Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) officers have delivered an emphatic ballot result, demonstrating immense strength of feeling over pay and conditions across the workforce.
The statutory ballot achieved a 56 per cent turnout, with members returning decisive majorities in favour of action:
- 88 per cent voted YES to taking strike action
- 95 per cent voted YES to taking industrial action short of strike
Nautilus International said the result represents one of the largest and most significant RFA ballots ever conducted, both in scale and engagement.
In this ballot, 32 per cent more members were entitled to vote than in the previous RFA ballot around 17 per cent more officers actively participated, despite the challenges of returning postal ballots whilst at sea and on active operations.
The union says this context is crucial to understanding the result and highlights the depth of concern across the service.
Commenting on the outcome Nautilus International director of organising Martyn Gray, said:
“This was a huge ballot and a big success for RFA members. We balloted significantly more officers than ever before, and more people returned their ballot papers than in the last dispute. That level of engagement speaks volumes about the strength of feeling over pay and conditions across the RFA.”
He added:
“When nearly nine in 10 members voting are prepared to take strike action, and 95 per cent are willing to take action short of strike, it sends an unmistakable message. RFA officers have been patient and constructive, but they are also clear that the current pay arrangements are no longer sustainable.”
The dispute follows Nautilus International’s rejection of the 2025/26 RFA pay offer, which the union said failed to address real‑terms pay erosion, recruitment and retention pressures, and the need for meaningful modernisation of terms and conditions.
Nautilus International confirmed it will now consider next steps in line with statutory requirements, while remaining open to meaningful discussions aimed at securing a fair and sustainable resolution for RFA officers.
