Union call for quick response to Coastguard pay issues
GMB say that members are concerned that people will be at risk without speedy solution
Volunteer lifeguards in the south of England say they're concerned staff shortages might lead to more danger for members of the public.
It’s after the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have announced plans to remove payments for callouts for coastguard rescue officers (CROs), which were previously £11 per hour.
HM Coastguard is currently staffed by a mix of volunteers and salaried personnel, with CROs, DSOs, and SOs forming the volunteer Coastguard Rescue Teams, often supported by Senior Coastal Operations Officers (SCOOs).
From September, CROSs will be moved back to volunteer status and receive remuneration only for expenses and mileage.
Speaking to Greatest Hits and Hits Radio Kent, GMB's regional organiser for the South, Frank Macklin, said:
"Currently, we've managed to get them to agree to a pause in the process of, basically dismissing and re-engaging their army of volunteer coast guards. And we're hoping to have some talks with them. "
On how the volunteers were feeling he added:
"As you would expect from people doing that kind of work, we're not hearing about them and their issues. We're hearing about how the actual service is being put at risk.
"I think, for every one full-time Coast Guard, you've probably got a small army of volunteers making up that team, that the full-time equivalent is responsible for.
"So, if they're not there, then basically it leaves a huge hole behind.
"We genuinely believe that our Coast Guard service was a fully funded public service and to find out that, you know, there is thousands of them who are electricians, working in schools, working in hospitals.
"When a shout comes in, they basically down tools and off they rush to assist the member of the public that's in trouble.
"As you can imagine, some people might be lucky enough to work for an employer that doesn't deduct from their wages when they get a shout.
"Others, you know, as you say, electricians, plumbers, self-employed, you know, when they get a shout, they down tools, that's them no longer earning for the day."
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said:
“Through Departmental agreements, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency officially recognise PCS as trade union representatives for His Majesty’s Coastguard. We have already been in discussions with them over the proposed changes in the Coastguard Rescue Service.
"We have also been approached by GMB and will be engaging with them to try agree a way forward that does not go against our current recognition agreements.
“The decision to move the Coastguard Rescue Service to a revised volunteer model follows a legal judgment, which meant we needed to change how the service operates.
"We deeply value and recognise the significant service Coastguard Rescue Officers provide along our coastline.
“The Coastguard Rescue Service will continue to maintain a robust, effective search and rescue response, ensuring the highest quality of service and levels of safety."