Royal Fleet Auxiliary seafarers accept improved pay offer

Seafarers at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have voted to accept an improved pay offer, ending a long-running dispute.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said the deal includes “significant uplifts” in salaries, including backpay which, it added, goes some way to address the “suppression” of pay over many years.

Shorter assignments and better work-life balance arrangements are also included, said the union, which held a number of strikes last year over the row.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “This is a fantastic result for our RFA members, who’ve stood strong, united and taken several bouts of strike action during this dispute.

“They’ve secured real-terms pay increases, important improvements to their working lives, and I thank them for their efforts.

“This agreement lays the groundwork for securing their future and vital role assisting the Royal Navy.

“RMT will keep fighting to ensure the contributions of RFA workers are properly recognised going forward.

“We now go in to a phase of serious discussions with the RFA and MoD on the future structure of the RFA, their conditions of service and salaries in which we expect to make further significant improvements for our members.”

Nautilus International announced that its members in the RFA have also voted to accept a pay offer the union described as an “improved, above-inflation” award.

Nautilus represents officer grades, who also took industrial action in a long-running dispute.

Director of organising Martyn Gray said: “This agreement demonstrates the power of collective action, with over 100 days of industrial action short of a strike and five days of strike action.

“The outcome is the result of continued mandates for action as well as sustained negotiations to achieve meaningful progress for the dedicated professionals serving in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.”

Nautilus said negotiations for the 2025/26 pay agreement will begin in the coming weeks.