RED Funnel has responded to the strike dates Unite the Union announced earlier today, saying it expects the Isle of Wight Red Jet service to operate as normal.

It said it will issue a revised car ferry timetable by Wednesday which will be vital to business users and holidaymakers alike.

Earlier, Unite announced 12 strike days between July 27 and August 29, which take in Cowes Week and the peak summer holiday period for the Isle of Wight.

Staff have rejected a pay offer of 4.5 per cent from the company, increasing to 6.5 per cent for the lowest paid staff, because they say it is far below the real cost of living, currently running at 11.7 per cent and rising. 

Leanna Lakes, operations director at Red Funnel, said: “To keep our customers updated, we can now share that Unite has confirmed a series of dates for industrial action as follows: July 27, August 1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 17, 19, 23, 26, 29.

READ MORE: Why Unite the Union is planning strikes

READ MORE: What Red Funnel said in response to strike vote

"We expect to keep sailing on these dates, albeit to a revised vehicle ferry timetable. Our Hi-Speed Red Jet service is expected to operate as scheduled.

"Now that we have dates in hand, we can proceed to finalising an updated timetable, which we intend to share by Wednesday.  

"In the meantime, we ask that customers bear with us and please refrain from calling our contact centre team with related queries at this time."  

"As ever, our priority is to ensure the Island community remains connected and that we continue to provide our lifeline service.”