Campaigning Coastal Rescue Officers win government U-turn on payments

Rescue teams in Scotland's coastal communities will continue to be paid, ministers announced today, after a nationwide GMB campaign.

The union, representing Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs), fought plans to axe hourly payments for emergency call-outs and training warning the decision would risk an exodus of officers and sabotage the life-saving service.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency had pushed on with the proposed changes despite an internal staff survey revealing up to 40% of CROs in Scotland would be forced to leave or do less if they could not claim £11 an hour for call-outs and training.

However, in the House of Commons today, transport minister Keir Mather announced the plan to stop remuneration had been halted.

Paul Arkison, GMB Scotland senior organiser, welcomed the U-turn but said it should never have been necessary.

He said: “The work and commitment of Coastguard Rescue Officers could not be more important but had been needlessly risked by this ill-considered and self-harming plan.

“These brave and skilled emergency workers do not do it for the money but the money allows them to do it.

“The decision to continue paying them for their time is welcome but should never have been necessary.”

The MCA announced the plans to stop paying for call-outs and training just months after the Court of Appeal upheld a judgement giving coastguards workers’ rights in a landmark case led by GMB.