Sacked at Christmas

The union locked in dispute with the Steam Packet says the company has served notice of termination of employment as to officers who have refused to agree to new terms.

Nautilus and the Steam Packet have been unable to agree on terms for the new live on-board conditions it wants to imposed on staff.

Nautilus director of organising Martyn Gray said: ‘This is a shocking escalation by Steam Packet Company.

‘While we always knew Steam Packet management were ambivalent towards our members work life balance and their personal lives, informing them that they will be sacked 3 days before Christmas is a new low for the company.

‘It is now clear that while steam packet were stating publicly that they were open to discussions, they were planning to serve notice. These are not the actions of a responsible employer. Those who have been served notice are being punished for the company’s failure to engage in independent collective arbitration and for standing up against the bullying tactics of fire and rehire.’

He added that the union will continue with its industrial action from December 27 and ‘consider further action’.

Earlier today, the company said it still wants to reach a deal with the union but said it reached a point where it would be serving notice.