Coastguards stage first ever strike
Updated on 06 March 2008
Britain's coastguards have gone on strike for the first time as part of a protest against low pay.
Rescue centres across the country were left empty as staff from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency mounted picket lines.
Around half the UK's 19 rescue centres were closed and management were drafted in to other sites to handle emergency and Mayday calls.
The agency said there had been no incidents in the first hour after staff started walking out at 7am.
Up to 700 members of the Public and Commercial Services Union are taking part in the strike over the low inflation wage rises in recent years.
The union said pay levels at the agency were "way below" those in other emergency services leaving staff "furious" over their wage levels.
The union claimed that many workers at the agency, including coastguard watch assistants, only earned the national minimum wage.
Pay rises last year averaged 2.5 per cent but starting salaries were just over £12,000, according to the union.
General secretary Mark Serwotka said staff had not taken the action lightly, adding: "They feel let down and betrayed by a refusal to pay them the same as other emergency services."
The agency said contingency plans were put in place which meant that emergency response for those at risk would not be compromised.
Chief executive Peter Cardy said communications will continue to work and emergency calls will still get through.
The strike involves staff who co-ordinate search and rescue operations, answer emergency calls and issue warnings of any hazards but the crews of coastguard vessels are not affected.
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