A Storm is Brewing on the Docks
Tensions are rising at Royal Navy bases as subcontractor workers prepare to stage a 24-hour walkout on 3 February, followed by continuous industrial action. The move, spearheaded by Prospect union members working for Serco Marine, comes in response to mounting fears over job security linked to a new Ministry of Defence (MoD) contract.
At the heart of the dispute is a £250 million contract covering critical afloat services at Faslane, Portsmouth, and Devonport. The union claims that Serco, which oversees security, transport, and maritime operations for the Navy, has failed to engage with staff on how the new agreement could impact them. According to Prospect, the contract could “severely limit the work of the Royal Navy” and result in significant job losses.
What’s at Stake?
The contract in question governs essential support functions, including:
- Towage activities – guiding larger vessels in and out of port
- Bunkering and watering – refuelling and supplying water
- Tank cleaning – maintaining naval vessels
- Passenger services – transporting personnel
- Trials work and munitions handling
- Nuclear safety operations
With these tasks forming the backbone of daily naval operations, workers fear that proposed changes could not only cost them their jobs but also jeopardise the effectiveness of the Royal Navy’s fleet.
Workers Take a Stand
The planned 24 hour strike on 3 February is just the beginning. From 4 February, workers will adopt a work-to-rule policy and an overtime ban, disrupting daily operations further. While the union is urging Serco and the MoD to pause negotiations and allow meaningful discussions, Serco remains firm, stating that talks with the MoD “remain ongoing” and that their service levels remain unchanged for now.
Sue Ferns, Prospect’s senior deputy general secretary, warns that ignoring workers’ concerns could prove costly.
“Our members don’t want to take industrial action, but we need to be engaged on the new contract. Otherwise, the fleet risks losing vital jobs that will be impossible to replace when the Navy realises it has made a mistake.”
The MoD, for its part, has reassured that core naval priorities including the Continuous At Sea Deterrent and aircraft carriers will remain unaffected during the strike.
The Bigger Picture
This dispute underscores the fragile balance between cost-cutting measures and maintaining the Royal Navy’s operational readiness. With workers on the brink of prolonged action, the pressure is on Serco and the MoD to address concerns before the standoff escalates further.
