Official statements from the Ministry of Defence or UK government

Royal Fleet Auxiliary Workers Begin Historic Strike Over Pay Dispute on August 15, 2024

Aug 16, 2024, 07:25 AM

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) officers and ratings are engaging in a historic strike action, marking the first-ever strike by RFA officers. The industrial action, which began on August 15, 2024, and continued on August 16, 2024, is a response to a long-standing pay dispute. The RFA workers, represented by the RMT union and Nautilus International, are protesting against real terms pay cuts exceeding 30% since 2010 and demanding fair pay comparable to commercial shipping counterparts. The strike has drawn attention to the low pay, poor working conditions, and a recruitment and retention crisis within the RFA. The Ministry of Defence has reportedly asked the unions to halt their actions without offering further proposals, intensifying the dispute. The entire wage bill for the RFA is £94 million per year. The strike is taking place globally, with actions reported in locations such as Singapore and Cyprus.