Today, officers and crew of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are holding their fifth round of industrial action, stepping up their fight for fair pay and better working conditions. The strikes, which are taking place across key locations like Portland, Birkenhead, and Portsmouth, come as the RFA faces an ever-deepening crisis that threatens its very existence.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary, a critical arm of the Royal Navy providing logistical support, is in serious decline, struggling to attract and retain enough sailors to crew its ships. This crisis isn’t just a minor inconvenience, it’s now a national security issue. Half of the vessels in the RFA fleet are unable to sail due to crewing shortages, with some vital roles still left unfilled. The result? The Royal Navy’s ability to operate effectively is being severely impacted.
A spokesperson for the RFA commented: “This is not just about pay rises, it’s about ensuring the survival of the RFA. Over the past decade, cuts have left us with a critical crewing crisis. Some positions are under-staffed by as much as 50%, and with more people leaving than we can recruit, the collapse of the service is now a real and imminent risk.”
The situation is dire. The majority of the fleet is stuck in port, unable to fulfil their crucial role in keeping the Royal Navy operational worldwide. The RFA’s role is more vital than ever, as it ensures that the Navy has the supplies and support it needs to perform its missions. Yet, despite its critical importance, the RFA’s pay and conditions are lagging behind those in the private sector, with sailors facing a staggering 30% real-terms pay cut since 2015.
A Fight for Survival
The workers, represented by the Nautilus and RMT trade unions, are now drawing a line in the sand. They’re not simply asking for more money, they’re demanding a future for the RFA and recognition for the sacrifices they’ve been making. Officers and crew have vowed to form picket lines between 08:00 and 15:30 local time at various locations, or on ships that are safely in port or at anchor.
Today’s strike is not the only significant development. Commodore Sam Shattock officially starts his role as the new head of the RFA, taking on a leadership position in what can only be described as difficult circumstances. With 34 years of service in the RFA, Commodore Shattock understands the depth of the challenges the service faces. Whether he will be empowered with the necessary resources and support to tackle these issues head-on is still uncertain.
Today also marks Merchant Navy Day, a day to honour the invaluable contributions of merchant mariners who, like the sailors in the RFA, often go unnoticed in the shadow of their uniformed counterparts. The sacrifices of civilian sailors, working tirelessly to transport essential goods and resources, are often overlooked despite being just as crucial to national security. Their role, particularly in the operations of the Royal Navy, remains as important as ever.
A Call for Action
The situation could hardly be more pressing. The RFA’s once-envied logistics capability is now at risk of collapsing for want of a relatively small investment. With the Royal Navy’s continued reliance on these sailors, a sustainable solution is urgently needed. In comparison to recent government spending on other sectors, a fair pay rise for RFA sailors would have minimal impact on the public purse, yet it could be the key to restoring the strength and resilience of the service.
The RFA’s entire wage bill for 2022-23, including pensions, was just £92 million. For a fleet that plays such a vital role in national defence, this is a paltry sum. The government must act swiftly to ensure that the men and women of the RFA are properly compensated, valued, and supported, or risk seeing a vital service collapse.
The RFA’s story is a stark reminder of the importance of investing in those who serve to protect the nation, whether in uniform or not. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is not just a critical element of the Royal Navy, it’s a part of the nation’s defence, and its future must be secured.
