Politics
Politicians Criticise Steam Packet
The company has reiterated that it still wants to find an amicable solution
Several MHKs have hit out at the Steam Packet, which is owned by the taxpayer, for issuing notice of termination to staff just three days before Christmas.
Last night the company informed officers who refuse to accept its implementation of new conditions that their employment will be terminated in March.
After that news broke, the company reiterated that it still wants to find an amicable solution to the dispute which will see members of Nautilus start action short of striking on December 27.
Tim Glover, Jason Moorhouse, Michelle Haywood, Rob Callister and the Manx Labour Party have all criticised the timing and decision of the company and called on the gov to intervene.
Dr Haywood said the board of the company should ‘hang their heads in shame’ and called the sending of the letters at 5.08pm on the Friday before Christmas as ‘cruel and heartless’.
Tim Glover said that the Treasury has to intervene.
Arms length arrangement no longer valid – Treasury as shareholder needs to intervene – have written to @allinson_alex as a matter of urgency https://t.co/mifqK9JnXE
— Tim Glover (@timgloverash) December 22, 2023
A sentiment shared by Mr Moorhouse who said the company had ‘really hit a new low’ and called on the Chief Minister to intervene in the dispute.
Mr Callister also criticised the timing of the decision saying that staff will be terminated on March 15 2024.
The Manx Labour Party added it was ‘appalled’ by the decision.
However, one former MLC, Juan Turner was critical of the stance taken by MHKs, saying: ‘Only got yourselves to blame. This is what happens when you buy a company with taxpayers money and then make it unaccountable by being obsessed with this “arms length” nonesense. So I don’t buy any of this outage from MHK’s. You’re all elected to be in control of these things, so take control and sort it out. If you won’t then there was no point in nationalising the company.’
