Gov Involves Itself in Steam Packet Row

The Chief Minister and the Treasury Minister are both to meet with the chairman and MD of the Steam Packet today to ‘receive an update’ on the ongoing industrial dispute.

Members of the Nautilus union are currently taking action short of striking due to a row which began due to the company’s attempt to enforce live on-board conditions for crews.

Since then, outright opposition to the the principle of live on-board has been dropped, but the details around this and the way it has been handled has resulted in the Steam Packet issuing termination notices to staff.

As first reported by Manx Radio, Alf Cannan said: ‘Any industrial dispute is always disruptive but particularly so when it involves transport services. We will want to understand more regarding the background to the dispute and what plans are in place for resolution. We will also seek reassurance around contingency planning to maintain an essential service level for our sea service.’

So far the gov has refused to involve itself in the dispute despite the taxpayer owning the company and calls from the union, the public and MHKs to do so.