'Work-to-rule': Angry Royal Fleet Auxiliary officers to take action short of strike in pay protest

Disgruntled Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) officers are taking action short of a strike in protest against ongoing pay and conditions.

Members of the Nautilus International union will begin operating under “work-to-rule” conditions from May 10. Discussions between the unions and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have failed to produce an agreement, with a 4.5 per cent offer rejected earlier this year.

Director of organising Martyn Gray told The News: “RFA officers have made it clear that the current situation on pay and conditions is not sustainable. After months of talks, the core issues remain unresolved, leaving them with no option but to begin industrial action short of a strike.

“From 10 May, our members will work strictly to their contracts. This action will remain in place until the Ministry of Defence and RFA management address the long‑standing concerns officers have repeatedly raised and resolve the dispute.”

Officers will be working strictly to their contracts and assignments. They will refuse additional duties, extended tours, and anything not written into their formal agreements. Nautilus said safety will not be compromised, and officers will meet all safety, environmental, and legal obligations. The organisation released a list of conditions their members will abide by.

• Work only to their contracted job description and assigned rank.
• Refuse duties not written into their contract or letter of appointment.
• Refuse to extend tours of duty beyond agreed contractual limits.
• Refuse to be moved to vessels or shore roles not named in their appointment documents.
• Decline multi-location working unless their contract specifically provides for it

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The action covers officers across engineering, navigation, communications, systems engineering, and logistics and supply roles. Officers of the Master rank (Commanding Officer) are excluded. Further discussions are due to take place between union representatives and the MoD on May 1.

Union members voted 95 per cent in favour of industrial action short of a strike and 88 per cent in favour of strike action in February 2026. Nautilus International said talks with the MoD and RFA management have continued since, but concerns from personnel remain unaddressed. The government hailed a pay deal in January 2025, with minister Luke Pollard stating it would “restore faith” in the force, but union members believe the promised reforms and changes have failed to materialise.

Members of the RMT union went on strike earlier this year. Longstanding concerns raised in the past include poor pay, the lack of availability of ships, staff shortages, sailors being asked to fill gaps at higher ranks, people being “harassed into returning to work early” while on holiday, and “horrific” maternity policies making female seafarers feel forced to choose between having a family and career.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a force of civilian sailors who provide a vital role in support of the Royal Navy on various operations. Their job can range from extending the reach of warships and keeping them at sea for longer to humanitarian disaster support and security patrols monitoring Russian vessels.

During HMS Prince of Wales’ recent deployment in the Indo-Pacific, support ships provided vessels with fuel, equipment, supplies, mechanical engineering expertise and other tools. In March, RFA Tideforce replenished the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon with fuel while en-route to the eastern Mediterranean for Iran war security patrols.

A MoD spokesperson said: “We recognise the decision by some members of the Nautilus union in favour of industrial action short of strike and we are continuing to collaborate closely with all stakeholders, including trade unions.

“Officers of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are highly valued specialists who play a critical role in supporting Defence operations around the world. We remain committed to working constructively with the Maritime Trade Unions to reach a resolution that reflects the vital contribution of RFA personnel but will not provide further comment until these negotiations conclude."