Steam Packet Working on Contingency Plans for Strikes

Steam Packet MD Brian Thomson says the company is working on plans to mitigate the impact of officers voting to strike.

Nautilus International announced tonight the company’s officers have voted in favour of strike action as the row over conditions continues.

A spokesperson for the company said it has noted with disappointment the outcome of the ballot for industrial action held by Nautilus Union and ‘is working with stakeholders to ensure contingency plans are in place for maintaining lifeline services to and from the island in the event of any action’.

Mr Thomson said: ‘We’ve hoped all along to avoid this situation but we’ve also been planning for the worst. We would now expect the Union, its members and our officers to do what is in their power to minimise any impact on the travelling public and every island resident who relies on the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company daily.’