MERSEYSIDE coastguards will today strike for the first time over low pay which they claim leaves them far behind the other emergency services.

Should an emergency occur today, it will end up being coordinated from a centre in Dorset owing to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s contingency set up.

This is because staff at the Coastguard centre at Blundellsands are among 700 workers across the country who are walking out for 24 hours.

The Public and Commercial Services Union says four out five employees at the MCA voted to strike over pay.

Ged Lynch, PCS representative at Crosby, said: “It dates back to 2000 when a re-grading process was instituted. A comparison study came back saying we were comparable to other emergency services but this was rejected.

“Operation room assistants are on close to minimum wage and are doing far more than they should be. So quite simply they should be getting more.

“PCS is pushing for all levels to be re-graded to take account on the rising cost of living.”

Wages for watch assistants begin at £12,000 per annum or £5.71 an hour – just 21p above the minimum wage.

The walk-out includes watch managers, officers and assistants and will hit emergency calls and operations at 19 UK rescue centres – including the Liverpool Coastguard in Crosby – which control search and rescue operations.

However, volunteers who go out on rescues are not involved in the industrial action.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, which launches its lifeboats in response to Coastguard requests, will carry on as normal.

The MCA has warned seafarers not to make unnecessary journeys but is confident that it all emergencies will be dealt with as usual.

Spokesman Richard Wilson also defended the association’s position.

He said they were not in a position to raise salaries in line with other emergency services.

“We’re having to live within our resources and within Government public sector pay policy.”

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