In Scotland a historic picket line took place in Oban on the west coast as Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) members on Monday went on strike for the first time.

Around 20 Unite the Union members working for the NLB, which has its HQ in Edinburgh, have taken the action following a dispute over a pay rise of two per cent.

The increase argue the striking workers is too low an offer from the NLB which is the General Lighthouse Authority (GLA) responsible for the waters surrounding Scotland and the Isle of Man.

The striking workers had gathered outside the NLB's Depot in Oban in Argyll & Bute where its technical operations are carried out. In addition Oban is a base for its fleet of two aids to navigation tenders, the NLV Pharos and NLV Pole Star (See separate vessel replacement story).

The strike was held outside the organisation's Oban office on Gallanach Road where red Unite Scotland flags and plastic clappers were on hand to ensure their protest was seen and heard.

This was the first time that workers of NLB had carried out an official strike action in the organisation’s 236-year history. As Afloat reported in April workers voted to take strike-action over pay. 

The NLB is responsible for 208 lighthouses across Scotland and the Isle of Man, with employees maintaining and operating lighthouses, beacons and buoys at sea. Asides technicians working in Oban they are also based in Inverness, Orkney and Shetland.

The Oban Times has more on this historic strike which also involved a further 20 Unite members according to STV News which reported of strike action planned from noon on Monday until noon yesterday, Tuesday.

Ferry workers on the service to Rathlin Island, some six miles of the Antrim coast are to continue strike action this month over a dispute on pay and conditions.

At the weekend, the Unite the Union announced industrial action would be held in January with sailings cancelled on all Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Details of the affected sailings with dates are listed on the operator's (Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd) website. Afloat also adds, the continued disruption includes tomorrow, 10 January which is among 12 days in total nominated with cancelled sailings. The website however states that crew will continue to provide emergency cover to the Island community during the industrial action.

The announcement of further strikes, follows the cancellation of ferry sailings last Thursday on the Rathlin Island (White Church) - Ballycastle Harbour route which can take 25 minutes by fast-craft and 40 minutes by car-ferry. 

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary had called on the Department for Infrastructure to "intervene and ensure workers on the ferry service receive a cost of living pay increase and avoid further disruption".

The Irish News has more to report.