THE Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has blocked a union recognition bid for staff being “denied a voice” on closure plans at one of its major sites, Unite said today.

The charity refused the formal request as its Inshore Lifeboat Centre on the Isle of Wight has a works council, said the union.

The RNLI announced last year that it was considering closing the facility and putting some 70 jobs at risk.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “At a time where workers at the RNLI’s Inshore Lifeboat Centre need union recognition more than ever, their employer is denying them the fundamental right to be represented by an independent union — their basic rights to negotiation and bargaining.

“This is totally unacceptable and Unite will not stand for it. The RNLI must listen to its staff and allow them to have their voices heard collectively.”

A RNLI spokesman said that it has “carefully considered” the request and “while we are rejecting the request from Unite, any RNLI staff from the ILC who are members can be accompanied by Unite at any forthcoming individual meetings.”