ROYAL Fleet Auxiliary staff have voted to accept a pay offer from the UK Ministry of Defence, bringing to an end industrial action that started in June 2024.

Members of both the RMT and Nautilus trade unions voted to accept what Nautilus called an “above inflation” pay offer for 2024-2025, which “also acknowledges the ongoing need to address long-term recruitment and retention challenges within the RFA”.

RFA vessels support Royal Navy operations around the world and are staffed by civilians. Nautilus director of organising Martyn Gray told Lloyd’s List that 67% of all surface vessel operations conducted by the UK’s Ministry of Defence were operated by RFA.

Gray said the agreement “demonstrates the power of collective action, with over 100 days of industrial action short of a strike and five days of strike action”.

“The outcome is the result of continued mandates for action as well as sustained negotiations to achieve a meaningful progress for the dedicated professionals serving in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.”

But Gray warned that there was still work to be done to ensure that pay and working conditions remained attractive in the long term.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the agreement “lays the groundwork for securing their future and vital role assisting the Royal Navy”.

“RMT will keep fighting to ensure the contributions of RFA workers are properly recognised going forward.

“We now go in to a phase of serious discussions with the RFA and MoD on the future structure of the RFA, their conditions of service and salaries in which we expect to make further significant improvements for our members,” he said.