Staff at Orkney Ferries balloted in pay dispute

Staff at Orkney Ferries are being balloted over possible industrial action in a dispute over pay.

The Unite union said it represents about 30 workers covering various roles with Orkney's internal islands service including engineers and customer services assistants.

The ballot opened on Tuesday and will close on 5 August.

Orkney Ferries is council owned, and the local authority said dialogue in relation to pay was continuing.

The staff involved work on the outer north and inner isles services.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Our members play a vital role in keeping this essential service operating."

Unite said that if workers vote for industrial action then strikes could begin from the end of August.