River pilots vote to strike

Humber Pilots provides the service under contract

River pilots at some of the country's busiest ports have voted to take industrial action in a row over safety.

About 130 pilots based at ports on the Humber voted overwhelmingly for strike action in their dispute with port owners Associated British Ports (ABP).

The pilots have rejected ABP's request that they apply for their own jobs and want to re-negotiate their contract.

In a statement to BBC News Online, ABP said the decision was "unlawful" and it was prepared to take the matter to the High Court.

If long-serving, dedicated professionals like us have been driven to this point through a genuine concern over public safety... this must be a matter of major public concern

Captain Steve Holland, Humber Pilots

The pilots, who navigate ships on the Humber, could strike next month and cause disruption at ports, including Grimsby and Immingham.

The action is in response to ABP's demand to the self-employed pilots to re-apply for their jobs after the compnay decided to employ it's own pilots from January 2002.

ABP gave the Humber Pilots until 6 August to apply for positions.

None of the co-operative's 140 members took up the offer.

Last resort

Captain Steve Holland told BBC Radio Humberside, the action was a last resort.

"If we do nothing, two things are going to happen.

"Pilots who have dedicated themselves for decades to providing a safe and efficient pilot service are going to be out of a job.

"More importantly than that, the Humber is in danger.

"ABP's plans to recruit worldwide and train in an alternative pilot service in the limited time available, we think, is fraught with danger.

ABP claims the action is unlawful

"If long-serving, dedicated professionals like us have been driven to this point through a genuine concern over public safety... this must be a matter of major public concern."

The pilots, members of a co-operative affiliated to the Transport and General Workers Union, are concerned that junior, less experienced captains are being trained to take their jobs.

It currently takes 10 years of experience before a pilot is considered competent by ABP to guide the super tankers and other big ships in out of the Humber - one of the country's most dangerous estuaries.

Leaders hope to have negotiations with managers before deciding if industrial action will go ahead.

'Position unchanged'

About 24,000 vessels navigate the Humber each year and there are fears that action could cause widespread shipping chaos.

In a statement, ABP said: "ABP believes that the Humber Pilots' decision to take industrial action is unlawful.

"ABP's position remains unchanged, with strong legal advice that the Humber Pilots are self-employed and as such are not entitled to take strike action.

"Humber Pilots Limited (the pilots' co-operative) gave notice to terminate the contractual agreement with ABP with effect from 27 January 2002.

"As a strike has been called, ABP will now apply to the High Court to restrain the pilots from taking any industrial action."