Red Funnel, a ferry service between Southampton and Cowes, has awarded more than 140 employees a pay rise worth at least 13.4%.
The employees, who work across a range of roles including customer service, and are members of trade union Unite, voted to accept the deal after halting pay-related strikes. In addition to wage increases, the agreement also included improvements to paid leave, sick pay, food allowances and health benefits.
The two-year offer is worth 18.3% for the lowest paid and 13.4% for all other staff. It includes an immediate 4.5% pay rise, increasing to 6.3% for the lowest paid, and has been backdated to January 2022. From January 2023, the business will implement an 8.6% pay increase, rising to 11.3% for those on the lowest salary.
Fran Collins, chief executive at Red Funnel, said: “I am very pleased that Unite members voted in such numbers to accept our two-year pay offer, and as a result industrial action will cease and we will continue operating our service as normal. Our focus throughout this period has been to secure a sustainable future for the business. It is also important to us that we have been able to recognise and reward all our colleagues during these unstable times.
“Now that a resolution has been finalised, we are committed to working with all our colleagues to focus on rebuilding our teams and moving forward together. We remain fully committed to doing all we can to ensure maximum travel choice and connectivity for island residents, visitors and businesses, promoting the long-term success of the Island economy.”
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, added: “Our members at Red Funnel stood together to fight for better wages and won. This is just the latest example of how Unite’s total focus on improving jobs, pay and conditions is delivering for our members.”
