A pay dispute involving merchant seamen has brought crucial relief efforts in Gaza to a halt, as RFA Cardigan Bay remains stranded in Portland Harbour for the past three weeks. 

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessel has been stuck since early September, after crew members initiated a work-to-rule action following failed negotiations with the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The dispute has affected the ship's ability to undergo a much-needed refit after being deployed worldwide for over two and a half years. 

The Cardigan Bay, one of three Bay Class amphibious vessels capable of carrying 700 soldiers or civilians, returned to its Portland base last month. However, crew members, who were entitled to shore leave after four months at sea, refused to move the ship 140 nautical miles (160 miles) to the A&P Group’s Falmouth yard for repairs and maintenance. 

As merchant navy sailors, RFA personnel are distinct from the armed forces and are permitted to take industrial action when not at sea. The Nautilus union, representing around 600 RFA officers, took this action in response to the MoD’s imposition of a 4.5% pay increase for the year starting July 2023, a sum that had been rejected twice by union members. 

Nautilus argues that RFA wages have declined by around 30% compared to their counterparts in the commercial merchant navy since 2009, while Royal Navy personnel have seen a 13% rise in the same period. Martyn Gray, Nautilus's Organisational Director, highlighted the impact this has on the crew's families, stating: “RFA sailors are chronically underpaid, especially considering the skill set, training required, and operational conditions they face.” 

Gray emphasized that their aim isn’t to hinder the Royal Navy but to bring attention to the reliance on RFA members' goodwill, which, he claims, has now run out. 

The pay dispute has triggered the first-ever strikes in the RFA’s 119-year history, but the ongoing work-to-rule has been even more disruptive, exposing the RFA's dependence on voluntary crew contributions. The RFA's workforce has dwindled in recent years, with many vessels operating with the bare minimum crew, sometimes up to 30% below required strength. 

Salaries in the RFA range from around £30,000 for entry-level officers, including engineers and logistics personnel, to over £70,000 for captains. The RMT union, which represents another 1,000 RFA workers, has also been in conflict with the MoD and has staged separate strikes. 

In 2022, RFA Cardigan Bay supported Royal Navy minesweepers in the Persian Gulf and was later redeployed to Cyprus in April to assist the US Army in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. Her sister vessel, RFA Mounts Bay, has since taken over these duties, with around 700 British troops stationed in Cyprus amid rising tensions in the region. 

It's uncertain whether Cardigan Bay will return to the Middle East, as the delayed refit could impact its readiness. The RFA’s only other Bay Class ship, Lyme Bay, is currently in active service, while a fourth, Largs Bay, was sold to the Royal Australian Navy in 2011. 

Meanwhile, another RFA ship, the refuelling tanker Tidespring, remains tied up in Portland due to crew shortages, as reported by the Navy Lookout website. According to Martyn Gray, the RFA is so under-resourced that it could fully crew only five or six of its dozen vessels in an emergency. 

The current mandate for industrial action closes on October 4, after which crew members may be obliged to move the Cardigan Bay. However, they could still choose to adhere strictly to their contract terms. A second strike ballot is ongoing, with the outcome expected in November. 

The Royal Navy declined to comment on ship movements for security reasons but assured that operational commitments are being monitored. An MoD spokesperson confirmed that efforts are ongoing to minimize the impact of the industrial action and maintain a dialogue with unions to address concerns. Although the 4.5% pay rise remains in place, discussions on recruitment, retention, and flexible working options are underway.