Steam Packet Outlines Offer to Union

The Steam Packet says crews would be living on board for a maximum of five months a year under its latest offer to the Nautilus union.

Nautilus has announced it is balloting for industrial action over the enforcement of live-on-board rules for crews on the Manxman and Ben-my-Chree.

The company says it has offered crews and officers 42 days holiday a year, 23 weeks off on rotation, with crews paid for 52 weeks of the year.

A spokesperson said: ‘Manxman provides high-quality accommodation for all officers and crew on the muster list. The muster list is an intrinsic part of the ship’s safety management system and requires all crewmembers to be on board at all times. Even during periods of rest, crew are required to be on board in case of emergency. This is common practice in the marine industry.

‘Beyond complying with the safety management system, living aboard makes the Company much more flexible and resilient, including giving it the capability to undertake true day trip sailings to Liverpool in the winter and operate sailings around weather to reduce the number of cancelations.

‘As previously stated, Ben-my-Chree in its current mode is unable to operate outside the current schedule, including the ability to make daytrips to Liverpool. This is because of the steaming time and the need to return to its home port approximately 12 hours after leaving Douglas to comply with hours of rest regulations. Manxman, or Ben-my-Chree post-live aboard conversion, will be free from those limitations.’

They added that the company ‘does not recognise the Union’s claim of 70-80 days fewer with loved ones per year’ and that crews are not expected to only work on the Manxman and Ben-my-Chree as the Manannan will continue to remain as a day vessel.

And said: ‘As previously published, there is also a sliding scale 5% live aboard bonus on offer, payable for time worked on board a live aboard vessel. The bonus decreases by 1% per annum over five years.

‘The company has also been at pains to reiterate to the Union that it will try to accommodate any officer with genuine reasons requiring them to be at home on a daily basis, including engaging with MIRS or ACAS to help arbitrate individual cases. So far only one application has been received in relation to this offer.’

Despite Nautilus issuing notice of the ballot the company said it thought that progress had been made on several points during negotiations but said that it doesn’t believe the company has presented its plans to its members.

The Steam Packet has also said it hopes that industrial action can be avoided, citing that this would be ‘for the benefit of the Isle of Man and the travelling public’.