UNITE workers at Orkney Ferries will begin industrial action later this month amid an escalating pay dispute.

Frustrated that the company relies on the goodwill of its employees, who regularly work well beyond their contracted hours at short notice, while the enhanced “recall” rate for those extra hours has been withdrawn, workers will begin a continuous overtime ban from 12.01am on August 28.

The union’s members, including engineers, customer services assistants and chefs, have overwhelmingly rejected a two-year pay offer from the firm.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham warned: “Orkney Ferries must come back to the negotiating table with an enhanced offer or the overtime ban will last for months.”

Industrial officer Paula Buchan added: “The overtime ban will inevitably result in disruption to ferry services and delays for passengers, but Orkney Ferries is directly responsible, due to its failure to negotiate a fair deal for workers. 

“Unite has repeatedly tried to resolve this pay dispute with management, but they are doing their very best to make this situation harder to fix.”

Orkney Ferries was contacted for comment.