Coastguard strike will impact rescue centres

Spurce: CCF

Search and rescue co-ordination centres across the UK will be affected by the strike of up to 700 coastguard staff today.

In the first strike in their 158-year history, staff at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have walked out for 24 hours, from 7am this morning, according to the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS).

The MCA has reportedly made emergency contingency plans to ensure that public safety will not be endangered during the strike.

According to Reuters, MCA chief executive Peter Cardy said lives would not be put at risk.

Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, added: “Today’s strike, the first in the Coastguard Agency’s history, is not a step our members have taken lightly.

“They feel let down and betrayed by a refusal to pay them the same as other emergency services and by below-inflation pay rises which are cutting their pay in real terms.”