Menu
18/07/2008
Coastguard Staff Prepare For 48-Hour Walkout
Coastguard staff are the latest employees to take part in strike action in a row over pay.
Staff will walk out from tonight at 7pm for 48 hours.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) says that the 48-hours strike at the weekend by Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) members is expected to "seriously disrupt operations run from the UK's 19 rescue co-ordination centres around our coastline".
It is the second time that staff have walked out in three months, they are complaining that pay rates are behind other emergency serives.
PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka said: "This will prove to be a determined week of solidarity among public sector workers facing a brutal attack on their living standards from a government desperate to cling to a widely discredited pay policy."
The MCA has warned holiday makers and boat users to "look very carefully at their plans and precautions".
However, the MCA say that contingency arrangements are in place to ensure that an emergency service will be provided to all beach, cliff and sea users this weekend.
MCA Chief Executive, Peter Cardy said: "This weekend HM Coastguards normal service will be affected by industrial action. Plans are in place to provide cover, but I'm encouraging everybody working or playing on the sea or on the beach this weekend to take that bit of extra care, and to follow our safety advice.
"We are also asking sea users to not only watch out for themselves, but for others too as they would normally. The message is still the same - if you see something that you believe is dangerous or putting peoples lives at risk, dont delay. Use the distress VHF Channel 16, or if near a shoreline, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard making sure you know your own position."
(DS/JM)
Staff will walk out from tonight at 7pm for 48 hours.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) says that the 48-hours strike at the weekend by Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) members is expected to "seriously disrupt operations run from the UK's 19 rescue co-ordination centres around our coastline".
It is the second time that staff have walked out in three months, they are complaining that pay rates are behind other emergency serives.
PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka said: "This will prove to be a determined week of solidarity among public sector workers facing a brutal attack on their living standards from a government desperate to cling to a widely discredited pay policy."
The MCA has warned holiday makers and boat users to "look very carefully at their plans and precautions".
However, the MCA say that contingency arrangements are in place to ensure that an emergency service will be provided to all beach, cliff and sea users this weekend.
MCA Chief Executive, Peter Cardy said: "This weekend HM Coastguards normal service will be affected by industrial action. Plans are in place to provide cover, but I'm encouraging everybody working or playing on the sea or on the beach this weekend to take that bit of extra care, and to follow our safety advice.
"We are also asking sea users to not only watch out for themselves, but for others too as they would normally. The message is still the same - if you see something that you believe is dangerous or putting peoples lives at risk, dont delay. Use the distress VHF Channel 16, or if near a shoreline, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard making sure you know your own position."
(DS/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 March 2011
Coastguard 'SOS' Received By Penning
A recently launched campaign to save Bangor's endangered Coastguard Station has moved up a notch with news that coastguard staff have meet with Mike Penning, the UK Shipping Minister (pictured left, with Secretary of State, Owen Paterson) who visited the north Down location.
Coastguard 'SOS' Received By Penning
A recently launched campaign to save Bangor's endangered Coastguard Station has moved up a notch with news that coastguard staff have meet with Mike Penning, the UK Shipping Minister (pictured left, with Secretary of State, Owen Paterson) who visited the north Down location.
05 April 2017
Two Teens Rescued From Rocks In Co Down
Two teenage girls have been rescued after being trapped on rocks in Bangor, Co Down. It is believed they had been stuck on the rocks for a number of hours. Emergency services were alerted just after 9pm on Tuesday, 04 April. Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team, the Coastguard Helicopter and Bangor RNLI Lifeboat were deployed.
Two Teens Rescued From Rocks In Co Down
Two teenage girls have been rescued after being trapped on rocks in Bangor, Co Down. It is believed they had been stuck on the rocks for a number of hours. Emergency services were alerted just after 9pm on Tuesday, 04 April. Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team, the Coastguard Helicopter and Bangor RNLI Lifeboat were deployed.
16 September 2013
Storms Stop Searches For Missing Man
Searches for a man swept out to sea at Ramore Head in Portrush on Saturday have been hampered by poor weather conditions. A search by the police and coastguard did resume on Sunday morning, but strong winds made conditions too dangerous to continuing searching. It is understood the missing man is 38-years-old and is a Polish national.
Storms Stop Searches For Missing Man
Searches for a man swept out to sea at Ramore Head in Portrush on Saturday have been hampered by poor weather conditions. A search by the police and coastguard did resume on Sunday morning, but strong winds made conditions too dangerous to continuing searching. It is understood the missing man is 38-years-old and is a Polish national.
03 April 2013
Man Dies After Portstewart Harbour Fall
A man who died on Tuesday evening after falling into the sea near Portstewart harbour in L'Derry has been named as Stanley Duncan, chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland. Mr Duncan is reported to have been fishing close to the shore at Victoria Terrace before 17:00 when the incident occurred.
Man Dies After Portstewart Harbour Fall
A man who died on Tuesday evening after falling into the sea near Portstewart harbour in L'Derry has been named as Stanley Duncan, chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland. Mr Duncan is reported to have been fishing close to the shore at Victoria Terrace before 17:00 when the incident occurred.
16 January 2009
Donegal Shore Search Intensifies
A major search operation is to step up a gear at the weekend as searches are continuing along the east coast of the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal for the missing Strabane-based doctor, Deirdre Donnelly-O'Flaherty. Patrick Gillespie from the Irish Coastguard said a major shore and sea search was planned for this Saturday.
Donegal Shore Search Intensifies
A major search operation is to step up a gear at the weekend as searches are continuing along the east coast of the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal for the missing Strabane-based doctor, Deirdre Donnelly-O'Flaherty. Patrick Gillespie from the Irish Coastguard said a major shore and sea search was planned for this Saturday.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:This morning will be dry and rather cloudy, a little brightness here and there. Remaining dry this afternoon but still often cloudy. Fresh to strong westerly winds. Mild. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:This evening will be dry. Then the rest of the night will be mainly dry and mostly cloudy, although rain may reach the north coast later. Windy. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
