

“This is yet another clear message to our members that they are undervalued by government, irrespective of party, despite their criticality to our nation’s national security and defence.”

RMT leader Mick Lynch added: “The moderate demands of our members on pay must be heard.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “The Royal Fleet Auxiliary are highly valued, specialist personnel. We are committed to listening to their concerns and keeping a continued dialogue to address issues they raise.”