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AS INDUSTRIAL action on the Sella Ness harbour tugs gets set to commence on 17 May, positions on both sides of the dispute appear to be hardening.
The chairman of the local branch of Unite, John Halcrow, has now accused the towage workersâ employer, Shetland Islands Council, of making misleading statements.
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Shetland News, the councilâs chief executive Maggie Sandison said that it was not possible for the tug workers to start âunpickingâ their special contractual arrangements with the council without undoing the entire set-up.
The towage workers are aggrieved that under current arrangements they are not entitled to the equivalent of a monthâs wage in recognition of 25 years of service to the council.
Sullom Voe tug men vote to go on strike in May shetnews.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from shetnews.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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OIL EXPORT from the port of Sullom Voe could be disrupted later this spring if the crews working on the council run tugs vote for industrial action over the terms of a long service award.
Members of the Unite union based at Sella Ness are being balloted next week.
Unite said its members will lose out on an award paid to council employees after 25 years of service, equivalent to one month salary, and instead be given a flat rate of £250.
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But Shetland Islands Council chief executive Maggie Sandison said the workers are on TUPE protected terms and conditions that includes their own long-service benefit payment.